breast feeding question

[Babylicious]

OK so how much can I breast pump out? to say put in bottles? I just want to make sure that my oh can feed baby too.

Plus will my breasts still leak?

 

[Rosieroo]

Some people can pump out ozs others only a few drops, but both manage to sucessfully feed. It depends when you express, your supply will be more abundant in the morning. I only leak a little now when I let down, out of the breast that DS isn't feeding on, however in the beginning I'd leak quite a lot.
How often are you hoping DH will be able to feed your LO? Is it to give you a break or to bond, as there are plenty of other ways for him to bond with baby that don't include feeding i.e. bathing, changing, cuddles, taking them out for a walk so you can get a bit of rest and a nice bath etc.

 

[clairescunny55]

i tried expressing and could only get a few drops, even tried a few different breast pumps. sorry i cant be of much use

 

[leckershell]

I've expressed, and I get out about 60 off the first side and 40 off the second side, so I usually end up with about 100ml. Depends how long I leave it though... if I go all afternoon with no feeds and they are proper bursting, then I can get about 160. It should equal out to what your little one feeds off you, but since there is no way of telling how much they are having, I suppose it's just an approximation. The amount you can express will depend on when you express, ie just after a feed you'll have very little coming out, or instead of a feed you'll have quite a bit. It'll increase when your baby starts eating more too, so in the first few weeks you may get less than the next few weeks. If you substitute a breastfeed for a formula feed for any reason, try and express off that feed so your body knows to produce that amount... then you'll have 1 feeds worth ready to use.

God, sorry I bet that makes no sense? PM me if you want it explained any better!

michelle x

 

[Babylicious]

thanks girls

 

[lisa&alex]

i also heard that its best to pump after a feed to empty breasts so u dont get mastitus?

 

[Rosieroo]

Your boobs are never totally empty, they continue to produce milk all the time though after a feed they might feel soft and empty. If you express after every feed then your breasts will think that they need to produce more milk every feed so you'll have an oversupply. However it's a good way to boost a low supply