Just about to express for the first time..have a few question!

[Emma27]

I have to go into the city on Monday so hope to leave my dh at home with our baby. I've just got a pump so am about to start expressing some milk. I read in Baby Love that it it can take a few days to express enough for one feed. Should I store the milk I express in the fridge and just keep topping up the one container? We plan to use the milk in three days..if I don't have enough milk expressed I'll have to take him on the bus trip (will be interesting with a newborn)

[GIDGET]

Hi Emma,
Use a clean sterilised container and store it in the freezer. I used to use the avent bottles which double-up as containers.
When you express put the expressed milk in the fridge and then let it cool before adding it to top up the container in the freezer. You shouldn't add warm milk to cool or cold milk - you need to cool the fresh stuff first.
Hopefully, you won't need long to get enough for a feed. Just remember to relax when expressing - it helps with the let down.
Good luck,
GIDGET

[Visitor7]

Definitely put it in the fridge first, then the freezer. As he hasn't had EBM before it's best to store 50ml lots. That way if he's being fussy with DH when he's trying to give him a bottle, then it won't all be wasted.
Are you using a manual or electric? And how old is your DS?
I used an electric and used to get 170-200ml in about 5 minutes from each side, but my DD was about 6 months old at this stage. If your DS is a newborn, you may not get as much.

[Emma27]

I'm going to try a hand pump. My ds is six weeks old. I it ok if I just store it in the fridge and forget the freezer seeing as Monday is only 4 days away?

[GIDGET]

Fresh breastmilk should last 3-5 days in the fridge but you must store it in the back on the fridge - ie the coldest part - not the door.
Personally - I used to freeze then top up and defrost. I didn't like the idea of it hanging around for 4 days, especially if you are going to be topping it up.

[Snacks]

If it were me, Emma, I'd freeze it just in case. Expressing can be a lot of work and it is really heartbreaking to see your milk go to waste. Its likely to stay fresh enough in the fridge, but I reckon even so, I'd be doing as gidget suggested and freezing it in 50ml lots. Particularly if your little one hasn't tried it before... You don't know if he'll take it first go, KWIM?
My first go with the hand pump I only got 50ml anyway...

[Tracey]

Id not let it sit in the fridge for days either!

although I guess your heading off today..
I expressed 2 wks ago as i needed sleep so Dh fed Zyon EBM & I got 120ml from 1 breast in less than 5 mins, I then pumped the otherside & got 150ml which is in the freezer... Incase I need it!???

Good Luck.

[PinkPalace]

emma - wondering how things went?
i had to do this the other weekend and dd wouldnt take the bottle and was crying till i got home to feed her . have tried again since but nope wont tke the bottle nor a sippy cup

[Emma27]

Unfortunately things didnt go to well..I didn't have time to express! Everytime my baby was asleep for a long enough period I was either asleep or busy or realised the pump wasn't sterilsed!
My mother in law was kind enough to come with us on the bus trip! It was fine.
Oh well..I'll have another try this week as we have our anniversary in a few weeks and we'd LOVE to go out on our own for (a quick) dinner

[Snacks]

Oh, what a shame. Good on your MIL, though! Better luck next time, Emma! Go and have that dinner and enjoy it