Hiya

I am being very premature here but my baby is due in about 10 weeks and I am determined to breastfeed. However I want to express rather than exclusively breastfeed, but I have had conflicting advise so I was hoping someone could shed some light on the whole thing for me. I've been told you have to breastfeed for two to three weeks before you can start expressing but I dont want my fella to miss out on the whole bonding issue of feeding but I really want to use my breastmilk.

Is it easier to breastfeed or express... or did you find it easy to combine the two.. say breastfeed during the night and express during the day when you've got more time... I am really worried about it not working, and I know stressing about it is not going to help but for me it's important.

Basically I have NO IDEA what I'm doing or what to expect and the countdown has started.. I am really starting to poo myself if I'm honest!!!

Please help (again!!!)

Cheers

Aimee & Aiden Bump
xxxx

i tried brstfd my son he just wouldnt. i tried again with my daughter and she was fine and i fed her till she was 9 months, however she wouldnt touch a bottle and for the first few weeks its non stop and she was feeding that ofter that there wasnt time inbetween feeds to express. the first couple of weeks are very tireing so him giving the baby a bottle of formula milk will give you a break. just take it easy they will bond and its a great experience its will be easier to let the baby lead you he will know what he wants and will scream when he wants it. Also have you thought about terry nappies? ythey are great for the first few months after the tar pooh stage but before the proper food stage i did it and it saves alot of money but i used disposables when i was going out for the day. some councils have money off schemes.

Hi, either way don't worry about it. I was hellbent on breastfeeding but my little boy WOULD NOT suck so I expressed for a few weeks until the milk dried up and then went on to formula. Obviously breast is best as they say but if you express the baby is getting just the same goodness and if you do need to give formula there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, my little boy is and always has been a picture of health and happiness. Don't let people pressure you with this you need to do what is right for your baby and for yourself. I think you juat have to see what happens when the time comes and go with whatever feels right then.
Good luck x

hi
mmm breast feeding it is a really nice feeling and usually midwives are very good at giving a helping hand if you are a first time mum especially, I breast fed both my boys and expressed too. As soon as i came out of hosp in fact. It is good for baby to because not only does it give dad chance to bond it helps baby to get use to bottle teats too so when ready weaning onto bottles full time is not as hard. I also found that after two/tharee weeks unfortunatly my breast milk wasnt enough because i didnt produce enough. Expressing is easy especially with the electronic pumps. Just go with the flow on breast feeding if you are comfortable with it then keep going but if not dont worry you havent failed and if you started then it is the best start for you and your baby.
Good luck with it all to you both and enjoy it Im sure you will.
jan.

Hi Aimee & Aiden Bump!

I'm like you. I feel quite strongly about wanting to breast feed and all I get from other new Mums is that it hurts or it really hard etc but I do really want to give it a go.
I have read and been told by the pro's that the best "text book" way is breast for first 6 weeks however a few weeks is better than nothing. This allows Baby to adapt and you'll achieve good bonding.

I intend to try for 4-6 weeks then express. They say how it's also hard for Baby to adapt from breast to bottle so it's not best do both at the beginning.
My Colleague has been breast feeding now for 7 weeks & she's expressed twice for emergencies! She said that she's only just getting into a routine?!
Suppose at the end of the day it's how you cope and what you feel is best for ya both.

Good luck!
RachelDee & Bean
xxx

They recommend that you don't start expressing and using a bottle for the frst two to three weeks to give you time to get breastfeeding established.It is only the action of the baby feeding that encourages the milk to come,that and eating and drinking sensibly.
They also say that as it is easier for a baby to feed form a bottle they can refuse to breastfeed unless you have it sorted.

I started expressing with mine after about three weeks,I would feed and then take anything left after the baby had finished.Or if I felt engorged I would take some off.It may seem as if you are not getting much but a newborn only takes a few ounces per feed.

Dad can still bond with baby,get him to change and wind the baby.Even bath the baby.I found during the first couple of weeks it was just soo much easier to be breastfeeding exclusively...no bottles and sterilizing to worry about!

Also my best advice,when you are feeding make sure you have a drink ready with you to sip while you feed and also just try to relax as much as possible.

Hope this helps

Nicki
6 + 5

hi
i want to do the same as you, i want my baby to benefit from having breast milk but would rather express. i have never heard that you shouldnt express for the first few weeks, i dont see why it would be a problem other than maybe the first few days before the milk comes in when your breasts only produce collostrum. sorry that i have no factual answers but hope that you find the answer so that you can stop worrying and enjoy the last weeks of your pregnancy!
goodluck, kelly x

I breastfed all of my 3. I wouldn't express until 3/4 weeks, by then feeding is hopefully well established and your boobs will not be so huge and tender. I never found it very painful just uncomfortable at the start when boobs VERY full. Hopefully a midwife will help you to get your baby properly attached, and try to relax. I agree with previous lady, that your partner can bond with baby by winding him/her , bathtime, nappies and just cuddles. Goodluck