Does anyone express and breastfeed?

[Bubblesbeau]

I would like to do both but was wondering what routine I should have? I have expressed 3oz this morning after feeding bubs from other boob and put it in the fridge but I don't know if this is the correct way to do it? I don't want to mess up my supply as I don't know if bubs will even take to bottle? Also how to you store milk while your out? Once you take it out of the fridge can you put it in a insulted bottle bag like the tommee tippee ones and leave to stand at room temp when you need it?x

 

[Nicnax]

I would like to do both, so will read this thread with interest.

 

[Wilson28]

The correct way is that you feed your baby on one boobie. When they have finished, wait half hour then express from the same boobie, then do the same again on the next feed on the other boobie. Dont express after 6pm -2am as your body slows down producing milk between 2pm-2am, best time to express is early mornings however if u express to feed straight away u can do it all the way round xx

 

[Bubblesbeau]

What if you wanted to bottle fed during the day and breastfeed at night? Or should you not do this?x

 

[sallybee]

I used to bottle feed EBM during the day and bf at night. I can't say for sure as I had problems latching her anyway but she would get very frustrated at night and thrash her head around and scream I think because the milk wasnt letting down as fast as she was used to from the bottle. Now I exclusively give EBM and when I tried to latch her the other day she stared at me as though I was nuts!

Basically midwives and HVs wouldn't recommend it and from personal experience I wouldn't either but it's totally up to you.

Is there a reason you don't want to bf during the day? Xx

 

[l_maclean]

The correct way is that you feed your baby on one boobie. When they have finished, wait half hour then express from the same boobie, then do the same again on the next feed on the other boobie. Dont express after 6pm -2am as your body slows down producing milk between 2pm-2am, best time to express is early mornings however if u express to feed straight away u can do it all the way round xx

There isn't really a 'correct' way to express!! Do it when it's comfy and convenient.

Bottle feeding all day and bf at night long term may not be great for supply tbh. Although I'm currently doing this due to pregnancy
Don't leave it too long to introduce a bottle to LO, although professionals caution against nipple confusion this is rare, there are FAR more ladies on here with LOs who refuse bottles after delaying an intro.

BM can be kept at room temp for up to 8hrs at a time. And doesn't always need heated (my LO will drink at any temp!)


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[knopk@]

You can express and store in the fridge up to 5 days or freeze for when you.need it. Tbh i found it a faff to express as i didnt get on witha pump so preferred just to BF when out.
You can use those insulated bags, one of my friends did that but of course there is a time limit on how long it can be out

Tapatalking so cant see signatures

 

[Bubblesbeau]

The reason is only because I'm so paranoid bubs isn't getting enough. He is popping less lately which I wasn't concerned about because he still had lots of wet nappies but when he does poo it has a green tinge to it which I thought meant they weren't getting enough hind milk? Also he was feeding every 1.5 hours u felt like it was getting too much x

 

[sallybee]

There are lots of reasons babies can have green tinged poo - you may have a fore milk/ hind milk imbalance, it could be trapped wind? Xx

 

[sallybee]

Talk to your HV if you're concerned about his poo - or you could go to a BF support group there is usually a LC or other BF expert there who may be able to shed some light xx

 

[knopk@]

Green tinge can be wind or indeed not enough hind milk but if its not bothering lo, i wouldnt be worried. Babies dont poop as often as their gut matures abd bf babies poop less as there is less wastage.
Is bubs gaining weight and generally content after a feed? You can try offering the same breast after say 5 mins and see if lo wants it?

Tapatalking so cant see signatures

 

[Bubblesbeau]

He is gaining weight well but he doesn't stay on the boob for long maybe 10-15 mins and he comes off and cries a lot he also gags after a feed sometimes although he doesn't bring anything up. X

 

[knopk@]

Does he bring legs up or arch his back when he cries, is it after every feed? I would go along to a BF group as it sounds like maybe strong let down and he maybe gets air when he feeds? Its hard to say without observing

Tapatalking so cant see signatures

 

[Bubblesbeau]

I did speak to a lady at bf support group and she sound it sounds like a strong let down as he also chokes sometimes but she said it may balance out by 12 weeks LO is nearly 8 weeks. With regards to archung his back and bringing his legs up no he doesn't do this, if he is picked up and held over the shoulder while walking around he seems to be fine x

 

[TORino]

If he is gaining weight properly he will be getting enough. This is the only way you can tell sadly. It was a cause of much angst to me in the early days as I had a baby that cried a lot and I thought I was doing it all wrong or she wasn't getting enough.

Be careful with the expressing. If you do it too much it will cause havoc with your supply and you'll end up with boobies full of milk your LO won't be able to drink.

I used to express 3oz every morning from the opposite breast I was feeding from. I'd have a feed every 2 days that I would use when out and about if necessary.

 

[Mum2betash]

We do both. Well I mainly feed her but express a bottle a day for oh to feed her. I feed her with one boob then express the other first thing in the morning then when oh feeds her I start expressing again so I keep up my supply.. I just put it straight in the fridge and top it up when ready. Hope that helps xxx

 

[Bubblesbeau]

Thanks everyone for your help.
Mumtobetash I think ill do what your doing as that makes sense to me as I only rely want to replace one feed hopefully it doesn't lower my supply!
Xx

 

[Mum2betash]

Thanks everyone for your help.
Mumtobetash I think ill do what your doing as that makes sense to me as I only rely want to replace one feed hopefully it doesn't lower my supply!
Xx

Well my supply is just fine with the way I'm doing it. Even on the days oh doesn't use the bottle it atleast empties my boobs and keeps my supply up for when oh does want to bottle feed her. If that makes sense. Good luck to you xxx

 

[Mum2betash]

Though they do say wait til your lo is between 4-6 weeks before trying the bottle. Xxx

 

[Karate Kid]

Thanks everyone for your help.
Mumtobetash I think ill do what your doing as that makes sense to me as I only rely want to replace one feed hopefully it doesn't lower my supply!
Xx

It won't affect your supply hun an empty breast produces milk efficiently anyway. I express a feed so hubby does the morning feed leaving me to get some sleep xc