With DD1 I bfed about 7:00. Pumped both sides at 9. Pumped both at 1. Bfed about 4:30, 7 ish and at night.
I'm going back next month and only have 30 minutes for lunch and I'll have to pump at that time. I have a terrible teaching schedule this year.
With my first I used to pump at 9, 12, and 3. I'd either bf in the morning before work around 5:30 or pump them too, and then would feed around 6 depending on his last bottle at daycare. I'm aiming to do the same this time but we'll see if it works out. I haven't been able to pump much so far.
With DD1 I bfed about 7:00. Pumped both sides at 9. Pumped both at 1. Bfed about 4:30, 7 ish and at night.
I'm going back next month and only have 30 minutes for lunch and I'll have to pump at that time. I have a terrible teaching schedule this year.
I'm hoping since bf'ing is going well this time I can do 10, 1 and then sometime between 3:30-4:30 depending on the evening plans. I'll also have to pump on the road since I'll go back during meeting season for me so a couple days a week I won't be able to stick to a strict schedule.
With ds I always had to pump before he woke up (thankfully that only meant 5:30 and not any earlier) and after he went to bed to get what I needed for the next day and build a freezer stash.
So I know the more you pump/feed, the better your supply will be, but even pumping and feeding so much more often, I'm still only getting 2 oz at a time pumping. How can I increase the amount I'm getting? Am I doing something wrong?
First make sure your membranes are good. Might be worth replacing even though it can't possibly have been long enough - if you're pumping a bunch every day, they might be worn out.
When you're pumping, are your looking at your baby, or at pictures/videos of your baby? It really does help production, and I think can especially help trigger a letdown.
Don't stare at your pump, monitoring output. Find something to watch or read (because obviously no one is staring at kid pictures all day err' day!) Make pumping a nice little break when you can, so you look forward to it and aren't stressed about it.
Massage your boobs just prior to pumping to help flow. You might even try lecithin to help your milk be less "sticky" - this is unproven, just an idea. Lecithin is cheap and won't hurt you.
britab I think I forgot you were a teacher! I don't go back until fall, but already think I won't be able to BF anymore due to scheduling issues. I don't have advice, but good luck! I hope you're able to get a system in place
Tried a bottle tonight. 2 hours and she maybe drank an ounce. She was sucking and somehow not taking in barely anything, even with a fast flow nipple.
We'll try some other nipples next time. I'm interested in the Nuk naturals one.
Who gave her the bottle? You might need to literally leave the house while someone else feeds her. Babies are wiley.
Be careful with fast-flow nipples. That can cause a preference for bottles because they are easier than boobs. I know that seems crazy after her first try, here, but I wonder if she wasn't even really trying because she wanted to nurse. She's pretty young for even medium flow, and could take in too much at once when she gets the hang of it, making her spit it all up.
First make sure your membranes are good. Might be worth replacing even though it can't possibly have been long enough - if you're pumping a bunch every day, they might be worn out.
When you're pumping, are your looking at your baby, or at pictures/videos of your baby? It really does help production, and I think can especially help trigger a letdown.
Don't stare at your pump, monitoring output. Find something to watch or read (because obviously no one is staring at kid pictures all day err' day!) Make pumping a nice little break when you can, so you look forward to it and aren't stressed about it.
Massage your boobs just prior to pumping to help flow. You might even try lecithin to help your milk be less "sticky" - this is unproven, just an idea. Lecithin is cheap and won't hurt you.
I'm usually looking at C (he's sitting right in front of me) or on my phone looking at TCF. I'll check the membranes - aside from washing the pump parts, I'm not super familiar with the different pieces and what to do with them.
I usually massage my boobs with a warm damp washcloth before (I've heard moist heat can help), then without the washcloth during. Where can you get lecithin? I'm assuming it's safe for bfing? Any potential side effects?
You can get it at Walmart. Soy lecithin is very common. Okay for BFing. No side effects that I'm aware of, unless your baby is extremely sensitive to soy.
Remember, too, that babies are much better at getting milk out of boobs than pumps are. Some women get nothing pumping but have healthy breastfed babies. Their bodies just didn't respond to a pump. You've got something to build on and I'm sure aren't doing anything wrong, you just might need to finesse a bit more than other women do.
How often are you pumping? Are you pumping at certain times?
I was told that most people have highest pumping amounts between 10 pm and 4 am. I've found this not true for me- for me, I get a ton if I pump anytime (but at least once) between like 2ish am and 10 am. For example, today I only pumped twice (no breastfeeding or anything in between) at 8:45 am (5.66 oz) and then not again til 1:45 (6 oz). This is not normal for me, but the LC said that what might be my normal is that I get higher outputs when I space my pumps out. Maybe you'll see something if you play with your times?
I haven't really paid attention to times - I try to BF as much as possible, and I pump when C isn't hungry and it's been too long since I've breastfed him (I try to bf or pump at least every 4-6 hours-ish). I always do at least one overnight pump, usually around 4am since that's C's fussiest wake up and a bottle works better. Regardless of how long it's been, I almost always get exactly 2 ounces (the exception being when I've fed C within an hour or two of pumping - I've tried this when I've had extra time just to see if it helps my supply)
One other thing - C definitely eats way more than 2 oz at a time, but there have been times when he's satisfied with just breastmilk - he doesn't want a bottle after. I'm wondering if he's getting more than 2 oz breastfeeding. Maybe I'm doing something wrong with pumping?
I'm one of those women who doesn't respond to the pump. With my first, I had oversupply issues while nursing but could barely get anything from the pump. I hope that's not the case for you and you're able to figure out something that helps, but I just wanted to let you know it doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong.
I'm sure this was answered somewhere in the thread but tired and don't feel like searching. If L has a good latch and my milk supply is booming, when can I start pumping and bottle feeding on occasion? Do I need special nipples for a newborn or can I use the medela ones that came with my pump/accessory kit?
Post by moutonrouge on Apr 13, 2017 8:45:56 GMT -5
renegadewhit I take sunflower lethicin - I got it on Amazon. They're giant pills, in case you struggle with swallowing big pills. But I think they're working for me - hard to tell when my evidence is no evidence.
When pumping, try leaning forward (arms on a counter with boobs below works for me) and don't look at the pump once milk is flowing. Cover it up with a blanket and just settle in. Iget the best output when DD is nursing one side and I pump the other.
So S was 7lb 6oz at birth. Only dipped down to 7lb .1oz. At Monday's appt she was 7lb .3oz. I thought this was good but the pedi didn't like that she hasn't gained more. He told me to try to keep her awake longer during feeds and stay on the same side to make sure she gets hind milk.
She usually stays on for 10 mins. I've gotten some 15 minutes though. Usually nurses every 3 hours during the day, Custer feeds from like 6 to 10 and then once overnight and at 6 am.
Am i being to nonchalant by not trying harder to keep her awake? She has plenty of diapers and we have s weight check tomorrow.
I dunno i guess I'm just feeling guilty. Should i be doing more?
How old is baby again jnow? I thought it's not really an issue unless baby isn't back to birth weight by 2 weeks (and even then it's not the end of the world as long as they are gaining). If she gains by her next weight check I would probably not be all that concerned since she has enough diapers and feeds frequently.
How old is baby again jnow? I thought it's not really an issue unless baby isn't back to birth weight by 2 weeks (and even then it's not the end of the world as long as they are gaining). If she gains by her next weight check I would probably not be all that concerned since she has enough diapers and feeds frequently.
8 days today.
I was getting really stressed about it after Tuesdays appt and then realized that wasn't good for either of us. So I'm doing what i can to get at least 10 minutes but not forcing it.
It was probably silly to ask today when we have a weight check tomorrow but i was just feeling super guilty today.
Post by kristhegirl on Apr 13, 2017 15:08:20 GMT -5
jnow I think you're still supposed to wake up for feeds until they're back to birth weight, at least every 4 hours. Some recommend only one stretch of four hours, then no more than three the rest of the night. Also nursing every two hours during the day, but no less often than three hours.
Post by erinshelley21 on Apr 13, 2017 16:21:17 GMT -5
jnow is she still pooping a ton? DD literally shit so much her first few days home that she weighed the exact same amount at her first weight check as she did at discharge. Her second one that same week she had only gained 3 oz or something like that, but still wasn't back at birth weight. I wouldn't stress until tomorrow.
jnow I think you're still supposed to wake up for feeds until they're back to birth weight, at least every 4 hours. Some recommend only one stretch of four hours, then no more than three the rest of the night. Also nursing every two hours during the day, but no less often than three hours.
This is the advice our pediatrician gave. She also said they are looking for breastfed newborns to gain at least 5 oz a week.
jnow How old was she at her "lowest" weight of 7lb 1oz? It's possible she was still losing after that and has been making good progress regaining from her actual lowest point.
Born 4/5: 7lb 6oz 4/6: 7lb .7oz 4/9: 7lb (not sure oz. Was less than 1oz) 4/11: 7lb .3oz
jnow is she still pooping a ton? DD literally shit so much her first few days home that she weighed the exact same amount at her first weight check as she did at discharge. Her second one that same week she had only gained 3 oz or something like that, but still wasn't back at birth weight. I wouldn't stress until tomorrow.
Yes. According to our chart she has had more poops than "needed" every day except for 1
Post by kristhegirl on Apr 13, 2017 18:51:12 GMT -5
ugaqueencity yay!! I only pumped for a couple of weeks so I have no real advice (I just stopped cold turkey and pumped if I felt uncomfortable. Don't do that.)
I think you have two routes, though - cut out a session every day or two, or cut your sessions shorter and shorter each day or two.
I always recommend lecithin. If you do get a clog, let that baby Hoover it out - they're really good at it.
Post by moutonrouge on Apr 13, 2017 19:14:47 GMT -5
Baby is not willing to take a bottle from DH (or me). We've tried 3 nipples so far. All the nipples are slow flow, and we had two longer ones and one shorter one. I'm trying not to be critical of his holding or offering technique because I tried and failed as well. Any ideas?
jnow I think you're still supposed to wake up for feeds until they're back to birth weight, at least every 4 hours. Some recommend only one stretch of four hours, then no more than three the rest of the night. Also nursing every two hours during the day, but no less often than three hours.
This is what was recommended to me when I was leaving the hospital
Have you made the switch to nursing only on one side yet? I think my oversupply issue was contributing to A's slow gain at first, she was getting a good amount volume wise but she wasn't getting to the more fattening hind milk. I hope you see a good gain tomorrow, I know how nerve wracking weight concerns can be
Yea I've been nursing on one side and trying harder to keep her awake. This whole thing messes with your mind.
At today's doctors appointment A had gained a pound in the last two weeks, her doctor is happy with her gain and said I can officially be done with triple feedings! I'm so excited but I'm also worried about weaning off of pumping without causing clogged ducts or other issues. Does anyone have any advice?
If you feel anything.. pain, a clog, anything... massage massage massage.
I had a bad clog the first time i left dd1 overnight and slept in. I massaged it with an electric toothbrush and applied heat often.
Baby is not willing to take a bottle from DH (or me). We've tried 3 nipples so far. All the nipples are slow flow, and we had two longer ones and one shorter one. I'm trying not to be critical of his holding or offering technique because I tried and failed as well. Any ideas?
With DS, I had to be in another room when DH offered the bottle. He wouldn't take one from me ever, so I'd let your DH keep trying. We waiting until DS was quite hungry (not overly so, but hungry enough to not be so picky) and had to try lots of different bottles before we found the one he would take (it was Playtex). Is the milk warm? I know some people used to even warm the nipple a bit or DH would hold mom's shirt when offering the bottle.
Tried a bottle tonight. 2 hours and she maybe drank an ounce. She was sucking and somehow not taking in barely anything, even with a fast flow nipple.
We'll try some other nipples next time. I'm interested in the Nuk naturals one.
Who gave her the bottle? You might need to literally leave the house while someone else feeds her. Babies are wiley.
Be careful with fast-flow nipples. That can cause a preference for bottles because they are easier than boobs. I know that seems crazy after her first try, here, but I wonder if she wasn't even really trying because she wanted to nurse. She's pretty young for even medium flow, and could take in too much at once when she gets the hang of it, making her spit it all up.
Dad gave her the bottle. We started with slow flow and worked our way up. With DD1 she would only take fast flow and only took a bottle from our daycare lady herself. Ugh, it's so much work figuring out these babies!
I must let down pretty hard and fast. She can eat in about 7 minutes. Pumping last night I got 5 oz from one boob day in 15 minutes.
I'm a little confused and might ask a LC about this.
If I go 8 hrs without pumping, I get roughly 15-20 oz. If I pump more frequently that is the same amount I get over an 8 hour period. I'll just get less at each pumping session. If I just move to pumping 3 times a day, every 8 hours, will that cause problem over the long term? Like in a couple weeks will I get less than 15 oz at the 8 hour mark?
I'm a little confused and might ask a LC about this.
If I go 8 hrs without pumping, I get roughly 15-20 oz. If I pump more frequently that is the same amount I get over an 8 hour period. I'll just get less at each pumping session. If I just move to pumping 3 times a day, every 8 hours, will that cause problem over the long term? Like in a couple weeks will I get less than 15 oz at the 8 hour mark?
I say pump 3 times a day. You can always add more sessions in if output is dropping.
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