Post by hannahbear on Oct 15, 2016 10:16:21 GMT -5
I was surprised to learn that there were so many EPers in our group, and I know there are tons of part time limpets, too! Thought it might be useful to have a pumping related thread.
Post by hannahbear on Oct 15, 2016 10:23:22 GMT -5
I'll start: I've heard of the stud and dud side - but this is ridiculous!! I get 3oz on the right and maybe 15ml on the left. I guess I need to pump more on that side.
I'll start: I've heard of the stud and dud side - but this is ridiculous!! I get 3oz on the right and maybe 15ml on the left. I guess I need to pump more on that side.
Is this all the time or just your most recent pump? I tend to get less out of the side that I last fed her on. Not as severe as what you're describing though.
Me (30) MH (32) Dx: MFI (low all the things) M. 10/11. TTC Since 01/14 IUI#1-3(Letrozole + Trigger) = BFN Second Opinion. Changed RE's. IVF 09/15 Long Lupron 12R/9M/8F, Transferred 1=BFN. 4 frosties. FET #1 12/15 Transferred 1 (3 still on ice)
Post by remylove1011 on Oct 15, 2016 10:53:24 GMT -5
Here's a question for you ladies. Those who are breastfeeding when do you add in your pumping? I'm nursing almost every 2 hours during the day and the get one long stretch at night. Last night I woke at the 4 hour mark and pumped (@ 4am) since my boobs were very full, but it seems crazy to me to have to wake up to get a pump session in.
Me (30) MH (32) Dx: MFI (low all the things) M. 10/11. TTC Since 01/14 IUI#1-3(Letrozole + Trigger) = BFN Second Opinion. Changed RE's. IVF 09/15 Long Lupron 12R/9M/8F, Transferred 1=BFN. 4 frosties. FET #1 12/15 Transferred 1 (3 still on ice)
I'll start: I've heard of the stud and dud side - but this is ridiculous!! I get 3oz on the right and maybe 15ml on the left. I guess I need to pump more on that side.
Is this all the time or just your most recent pump? I tend to get less out of the side that I last fed her on. Not as severe as what you're describing though.
Post by spicysalmonroll on Oct 15, 2016 11:06:20 GMT -5
remylove1011 same schedule as you. When he wakes at midnight he only wants one side then passes out so I pump the other. Then exactly the same when he wakes at 5am. Yea it sucks being awake the extra time but I feel like it must be done.
Post by spicysalmonroll on Oct 15, 2016 11:10:35 GMT -5
I'm not EP but being back to work I'm now pumping 4-5 times there during the day. I was using the freezer bags but they aren't really accurate. It always shows at the 3oz line but my daycare is telling me once it's in a bottle it's only 2oz. So that sucks since I have 50 frozen bags in that size. I'm going to start pumping right into bottles at work because it'll be more accurate but also the bags are kinda expensive to use 6 a day!
Post by remylove1011 on Oct 15, 2016 11:26:03 GMT -5
@spiceysalmonroll glad I'm not the only one pumping in the middle of the night. I'll also be pumping at work. That's good to know about the bags. What brand bag were you using? I've only pumped into bottles so far but I'm working on creating a stash. I figured I'd do 4oz in each bag since that what she takes now.
Me (30) MH (32) Dx: MFI (low all the things) M. 10/11. TTC Since 01/14 IUI#1-3(Letrozole + Trigger) = BFN Second Opinion. Changed RE's. IVF 09/15 Long Lupron 12R/9M/8F, Transferred 1=BFN. 4 frosties. FET #1 12/15 Transferred 1 (3 still on ice)
Lurker here - but I wanted to chime in about the bags not being accurate. I had the same issue with my N13 baby and realized its bc the bag can be open a different amount on the bottom. After that I always pumped into the bottles to measure then poured into the bags for storage. It was easier that way anyway bc then I could combine pumps to get where I needed to be
Lurker here - but I wanted to chime in about the bags not being accurate. I had the same issue with my N13 baby and realized its bc the bag can be open a different amount on the bottom. After that I always pumped into the bottles to measure then poured into the bags for storage. It was easier that way anyway bc then I could combine pumps to get where I needed to be
+1 I tried a few different bags and got all different measurements. I don't think it has to do with the brand!
I'll start: I've heard of the stud and dud side - but this is ridiculous!! I get 3oz on the right and maybe 15ml on the left. I guess I need to pump more on that side.
I've never heard of this, but I always get more from the right than the left. This makes sense now.
Re: stud/dud, the struggle is real! I'm pumping right now and have about twice as much on my right side.
Re: bag measurement, I realized how inaccurate they were, so I recently started measuring in bottles before bagging. For a I was pumping directly into the medela bags, but found the lanisoh ones to be much cheaper on Amazon. I've heard of women using regular old freezer bags too. But I like how the milk bags stand for filling.
I'm not EP but being back to work I'm now pumping 4-5 times there during the day. I was using the freezer bags but they aren't really accurate. It always shows at the 3oz line but my daycare is telling me once it's in a bottle it's only 2oz. So that sucks since I have 50 frozen bags in that size. I'm going to start pumping right into bottles at work because it'll be more accurate but also the bags are kinda expensive to use 6 a day!
When I was pumping at work, I thought it worked out best to pump into bottles like you said. I'd send the bottles with her the next day, and only Friday's milk would go into the freezer in bags. Then on Monday I'd thaw the oldest frozen milk to keep the stash rotating.
I exclusively pump. But my boobs are worthless. My left is better than my right so I do have that problem, too.
I power pumped, used the hospital grade pump, pumped 6-7 times a day, and took Fenugreek but I only ever got maximum 8 oz in an entire day.
I'm struggling with the idea of quitting all together, though. The pediatrician told me to just scale back to three pumps a day and give her what I get. It's a lot of work and sacrifice (no daily migraine meds) for very little reward. Is it worth it? Beyond the guilt trips and idea that "breast is best," is it really worth it? I don't know.
I also noticed bags were inaccurate so I measure into bottles first as well. My daycare won't accept bags, the bottles have to be ready to drink. I pump into Dr Browns bottles directly & then use those for the next day. The only milk that gets frozen in the bags is if I have extra beyond that.
joy how did you decide to pump only 6-7 times a day? I was told it should be 8 minimum but more like 8-12 for it to increase your supply. How long do you pump for? I previously was EPing & had supply issues when I was pumping only 6-7 times a day for 30 min. My supply went up a lot when I switched to 8-12 times for only 5-10 minutes at a time (my LC said to do this). Even though sometimes I got nothing during those brief sessions, it triggered my body to make more. I went from an undersupply to now an oversupply. She said just leave the pump & bottles out, walk over, get in 5 min then leave it. A bit later repeat.
I also pump once in the motn right now but that's because last time I went over 7 hours I got mastitis, ugh! I'm trying to slowly ween off the motn pump session but it hasn't happened yet
katelm - i was told 6-7x a day for at least 15 min. I'm not interested in increasing my supply or moving to her to only breastmilk anymore. I've tried; I'm done. I have what I have.
coffeequeen14 - migraines are about 2-3x a week. It's hard. :-(
I exclusively pump. But my boobs are worthless. My left is better than my right so I do have that problem, too.
I power pumped, used the hospital grade pump, pumped 6-7 times a day, and took Fenugreek but I only ever got maximum 8 oz in an entire day.
I'm struggling with the idea of quitting all together, though. The pediatrician told me to just scale back to three pumps a day and give her what I get. It's a lot of work and sacrifice (no daily migraine meds) for very little reward. Is it worth it? Beyond the guilt trips and idea that "breast is best," is it really worth it? I don't know.
I just don't know.
I am with you, sister. I don't know why I'm pushing so hard. Is breast really best? I read an article that said that once you control for socioeconomic factors, there are no long term differences in outcome between breast and formula fed babies - that what makes the difference is the love and care (often difficult for lower income families to spend the time necessary, or the money on quality child care).
And yet somehow, I feel compelled to do this. I think - I went through IF, high risk pregnancy, and a very difficult labor and delivery. I just want there to be ONE thing that this stupid body can do.
Do you think you'll go down to the 3x per day? Or hold out longer?
I'm not EP but being back to work I'm now pumping 4-5 times there during the day. I was using the freezer bags but they aren't really accurate. It always shows at the 3oz line but my daycare is telling me once it's in a bottle it's only 2oz. So that sucks since I have 50 frozen bags in that size. I'm going to start pumping right into bottles at work because it'll be more accurate but also the bags are kinda expensive to use 6 a day!
I hate how the bags lie. I get all excited thinking there's more until I go to put in a bottle!
joy I will say my daughter who only had some breast milk for 3 weeks appears to be a rather health kid. She obvious had colds that first year of daycare and pneumonia. But nothing too serious. My SIL who EBF for 14 months, 7 months, and 23 months had illnesses. Meet first had chronic ear infections, the second had meningitis, and the third had botulism. I say bc when I was thinking of quitting with her my SIL reminded me how her kids have issues. Yes breast can be good, but fed is best!
I'm not EP but being back to work I'm now pumping 4-5 times there during the day. I was using the freezer bags but they aren't really accurate. It always shows at the 3oz line but my daycare is telling me once it's in a bottle it's only 2oz. So that sucks since I have 50 frozen bags in that size. I'm going to start pumping right into bottles at work because it'll be more accurate but also the bags are kinda expensive to use 6 a day!
When I was pumping at work, I thought it worked out best to pump into bottles like you said. I'd send the bottles with her the next day, and only Friday's milk would go into the freezer in bags. Then on Monday I'd thaw the oldest frozen milk to keep the stash rotating.
Post by spicysalmonroll on Oct 15, 2016 18:18:19 GMT -5
There are healh benefits for the mom too like lowered risk of ovarian and breast cancer. But of course if you're doing all you can and it's not working out, the stress and migraines will probably negate the benefits.
Post by hummingbird125 on Oct 15, 2016 20:16:03 GMT -5
I try to pump whenever DS takes an extra long nap, but NOT during the night, since none of us are getting enough sleep as it is! In general, we have DH give him a bottle once per day, usually around 9:30am-ish, and I'll chug a few glasses of water and then pump around 10/10:30am to make the next morning's bottle. I don't get an extra pumping session in every day, just every once in a while, so my "freezer stash" is only about 20oz right now. I figure I really just need enough for my first day back at work, and anything extra is bonus.
Usually I get about 3.5oz per pump session, which is the max DS will take at one time. I'm hoping that whenever he starts wanting more than that he begins stretching out his feedings more so that I'll be able to get that much.
I EP'd with B for 9 months. It was hard but so is breastfeeding. It all sucks.
I pump after his last feeding before bedtime now and sometimes once during the day if I have extra time.
My insurance company sends me bags every 90 days. They're ameda and they're terrible. I've tried so many different brands of bags and believe it or not the target ones were my fave by far. I should stop being so cheap and just order those for myself.
joy if you do quit I definitely wouldn't blame you. I know the whole "breast is best" thing makes it hard, but I know migraines are horrible. At 2-3 a week, and stressing about a low supply on top of that, its just not fair to you. Plus, you'll be able to focus on hanging out with your baby more if you are battling the migraines less!
No matter what you decide, you're still an amazing mom.
Post by frodabaggins on Oct 15, 2016 23:07:20 GMT -5
joy everything you said. I breastfed my son til he was 10 months old, and I struggled the whole time. I just can't see myself going through that again, but then the guilt sets in as I look at my 8 week old and consider stopping breastfeeding her. I strongly dislike that modern motherhood has given us the message that we're failing or putting our kids at risk by not breastfeeding them until we physically can't.
On the other hand, I just read "Bringing Up Bebe", a book about the difference between French moms and their kids and American moms and their kids. Most French moms are working moms, and most go back to work at 3 months and don't think twice about stopping breastfeeding. That gave me some hope.
I just don't know either. And my pump is terrible, but I still haven't asked insurance for a new one, or ordered new parts for the one I used with DS. I'm avoiding the whole issue and giving DD formula bottles 1-2 times per day.
I'm looking at my pump and thinking that I'm done. My supply tanked after last week (kitchen reno so everything is a mess/workmen in my house and my in laws were here so long days and late nights of entertaining). I neglected to pump correctly so yesterday I got a whole 2.5 oz total.
I feel so guilty. She was only getting one bottle a day of breastmilk but it felt like I was doing something!
Breastfeeding just didn't work out for me. I feel like I have nothing else to give to it.
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