MSE Parent Club

cha97michelle

when i was breastfeeding, i would feed from one side, and then express from the other to up the milk supply. Or i would also express 30 minutes or so after feeding from the same side. It was a bit faffy sterilising the pump all the time, but it helped a bit.

I don't think i'm the best person to advise though as i couldn't keep up with him either.

My friend offers her boy food every two hours,and that has really worked for her and she hasn't had to top up with formula or got sore or anything. I think i would try this approach, plus express from the start if i were to have another baby.

You live and learn.

Michelle

LifeisEvenbetter

Hello everyone would like to join the MSE Parent club if possible (just posted on the pregnancy club but then noticed this club...oops!) My daughter Eve was born on 23rd November, 3 hours after waters was broken by midwife! Now 11 weeks old and absolutely gorgeous.

Wondering if anyone can give me some advice. Just trying to reduce breast feeds and begin introducing formula (preparing for leaving at childminders when I return to work mid April). Have introduced formula for one daytime feed - so far so good. Childminder is asking me to prepare feeds in advance and leave them with her each day - is this normal? Advice seems to suggest feeds should be made up when needed and not prepared hours in advance. Alternative would be to send my daughter with cartons of ready made formula - any ideas on suitable ready made formulas?

Would really welcome your thoughts.... all new to me (this is my first baby).
Thanks

purplepatch

I feed Farleys formula and DD2 is thriving - they do ready made cartons but not very mse . I make up bottles of boiled water in advance and if going out will measure appropriate amount of formula powder into a container like this which can be added to the water and then warmed up as necessary. This is what I would supply for your childminder - she can keep the bottles of water in the fridge until they are needed - I don't see why you need even measure the milk out for her really, surely you could supply the tin and she can put in the appropriate number of scoops?! The advice now is as you say, to make up bottles as you need them rather than in advance. Saying that, I used to make up the milk in advance for DD1 and she never had any problems.

LifeisEvenbetter

Thanks purplepatch, your post was really helpful. The milk storage container looks ideal for going out. I will talk to the childminder about getting her to measure out milk into made up bottles of water. This would be, as you say, much cheaper than the ready mixed formula cartons. She did mention that I should do all the sterilising/making up of feeds so that if my daughter got ill it was me to blame and not her!! I have some 'settling in' sessions coming up so will have a chat to her then.

Thanks again.

purplepatch

Sounds as though she wants to be absolved of all responsibility re feeds, which I suppose is her prerogative, but in case she can be talked around I've discovered the most fabby bottles from mothercare which sterilise in the microwave. You just turn the lid upside down, put 30ml water in, teat, ring and then click on the bottle - microwave on high for 1 and half minutes, done. I've had them 3 weeks now and haven't used the steriliser since, brilliant invention. Can't recommend highly enough.

LifeisEvenbetter

Thanks again purplepatch.

I will have a look in mothercare tomorrow as these bottles sound great - shame I spent a small fortune on an electric steamer! Hopefully, the childminder will be happy to use these bottles too.

Lu_T

Hi Lifeisevenbetter

We've had Imogen on a bottle a day since 3 weeks and have been using SMA Gold. We started on the pre-packed cartons as didn't want to waste money on a full tin if she didn't like it. Think they're about 45p each and we got 2 feeds out of them (although won't any more!) We've moved on to the SMA Gold tin and she loves it.

A friend of mine is a midwife's daughter and has regularly made up her son's bottles in the morning and put in the fridge all day. Hasn't done him any harm and her mum hasn't had a fit. Suppose you need to make your own mind up and just do what you're comfortable with. But you are right, the current advice (which I'd expect the childminder to keep up with) is to make up feeds only as and when required.

Lu_T

Ooh, forgot to say - Vertbaudet have a fab Winter sale on - up to 60%. There are some great bargains. You could stock up on clothes for next winter at knock-down prices, MSE style! :money: :money:

Davina_M

Hi can I join. My dd is 18 months and my ds is 2 weeks. Had him on 19th Feb by c section. I am breastfeeding and trying to express but ds hates the bottle. I can barely get him to drink more than 1 oz but he is happy to breastfed all day. Any tips on how to get him to have a proper feed from the bottle. I've been expressing since he was 6 days old and offer him the bottle at least twice or 3 times a day but he just doesn't like it. He often squeezes his face up like i've given him something bitter. My daughter was happy to switch between breast and bottle and I haven't done anything differently this time round. Please help my nipples are really really sore and we have both got thrush :eek: (been on antibodies).

Thanks in advance

misspenny

hi can i join too ds benjamin is 6 months, im new to mse but always been a pennypincher