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Expressing for Weaning - I need your tips!
Hi Ladies.
Well the day has finally come - W Day that is. I have the bowls, spoons, baby porridge. And since the instructions on the porridge say "make up with baby's usual milk" I have also just, with quite a heavy heart, taken the breast pump and associated kit out of the cupboard and washed and sterilised it ready to use.
I used to pump in the beginning, until Elysia was about 8 weeks old I think, but got so depressed by the constant washing and sterilising, not to say being attached to a pump for endless sessions every day during which I would be unable to pick up my baby or do much else, that I ditched it and since then we've exclusively breast fed from the breast. I have to say I found it extremely liberating to ditch the thing! So now I feel quite depressed having to take it out of retirement again.
So to the point - I wanted to ask anyone who's expressing for the purposes of using the milk to make up baby food: how much do you express and how often? Ideally I'd like to avoid having to do it every day, but since milk doesn't keep that long in the fridge (is it 24 hours?) don't see how I could avoid it. Also, even if I froze the milk and just expressed every few days, isn't that really messing around with my supply? i.e. introducing one large random extra requirement for milk every few days.
I'd be really grateful for your help Mummies.
Thanks!
Rx
Well the day has finally come - W Day that is. I have the bowls, spoons, baby porridge. And since the instructions on the porridge say "make up with baby's usual milk" I have also just, with quite a heavy heart, taken the breast pump and associated kit out of the cupboard and washed and sterilised it ready to use.
I used to pump in the beginning, until Elysia was about 8 weeks old I think, but got so depressed by the constant washing and sterilising, not to say being attached to a pump for endless sessions every day during which I would be unable to pick up my baby or do much else, that I ditched it and since then we've exclusively breast fed from the breast. I have to say I found it extremely liberating to ditch the thing! So now I feel quite depressed having to take it out of retirement again.
So to the point - I wanted to ask anyone who's expressing for the purposes of using the milk to make up baby food: how much do you express and how often? Ideally I'd like to avoid having to do it every day, but since milk doesn't keep that long in the fridge (is it 24 hours?) don't see how I could avoid it. Also, even if I froze the milk and just expressed every few days, isn't that really messing around with my supply? i.e. introducing one large random extra requirement for milk every few days.
I'd be really grateful for your help Mummies.
Thanks!
Rx
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Replies
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html
You'll see that milk can be kept in the fridge far longer than people realise. Good luck xx
I was never a 'regular' expresser but I never found it messed with my supply.
I had to think about it for a bit - didn't like the idea of giving formula in any way, shape or form but I guess it makes sense to ensure they get the storable iron and plenty of vitamins.
Just an alternative to getting stuck to the pump again (I really understand how you feel about this! I've just given up expressing at 7 months).
Love NN xxx
He was 6 months anyway when we started so cow's milk is fine for cereal.
We use a mixture of Boots baby cereal and Ready Brek and Weetabix, these two have added vitamins and Iron anyway so formula shouldn't be necessary (not sure .
Breast milk does have less iron than formula, but it is more biovailable and therefore easier absorbed than the iron added to formula, so not as crap as some HV and formula manufacturers would have you believe....I am not an expert but that is what I have read
xxx