I Have A Few Questions

[*Chels*]

OK this could be long:
Well,I am pg and still feeding my 2 1/2 yr old.I am REALY over it ATM,and am trying to wean him.Of course,I want to BF this bub but the thought of another 2+ yrs is kinda overwhelming!!
DS never took a bottle(or even a dummy at that)I think I waited too long to try it coz I was worried about messing up the BFing.
This time I want to introduce a bottle of EBM ASAP,even just at night so DH can help out,and for times I need a boobie break.So these are my questions.


Will expressing as soon as my milk comes in be a help or hindrince on my supply?
What brand of bottles/teats are closest to nipple as poss?
How will I know how much to express and how much bub needs?
What is the best way to store and serve EBM?How do you warm it??
What is the best advice you have to sucessfully BF and EBM bottle feed alternatively?
What happens if I do a EBM feed?Will my boobies get engorged?Should I pump at the same time??Sorry if these are stupid questions but I have NO idea!I am used to just putting a baby to the boob!
Thanks:D

[the_queen]

Not stupid questions :D






Will expressing as soon as my milk comes in be a help or hindrince on my supply?
A hindrance, generally. I would wait until your supply is settled in nicely, ie you're not getting overly engorged. So wait until around 6 weeks.
What brand of bottles/teats are closest to nipple as poss?
Try to get ones that look and feel like breasts and nipples. I think there are some new ones now which are quite round - is it tomy tipee? closer to nature, or something like that. I used Avent with my DD, because at that time they were the only wideneck bottles and I liked the big wide teat - you need something that has a little stickyout bit for baby to suck on, and a big round area like the boob part.
How will I know how much to express and how much bub needs?
There is a mathematical formula somewhere - you can work out how much a bub needs based on their weight. BUT I think if you just build up a good stash in the freezer, in small batches, and give him/her a small amount, if they want more, give them more. It's better to feed a bit less than they need (in terms of wastage) because you can always give them more. If you heat up a whole 200mls and they only drink 50mls, you have to throw out 150mls of liquid gold.
What is the best way to store and serve EBM?How do you warm it??
Freeze it in bags, this way you can store more in a smaller space in your freezer. Warming it is best done by letting it thaw out in the fridge, and then putting it into the bottle, then putting the bottle into a jug of very hot water. I found some wide plastic mugs, I'd put a small amount of boiling water in there, drop in the bottle, and it would heat in there. Don't microwave breastmilk - it alters the molecules.
What is the best advice you have to sucessfully BF and EBM bottle feed alternatively?
I would limit the amount of bottle-feeding to the absolute minimum. I would make sure that you don't do the bottle-feeding.
What happens if I do a EBM feed?Will my boobies get engorged?Should I pump at the same time??
You should, yes :yes: Because you need to be communicating to your body that the baby is having milk at this time. You need to be removing milk at regular intervals so that your body continues to make the right amount of milk. You will get engorged if you don't pump, yes :D