Post by akraus2015 on Jan 29, 2017 15:21:35 GMT -5
Bookmarked! Thank you for sharing. This all sounds terribly complicated and confusing, but I'm sure it will all make sense when I actually get a pump and can look at the pieces.
Post by LadyNymeria on Jan 29, 2017 18:30:38 GMT -5
If you pump a bunch at the beginning you'll need to keep it up to prevent engorgement. The body does most of its supply regulation in the first 6 weeks so if you pump a bunch in addition to nursing, you're telling your body it needs to make more milk.
If you're trying to pump and build a stash that's good! If you're only looking to breastfeed and not pump a bunch long term you may not want to add a bunch of pumping sessions in addition to breastfeeding.
Just something to think about depending on what your plans are.
I will say, smaller flanges don't hurt more lol. Improperly sized flanges hurt more lol I started using a 21mm turns out I had to special order a 17mm. Soooo much better lol
If you pump a bunch at the beginning you'll need to keep it up to prevent engorgement. The body does most of its supply regulation in the first 6 weeks so if you pump a bunch in addition to nursing, you're telling your body it needs to make more milk.
If you're trying to pump and build a stash that's good! If you're only looking to breastfeed and not pump a bunch long term you may not want to add a bunch of pumping sessions in addition to breastfeeding.
Just something to think about depending on what your plans are.
Good to know! I realize this is dependent on the person and a number of factors, but is it possible to pump after daytime feedings but not night feedings? So are our bodies smart enough to make more milk during the day to breastfeed and pump but not make more at night? Or does it not work like that?
I dont think the boobs are THAT smart, but our bodies make more milk earlier in the day anyway. I've read that if you pump/feed more in the morning, it triggers your body to make more milk throughout the day (more demand = more supply), but generally you'll still see a lower supply at night than earlier in the day. So I guess it somewhat naturally works like you asked.
Possibly stupid question: do I need to even bother with the pumping bras?
Only if you want to be able to pump hands free. I use the Medela pumping bra at work and it lets me use my hands to read on my Kindle, use my phone, etc. Basically allows me to entertain myself while pumping. I didn't use it at home at all though, only once I went back to work.
Post by jubilantsquirrel on Jan 29, 2017 23:20:04 GMT -5
So I started pumping at 3 weeks PP (baby is 9 weeks today) and I pump an hour after nursing. I started with just pumping once a day and I'm now up to 5 times a day including one MOTN session. I'm currently pumping about every 4-5 hours (baby usually nurses every 3-4 hours).
Also, don't be discouraged if you're only getting an ounce or two at first. It takes a few days for your body to catch on. And just remember that babies are way better than pumps when it comes to expressing milk, so the amount you pump isn't a reliable way to measure how much baby is getting.
It's normal for one side to produce more milk than the other. Usually it's just an ounce or so difference, but for some reason my boobs are no where near being even. I didn't have this issue the first time around, which is weird. My left side is like the Niagara Falls while my right is like a leaky faucet. I actually only pump on my left side and only nurse on my right side. It works though, I've been pumping for 6 weeks now and have about 415 ounces in the freezer.
Post by silvermelody on Jan 29, 2017 23:39:23 GMT -5
I like having a pumping bra vs a homemade one because you can zip it on over your nursing bra. Much faster that way at work because you don't have to take your shirt off.
I never found a pumping bra I could wear all day but I have J cups.
I swear by the Pumpin Pals flanges. I have flat wide nipples and even the properly sized extra wide Medela and Ameda flanges were uncomfortable. They are available online.
Post by silvermelody on Jan 29, 2017 23:41:15 GMT -5
I'm pumping right after every nursing session to boost my supply. Well, that's the theory. In practice I'm doing it during the day and once middle of the night. I skip right after her nightly cluster feeding session.
Also a tip that I learned this week is that when you are labeling your bags, write down not only the date but the time of day. Milk changes throughout the day so you would want to feed baby milk pumped in the a.m. during the mornings and milk pumped in the p.m. at night. Night milk has more fat content to it which is supposed to help baby sleep better.
This is all so helpful. I work from home and will have a nanny, at least to start, so we won't need much pumped milk to begin with, and I won't be pumping outside the home.
That said, at some point I do want H feeding her too, and she may be in daycare when we move so building up a freezer supply is important.
To be honest, I didn't even know pumping bras existed until this thread. I shall investigate more. The fremie thing looks cool.
Post by animaldoctor on Jan 30, 2017 9:01:15 GMT -5
STM here, the simple wishes hands free pumping bra is better IMHO than the medela. Medela sells steam sterilization bags that you do in the microwave - get them for your parts. And you don't need to wash your pump parts in between pumps if you are doing multiple a day. Just pop them into the fridge and reuse.
If you are working I suggest buying a wetbag for your parts during the day. Less waste on the zip local bag and more discreet. I had a planet wise small wetbag that fit both flanges just fine, then I would put that in the fridge next to my small cooler with the bottles.
Also, there is the rubber band trick instead of a pumping bra. I bought a pumping bra that never fit right and ended up using rubber bands for the year+ I pumped at work.
*snip* Also, there is the rubber band trick instead of a pumping bra. I bought a pumping bra that never fit right and ended up using rubber bands for the year+ I pumped at work.
Another question, is it worth trying to figure out what shield size you need before the baby comes or will that change once your milk comes in and you start nursing?
I would wait. The pump should come with their "standard" size and it could be helpful to see how that fits for you once you actually start pumping. Even after pumping a bit, things changed for me. I was 100% convinced I needed smaller shields, bought some, then immediately got a clogged duct after using the smaller shield. After all that I went back to using the ones that came with the pump and haven't had an issue.
You could certainly measure your nipples just to see, but I would wait until you've been pumping to buy any different sizes unless it is very obvious you definitely need a different size.
If you pump a bunch at the beginning you'll need to keep it up to prevent engorgement. The body does most of its supply regulation in the first 6 weeks so if you pump a bunch in addition to nursing, you're telling your body it needs to make more milk.
If you're trying to pump and build a stash that's good! If you're only looking to breastfeed and not pump a bunch long term you may not want to add a bunch of pumping sessions in addition to breastfeeding.
Just something to think about depending on what your plans are.
Good to know! I realize this is dependent on the person and a number of factors, but is it possible to pump after daytime feedings but not night feedings? So are our bodies smart enough to make more milk during the day to breastfeed and pump but not make more at night? Or does it not work like that?
I BFed but wanted a small freezer stash so I would pump after DS's morning feed. He usually just ate one side so I pumped the other. I stared around 3 weeks. I usually aimed for 1.5-2 oz a session, since my stash was for the very occasional time I needed to be away during a feeding.
Also, keep in mind that some babies will sleep 3-6 hour stretches at night by the time they're a month old. So your body will adjust to feeding every 2-3 hours during the day, but less overnight, so i'd imagine you'd regulate to some degree with pumping. I hear some kids sleep 6-8 hours at 6 weeks, and your body regulates so that you don't wake up soaked in milk despite essentially skipping a feeding. I have a crappy sleeper who is only now, at 11.5 months sleeping 8 hour stretches.
I BFed but wanted a small freezer stash so I would pump after DS's morning feed. He usually just ate one side so I pumped the other. I stared around 3 weeks. I usually aimed for 1.5-2 oz a session, since my stash was for the very occasional time I needed to be away during a feeding.
Also, keep in mind that some babies will sleep 3-6 hour stretches at night by the time they're a month old. So your body will adjust to feeding every 2-3 hours during the day, but less overnight, so i'd imagine you'd regulate to some degree with pumping. I hear some kids sleep 6-8 hours at 6 weeks, and your body regulates so that you don't wake up soaked in milk despite essentially skipping a feeding. I have a crappy sleeper who is only now, at 11.5 months sleeping 8 hour stretches.
This pretty much sounds like what I'm hoping to do, thank you!!
Another question, I know you're suppose to alternate which side the baby starts nursing on, does that change with also pumping? So if baby starts a feeding on the right so you pump on the left, do you still start baby on the left at the next feeding?
Since I didn't pump until i was completely empty I would put baby on the side that i'd pumped at the next feed, especially since I was pumping right after a feed (I know some moms master the pump&feed, it seemed too complicated to me).
When DS was really hungry (growth spurts) he'd eat both sides at one feed, well 1.5 sides is probably more accurate.
If you forget which side you started on last it's not really a big deal though - either one boob will feel really full and you'll know to start on that side, or your kiddo will still act hungry after one side so you'll know to offer the other. Or it'll be fine because there's already enough milk in that side.
This breastfeeding pumping thing seems like a big game of trial and error.
This is going to sound bitchy and it isn't meant that way but:
Welcome to parenting.
I pump both sides. With feeding I try to rotate which side she starts on but she's still having trouble with the left, so righty gets more overall feeds by probably 3-2 (during the overnight cluster session she won't always finish both sides). But lefty seems to be producing better this time than with DS.
This breastfeeding pumping thing seems like a big game of trial and error.
This is going to sound bitchy and it isn't meant that way but:
Welcome to parenting.
I pump both sides. With feeding I try to rotate which side she starts on but she's still having trouble with the left, so righty gets more overall feeds by probably 3-2 (during the overnight cluster session she won't always finish both sides). But lefty seems to be producing better this time than with DS.
Not taken as bitchy at all. I'm not one to wing things but I have a feeling that's what I'll be doing for the rest of my life.
In regards to pumping and one sided nursing, when I was pumping at work it was always a double pump. Then I'd come home and nurse, usually my left which was less reactive to the pump. Then I'd switch back and forth while we were together. But like morwen said, it didn't really matter cause I'd offer the second if he seemed hungry after the first.
I know it's hard to wrap your head around but you'll figure out what what's best for you, your baby and your boobs.
So another question, we have a two story house and I have nursing/pumping stations setup on both floors but do I need two nursing pillows? Wait and see how much I use it? I'm sure I'll get annoyed carrying it up and down the stairs all the time but I also don't want tons of extra stuff
I'd say wait and see how much you use it. We have a TV set up in the basement and the pillows on the couch downstairs work just fine fur nursing so I don't bother bringing the Boppy downstairs with me.
So another question, we have a two story house and I have nursing/pumping stations setup on both floors but do I need two nursing pillows? Wait and see how much I use it? I'm sure I'll get annoyed carrying it up and down the stairs all the time but I also don't want tons of extra stuff
I found the Boppy to be pretty easy to move around, I didn't get annoyed moving it between nursing stations. Also it may not be the only pillow you like, you might like using bed or couch pillows just fine. You can always pick up another one if you want one, I'd wait and see after Baby's here.
This breastfeeding pumping thing seems like a big game of trial and error.
it's so intimidating! But I promise it'll all make so much more sense when M is here. And if it doesn't we are here to help! It is a lot of trial and error.
My mom breast fed me until I was 2 so I will not give up with M.
My mom breast fed me until I was 2 so I will not give up with M.
you'll do great!
Anecdote >> Yesterday I forgot my nipple shield (I have flat nipples) and my pump when I went to my grandmas house, but somehow my nipples magically worked without them perfectly for the first time. I had to use a shield every single time before that. The human body is amazing.
So aside from figuring out a place to pump at the office, I am anticipating another pumping dilemma.
I have a project starting probably right after getting back from maternity leave that requires a 4.5 hour drive each way, with my boss, once every two weeks or so. It's likely that we would do the drive, stay overnight, go to the job site for a few hours, then drive back. Or leave early in the morning and do the whole thing in one day. And there won't really be a good place to pump at the job site either, the car is probably my best bet, and there will be meetings and it would be awkward having to take 15-20 minutes or whatever to pump. So what do I do? The only thing I can think of is to pump in the back of the car while my boss drives but that is awkward AF.
So aside from figuring out a place to pump at the office, I am anticipating another pumping dilemma.
I have a project starting probably right after getting back from maternity leave that requires a 4.5 hour drive each way, with my boss, once every two weeks or so. It's likely that we would do the drive, stay overnight, go to the job site for a few hours, then drive back. Or leave early in the morning and do the whole thing in one day. And there won't really be a good place to pump at the job site either, the car is probably my best bet, and there will be meetings and it would be awkward having to take 15-20 minutes or whatever to pump. So what do I do? The only thing I can think of is to pump in the back of the car while my boss drives but that is awkward AF.
That is awkward. Maybe inform your boss that you'll need to be pulling over to take pumping breaks and just do it in a bathroom for privacy? I know that sounds so icky but I am a private person and couldn't do it in the car with them there.
Good to know! I realize this is dependent on the person and a number of factors, but is it possible to pump after daytime feedings but not night feedings? So are our bodies smart enough to make more milk during the day to breastfeed and pump but not make more at night? Or does it not work like that?
Totally possible! Our bodies absolutely regulate the amount of milk/time of day. Which is why when baby starts sleeping longer stretches at night, you'll be engorged, then it will get better and you won't be as full. When we were weaning, I would totally notice letdowns/fullness near the 2-3x a day when we typically nursed, but not at other times.
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