How much to express?
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Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
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Topic: How much to express?
Posted By: HuntersMama
Subject: How much to express?
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 7:58pm
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Ive just started using a breast pump to have some milk in storage, but still plan on breast feeding. Im not too sure exactly how much to express to store per container? I dont want to store huge amounts and waste it, but I wouldnt have a clue how much is needed per feed.
Any ideas ladies? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: mollycat
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 8:00pm
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Just from our experience I would say to store about 60mls per container at this stage. When Ryan was little he might eat this amount, then when he was a bit older he would drink about 120mls (so 2 containers worth) and now he commonly eats about 180mls (so 3 containers worth). Then, as you get to know better you can adjust the amounts. ------------- http://tickers.cafemom.com"> 
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Posted By: tiptoes
Date Posted: 03 February 2010 at 8:50pm
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I do a mix of 50ml and 100mls and sometimes 140ml as sometimes my DS will drink 100mls, sometimes 140ml-ish, so I can either use a single one or if he wants more I can top him up.
Also, it might depend on how much you can get at a time. ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">  
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Posted By: littlestar
Date Posted: 04 February 2010 at 7:49am
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I second what the others have said. Store it in 50-100ml lots makes it heaps easier to give your baby just the right amount so there is no waste. Also if I'm pumping straight after a feed, 60-100mls might be all I can get.
I use breast milk storage bags which mean they take up practically no room in the freezer and are easy to label/date. If your baby looks like they are going to need more during a feed, they take very little time to defrost in a mug of hot water. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: mumtooboys
Date Posted: 04 February 2010 at 9:34am
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Kellymom has a lovely milk calculator http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html - here .
It's great because it gives you a low, average and high number and is based on how many feeds a day they are having. Like the amounts on formula tins, the amounts are just a guide. My then 4.5 month old DS2 only ever had TWO bottles bigger than 90ml....then he started refusing bottles. LOL I froze milk in varying amounts, the average being between 70-90ml with some much smaller 20-30ml ones in case more was needed so as not to waste more than necessary. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 04 February 2010 at 11:51am
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I freeze mine in an ice cube tray - then transfer the frozen cubes to a dated ziplock bag. Each cube is around 15mls I think. Then when I want to thaw it out - I pop however many cubes I want into a bottle and let them thaw that way.
When Jude is being fed by his Dad or someone he knows - he usually takes between 80-120mls but at daycare he has only been taking around 30mls a feed.  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: HuntersMama
Date Posted: 04 February 2010 at 3:42pm
Thanks for your advice ladies. I have bought some bags, and will transfer what i have so far 
And for thawing/heating, what is the best way? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: littlestar
Date Posted: 04 February 2010 at 3:47pm
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If I've planned ahead I'll pop the bag into the fridge and let it defrost - transfer to the bottle when needed and sit in a mug of hot water to warm up. Or if I've not planned ahead - sit the frozen bag in a mug of hot water to defrost, transfer to bottle and sit in a mug of hot water to warm (or if its needed in a huge hurry I'll nuke it - which I am fine with given freezing the milk kills off some of good bits anyway) ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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