Advice on breastfeeding with expressing

[butterfly5]

Hey I am due in 4 weeks and want to breastfeed. However, selfishly I am looking forward to being able to let Dh have a feed so I can enjoy a glass or two of wine at weekends.

How and when should I pump in between breast feeds to create a freezer supply to make this possible?

Thank you

 

[gardenofedens]

Personally I wouldn't recommend introducing anything other than your breast for at least the first 6 weeks so as to avoid nipple confusion - no bottles, binkies, etc. But that doesn't mean you can't begin expressing before then to build up a frozen supply. My lactation consultant wanted me to pump for 10 minutes after every feeding starting 2 days after birth. It's time consuming so I only did it probably 3 times per day but at least a few sessions a day will help boost and stabilize your supply so you'll be sure to have enough for bottle feeds when needed. One thing to mention is that I always worried if I pumped and then LO wanted to nurse again that she wouldn't be able to get anything, but I've since learned that LO will always be able to get more even after pumping since their suckling is way more effective than a pump. Good luck!

 

[missk1989]

I wouldnt pump for the first few weeks as you are trying to establish a supplyand as pp said introducing a bottle so early can lead to nipple confusion or a preference for the bottle. But when you do i found that expressing first thing in the morning, doing one side as lo fed off the other produced the most.
You can drink whilst breastfeeding but the rule is if you can drive you can feed. Drinking whilst you feed or straight after is recommended so you have less in your mik by the time the next feed comes along.