I have a plan!!

[leedsforever]

I have decided today that the best way forward for me and my baby is expressing my milk and also using formula! Especially at the mo whilst my milk is still coming in. I made this decision after putting her to the breast this morning at 11.00am for her to last just 6 mins.... me VERY VERY TIRED... like literally light headed tired... then gave her 30ml expressed... for her to still be hungry so she had 70ml bottle!!
She slept for 6 hours... with 2 nappy changes... no tears no screaming !! I appreciate she must be tired after the night before but im in a much better state of mind!
By expressing my milk I know exactly how much shes had and I know Im not one for breastfeeding in public either!

So my questions are... if shes on 80ml forumla per feed how much would I express of breast milk??

Also how often shall i put my breast to the pump to try and get my milk flowing?? Every hour... or 2??

Im feeling much more positive

 

[bigbelly2]

I was told in hospital to express every 2-3 hours to get the flow going and to keep it up, drink as much liquid as you possibly can, eat regularly and express by your baby, (they even told me to have a baby grow on me so i could smell him whilst expressing and it WORKED lol)...id express as much milk as you can if you can get the full amount for his feed from breast milk then fab if not then see how much you get within 24hours and try and work it out that way...does that make sense?!?!?

h x

 

[ryder]

Good luck hun!

 

[leedsforever]

yeh hayley def makes sense!

 

[leeanne]

Best of luck honey! Your choice and your way is what matters and as long as that precious little girl is happy, bonus!

 

[Christine33]

i express milk and formula feed (SMA) and it works out really well!
i try to express 2 times in the morning, 2 times in afternoon and 2 times in the evening (and another 2 times at different times during the day if i have time).
your milk supply will really build up and like i said before i can get 5ozs from one boob!

do you have an electric pump? i have the medela one - bit noisy but really good.

i am glad you are happier as it is hard work looking after a newborn - esp when you are so sleep deprived.



Christine
X

 

[leedsforever]

Thanks christine... its working well so far....

best night sleep in aggggggeeeeeesss.... and whilst OH is on paternity he can feed whilst i express!!

How much breast milk do you make up for one feed.... is the same as formula... for instance shes on 80ml aptimil so will I need 80ml breast milk???

How much was your electric pump??? I have the manual tommee tippee one.... its good for the time being and a bonus that it was half price in tesco but I might invest in a electric one soon

 

[Vickie]

I don't know the answers to your questions as I never breast fed but I'm glad things are going better for you

 

[reallytinyamy]

Glad you're feeling better. Good luck with it

 

[Emmea12uk]

i wouldnt recommend topping up until bf is established and her weight gain is low - as you would be surprised at how much she is getting. topping up will make you dry up and expressing and bfing becomes hard work. i did it for 8 weeks to get my milk up and i was exhausted and still drying up.

make sure when you pump that you pump everything out - as each time you pump you wont replace all of the milk if you leave some behind - as your body will think you are making too much. pump every 3-4 hours, more if you have time.

Also - i would make sure she is having 120ml each feed every 3-4 hours. let her take as much as she wants - at this stage you can't over feed. when i was working out how much tom took, i kept a bottle in the fridge and just topped up the used empty bottle oz by oz everytime he finished a feed until he wouldnt take any more.