I hear conflicting stories about when you can & should start expressing.....not even to feed by bottle, just to make sure LO is getting enough of the proper milk...have heard if you express a few ounces from the boob you use on the second feed of the day, they get more hind milk, and you can obviously store what you express, any ideas, suggestions....??

Would love to know whats worked for you ladies xx

I started days 3 when I was engorged for a bit of relief but only a little bit. Waited until mid week 2 to start expressing daily. Now I express after morning feed and get about 6/7 oz (I've a massive supply!) and Daddy gives her that in the evening. Took a few days to get her to take a bottle and I've had to use number 2 teats and now she's fine with bottle and boob.
I don't feed her the bottle though, its always Dad. Just so she doesn't get confused with mummy smell and bottle instead of boob. Plus its a great excuse for me to get time for myself if dad HAS to feed her bottle

I know there is a lot of advice to wait till 6/8 weeks in order to build your supply/avoid nipple confusion. My supply is huge and I can easily manipulate it to provide more or less - I'm really lucky in that way, its great for growth spurts as I just express twice in one day and I've got loads more milk within a few hours to satisfy her. ( kinda wish some of you girls were closer - I could donate some of my milk to those struggling with supply issues)

My hv and midwife both said to me I could express from early on and store a supply of milk in case I ever needed it later down the line - good idea. I like knowing I've got a pile of milk in case I'm ever ill and my supply goes down or I'm too ill to feed her - at least I'll be able to continue bfing throughout any illness.

Gills - what breast pump did you buy? Need inspiration as there's so many !!

I got the medula mini electric as it was a fiver on ebay as they had listed it as a "breat" pump
I'm pleased with it - works well!

I started just prior to 2 weeks old (think he was ten/eleven days old) planning to increase supply to pump for freezer storing, I started expressing a lot from when he was 3 weeks as thats when Freddie was born.
You certainly can start expressing early but it is advised to wait til 6 weeks, its up to you really. If you find you are managing and your supply is stable and baby is doing well there isnt any reason not to express just dont expect very much at first, its common to only get 10-30ml when you first start pumping.
Dont worry about expressing to provide more 'hind milk' if baby suckles well for 20 minutes (it will get less as baby gets older) or more on one breast then she will be getting plenty of hind milk.

I'd wait.

Before you know what's normal for you and LO it can really confuse you if you start over analysing your supply and feeding IMHO.

Get through the 3 week growth spurt, recover, and then your less likely to give yourself a nervous breakdown or confuse the hell out of your boobs and LO by possibly affecting your supply/LO's intake in ways you hadn't considered.