When to express/pump?

[Loriwil]

Hello, I am pregnant with my first child and am wanting to breast feed but also express so my husband/friend is able to give our babe at least one or two feeds a day - primarily an early evening feed and possibly the dream feed.  I am not sure when the best time to express during the day?  Also how much do I express?  Is it the same amount as if they were on formula?

Thanks

[JacobMarksMummy]

Hi!

First of all congratulations!

I always found the best time to express was at the first morning feed as you tend to be fuller then. Some women stuggle to pump and as one of those women I always found I could express more if I pumped off one boob whilst DS nursed off the other.  I would recommend that when you do express keep going until you cant get anymore milk out, you can always freeze milk if you have surplus which is a good idea incase there are days when you are out and dont have time to pump. HTH

Anymore questions please ask! 

[Nicola_G]

Hi,

I agree with Nome, I pumped in the morning whilst lo was feeding off my "smaller" side. I knew he was more efficient at extracting the milk so I could maximise the amount pumped.

However, after my milk supply stabilised and I was no longer so engorged in the mornings, it did become harder to pump and I had to resort to finishing off with manual expressing (ie not using the pump, just "milking". And yes, my husband would often let out a deep, low mournful "Mooooooo" when I did this, most humiliating!:D). Even so, I was always pushing to get any more than about 120ml (4 oz). Keep at it though, if you can express this much every day you will have a good supply for bottle feeding requirements, provided you don't use it all the time. I tended to bf whenever possible so I did not eat into the supply, which is now being used for daytime EBM bottles at childcare.

[Loriwil]

Thankyou both for your replies - they both make sense and will definately be taken on board!!   

[jbepko]

JUst make sure your milk supply is well-established before offering a bottle. By Week 3 most LO's are good at nursing and most mom's supplies are good.

[daisymelan]

Just wanted to say congrats and that you should do some research and purchase an electric pump or ask for one for your baby shower.  I think if you want to pump enough for two feeds, this would be a great investment.

And good for you for getting him on the dreamfeed train!  Goodness knows I enjoy those evenings off.

Congrats again.