My baby is 2 weeks old and I am interesting in expressing just enough for one feed a day. I've been told by 2 midwives that one feed a day is not enough to cause nipple confusion so it's ok to start now. But then I have read elsewhere to wait until baby is 3, or 4 or 6 weeks old.
How long should I wait until I start expressing?
What experiences have you had with expressing?
I am only talking about doing it for one feed a day.
2007-05-14 08:59:15 · 9 answers · asked by Ricecakes 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Milk should come in within the first week. Pumping will help to bring it in, as well as prevent -or diminish- painful engorgement.
Pump it and freeze it for later. Milk can stay safely in your freezer for several months, so it is an excellent thing to do. Pumping helps to increase your metabolism, and will burn hundreds of calories every day so even though you are not supposed to be exercising just yet, you will still be dropping those post-baby pounds.
Experts do recommend to wait until your baby is about a month old, but if you have to introduce a bottle sooner, I wouldn't be too concerned about nipple confusion. Although that can happen, it is pretty rare. That being said, please do not hesitate to consult a lactation consultant if you have any problems.
And please get a good pump- I have the Medela Pump In Style Backpack and I will only use Lansinoh brand storage bags- they are very durable and easy to use and the double zipper seal assures me that my milk is safe from freezer burn, etc.
Best wishes!
2007-05-14 10:44:01 · answer #1 · answered by vanover00 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the midwives, expressing for 1 feed a day will do no harm. I actually waited til my daughter was 4 weeks old, as that was the advice I was given at the time. The reason I expressed was to let daddy feed her for a change as I felt he was feeling a little left out. It also gave me a break! lol! But our health visitor did recommend that whoever feeds baby with the expressed milk should position them in as close position as possible to how you would feed baby on the breast. Hope this helps.
2007-05-14 16:18:56 · answer #2 · answered by rachael t 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not sure, but i don't know how long you can store the milk for, I only expressed milk cos my baby was being tube fed for the first 4 days, the nurses was worried that he wasn't feeding enough, cos he only fed for 10 min at a time, so they were topping him up with my expressed milk. But the amount i expressed in the space of 10min filled 4 small jars, so i think they were worrying about nothing.
2007-05-14 16:05:47 · answer #3 · answered by Lisa T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I started expressing after a couple of weeks, had no problems, then was told to wait a while longer, I took this advice and couldn't express, whether it was psychological or not, I'm not sure, but it just didn't work, so if you feel ready just now and have enough milk to do it, go for it, good luck
2007-05-14 16:41:22 · answer #4 · answered by annmarie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are worried about the "confusion", my lactation consultant told me that Dr. Brown's bottles were the closest thing to breastfeeding because the baby has to "work" for the food. Basically, you don't want the bottle feeding to be so easy that they baby decides the breast isn't worth it. You can buy the bottles at places like BabiesRus or Target. They say by six weeks, that the risk of confusion goes down, if you are willing to wait that long.
2007-05-14 16:06:22 · answer #5 · answered by Jenn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is never too early to be expressing your milk even when you are breastfeeding full time. You can store breast milk up to 6 months in the freezer until the baby is ready to be bottle fed or bottled trained.
Yes I waited up to 4 weeks for mix the bottle (with breast milk) and breastfeed. Do not wait too long to bottle train the baby especially if you plan to go to work as babies always have exclusive preference for mommy's breasts as oppose to the bottle and you might not be able to train the baby on time.
But if you are not planning to go to work, full time breastfeeding is the way to go!
2007-05-14 16:44:53 · answer #6 · answered by E G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I started expressing my milk as soon as it came in to freeze in 2 oz bags. I even tried to feed my baby a couple of time with a bottle....no deal. She hates the bottle, but will take it if someone else gives it to her. All babies are different.
2007-05-14 16:12:24 · answer #7 · answered by gypsy g 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You at least need to wait until your milk has come on fully. Mine didn't for about 4 weeks. I tried expressing at about 2 weeks but got millilitres! Really not worth it and it hurt trying. I'd wait another couple of weeks, it will be much easier then as there will be more of it!
2007-05-14 16:21:40 · answer #8 · answered by t11omo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What the heck is expressing? I've never heard of that term when it comes to nursing. Sorry!
Anyway, try www.webmd.com. They're pretty good about medical questions and all that fun stuff w/ babies and parenting.
2007-05-14 16:05:14 · answer #9 · answered by sweet libra 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋