Milk expression

[gigglysheep]

Ive just expressed for the first time using a manual pump Phillips avent. I managed to get 1.5fl oz but then milk stopped.

How much fluid ounces should a 4wk old need per feed? How do I know amounts that baby needs at each stage? X

[Armywag]

On the formula tins, it advises the following:

2-4 weeks - 120mls (4oz) 6 times a day

2 months - 150mls (5oz) 5 times a day

4 months - 210mls (7oz) 5 times a day

The more you express, the more you should get out though and you will get more out early morning (between 4-7am was the best time for me). I had problems getting enough when expressing and don't think she quite got enough when bf so I had to resort to the formula in the end.

Having said the above, I think breast milk is more filling so you might not need that much...

[Armywag in reply to Armywag]

Oh, you might get some on here telling you to get an electric pump (if you don't manage to get much more with the manual) however word of caution .... I got less out with an electric pump (Medela Swing Electric Breastpump with Calma) and they aren't cheap! If you do go down that route, you can hire them so it would be worth doing that first to see if it works for you. I ended up returning the Medela saying it was faulty and got my money back - it prob wasn't faulty, just didn't work as well as my avent manual.

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Although every child is different I'd imagine a 4wk old child only needs about 3 Ounces per feed.

The best way to understand it is as your baby is still classed as

" newborn" & newborn babies usually need a feed every 3 to 4 hours it might be best to try & express 7 to 8 ounces of breast milk every day.

If you feel as if your milk is not flowing as quick as expected it can sometimes help to give your breast an massage whilst pumping.

xx

[2princes1princess]

Hi lovely im goin to be one of those that says a electric pump worked better for me :-\ I had a Manuel pump with my first and hardly got any out but I got 4oz in 10mins with a electric. IS there anywhere local to rent one rather than buy a electric and see how you get on xx

[Armywag in reply to 2princes1princess]

Oops my 'some on here' comment about electric pumps might have sounded dismissive but that wasn't my intention... x

[2princes1princess in reply to Armywag]

Lmao! No offence taken hehe xx

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I find expressing after the 7am feed is a gd time, I hav a manual tommee tippee and get about 90 ml in 5 mins, I also find tht massaging can help. x

[gigglysheep]

Thanks girls. I got my partner to help at next feed and he massaged my breast while pumping andd managed to get another 2.5fl oz so we have now filled the first newborn bottle. It defo helped.

I think there is a place to rent an electric pump with the local hospital so if I struggle too much I can try that.

I spose the amount does depend on whether shes a hungry baby or not. But ill use 3oz as the guide line.

Thank u for ur help as always x

[mummymummy]

Oh well done! Breast milk is more easily digested than bottle so babies may feed more with breast milk...I wish I'd introduced a bottle at ur stage my little one refuses a bottle now. .. Had a nightmare a little while ago where I was in hosp with my back and had to have morphine so couldn't breastfeed he refused bottle milk so went hungry bless him... Always good to have a back up and someone help with feeding! X

[Crs13]

I tried a manual and didnt get a drop! Started just expressing by hand and can now express about 5oz at a time 2/3 times a day. My hubby gives our son a bottle of my expressed milk in the morning so I can get a few hrs sleep. (son is now 11weeks and will more or less take 5oz with the bottle)

[Alex1tuck]

I think I must have a greedy baby, she's 3weeks old today, I've been using the electric tomme tippe pump, and I can express between 4&6oz each time (normally takes 10-15mins) and when she's given a bottle she will sometimes just take 2-3oz but sometimes takes 5oz. I did check this with my health visitor but she said weight is fine... Feed on demand. She weighed 8lb 13.5oz at birth and today at 3 weeks weighs 10lb 8oz. Xx