Breafeeding/Pumping Check-In 4/25/17!

[dancerspose]

Welcome to the breastfeeding and pumping check-in. Please tag dancerspose to join the check-in, change your info, and for general updates.

IF YOU'RE NEW PLEASE TELL US:
- Are you EBF, EPing, combo feeding?
- Birthday of your child(ren)?
- If this is your second, etc. go around, let us know!

And for everyone...
- Successes?
- Challenges?
- New goals? Tips? Questions?

QOTW: If you work outside the home, what's your pumping situation at work (in your office, a dedicated mothers room, your car)? 

lilyharper
Little Man born early October
BF once/day

bostongirl617
Baby BostonBoy born 10/17
BF
Goal: Night wean soon...please!

aves0708
DD born 10-20-15
BF
Goal: Make it to two.

bluefairy5
Wee Fairy born 10/26/15
NOD at home

rainbowbridge14
M born 12/2/15
NOD
Goal: KOKO

nikiswimr
Little E was born 1/26/16.
NOD
Goal: KOKO as long as she wants

megrae12
Superman was born at 35 weeks on Feb 24th
BF
Goal: Wean down to about 2/day

daydreamsam
Baby born Mar 21
BF
Goal: drop from 5 to 4 sessions during the day this week and cut out 1 night feed

westiemom
Baby O born 4/20/16
BF, occasional pumped bottle
Goal: A year definitely, maybe longer

wanderlust
LO born 5/31/16
NOD at home, pumping at work
Goal: Breast feed up to a year

katelm
LO born 7/18
BF, pumping at work
Goal: a year, depending on FET

disneykate
Emma was born 7/19
NOD at home, pumping at work
Goal: a year

tikoberry99
M born July 2016
BF
Goal: wean by 18 months for FET

bocaburger
Twins were born 8/10
Combo feeding

remylove1011
DD born 8/25
BF, pumping at work
Goal: a year

karabear4409
DS2 born 9/12
NOD, bottle before bed
Goal: a year

mg0202
DS born 10/6
BF, pumping at work, a little formula
Goal: 1 year
Congrats on 6 months!!

peaseblossom55
E born 10/25
Combo feeding, pumping
Goal: Get to the end of May pumping then go from there.

emilie
DD born December 2016
Combo feeding
Goals: Make it to 6 months, and continue to increase the amount from the breast if possible!

dancerspose
Baby girl Z was born 1/20
EP
Goal: KOKO until 6 months

turquoisequeen
DD born on 2/15
EBF and pumping once a day right now to try to also build a small stash
Goal: a year

.
LO born 3/23
Pumping, nursing & supplementing

[westiemom]

Thanks for taking over dancerspose!

-Successes: we have dropped to 3 feedings. She hasn't seemed to mind. I'm still so emotional about it so I'm not sure when I will drop anymore.

-Challenges: my own damn emotions. I pretty much cry daily now about her someday weaning and I'm starting to think I have some legit emotional issues. This much hysterics can't be normal.

-I have no new goals. I want TFAS, hubby wants to try naturally and my cycle is funky (it's only month 2). I just don't know if I need to wean to really give TFAS a true shot or if I should just give it time. Ugh.

QOTW: n/a

[peaseblossom55]

Success- E is 6 months today. I made it to 6 months of pumping!! So proud especially given my crappy supply.
Challenges- I find I'm annoyed by pumping, especially when I am tired. It tends to get in the way.
Goals- I got to 6 months which is huge, setting smaller goals like getting to the end of May, depending on supply.

QOTW: The first floor of my building has 4 rooms with sinks and oomfy chairs to pump in. They are called wellness rooms. It's nice to have that, the only complaint is I have to go down to the first floor to get there but it's so minor really.

[karabear4409]

Thanks for taking this over, dancerspose!

@peaseblossom congrats on 6 months! That's very impressive that you have been able to stick with EP for so long!

S: just KOKO. I have seen a little boost in my supply since I upped my water intake to 100+ oz a day.

C: dairy trial was a total fail. I am dealing with a very miserable baby and kicking myself in the ass for doing that to him (and me).

Goal: my current plan is to EBF until his first birthday, then start weaning. I figure it will take about a month to wean. I need to go back on a different blood thinner ASAP.

QOTW: I'm a SAHM, but i would have had to pump in a storage closet if I had stayed at my precious job.

[mg0202]

peaseblossom55, thanks for taking over!

Success: Just KOKO. Taking it week by week hoping to make it to 1 year.

QOTW: There was no pump area until I came back. When I mentioned it my bossed kind of freaked and set something up, almost like they thought they would get in trouble. I got a pretty nice set up. Private room, comfy chair with a table to set everything. There is now another woman I share with, but it is easy to work it out with just 2 of us.

[kaf7]

westiemom, I wasn't considering trying for another, but I would get emotional every time I dropped a feed. After a few I learned the feeling would eventually pass and then I'd get an itch to drop another. I say give it a week or so and then see how you're feeling. Fwiw I dropped about a feed a month or so after I dropped a bunch at once over Christmas. That's just the timeline that felt right to me. Big hugs.

[westiemom]

Apr 25, 2017 21:05:50 GMT -5 kaf7 said:

westiemom, I wasn't considering trying for another, but I would get emotional every time I dropped a feed. After a few I learned the feeling would eventually pass and then I'd get an itch to drop another. I say give it a week or so and then see how you're feeling. Fwiw I dropped about a feed a month or so after I dropped a bunch at once over Christmas. That's just the timeline that felt right to me. Big hugs.

Thank you! I appreciate hearing this. This is exactly how it's playing out. I'm devastated for a bit then ready to drop more! It's an emotional roller coaster. Thank you for sharing. It seriously helps!

[nikiswimr]

westiemom the hormone shifts that come with dropping prolactin are no joke. It gets better!

@peaseblossom5 6 months is huge! Congratulations!

. I hope supply bounces back. Often the nipple shield impairs transfer and can decrease supply. It's a double edged sword because if you need it, you need it (I had to use one on one side for a while)

karabear4409 glad to hear supply is bouncing back.

mg0202 glad they got a legit pump space set up for you.

[nikiswimr]

AFM, KOKO. E is 15 months tomorrow. Puked after nursing this am which I guess is the PIO. We didn't get along last go around either. Supply held up through Estrace, we'll see about PIO.

QOTW: I have a private office so when I'm there I pumped there. I also pumped in many a storage closet and in my car to/from work.

[bocaburger]

Thanks for the check in dancerspose!

westiemom The hormone shifts make it hard not to be emotional!

peaseblossom55 I can't believe she is already 6 months! Congrats!

[bocaburger]

AFM...

Successes: Still nursing every morning and at least one other time throughout the day. Still nursing each baby at least once MOTN, but hoping to night wean (again) by 9 months. Becoming more at peace with weaning, even though I am still sad.

Challenges: Teeth! Both babies are teething and biting. M actually drew blood once. Also, hormones! My anxiety is up, I have a shorter fuse... it's tough.

Goals: Still be nursing twice a day by next week's check-in.

[daydreamsam]

Thanks for the check-in dancerspose

So, we are winding down on this whole BFing journey and I am super sad about it. Today was the first day to drop down to two feeds a day and whatever she wants MOTN. Next week we will keep the two day feedings but cut out MOTN. So, Success! I'm sticking with my weaning schedule!

On the challenge side, she begs for the boob which makes me sad and due to some legal problems, we may not have the money for our FET so the weaning may be for not. Ugh. I'm so torn but I've already started and my supply is way down so... Our new goal is to be down to one feeding and then none within the next three weeks, whether we can go back to the RE or not.

[daydreamsam]

westiemom gurrrrrl, I cry all the damn time too! It's the hormone drop and it's crazy. Hang in there, we will get through this!

[turquoisequeen]

Thanks for picking up the check in dancerspose

Nothing much new here. Just KOKO. I've set a personal goal for myself of getting 40 oz of freezer stash milk per month.

How do the EBFers figure out how much to feed in a bottle if you are gone? I can't for the life of me remember from DS how we figured it out. Last time she took a bottle was at 5w old and she took 3oz. She's now almost 10w old. I def don't want to overfeed bc it makes her reflux a million times worse. I actually stop her BFing based on time (keep it under 25 min total) bc if I go over she's in SO much more pain and spits up even more than the usual.

[westiemom]

Thanks everyone. I'm glad to know the crying is "normal." I'm thankful for all of you!

[westiemom]

Apr 26, 2017 3:28:51 GMT -5 turquoisequeen said:

Thanks for picking up the check in dancerspose

Nothing much new here. Just KOKO. I've set a personal goal for myself of getting 40 oz of freezer stash milk per month.

How do the EBFers figure out how much to feed in a bottle if you are gone? I can't for the life of me remember from DS how we figured it out. Last time she took a bottle was at 5w old and she took 3oz. She's now almost 10w old. I def don't want to overfeed bc it makes her reflux a million times worse. I actually stop her BFing based on time (keep it under 25 min total) bc if I go over she's in SO much more pain and spits up even more than the usual.

I always left an ounce for hour but never more than 4oz per bottle. I usually stuck to 3 oz.

[karabear4409]

Apr 26, 2017 3:28:51 GMT -5 turquoisequeen said:

Thanks for picking up the check in dancerspose

Nothing much new here. Just KOKO. I've set a personal goal for myself of getting 40 oz of freezer stash milk per month.

How do the EBFers figure out how much to feed in a bottle if you are gone? I can't for the life of me remember from DS how we figured it out. Last time she took a bottle was at 5w old and she took 3oz. She's now almost 10w old. I def don't want to overfeed bc it makes her reflux a million times worse. I actually stop her BFing based on time (keep it under 25 min total) bc if I go over she's in SO much more pain and spits up even more than the usual.

I always leave 4 oz. bottles. He always takes the entire thing. I think he only gets about 3 oz when nursing though.

[kaf7]

Hugs daydreamsam.

turquoisequeen, I'd start with 3-4oz and then if not satisfied offer an extra ounce at a time.

[lilyharper]

bocaburger, we've been doing the morning nursing session for two or three months. I'm also aware tomorrow he could decide he's done. It's weird and a bit sad to think about being done, I love the guaranteed cuddling.

I still think you're amazing for nursing twins period. =)

[dancerspose]

westiemom sorry for all the feels!
peaseblossom55 congratulations on hitting 6 months, that's awesome!
. we had constant latch problems too, part of what led to eventually giving up on nursing and just EP. How many times a day are you pumping now?
karabear4409 sorry for the dairy fail.
mg0202 that's great that your work was so quick to accommodate.
nikiswimr hope your supply keeps up
bocaburger oh heck no on the drawing blood!
daydreamsam good luck with the weaning!
turquoisequeen I EP and at almost 14weeks old we still only do 4 oz bottles. She seems to spit up whenever she tried to eat more than that in one sitting still. So, rather than up each bottle we added in another bottle. I'm hoping when she gets bigger we can eventually get her to fewer, bigger bottles (6oz 4x/day rather than 4oz 6x/day). I would start with about 4 and add one at a time as necessary.

I'm just KOKO here. This is my first week back at work and so far so good. I only pump once at work (and also once on my drive home). We're required to have a "mothers room" but the setup leaves a little to be desired. I work for management so I'm trying to get some improvements made. I recognize I'm lucky to even have the space, though, so I'm not being too much of a brat. I do also have a private office, but I like getting away from my desk to pump.

[emilie]

Hey all!

. sending good thoughts your way. I had to use a nipple shield until 7 weeks and looking back on it I think it really screwed my supply (I am still nursing and supplementing at 4 mo). That said, you can't really get rid of it until you don't need it anymore, you know? If you are ready to stop using it, maybe try one session a day without it with LO?

- Successes? AFM, still BF (combo feeding) at 4 months which makes me happy. Never got to EBF but I'm proud of getting this far.
-
Challenges? Evening nursing sessions. DD nurses great in the mornings and afternoons but as soon as 4 or 5 PM passes the shit hits the fan if I try to get her to nurse. She screams if I try to put her in a BF position and bites the boob if I offer it. I've resorted to pumping and giving a bottle of formula during this time because I was sick of getting screamed at every day. It's a bummer, though, because taking out that session has caused my already-low supply to go down more, even with the added pumping. Not sure what to do.


New goals? Tips? Questions? New goal is 6 months and to give DD as much breast milk as I can. Even if she decides she doesn't want to nurse at night I'm still going to pump to try to keep my measly supply alive.

[turquoisequeen]

Thanks ladies!!

[westiemom]

emilie your supply is lowest in the evenings. During leaps, my DD would always get super frustrated with me during that before bed feed. I usually had to get it started and latch her on after let down and switch sides frequently. It was always short lived but so upsetting. Hugs.

[bluefairy5]

westiemom How many days has it been since you cut a feed and your supply down-regulated? Prolactin drops can really do a number on emotions.

peaseblossom55 Congratulations on 6 months!!

. If you find you need/want to change up the supplements, I also had good results with blessed thistle.

dancerspose Thanks again for taking over


We are KOKO over here. No real signs of weaning, which is fine with me. (For now.)

QOTW: After the first month of pumping, I had a dedicated mothers' room with online booking. The first month I was in the ladies room, which was... fun.

[westiemom]

bluefairy5 I think that's exactly what happened. It was a couple days after I dropped the feed. I'm feeling much better now (it's been a full week). I plan to drop another feed next week so I'm bracing myself for the emotions. It's no joke!

[emilie]

Apr 28, 2017 19:33:59 GMT -5 westiemom said:

emilie your supply is lowest in the evenings. During leaps, my DD would always get super frustrated with me during that before bed feed. I usually had to get it started and latch her on after let down and switch sides frequently. It was always short lived but so upsetting. Hugs.

thanks, that's good to know. she grew a ton in this last month, which is about how long the scream-at-mama every night routine has been going on

[westiemom]

Apr 29, 2017 2:10:26 GMT -5 emilie said:

Apr 28, 2017 19:33:59 GMT -5 westiemom said:

emilie your supply is lowest in the evenings. During leaps, my DD would always get super frustrated with me during that before bed feed. I usually had to get it started and latch her on after let down and switch sides frequently. It was always short lived but so upsetting. Hugs.

thanks, that's good to know. she grew a ton in this last month, which is about how long the scream-at-mama every night routine has been going on

I would put money on it being a leap. That doesn't make it any easier! I used to get so frustrated that I would cry. I hate to tell you this but we dealt with it every leap until around 10 months.

[pinkmickey24]

Thank you ladies for your responses last week. If you EP did you take your pump to the hospital or did you use the one provided by the hospital? My thoughts right now is I will BF while in the hospital and supplement if needed. We had to with the boys. Once we get home I will start a pumping schedule. Did you pump in the middle of the night or just from the time you woke up until the time you went to bed?

[rainbowbridge14]

I am late but wanted to share something fun BF related. I am travelling alone with M and took her to a children's museum by my BILs house. They are super nursing friendly and said mothers are welcome to nurse anywhere. M hit her head and I nursed her in one of the playspaces to calm her. Another mom asked how old she was and when I said "almost 17 months" she congratulated me and told me how awesome it was that she was still nursing. It was nice to get positive feedback about nursing my toddler in public. I've done so much NIP with her on this trip which I haven't done in a long time since at home she asks less.

[bocaburger]

Ok so I know it's normal to feel emotionally off during weaning, but is it normal to feel physically off? This week I feel super fatigued but when I lay down I can't fall asleep. The last few days I've had palpitations (happens to me sometimes) and headaches. Is this normal or is something else going on?