Expressing and feeding help!!

[leedsforever]

OK... a few questions ...

how much do you express at a time?? so how much would you do for 1 feed?

also Ive just given my baby 30ml of expressed and then she continued on my breast...!!
Shes been a bit sick and unsettled since... Im worried Ive gave her tummy ache!!
Also ... i put it in the fridge as you can for 24 hours... but I assumed it was then ok to take out and keep out of the fridge for 6 hours... is that right??

 

[ryder]

Hmm... well from reading alot of other posts on here about breastfeeding, seems alot of people have trouble with colic etc... Which I find is odd when breastmilk is supposed to be better then formula... however...

As for expressing, different things work for different people. Right now you likely arn't really producing a super exorbant amount, because the baby doesn't eat a ton at once. Its more often, especially with breastmilk.

I would continue on as you are, expressing and breastfeeding, you will eventually start producing more milk. And you will find a successful way of latching the pump on, playing with the settings if its an electric or using the hand pump.

 

[bigbelly2]

Hi Kerry it took about 10 days for my milk to come in proparly so bare with it if you dont seem to have as much as you think you should have, the more she latches on the higher production youll have *i however didnt get enough and had to bottle feed aswell*

I expressed as much as i could and popped itin the fridge i was told that you can have it in there for 24hours but when you take it out of the fridge they told me no longer than an hour ideally, 2 hours maximum to leave it out...

they always told me to let him eat as much as he wanted, if shes being a bit sicky she may have had a little bit too much but dont worry shel know for next time *unless shes a greedy piglet like mr t* i did always give him infacol though even when i was breast feeding as they get windy and colic just like bottle fed babies so just wind her lots and remember, we dont all know the answers all the time, its trial and error but trust yourself the old saying is OH SO TRUE "mom always know best"

h x

 

[sam's mum]

There's some information on roughly how much they need here: https://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html

When I started pumping and giving Sam a bottle he'd finish it really quickly and still seem really hungry, but he was having lots and I think he just wanted to comfort suck most of the time, as he was ok if I distracted him with something as soon as he'd finished the bottle.

I'll usually keep the milk in the fridge until I need it then warm it up in a bottle warmer or a bowl of hot water so I know it's fresh x

 

[Christine33]

good morning kerry!
i have been expressing milk since Ali was born as he was being fed through a tube
he is four weeks old this coming sunday and i have an excellent milk supply. i can express 150 mls from one boob alone in about 10-15mins. i get a lot of help from hubby in relation to feeds and more sleep than if he was on the breast! he gets formula too, but mainly breast milk.
keep at it, your milk production will increase the more you breast feed and express. i started of with just 30mls and felt i was pumping forever but it does get better!

i express about 6 times a day.

good luck!

Christine
X

 

[leedsforever]

she was really really unsettled through the night.... screaming!!! To the point I cried cos I just didnt know what she wanted!!

she fed well at 1am (both breasts) and then fell to sleep on me... when we dressed her and changed her she started to cry again (which is normal for her she doesns like lol) but this time she didnt calm down after. she then fed again after agggggesss of putting her to the breast!!

Its so so so much harder when she has wound herself up! So she fed again about 2.30am... again pulled away a few times but I put her back on and often she continues!

Still when she wouldnt suck anymore she was screaming and I just didnt know what to do!! OH was up with her all night trying to calm her down... she'd calm and then start crying again! I then fed her again at 4ish but like her last feed was only about 20 mins... ! I eventually gave it and let OH give her some formula to which she finally settled!!

I was thinking that maybe at night time she is more lazy and doesnt want to feed for as long on my breast but then like what you guys have said maybe shes not getting enough... (thats what OH said)!! And maybe colic... I have some stuff for that so Ill start using!!

Hayley... so you were told an hour... 2 max?? maybe my breast milk had gone off a bit then?!?! Is there anything you can get to keep it cool in the changing bag?!

 

[leedsforever]

i can express 150 mls from one boob alone in about 10-15mins

wow thats amazing... like you i started with getting like 30ml in about 30 mins lol....!!
Got a bit more yesterday about 60ml in 30mins....

but its great to know that it gets quicker!

 

[leedsforever]

There's some information on roughly how much they need here: https://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html

Thats a fab website thanks...

Im going to write down when she feeds today again... like they get you to do in hospital... I forgot to do it yesterday but its really handy to work out how much she feeds etc!!

 

[bigbelly2]

kerry. you and your oh have to trust your instincts babe, if you think shes not getting enough then thats prob what it is, as i didnt have enough milk to satisfy tommy i breast then bottle and it worked really well for me, of course its the most natural way to feed *by the breast* and its a fabulous bit of bonding time but i also think there is so much pressure on us all to do it its unfair, i am a great believer in doing what you feel right, if you and courtney are getting stressed and not enjoying it as such then change something slightly as in offer her the bottle after and she may settle meaning you both are more contented and happy, if baby isnt happy then neither is mommy and thats not how its meant to be!! The first 12 weeks are the hardest in my opinion so chill...rome wasnt built in a day and we have to learn all about our new little best friends personalities...

h xx

i had a bottle cooler thingy i bought from mothercare, either keeps them warm or cold, theres a little section that i pop a freezer bag thingy in to keep it cool...

 

[sam's mum]

Remember that she's far more efficient at getting milk out than a pump, so if you're pumping 30ml that doesn't mean that's all she's getting from you x

 

[leedsforever]

Remember that she's far more efficient at getting milk out than a pump, so if you're pumping 30ml that doesn't mean that's all she's getting from you x

phew.... i thought so!!

 

[leedsforever]

kerry. you and your oh have to trust your instincts babe, if you think shes not getting enough then thats prob what it is, as i didnt have enough milk to satisfy tommy i breast then bottle and it worked really well for me, of course its the most natural way to feed *by the breast* and its a fabulous bit of bonding time but i also think there is so much pressure on us all to do it its unfair, i am a great believer in doing what you feel right, if you and courtney are getting stressed and not enjoying it as such then change something slightly as in offer her the bottle after and she may settle meaning you both are more contented and happy, if baby isnt happy then neither is mommy and thats not how its meant to be!! The first 12 weeks are the hardest in my opinion so chill...rome wasnt built in a day and we have to learn all about our new little best friends personalities...

h xx

i had a bottle cooler thingy i bought from mothercare, either keeps them warm or cold, theres a little section that i pop a freezer bag thingy in to keep it cool...

I absolutely love bf-ing when shes on and doing it well... but sometimes shes a lil madam and just doesnt want to latch on very well!! I think i will start offering her the bottle sooner...!! so then i completely know she isnt hungry anymore! Its going to be a bit of both for me

 

[Margerle]

Let's cover the biology bit first.

Your body is automatically making milk right now... and at a fast pace. Within a week to 10 days from now your body will quit producing automatically and will shift to take cues from your baby to make the right amount for her. This will continue until you quit breastfeeding.

The way baby cues your body is through sucking and draining the breast of milk. This tandem dance will occur for the next 6-8 weeks or so until baby stops her ubergrowth pattern.

So a hungry baby sucks more and completely drains your breast which entices your body to make more for next time.

Hungry babies aren't real fun to have around and they need lots of love and support and hugs and cuddles. This doesn't last forever- it's natures way of getting things all figured out. Every lady that has breastfed past this time will assure you it WILL GET EASIER. But the worst thing you can do is offer something other than your breast - even when you think she's hungry. The fact is, she IS HUNGRY, she needs to have a chance to tell your body this, so there's enough for next time!

As far as the expressing bit, there's a few women here that have been successful starting expressing BM that early, but most women don't have success, or find it more draining than just feeding directly... tinytoes, Ragirl are both great resources for expressing and they can help you sort it out... But to be honest, unless you are able to pump successfully- this isn't something you should be thinking about doing until after you've regulated and things are getting easier as you may undermine your breastfeeding.

You may also consider avoiding giving bottles for the first 4-6 weeks so you avoid nipple confusion...

Babies have brand-new-never-used digestive systems. It's a weird feeling to them to have trapped air circulate in there, its weird to have food down there, its weird to poo and pee and fart. Breastmilk IS the easiest food for them to digest and is easiest on their brand new systems, and delivers the best nutrient ratio to them.

Things will get better hun, I promise. Your best bet is to camp out with your brand new little girl, on the sofa, with lots of water and healthy snacks... let her suck and sleep. Most of us breastfeeders spent the first month or so on the sofa with LO's. It's an exhausting time, but so worth it! What better way to spend that first month with baby than cuddling, and getting to know one another?

Also, I encourage you to go to this website and consider getting this book:

www.thehappiestbaby.com

And read this article about a baby's cry:

https://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/t051200.asp#T051204

 

[leedsforever]

Margerle I understand what your saying about nipple confusion and I have totally suffered the brunt of that!!
My baby was NOT latching on after birth and the ward in hospital made it very easy for me to accept top up feeds with bottles.... courtney then got very used to bottles and I decided I was ready to give bf-ing ago!! It was a real struggle to get her on but the nipple teats are a LIFE SAVER!!!
I can understand what you say about not given them anymore but I do what I think is right... she screams so so loud and gets herself so worked up.. when thats going on for nearly an hour its healthier for me and her to give her some top up! Im at the point of tears and shes so hot and literally sounds like shes gasping for breath!
Im not expressing to the point of making up feeds but it really helped my engorged breasts... gives them a bit of relief... and like others have said it helps the milk flow!

I def have a little hungry baby lol!!

 

[Margerle]

Margerle I understand what your saying about nipple confusion and I have totally suffered the brunt of that!!
My baby was NOT latching on after birth and the ward in hospital made it very easy for me to accept top up feeds with bottles.... courtney then got very used to bottles and I decided I was ready to give bf-ing ago!! It was a real struggle to get her on but the nipple teats are a LIFE SAVER!!!
I can understand what you say about not given them anymore but I do what I think is right... she screams so so loud and gets herself so worked up.. when thats going on for nearly an hour its healthier for me and her to give her some top up! Im at the point of tears and shes so hot and literally sounds like shes gasping for breath!
Im not expressing to the point of making up feeds but it really helped my engorged breasts... gives them a bit of relief... and like others have said it helps the milk flow!

I def have a little hungry baby lol!!

The ladies here will tell you, I wasn't being trying to be condeming with my post. God knows being a mama is one of the hardest things on the planet to do. My brand new daughter not just a few hours old cried as you described if she wasn't on the breast, for 3 SOLID days after I had spent the prior 30 hours giving birth to her posterior little bum. The first night my husband was aghast at having a baby around again and pressuring me to give her a bottle. I know what you mean, when your stressed, and exhausted, hurting from giving birth, new to the whole game, and frustrated with EVERYTHING as it ISN't anything like you thought it would be.

You asked some questions and I gave the best answers I could for you for long term success of breastfeeding.

In the end, of course, you are the mama.

 

[leedsforever]

my oh is like that to... alot keener to give in to the bottle... which makes me cry lol...

sorry hun if i came across that I wasnt apreciative of your response and I know you didnt mean it in a bad way.... your trying to help

 

[ryder]

I honestly don't know how some mothers can mentally handle a month of being with/holding your baby and letting it feed 24 hours a day. I love babies, I love holding them etc and ive cared for alot, but I would honestly go banana's if I could not have some alone/away time.

My hat goes off to any of you who could handle it.

Im going to be expressing so my OH can share in the care, its our baby and I believe he should have the bonding time with the baby too... If expressing doesn't work I will go to formula. Our formulas here are quite developed and easy to digest for the baby.

Dont worry leeds, you and your OH will choose what you feel is best for all 3 of you. No matter what. And remember that every mother is different, every baby is different. What works for one family may not work for you.

Trust your instincts hun! Some things arn't easy, it is up to you to know how much you can handle.

 

[reallytinyamy]

Kerry, stick with it, I gave up and regret it now. I felt like she was constantly on the breast that my milk wasnt enough that i wasnt good enough and couldnt provide properly for her and switched to formula. I have been trying to express but just cant do it- I think I gave up too soon, having read things on here now I think i was doing just fine,but its too late now.

Keep going, you're doing great

 

[xarlenex]

I gave up and regret it now too You said she was sucking then pulling off crying then trying again if I read correctly (its late, im tired lol) maybe try winding her a bit more? Maybe a little bit of trapped wind and shes tryin to suck for comfort but its hurting?