how much to express?

hi everyone! i have been breast feeding for 4 weeks and in 3 weeks am due to go a wedding so want to express so someone can look after my baby girl. what i need to know is how much you all think she will need and how will not feeding her for that day affect my supply?

You will need one once of milk per hour you are gone; so if you are going to be away for 3 hours you need 3-4 oz, 5 hours- 5-6 oz, if you are going away for 8 hours leave 8-9 oz; it is good to leave cuple of oz to spare or accidents. its best to leave milk in 2 oz portions then if baby won't finish it all not much will be wated. You could start expressing now and freeze what you pump.

For when you are away from baby I would suggest taking breast pump with you. Yous supply is still establishing and whole day of not bf might be at least not comfortable
Breastmilk is fine to be kept in fridge up to 7 days, just pop it at the back so temperature is even, not on the door. You can also freeze it in freezer. In freeze-fridge milk will keep for 3-6 months and in separate deep freezer 6 up to 12 months.
To warm milk up just leave it out for a while or pop in a cup of hot water, never in microvawe or on the stove. When milk is left to stand fr a while or defrosted you'll find it might separate- layer of cream will set on the top. Usually warming milk and gently swilrling it around helps, don't shake it.

And have fun :aww:

It might be an idea to try her with a bottle of expressed milk before hand - we went out for an anniversary meal and Corey refused his bottle of EBM totally - i had to go home to nurse him

Or use cup or spoon instead of bottle whatsoever- some babies never take bottle, but love cup, syringe and droppler:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/alternative-feeding.html

Katie does the 1oz an hour apply no matter what their age?

emmiesmummy wrote:Katie does the 1oz an hour apply no matter what their age?

yes, no matter the age.

Kasia80 wrote:Or use cup or spoon instead of bottle whatsoever- some babies never take bottle, but love cup, syringe and droppler:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/alternative-feeding.html

Have to say lil miss won't drink from the bottle... she will only take ebm from cup or spoon or beaker. I work 8:30 till 3:30 and lil miss will take around 4/5 oz.... but she goes on milk strike if I'm not around so be warned...