Expressing to Store Milk

Hello Ladies,

Question about expressing - When I can start expressing to store milk in the freezer for later down the track to mix with rice cereal and solid foods?

I dont want to interfere with my supply, so Im wondering how I can introduce expressing? Bub is only 1 week old, and breastfeeding is going good, (latch is perfect, but have extremely sensitive nipples, but I am feeding through the pain). I dont plan to introduce bottles anytime soon, but I would like to start a stockpile of breastmilk for when we do eventually move to bottles and solids.

When you say you're feeding through the pain, how bad is it? No damage? Definitely no thrush or anything else that may cause pain?

It's totally up to you when you want to do it. Many new mums find the early weeks pretty overwhelming so adding extra work just isn't feasible. The ABA has graet advice on expressing and storing breastmilk on their website or via the helpline 1800-6862686

Stored milk has a use by date, so check that out before you start storing so it doesn't go to waste.

I do Baby Led Solids (have a look at it, it's interesting), but even if you decide to go the mashed food you won't need that much milk for her food.

Give yourself awhile just to get feeding right and enjoy your little bubba before worrying about expressing.

If you're only wanting to express to mix with solids, you could probably hold off a bit. BM will keep for 3 months in a freezer attached to a fridge, and 6-12 months in a deep freeze. You will have a bit of time up your sleeve to get some in the freezer, and your supply should have settled well in by 12-16 weeks.

On the other hand, if you are wanting to build a decent stash of EBM you can express whenever you like; the only interference with your supply is likely to be an increase in milk, especially this early on.

Liek MadB said, totally up to you :)

Thanks girls. I will give it a couple of months and start expressing since it has a use by date of max 12 months.

HotI - Will look at Baby Led Solids. Sounds interesting.

MadB - I have always had sensitive nipples (ask DH!). Pain when she latches on hurts quite a bit, and does decrease a little as the feed goes on, but there is definite uncomfortable/pain feeling when I am feeding. Saw two lactation consultants while I was in hospital who said my technique and bubs latch is good, but couldnt really help with the sensitivity. I did have damage from the first few days, but it is healing well, right boob is healed up and left is nearly healed. (Had cracked and bleeding nipples on both sides). I would say the pain is a 5/10, even more painful for the left boob. And in the middle of the night the pain feels like a 7/10.

Just looked up thrush, and it does sound similar to what I am experiencing. But is it possible that I have had this since day one of breastfeeding though?

It's possible - might be a good idea to try and rule it out, just in case. It's always possible you have a combination of things going on. Just want to make sure you get that sorted out ASAP so it doesn't get worse for you!
Glad the damage is healing up. It can be so painful!

Would my local GP diagnose the thrush if I had it? I don't think bub is showing signs of thrush.

I did speak to the two lactation consultants at the hospital and called the ABA about the pain I am experiencing,and I think if it keeps persisting,I will get a consult with a private lactation consultant. I really do want to keep breastfeeding,and really want the pain sorted out so I can enjoy it more.

LC might be best, GPs can be hit and miss. I'd deal with it sooner rather than later. Definitely want to get the pain sorted!

definately also recommend seeing a LC, and sooner rather than later.

and re storing EBM, I expressed and stored it basically from when DS was born, as I wanted a good stash by the time I went back to work (when DS was 9 weeks old). From memory, I think we were told 4 hours at room temp, 4 days in the fridge, or 3 months in the freezer. Longer in "deep freeze" but we don't have one of those.

we also have done baby lead solids which is completely fantastic - check out the book by Gill Rapley (about $14 from book depository with free postage) and the BLS thread there :)

good luck!

Thank you, I have a private lactation consultant coming to see me tomorrow, so hopefully I can get breastfeeding sorted.

I doubt that it is thrush. Usually the baby would have symptoms and it is unlikely you would have had it since day 1. It sounds like an attachment problem. Seeing an LC is a great idea - it is good to get a thorough assessment of breastfeeding. These things are common in the early days, but things improve rapidly as you both get better

Great to hear you are seeing an LC. At least you know that they will be completely pro-breastfeeding. I had two GP's tell me I would have to wean my son before conceiving my daughter. I ended up breastfeeding through two IVF cycles, all through the pregnancy, and now have two hungry little mouths that share their "mumma milk" :D

I started expressing when my son was about 2 months old. We knew that we wanted another child fairly quickly, and I was worried that I might have to wean my son to be able to fall pregnant. But we also wanted our son to have the benefits of breastmilk for as long as we could. So I expressed almost daily and ended up with about 9-10 litres in our deep freezer. Because he never stopped breastfeeding we only used a small amount of it (in food for him). I used quite a lot of it after my daughter was born because she had a hormone rash, so I would put about half a litre in the tummy tub with water for her to bathe in. Even if you end up with lots to spare you'll probably find something to do with it.

I called the ABA about the 12 month limit on EBM in a deep freezer because I had some milk that was over a year old. I was basically told that EBM had been tested and studied up to a year which is why they know it's safe for at least that long, but that it obviously doesn't go off after exactly 365 days. She said that if I defrosted some and it still smelt normal, then it would be fine to consume. When breastmilk starts to go bad it has the very distinct "off milk" smell. She also said that babies seem to know as soon as milk is starting to go bad and will most often refuse to drink it. Obviously it would be up to you if you feel comfortable letting your child consume milk that had been stored for longer than the "recommended" time frame :)

As for your supply, just remember that it's a supply and demand situation. The more milk that comes out, the more milk is made. So rather than your supply suffering from expressing, you'll find that you make more milk. Expressing is a great way to relieve pressure when you are engorged.

If you're lucky like me, you'll be a great "galactagogue" (lol) and make lots of milk. I'm breastfeeding a 2 year old, a 4 1/2 month old, and I express and donate milk to two other beautiful babies that aren't able to be breastfed by their Mum's.

Best of luck! I hope the pain goes away soon so you can enjoy your breastfeeding journey ♥

How are things going? Did you see the LC?

Hi Fleur,

LC came to see me on Sunday, and showed me the correct latch. It takes a few attempts to get it correct when I latch bub on the right boob, but I am feeding without pain on the right side now, which is great. Just a little frustrating getting the latch correct.

I showed her my left nipple (sore, cracked and bleeding), and she said to leave a few more days to heal. So I have been pumping the left boob (very hard to find the time to pump though). She said keep putting the Lansinoh on as well. She also diagnosed vasospasm, but the pain is bearable.

I went to the doctor (local GP) yesterday and she prescribed a topical ointment to speed up the healing process. Its called 'Kenacomb'

Fed off left side 3 times yesterday, and it hurt, as I take bub on and off trying to get correct latch. Will keep trying to feed off left side,while trying not to keep damaging my nipple further.

Now Im worried that my supply has dropped from my left side, since it hasnt been used properly since last Friday. I can already notice a difference in boob sizes.

Is the way to build supply back up to feed bub from that side more often?
How will I know if I have blocked ducts or anything else wrong with my left side?

putting EBM on your nipples and letting them air dry helps too :)

and once you have time, express (and then BF) from that side as much as possible - every time bubs looks at you sideways - to give your body a chance to build supply back up.

keep massaging your boobies (particularly in a hot shower, or with hot facewashers on them) to keep the ducts clear.

good luck!

Awesome to hear you are feeding with less pain now :)

Do keep expressing & trying to feed off your left side but don't worry too much about a drop in supply. It is amazing how quickly your body will adjust. Bub will get all the milk she needs from your right breast, and when you do go back to feeding on the left it will adjust again. You might want to do a few extra feeds on that side to help it along, when you're ready.

It is normal for one breast to be a super milk producer - mine was my right :lol:

As for blocked ducts, as Peanutter said suggestion of massage in the shower is great. Keep expressing on that side & be aware of any tender spots that develop.

Good luck!

That sounds really promising, well done!
You can produce enough from 1 breast, so your baby should still get enough. Your lefty will pick up again as long as you continue to feed/express as much as possible from that side.
I hope it all falls into place for you very soon