I'm feeling so like a slacker...by this point (almost six weeks old) DS had already started drinking bottles to get used to being put in daycare at 12 weeks. DD has yet to have her first bottle because there's no milk to put in her bottle. I have pumped twice, and I hardly got any milk out, but I can't figure out what is going wrong. I know I have great supply - is it just user error on my part? Do I need different size? Also for this reason I have never left her for longer than an hour. So that means no date nights with my H, etc. I have a Medela pump in style advanced and it just seems like it really sucks (or rather, doesn't suck lol) and doesn't work. But I know it's basically the most popular pump in the world - has to be me, right??? It's so disheartening to look down after twenty minutes and see not even a full ounce. My old pump was incredible and pumping wasn't such a chore.
Post by hummingbird125 on Sept 25, 2016 8:44:19 GMT -5
Coffee. Nearly "enough" sleep last night. A smiley baby in footed PJ's who is staying smiley even though he's in the RnP and not on me. A fully charged Kindle with 30% left in a book I'm really into.
hummingbird125 I actually think both times I've pumped have been middle of the night, Boulder Boob, baby fell asleep before doing both sides situations. I really want to start pumping in the morning, I just feel like the mornings get so chaotic with DS and trying to get him ready to get out the door to daycare. But this is a really great reminder that morning is the best time to try!!
I pump about 6-7 times a day (because YAY). I exclusively pump.
I get the most milk out around mid-morning when I've had time to rehydrate myself from overnight. So, even with painful, engorged boobs, I still may not get a lot out until I hydrate well. I actually often do two pumps about an hour apart to fix morning engorgement. As the day wears on and into overnight, the amount that I pump per session drops.
As for how much milk you're actually pumping - apparently, it's not indicative of your supply because a pump doesn't exactly mimic a baby sucking.
I agree with checking your flange size (I had to go a size smaller than what was sent with the pump), replacing the membranes, and fooling with the pump settings. I do the initial pump at the lowest setting then turn it up on the let down setting.
Post by pbandjelly on Sept 25, 2016 9:50:02 GMT -5
I just got 11 hours of sleep last night. I feel amazing but could have kept sleeping. DS has started giving us longer stretches of sleep this weekend. Last night we had a 4 and then a 5 hour stretch of sleep. Then H got up with him at 8am and let me sleep until 10. I hope this is becoming the new normal.
Last night LO was up quite a bit. My DH reminded me that I had a coffee around 2:30 and a large iced tea from chick fil a around 5. I pumped after we got home (since he took bottles while we were out) and fed him shortly after pumping. I decided to dump last nights milk I had in the fridge. 12 ounces. Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Last night LO was up quite a bit. My DH reminded me that I had a coffee around 2:30 and a large iced tea from chick fil a around 5. I pumped after we got home (since he took bottles while we were out) and fed him shortly after pumping. I decided to dump last nights milk I had in the fridge. 12 ounces. Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
OH NO! This makes me sad and it's not even my milk!!!
Post by frodabaggins on Sept 25, 2016 10:29:36 GMT -5
hannahbeargratefulgirldc2londonjoy thank you! I guess I never thought about replacing the membranes because it's a brand new pump - should I still give it a try?
As for the flanges, I feel like my nipple is moving pretty freely, but I remember that with my old pump, it had these flexible rubber insert things and when I used those it made the flange smaller and seemed to work well. I wonder if I need smaller? Can I find this stuff at target?
Thank you for all the additional tips. I definitely feel like I'm not hydrating enough so stepping that up as well.
Nope. I pump - at most - 10 oz in a day (evil eye to steph who pumped 12 oz just last night).
I'm at peace with our feeding strategy. I'll pump as much and as long as I can, but when my supply disappears all together, then we'll do 100% formula. As it is, she's on 80% formula.
Nope. I pump - at most - 10 oz in a day (evil eye to steph who pumped 12 oz just last night).
I'm at peace with our feeding strategy. I'll pump as much and as long as I can, but when my supply disappears all together, then we'll do 100% formula. As it is, she's on 80% formula.
hannahbeargratefulgirldc2londonjoy thank you! I guess I never thought about replacing the membranes because it's a brand new pump - should I still give it a try?
As for the flanges, I feel like my nipple is moving pretty freely, but I remember that with my old pump, it had these flexible rubber insert things and when I used those it made the flange smaller and seemed to work well. I wonder if I need smaller? Can I find this stuff at target?
Thank you for all the additional tips. I definitely feel like I'm not hydrating enough so stepping that up as well.
Even if it's a brand new pump, the membrane could be cracked or not inserted properly. Double check that it's in tact and pressed in all the way. The one time I thought my pump was losing suction it was simply a matter of needing to replace the membranes.
Nope. I pump - at most - 10 oz in a day (evil eye to steph who pumped 12 oz just last night).
I'm at peace with our feeding strategy. I'll pump as much and as long as I can, but when my supply disappears all together, then we'll do 100% formula. As it is, she's on 80% formula.Â
I tried. I did my best. It's all I can do.
Hugs. You're doing such an awesome job!!!
Aww, You're sweet; thank you!! How is your own breastfeeding situation?
I was talking to my sister this weekend who I was explaining my milk situation to. She has a six month old and is exclusively breastfeeding with no real supply issue. I said that I would have killed my kid by now with my lack of milk, how would she have survived without formula? My sister said that another woman - if possible - would have nursed her. Or my supply would have met her demand out of sheer desperation frome me trying and trying to nurse her.
She doesn't think that humans necessarily were meant to "do it alone" all the time. After a day of her and my mom holding my baby and the peace of being with women who knew what they were doing, I think she's right. It's easier with help in all areas. And that makes me a bit ragey at modern maternity leave style (where I'm home, basically alone, from the second the baby is born) but such is life.
LO has a rash. Head to toe. Could be heat, eczema, reaction to local humidity/allergens, idk. I think I may have ingested dairy also. I feel so horrible. He doesn't seem overly bothered by it, I just want it to go away. I'm thinking we may visit urgent care since we don't have doctors out here.
Not good!!
And baby boy has TriCare right? I know a year ago when we still had TriCare you couldn't go to urgent care without a referral so you'd have to pay the full bill. I think it changed but I wanted to mention that because when we had TriCare we had to go to the ER vice urgent care.
Post by gratefulgirl on Sept 25, 2016 13:13:33 GMT -5
Left DH home with sick DD2 and took the bookends to church. Was talking to friends afterwards when one gets a call from my husband. My phone was on vibrate (like you do in church) in my purse. My husband finally called outlet friend in desperation after trying my phone six times. Our car was stalled at the hardware store. We jumped it with our van and drove it to the shop. Boo.
At least the weather is nice and DD3 napped peacefully through most of church plus the car mess.
Today is my "day off" from baby duty. I told my husband that I needed a day where I could focus on things for a few hours without worrying that the baby's needs would interrupt me. We agreed on Sundays.
AGH! I feel human. I cleaned up downstairs, reorganized her room, am designing a new back up situation for my computer (and all those pictures I now I have a kid), cut up all the vegetables for salads, have a plan for dinner, finished our birth announcements and will head out very shortly to the post office to mail them. I'm going to walk and listen to a podcast. I feel like I can breathe again!
Sadly, I'm going to be really tested this week. My husband will be in NYC all day Thursday until very late and then he's in Albany Sunday through Tuesday. I'm scared to be here alone with her overnight, let alone two nights in a row! Tell me it'll be okay.
Today is my "day off" from baby duty. I told my husband that I needed a day where I could focus on things for a few hours without worrying that the baby's needs would interrupt me. We agreed on Sundays.
AGH! I feel human. I cleaned up downstairs, reorganized her room, am designing a new back up situation for my computer (and all those pictures I now I have a kid), cut up all the vegetables for salads, have a plan for dinner, finished our birth announcements and will head out very shortly to the post office to mail them. I'm going to walk and listen to a podcast. I feel like I can breathe again!
Sadly, I'm going to be really tested this week. My husband will be in NYC all day Thursday until very late and then he's in Albany Sunday through Tuesday. I'm scared to be here alone with her overnight, let alone two nights in a row! Tell me it'll be okay.
Deep breaths. I did 10 days alone when DD1 was 3 weeks. I went to bed uber early. I ate whatever I wanted. I braved DD1's car seat screaming and drove 45 minutes to my parents' for human company. I made it, and even kind of enjoyed doing my own thing.
The 3 week growth spurt was the only part that really was miserable about it.
hannahbeargratefulgirldc2londonjoy thank you! I guess I never thought about replacing the membranes because it's a brand new pump - should I still give it a try?
As for the flanges, I feel like my nipple is moving pretty freely, but I remember that with my old pump, it had these flexible rubber insert things and when I used those it made the flange smaller and seemed to work well. I wonder if I need smaller? Can I find this stuff at target?
Thank you for all the additional tips. I definitely feel like I'm not hydrating enough so stepping that up as well.
Even if it's a brand new pump, the membrane could be cracked or not inserted properly. Double check that it's in tact and pressed in all the way. The one time I thought my pump was losing suction it was simply a matter of needing to replace the membranes.
Yep. That happened to me yesterday. It was 6 am and I was super engorged and thought the motor on my pump was going out. I started to panic (since I EP), but after checking all the parts I found that one of the membranes wasn't completely pushed in. I had to idea that could make such a difference!
Post by remylove1011 on Sept 25, 2016 14:50:16 GMT -5
Had a successful outing to our BFFs for their son's end birthday party. Managed to avoid a bunch of people holding baby girl by wearing her in the ktan. She loved it and slept on me for a good 2 hours!
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)
Well, we ran out of coffee, DD1 refused to go down for her nap and DD2 is going through a leap and cluster feeding. But despite those things it actually went quite well and was totally manageable. Then when dh got home he watched the kids while I went grocery shopping by myself. Thanks for asking!
LO has a rash. Head to toe. Could be heat, eczema, reaction to local humidity/allergens, idk. I think I may have ingested dairy also. I feel so horrible. He doesn't seem overly bothered by it, I just want it to go away. I'm thinking we may visit urgent care since we don't have doctors out here.
Today is my "day off" from baby duty. I told my husband that I needed a day where I could focus on things for a few hours without worrying that the baby's needs would interrupt me. We agreed on Sundays.
AGH! I feel human. I cleaned up downstairs, reorganized her room, am designing a new back up situation for my computer (and all those pictures I now I have a kid), cut up all the vegetables for salads, have a plan for dinner, finished our birth announcements and will head out very shortly to the post office to mail them. I'm going to walk and listen to a podcast. I feel like I can breathe again!
Sadly, I'm going to be really tested this week. My husband will be in NYC all day Thursday until very late and then he's in Albany Sunday through Tuesday. I'm scared to be here alone with her overnight, let alone two nights in a row! Tell me it'll be okay.
Trust me, it'll be fine. I've been alone with LO since we came home from the hospital. You may get frustrated, tired, hungry, maybe even bored, but you will both come out alive and that's all that matters.
Good luck! You've got this 😎
You are a trooper, Sue!!
I'm mostly worried about a medical event where another opinion would be helpful/calming.
Post by hannahbear on Sept 25, 2016 16:58:05 GMT -5
hrushka I didn't realize you were EPing. How's that going? I've thought about making the switch... I'm kind of half way there as it is.
joy, thanks for asking. Things are ok, I guess. I'm kind of in a routine of nursing and then giving a bottle of pumped milk (and pumping 4 or 5 times a day). I was luckily able to build up my supply, but little guy just will not drink enough at the breast (I know this because he lost weight - it drives me bonkers when everyone is like "trust the breast, if baby is satisfied it's fine" because NO, not always). It's really frustrating. I guess this way, I pretty much know he's getting enough because I give him extra. Blah. My therapist said something that really sums up my state of mind: "I have a Ph.D. But all I can think about is my breasts!"
Also, I totally agree with you about needing a village. I was followed so closely during pregnancy, and then *nothing* once he was born.
Thanks for asking! We just got home from the ER. We were told it is definitely an allergic reaction, but it's too many factors at play to determine what caused it. They gave him a liquid steroid solution. He refused to swallow it at the hospital so I just put it in a bottle which some pumped milk to make him take it.
We have a followup in 3 days. Hopefully the rash will be gone by then. Besides the rash he's acting completely normal though so I'm thankful that its nothing too serious.
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