Expressing questions

[debvn243]

Hi

I am after some help with expressing. My DS is 5 weeks old and EBF, we are doing really well and loving it - however my DH really wanted to get involved at feeding times so we decided to give expressing a go. I managed to express enough for a three oz bottle which my DH gave at his 8pm feed. He took it really well so we have decided that it'll be nice for him to do the evening feed.

I am still confused with the basics of expressing - When should I pump and which breast to use? Do i use the alternate breast to the one he's just fed on and the feed on the pumped breast at the next feed? (this is what I have been doing) When I am BF i only feed from one side at each feed, he has never needed both breasts.

 I only need to pump twice to have enough for the evening feed so I have been pumping at the time of the bottle feed and then topping the bottle up the following morning.

Also if i go out and DH gives a feed, how long do I have before I have to express the breast that I haven't used? And then which breast do I next feed from if it close to feeding time?

As you can see, i'm super confused!!! All help greatly recieved! 

[Erin M]

When should I pump and which breast to use? Do i use the alternate breast to the one he's just fed on and the feed on the pumped breast at the next feed? (this is what I have been doing) When I am BF i only feed from one side at each feed, he has never needed both breasts.

If you're single sided feeding, this sounds like a good plan.  Are you pumping directly after the feed? 

Also if i go out and DH gives a feed, how long do I have before I have to express the breast that I haven't used? And then which breast do I next feed from if it close to feeding time?

Your body will probably tell you this.  In the early days of breastfeeding, you'll probably get uncomfortable in a hurry, so if it's only every once in a while, you'll be good waiting as long as you feel comfortable.  A little hand expressing if you're out and about will help relieve some of that discomfort.  Depending on how long he needs to go until his next feed, you can pump the side you would have pumped and then feed off of the other one.  If he needs to feed right away when you get home, I might feed off of the fuller side (just because babies are always more efficient than pumps) and then pump the other side. 

Does that help?

[debvn243]

Thanks for your reply Erin

I have been expressing twice a day to make up a 5oz bottle, I have been expressing the breast that would have been used at the feed that my DH is giving and then topping the bottle up in the morning using which ever is the alternate breast to the one that I am then feeding on. So say I feed on the right at 7am, I am expressing the left one as soon as i've finished feeding,then for the 10am feed I am using the left breast again.

Is this right? I am still confused as to why I use the same breast after I have pumped from it at the previous feed and not the other one?
I am worried about getting lopsided!

If there is a better regime of expressing? Are there better times to do it? I'm surprised at how little info there is about this on the net or maybe i'm just worrying about it too much and should just go with it - but i'm a planner not a winger! I like clear instructions that I can follow 

Thanks for your help!

[*Ali*]

I think maybe you are worrying unnecessarily just a bit it won't make any difference long term if you feed from the side you last pumped. You won't get lopsided. The other side might just get fuller and feel uncomfortable but if you aren't experiencing this then it isn't an issue. The reason for swapping breasts each feed is just so you get the breast that is fullest. As Erin said the pump is less efficient than baby so it can be good to feed off that breast next to make sure it gets emptied and you don't get plugged ducts.

Tbh I used to just give my boobs a wobble and whichever felt fuller got pumped. I had one that was more productive (I think everyone does) and so I would be sure to pump that at night or it got too full by the morning whereas the other breast seemed to be able to go all night without leaking.

[Erin M]

Tbh I used to just give my boobs a wobble and whichever felt fuller got pumped.

LOL, I've done this too.

Honestly, what Ali said, it sounds like you're doing a fabulous job. 

[debvn243]

Thanks Guys! 

This mothering business is hard work, especially for a neurotic worrier like myself! Must stop worrying though, he's doing fine and gave me his first proper smile this week so it's all totally worth it.

[Kellyshe]

This was a great question!  So if I am single side breast feeding, I shouldn't pump both breasts when pumping when I return to work?  Does double pumping encourage more production? 

[Fiver]

You may find that you need to pump both sides just to get enough out for the feed that you're missing.  Often the body isn't as responsive to a piece of plastic as to a little person

[eva026]

I found pumping both sides in the morning after DD's feed gave me enough for 1 bottle a day. After a whole night I was really full and still got milk out of the breast DD had fed from, the added whatever was needed from the unused side to get the full bottle.
However you decide to do it, if you always stick to the same pumping times your body will adjust in a few days and start making more at the time.