Occasional bottle feed help please!

[MissE]

Hello Mummies

I apologise for my cluelessness about this, I really have no clue about expressing!
My baby is 3 weeks old and so far have been exclusively bf:ing. I have been thinking about takig a bottle with me when I occasionally go out with her, and my midwife said that's fine as she has never had problems latching or anything.

I just wanted to ask if the expressing has an effect on the procuction of milk if I only do it every now and again?
Also, does it matter when I express? (ie right before of after her feeds)
Is it possible that after expressing there wont be enough milk for her in my boobs if she fancies a feed soon after?
Is there anything important to remember while bottle feeding?
Is it true and why is it that bf:ing babies dont need winding but bottle fed babies do?
If I express in the morning before i go out and take the bottle with me. If still unused by the time i get back,can I still put it in the fridge and use later?
How much do you think she would need for one feed?

If anyone could give me any answers,I would be really greatful, as I'd be more confident going out and about. Thank u!!

 

[Charlie:-)]

I just wanted to ask if the expressing has an effect on the procuction of milk if I only do it every now and again?

It shouldn't have if its only now and then and if you're expressing after each feed rather than introducing a dummy feed.

Also, does it matter when I express? (ie right before of after her feeds)

If its only now and then I would do it after each feed unless it becomes regular then I would be tempted to introduce a dummy feed.

Is it possible that after expressing there wont be enough milk for her in my boobs if she fancies a feed soon after?

I read somewhere it takes 1.5 hours to replenish the milk but assuming your baby doesn't drain both boobs then I would just feed from the opposite side to the last feed which should be nice and full. If you feed from both then the next time you feed pop baby onto the boob you last fed from if it hasn't been emptied.

Is there anything important to remember while bottle feeding?

If you are out with a friend I would try and ask a friend to feed baby as sometimes babies can refuse to take a bottle from their mummy because they can smell your milk and prefer to be on the boob.

Is it true and why is it that bf:ing babies dont need winding but bottle fed babies do?

I winded Maia till she was about 4 months old at which point she could easily get her own wind up. They do say though that bottle fed babies take in more air so you will need to wind.

If I express in the morning before i go out and take the bottle with me. If still unused by the time i get back,can I still put it in the fridge and use later?

Here's some guidelines for storing expressed breastmilk, my HV gave me a leaflet from this site which says you can leave breastmilk at room temp for 6 hours http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/expressing-and-storing-breastmilk.html

How much do you think she would need for one feed?

When I started giving Maia a bottle of EBM at 5 weeks I think she was on 2oz and then it gradually went up as she got older now she takes anything between 7 - 9 oz.

When breastfeeding it is recommended to wait until your supply is established before expressing so its not recommended until after 6 weeks of breastfeeding, although I started at 5 weeks and never had any problems.

 

[MissE]

Thank you so much for your advice!
I think I will try my pump today. I'm only going out for a coffee and hopefully LO will sleep throughout if I feed her before I step out, but the bottle is mainly really for my peace of mind rather than anything else. Am really self conscious about bf:ing in public (well,my boobs rather than the actual feeding..). I wish i weren't,but am..

 

[kelsey]

Hi hun

I just wanted to ask if the expressing has an effect on the procuction of milk if I only do it every now and again?

Your body works on supply and demand but if you only do it every now and againg will have little if any effect. If you did it regularly it would/could increase ur supply.

Also, does it matter when I express? (ie right before of after her feeds)

A lot of people find that in the morning time it is easier to get more milk out. You could express on one side whilst baby is feeding on the other. It may be best to experiment to see what works for you.


Is it possible that after expressing there wont be enough milk for her in my boobs if she fancies a feed soon after?

If you express whilst baby is on the other boob, ur milk will fill back up anyway. Your body know when a breast is emptying and will therefore refill so it would be unlikely there wont be enough milk.

Is there anything important to remember while bottle feeding?

The only thing i can think of is that its easier for babies to get milk from a bottle than a breast so they may gulp it down too fast.

Is it true and why is it that bf:ing babies dont need winding but bottle fed babies do?

Bottle fed babies need winding coz air can get in whilst their feeding - but i would say the same for bf babies too although poss less of a chance. I always winded whilst bf

If I express in the morning before i go out and take the bottle with me. If still unused by the time i get back,can I still put it in the fridge and use later?

Tbh I would throw it away then. Heres a link with info on it tho - http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/ ... toring.pdf


How much do you think she would need for one feed?

Tbh at 3 weeks she wont need an awful lot per feed. I would say to take 3-4 oz for a feed to be on the safe side.



I have a question - is there any reason you want to bottle feed rather than feed off breast whilst ur out?

hope i've been some help xx