Question re expressing milk

[Lin]

Hi all,
I've bought a breastpump so I can bottle feed my newborn some times but when I've tried expressing, I can only get about 40-60mls at a time. And that's after trying to express for a good 1/2 hour or so! (I usually express after I've bf although one time I thought I'd see if I could express more having only fed dd on one side. But then that leaves me with dd pretty much attached to me the rest of the day trying to feed!).

I was wondering if I can put what I do express into the fridge and then add to it again later to fill the bottle up a bit more?

[threechooks]

yes, I do. I would also say 50-60mls is a pretty good effort!!!

[~Bec~]

Yep - absolutely. Don't store it in the fridge door though, not consistent temp. If you're not a great expresser I would suggest feeding small amounts in a bottle as after you rewarm it - if it hasn't been drunk you can't rewarm it and believe me, it's very disheartening throwing away ebm. :(

[Lin]

yes, I do. I would also say 50-60mls is a pretty good effort!!!


Really?? I thought that was a pretty lame effort! Concidering I've given her that amount in a bottle and then she still wanted more!! :rolleyes:

Thanks for the replies! I feel much better about the whole expressing thing now! I was getting a little disheartened with the thought that I couldn't express enough!

Becs - I can imagine! breastmilk is like liquid gold to me I think sometimes!

[Lin]

Sorry! One more question!!

Can I put the whole pump in the fridge ready to reuse or should I seal the bottle and wash the pump each time? It does have a cap to go over it....Is that enough to keep it clean?

[~Bec~]

Sorry! One more question!!

Can I put the whole pump in the fridge ready to reuse or should I seal the bottle and wash the pump each time? It does have a cap to go over it....Is that enough to keep it clean?

I used to just wash the pump in hot soapy water (rinse thoroughly) but not steralise the pump (cos boobs aren't sterile) but always expressed into a clean, steralised bottle. I don't know if that was necessary though or I was just being a paranoid mum (which I believe is part of the job description).

[Tam-I-Am]

I put my breastpump in the fridge to use again for up to 24 hours. I figure if breastmilk is good in the fridge for up to 5 days...my pump should be fine for 1 :)

[mumkc]

Hi Lin. I've been expressing since DS was born, for various reasons, and had the same concerns. I was getting 60-80mls per pump, but it started to dwindle. I started eating lactation cookies last night and tonight I have pumped 120mls!!!! They are amazing. The recipe is on this website - just do a search.

[Mahjong]

I put my breastpump in the fridge to use again for up to 24 hours. I figure if breastmilk is good in the fridge for up to 5 days...my pump should be fine for 1 :)

I used to do the same thing :yes:

50-60mls is an awesome effort, bear in mind that a babie's jaw is actually stronger for getting the breastmilk out than a pump, so getting the amount you are with a pump is great :D You may find it will increase later down the track, but dont get to disheartened about it if it doesn't :D