[Red nut]

Our 4 weeker has been a bit slow putting on weight to start, so as I was sitting there with milk running out of the breast I wasn't feeding from, I thought why not collect it and give it to him as a top up? We've done that for about a week, and has been getting it about once a day, either when he's overtired as a comfort to give my cracked nipples a break, or in the morning if DP is around so I can get a couple of hours uninterrupted sleep. Without actually expressing I get about 50 mls a day.

It's just occurred to me that this might be mainly foremilk, though I'm getting some from the already fed side when we do the second breast, which should be hind milk then. I'm probably going to stop the extra fed now because we're doing better with weight gain ( I think!) and supply/ feeding generally. But I was wondering whether to keep collecting to get a stockpile up in the freezer, or if it's going to be too much foremilk and just going to upset his tummy? Should I just let that liquid gold soak into the spit cloth or breast pad, sigh?

[noi'mnot]

I may be wrong, but I don't think there's as much bother about foremilk vs hindmilk these days. All breastmilk is considered liquid gold, if I were you and it was that easy to collect I'd keep on doing it, if it's not too much bother.

You can get some really cool breastmilk freezer molds (BPA free, etc) that freeze it in 30ml sticks, then you can take out a little at a time to use as much as you need. You can pop the sticks out of the molds and store them in ziplock bags in the freezer. You can keep it this way for up to three months in a regular freezer (like on top of the fridge type freezer), so it might be useful to add if you're planning on mixing up purees and such when you start solids.

[lucky 2]

Milk is milk is milk. But I know what you mean, it will be a tiny bit different from any milk express at the end of a feed, ie as the breast empties the fat content rises. But it's still fantastic stuff and wont be hurting your baby, only helping.
If you do have any ongoing growth issues then giving a bit of milk expressed after the feed will be a bit higher in calories and will be great to supplement the feed.
If you have attachment issues could you see a LC?
All the best.

[Red nut]

I have seen a lactation consultant and will go back this Friday if I'm not healed, but thanks though! Sore boobs do decrease the pleasure of feeding.... I will investigated the freezer moulds though of course our fridge has gone on the blink now to add to the fun.

[futureself]

I leak impressively so collect using this ingenious invention. http://www.nursingangel.com.au/products/Milk-Saver.html
First Morning BF I leak nearly 60ml so it would be a travesty to waste it!
We give DS topups of EBM to assist with weight gain too and this 'leaked milk' has been invaluable. I also express straight after a couple of feeds a day as well and for the top-ups mix roughly 60% expressed milk in with 40% of the leaked milk to ensure higher fat content. We've been doing this for a couple of months now and DS is thriving.

This post has been edited by futureself: 22/01/2013, 08:59 PM

[AliC05]

I also had a bub who struggled to put on weight and was keen to save as much milk as possible.

I used these milklies milk savers - i didnt bother with the bags - i would just tip it into a cup between feeds - sooo much better than wasting it in a breast pad or trying to catch it in a cup only to spill it!!

they are BPA free and i found them pretty easy to clean. I bought mine from my local baby shop - but found their website below

http://www.mymilkies.com/milksaver

[handsfull]

Sterilise and use sterile water jars or old baby food jars as well.

Used to freeze all my milk in sterile water jars from the hospital. Had a chest freezer full because I was a mechanical cow.

Milk is milk is milk....go for it!

[SCARFACE CLAW]

I leak impressively so collect using this ingenious invention. http://www.nursingangel.com.au/products/Milk-Saver.html
First Morning BF I leak nearly 60ml so it would be a travesty to waste it!
We give DS topups of EBM to assist with weight gain too and this 'leaked milk' has been invaluable. I also express straight after a couple of feeds a day as well and for the top-ups mix roughly 60% expressed milk in with 40% of the leaked milk to ensure higher fat content. We've been doing this for a couple of months now and DS is thriving.

Wow I'm going to get those for this baby! I used to soak DD from the other side, lol.