Breastfeeding Chatter #18

[RhiChiChi]

Hi ladies,

I may be returning to work two days per week with DD who will be around 10/11 mths old then. I am thinking of doing full time EBM rather than part bf and part EBM/formula (?). My question is how do I know how much I need to express for her per feed/per day?? I want to get a good stash in the freezer prior to going back to work and will be able to express at work if need be. I haven't bf for this long so I really have no idea what I am doing or should be doing/considering.

[RhiChiChi]

Hi ladies,

I may be returning to work two days per week with DD who will be around 10/11 mths old then. I am thinking of doing full time EBM rather than part bf and part EBM/formula (?). My question is how do I know how much I need to express for her per feed/per day?? I want to get a good stash in the freezer prior to going back to work and will be able to express at work if need be. I haven't bf for this long so I really have no idea what I am doing or should be doing/considering.

I should add that DD will take a bottle - I have expressed before as an experiment to see if I can express and also she will take water from a bottle

[Joeve]

HotI she is 15 weeks and she started not taking it a week ago. She pushes it out with her tongue, smiles and gurgles then if you try a bit more cries!
I love bfing her it's just that I do need to go to work this one day a week!

[dusty]

Joeve perhaps post a separate question for Barb Glare. She may not see your problem in here. Rhichichi I'm sorry I don't know but hopefully someone with experience will be able to advise you. My instinct says if you start to express whenever you have an opportunity then you can start your frozen stores and then start expressing when you would normally feed her you could faze in EBM feeds before you return to work so she's used to it once you return. Once you're back at work can you express there to continue your supply and her next day feeds?

[HotI]

Joeve, my Mum had some success feeding ebm by spoon with a couple of the little ones who weren't keen on bottles (temporarily or ongoing).

I was able to have DS with me or brought to me when he was that little. DD was older, and she would just hang out until she could feed from the breast, nothing worked for her. 15 weeks is a bit little to just wait til she folds though.

RhiChiChi, maybe the exclusive expressing women can help you with how much you would need. Is there a reason you want to switch from breastfeeding to bottle/cup feeding?

ETA - https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-...ill-breastfeed

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-...ing-breastmilk

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/caregivers.html Joeve, has some ideas on pacing feeds and cup feeding

[HotI]

Joeve, my Mum had some success feeding ebm by spoon with a couple of the little ones who weren't keen on bottles (temporarily or ongoing).

I was able to have DS with me or brought to me when he was that little. DD was older, and she would just hang out until she could feed from the breast, nothing worked for her. 15 weeks is a bit little to just wait til she folds though.

RhiChiChi, maybe the exclusive expressing women can help you with how much you would need. Is there a reason you want to switch from breastfeeding to bottle/cup feeding?

[Mrs P]

We've made it to just over 12 weeks BF now - yay! Still using nipple shields. It's working for us so I'm hesitant to stop, especially as his attachment without them is terrible. But I'm so used to them now it doesn't bother me. One quarter of the way to my one year goal!

[luna moth]

We've made it to just over 12 weeks BF now - yay! Still using nipple shields. It's working for us so I'm hesitant to stop, especially as his attachment without them is terrible. But I'm so used to them now it doesn't bother me. One quarter of the way to my one year goal!

No need to stop if they're working for you

[luna moth]

RCC: Maybe aim for about 200mL per day? Unlikely she'll want much more than that, but a stash that size will set you in good stead.

[Ladylove]

Joeve you could try ebm in a little cup?

[RhiChiChi]

HotI - the reason for me thinking I will just go straight to EBM Is that for two full days (apart from when I get home from work, which will be anywhere from 6pm onwards) she won't be on the breast, she will be feeding via bottle so was thinking (possibly incorrectly) that it would be easier for both of us, my hubby and her carers to have all her feeds via bottle. Thanks for the links, ill check in there

Thanks LM, I was thinking around that amount given that is what a formula fed babe would have

[Joeve]

Thanks for the suggestions I will experiment with a spoon and cup tomorrow

[chody47]

Good job Mrs P!!!

[Joeve]

No luck this bubba will not be tricked into anything except booby
Oh well looks like we are up for some fun days ahead! I am hoping once we start solids she might be more receptive to trying the bottle again!

[Ladylove]

Hmm have you tried different teats? Often it may not make a difference but with DD she refused a bottle until we introduced the Pigeon Peristaltic teat. It certainly could have been completely coincidental but we don't know!

[Joeve]

LL that's tomorrow's plan. We use those teats already
She will not even entertain the idea of anything going into her mouth!!

[Barb Glare]

Richichi, at this age (she’s around 7mnths?) she knows how the system works - mum’s home = boobies; mum’s at work = bottles (or a cup). Usually there is no drama much for the baby. When you are at work it will be easy to express when you are full, but who wants that workload when you are home (which after all is the majority of the week.) Most mums find it pretty easy to have the carer feed EBM when they are at work and breastfeed when they are home.
Joeve, how old is your little one now?

[Joeve]

Barb she is 15 weeks. Was transitioning from breast to ebm bottles and back again beautifully until about 10 days ago! She is just determined it's booby or nothing