Your thoughts on expressing??

[learnermum]

Hi all,
I want to know whether i'm over thinking this issue or not....
DS is 15 months and has never had a bottle, formula or EBM and I suppose i'm quite proud of it. Not that I'm against expressing I've just never had the need to express except to relieve engorgment!
Now I've been asked to join a group that meet once a week at 6pm for a couple of hours. I'd love to go but I had decided I couldn't as DS still has a feed before bed at 6.30 and I'm also pg so will be doing the feeding whenever and for however long soon enough! So really i had thought it impossible.
Until DH said last night, why don't you express?
My intilal response was no i couldn't do that, like i would be neglecting my child/ren.
But maybe i should consider it, it would be great to socialise...
Two things i would like to know are, would DH except a bottle of EBM now or would it possibly lead him down the weaning path?
And would a bottle hinder new bubs breastfeeding relationship with me?
Thanks

[emd]

I wouldn't bother with a bottle for a 15 month old. Just put the EBM in the same kind of cup that he uses to drink water. You may even find it helps in learning to drink water, if he can start off with EBM in the cup. I remember my oldest girl at 17 months old calling EBM in a cup "special yummy" (I was pumping off the excess from my oversupply with a newborn).

Also, if you can't pump much EBM for the 15 month old, don't stress about it. He may be happy to have an early feed before you go out and then let daddy settle him to sleep without EBM. Good practice anyway, daddy might need to settle him to sleep more often after the new baby arrives as you'll be a busy mum Pumping is something that is easier for most women when they have younger babies and stronger supply, and letting down for a pump or hand expressing takes practice. You may find that even if you can't get much now, you get heaps when the new baby arrives.

With the newborn, I think it's really important to let your supply settle down before you start expressing, so you don't end up with an oversupply problem. About 6-8 weeks is normal for most women's supply to settle down. When you do start expressing, you don't have to use a bottle if you're concerned about nipple confusion - some babies refuse the breast after trying a bottle, other babies (like mine) would rather starve to death than accept a bottle. You can feed a very young baby with an open cup - they just lap milk over the rim of the cup. Older babies (around six months) can start with a straw or sippy cup.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association have downloads on expressing and cup feeding, and their counsellors are great.

[alzarex]

would you be able to take the new baby with you? newborns tend to sleep a lot anyway, pop them in a sling and there's potentially (not knowing what the group is meeting for) no reason for them to not be with you

[emd]

Yep, good point. I've taken newborns to all sorts of night meetings - I ran for Senate when Billy was newborn.

[Marmee]

I agree with all that has been said - your 15 month old may surprise you for the night you are away and simply go to bed without milk.

I have gone out probably twice at bedtime since DS (now 14 months) turned 1. He settles fine if it's just Daddy with him, no need for milk at all.

If this doesn't work - go for milk (or even water) in a cup.

And for the newborn ... if possible, you might like to try to leave expressing and feeding milk via a bottle for the first few months as your milk supply sorts itself out and baby learns to feed at the breast

Have fun at your meeting

[learnermum]

Thanks for the support, had a bit of a cry today just thinking about DS weaning! I don't want to be the one who instigates it!
It's a rotary club dinner, not sure how baby friendly it would be, but I guess i will have time to suss it out before I need to think about taking a newborn. and i suppose it will depend on bubs too, DS was always upset around 5-6pm but who knows...
Think i'll give it ago this week see if i like it and how it all goes!
Now all I need to do is brush up on my non-baby conversation skills!!

[emd]

oooh weaning is a very emotional time. I'm not looking forward to it either, especially as there may not be another baby to look forward to nine months later.
If you're worried about him weaning, definitely offer an extra bf about half an hour before you leave. That way, he'll have an opportunity to "top up" both on feeding and on cuddles with mum.

[tamarab30]

Originally Posted by learnermum

Hi all,

would DH except a bottle of EBM now or would it possibly lead him down the weaning path?
And would a bottle hinder new bubs breastfeeding relationship with me?
Thanks

I had to laugh when I read this - ur poor DH - does he know ur sharing his secret fetish with all on NP?

[Marmee]

nice pick up, Tamara!

[learnermum]

OOPS!!