Want to express, don't want to increase supply..

[Just*Ace]

Hi all :)

I am currently breastfeeding my little girl. I want to start expressing as I have a few things coming up where it will not be possible for me to breastfeed her. I have a very good supply though and am wondering what the best way would be to express but not increase my supply too much, as it seems like I already have too much milk! TIA for any help :)

[trishalishous]

I would express right before a feed, and give bubs the bottle, rather than feeding.
that's what I do when I'm engorged and DD is asleep :)

[BabyPaparazzi]

There isn't really a way around not increasing your supply much if you express, cause what ever you are taking will be replaced, so when you stop you will have a slight oversupply until it settles down again, and this time span is different for everyone.

I've found the best way to express for an upcoming event is to do it gradually over the space of say a week or two. I work out roughly how many feeds I will need to cover and the amount (I usually use body weight in kg x 150 = volume for the day and divide by usual number of feeds = volume per feed, then add an extra feed in case), then divide the amount by say 7 days or even 10, then express the small amount each day. I hope that makes sense.

Otherwise if I try to power it out in a couple of days before my b00bies go into crazy mode and when I stop they almost explode :eek:, which isn't pleasant when bubs is under 6 or so months and you need to go express while in the middle of your event:rolleyes:.

[c38]

I agree with Bel. Do it over a period of time. Set yourself a time limit and just do say 10 minutes each side once a day or once every second day. Depending upon the size of bubs and how much you get you can freeze in ice cube trays, cover with two layers of glad wrap, and once frozen pop it into zip lock bags. Or once DS got bigger I used to save it in the fridge until I got 100mls (you can keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days) Then freeze in plastic takeaway container type containers (you can buiy a stack for about $3 at the supermarket)

By freezing in small amounts you can then defrost a small amount at a time and hte baby sitter can top up with a little bit (say one or two extra cubes) if needed rather then defrosting a whole feed and bubs not taking it and wasting what was in my case precious milk. As even though in theory you work it out on 150ml/kg /8 or 6 ( for 3 or 4 hrly feeds) many BF babies wont take the large volume in one go from a bottle if they are not used to it. And they are used to taking different amounts according to thirst at each feed. So if you're not around they may only take enough to quench their thrist fromt eh bottle and save up a big drink until you get home or visa versa.

As pp said your supply will increase slightly regardless of how you express, so best to do small amounts over time then bigger amounts in a hurray.