Anyone solely expressing?

[T84]

So had a bit of a breakdown today with midwife. Scarlett is only 5 days old I know but I'm physically exhausted, nipple is cracked and sore and expressing from right anyway as she won't latch to it.

Does anyone solely express then bottle feed and what are the pros and cons? Midwife could only give me time as a con but the way I see it, by the time I finally get her latched on, if at all, top up her feed with ebm from a feeding cup, and pump next round I feel like I'm already doing the time.

Thanks for your help x x

 

[T84]

Oh and if I do express and bottle feed how much do I give her? X x

 

[Mummybexee]

Well personally I don't think time is such an issue - if you buy an electric pump and a support band you can go about daily duties while expressing? You can also feed her a bottle and whilst your sat doing that express then? So your effectively expressing breast milk every time your feeding! Don't get upset - make the most of this situation and at least you can express and give her breast milk huh!??

I've just expressed my first bottle and got an ounce out - just to try him on- Scarlett is only young and her tummy will be little - it will be a learning curve and you'll know if she's getting enough by her weight and wet nappies

In my area each week they do HV workshops - you can go and get baby weighed and discuss any worries etc - it's drop in with no app necessary- maybe see if they do similar in your area

If Scarlett is still hungry after you've fed her whatever you express - then I'm sure she will let you know - I'm anticipating Oscar letting me know if he's still hungry like he does at my boob even if he has unlatched himself

 

[Sophie_P]

I did this and ended up ffing solely, i just found it hard, happy mommy=happy baby xx

 

[kinkers]

Nothing to contribute I'm afraid but I will be keeping an eye on this thread as it's something I'm interested in.
I am meeting up with a local breastfeeding consultant on Sunday so I will be asking her about solely expressing. You could ask your midwive/health visitor if there are any breastfeeding consultants in your area that you can talk to?

 

[T84]

Thanks guys, I have a medela mini pump and it's working ok so far. Get about an ounce each side for ten minutes each. Going to go to a bf clinic on fri so that'll hopefully help. Just feel with these things and mw, it's all very well them showing you at the time and her latching on, big when your at home the next feed and it doesn't work then you feel back at square one. Doesn't help today that the one side she does feed off is in agony. The nipple is all sore and blistered. Gah it's hard work but I'm determined to try my hardest! Thanks again x x

 

[Binzy]

I think it depends on each case. I tried and tried with expressing but got next to nothing out! I just kept what I needed in the freezer for emergencies. I found I was wasting a lot of time doing it when I could have been doing something nicer as my LO hated the noise of the pump so I had to do it in another room!
Other mums I know had so much when they expressed they donated it to baby units so it just depends!

 

[AmeliaM27]

I know midwives etc don't advocate them but have you tried nipple shields? Some of my friends swear by them

 

[T84]

I'll have a wee look Amelia, thanks x x

 

[Jojo84]

I exclusively expressed and u found that as long as you express ine more feed than needed it worked okay but dies take longer to feed as the best way is to deed then express the next feed

 

[Sugarplump]

Ive had he exact same issue, my lo will be 1wk old tomorrow. My nipples have been agony, would have good latch when mw there then itd go wrong when alone. Im now using nipple shield and its so much easier, mw who came today said to try again without them but dont think I will. If tgey keep working so I can keep feeding her then im happy.

 

[T84]

Someone else suggested them sugar plump so I'm gonna try them, thanks x x

 

[Maud]

How's it going? How often do you have to express to get enough milk?

 

[T84]

Hey so far so good. She still does like maybe 2-3 15-20 min breastfeeds, just can't give up trying cos I love when she latches on. I express maybe every 3-4 hours and get 3oz at a time normally. I have quite a stock in the fridge but I need to pump more frequently to keep up with her as she gets bigger. It's gonna be hard when hubby goes back to work! X x

 

[BevG]

as long as you express every 3 hrs at least an at least twice in the night its possible to exclusively pump, theres a page on the kellymom site about it and tweetyfoo did it for aaron til almost 1

edit, you can increase supply with pumping days where you pump every 2 hrs for at least 20 mins to simulate baby cluster feeding

 

[T84]

Thanks bev x x