Mommy Milk Monday 4/20

[lilyelayne]

How old is your LO?

Are you nursing, pumping, supplementing?

Questions/AW?

GTKY: what's your favorite way to cheer up when you've had a bad day?

[lilyelayne]

Age- 6w4d

Nursing

Questions-
1.) has anyone's supply regulated? DS has been STTN (going ~6+ hours between bedtime feed and next feed) for a week and a half. I wake up with much more milk than the evening before, but I'm not overly full anymore. He seems content at the breast, and diaper output hasn't changed, so I'm thinking my supply regulated not that it's dropped. He has 7 nursing sessions in 24 hours.
2.) EBF & nursing on demand - talk to me about schedules. I've realized that DS should eat around 7 or 730pm if I want his bedtime feed to be between 930 & 10, which seems to be the bedtime that works best for him. Last night he was asleep in his swing at 7 so I turned it off and at 730 got him out, changed diaper, and nursed him. He ate great, but it was so weird not following his cues. Anyone else thinking of adding a bit more schedule to an on demand baby?

[lilyelayne]

Forgot my GTKY! Quiet cuddle time with DH and our dog (and now I'd add a happy sleeping DS). If I'm solo and not at home and need a pick me up, a manicure or taking myself out for mexican food. I love eating at restaurants by myself; it's so calming.
Of course there's always the drive through daiquiri shop - nothing like a sugary rum drink you can pick up on your way home!

[lotsofdotts]

How old is your LO? 8 weeks today!

Are you nursing, pumping, supplementing? I'm primarily nursing, but I am starting to pump more since I need to get my supply up before going to work in mid-May.

Questions/AW? Brady is starting to be a good sleeper! Yay! He is also developing a personality and smiling and laughing some.

GTKY: what's your favorite way to cheer up when you've had a bad day? I call or visit some of my girlfriends and have a good laugh. It always helps even if we just commiserate on how shitty the day has been.

[junebugjam]

How old is your LO? 9 weeks

Are you nursing, pumping, supplementing? Nursing and pumping, even though pumping seems pointless because he's giving me hell with the bottle.

Questions/AW? I need tricks to get him to drink from a bottle. I have tried 3 different kinds and he drank from them all but with limited success. I'm not sure the brand is the issue. My ped said to try giving him one every day, but I feel like he's less likely to take it from me (based on history) and my husband lacks the patience required since he's picky about it. My mom has gotten him to drink a bottle occasionally but she can't be here daily. I did not think drinking from a bottle would be this tricky.

GTKY: what's your favorite way to cheer up when you've had a bad day? Chocolate. I made the mistake of buying entenmanns chocolate donuts the other day. LO was being fussy. Pretty much are the whole box in 2 days. Oops.

[lilyelayne]

Apr 20, 2015 9:35:40 GMT -5 junebugjam said:

.

Questions/AW? I need tricks to get him to drink from a bottle. I have tried 3 different kinds and he drank from them all but with limited success. I'm not sure the brand is the issue. My ped said to try giving him one every day, but I feel like he's less likely to take it from me (based on history) and my husband lacks the patience required since he's picky about it. My mom has gotten him to drink a bottle occasionally but she can't be here daily. I did not think drinking from a bottle would be this tricky.

Not much experience here, but have you tried varying the temperature? Running warm water over the nipple just before you give the bottle so it feels warm when it hits his lips? If warm milk / warm nipple doesn't work, try room temp? Just suggestions I've seen before.
Also changing position? Maybe have baby sitting upright in your (or H's) lap so it's different from nursing. Or can you try putting him in a swing / bouncer / chair (if motorized turn it off) and feeding him there instead of holding him?

[mands1125]

9 weeks, 4 days
Nursing, pumping like 4 times a week. Will do more starting next week.
No questions for the moment
Pizza and beer

[greenpony33]

How old is your LO? 10 weeks today


Are you nursing, pumping, supplementing? Nursing and an occasional bottle since I go back to work in 2 weeks. LO is going to daycare tomorrow to get use to it so he'll have bottles there.


Questions/AW?

DS is still eating every 2/2.5 hrs during the day and only have one 4hr block the first half of the night, then its every 2 hrs again. He only eats 5-8mins at a time, maybe I need to encourage him eating more at once (I just don't want him to over eat and then spit up more). Any tips on spreading out his feedings/making a schedule? Because this sleep schedule isn't going to fly once I am back to work.
GTKY: what's your favorite way to cheer up when you've had a bad day? A manicure or having drinks with friends or DH (but it's been almost a year since that's happened thank you LO ;-) )

[anchovies]

Apr 20, 2015 9:08:54 GMT -5 lilyelayne said:

Forgot my GTKY! Quiet cuddle time with DH and our dog (and now I'd add a happy sleeping DS). If I'm solo and not at home and need a pick me up, a manicure or taking myself out for mexican food. I love eating at restaurants by myself; it's so calming.
Of course there's always the drive through daiquiri shop - nothing like a sugary rum drink you can pick up on your way home!

This exists?? I've never heard of such a thing! Do they seal the container?

[anchovies]

9w1d

Nursing/supplementing

Poor DS had his 2 month shots today he screamed and turned bright red. I was grateful to be able to nurse and soothe him right after. Poor little guy.

I love some good retail therapy and a glass or two of wine!

[duckker]

How old is your LO? 7 weeks, 4 days

Are you nursing, pumping, supplementing?
Nursing, back at work a few days a week (second week) and pumping when there.

Questions/AW?
How do I deal w pumping access at work? Before I left (worked here two weeks before giving birth--actually stated on my due date!) I was told there was a lactation room on another floor. Turns out maybe that isn't true. When I came in on Wednesday, I was shown to the bathroom. The outlet didn't work, so the backup plan is a storage closet, to which I will not be given a key. This means I have to hunt down the one person who has the key every time I need to pump and ask her to let me in. I'm sure this is at least as annoying to her as it is to me. And I don't think it's sustainable when I am back in the office five days a week, especially since I plan to pump for at least a year. The bathroom is a totally unacceptable option for me. I work for a public university, but my workgroup is contracted with and housed in the state education department. I feel like there should be a better solution, but also don't want to be the whiny new employee (and they are being awesome about giving me flex time and letting me primarily work from home until LO is four months so I don't want to seem ungrateful.)

GTKY: what's your favorite way to cheer up when you've had a bad day? Glass of wine and a hot bath, or a long walk/hard run with some classic rock blaring in my headphones.

[seamonster]

9weeks 1day

Nursing and supplementing 3 ounces a day. I manage to pump 1 to 2 ounces a day and have been freezing them in preparation for going back to work.

What kind of schedule do you pump on with a feed on demand baby? I try to pump after he's gone to sleep and after the MOTN feed and after the morning feed but I'm tired and cant always manage it. He ears every 2 hours for 30 to45 minutes so not much time for pumping during the day.

My response to the pump seems to be getting worse. LO can get the milk out but the pump seems worse and worse at it.

GTKY : wine or beer and a long hot bath.

[kartish]

How old is your LO? 10 weeks

Are you nursing, pumping, supplementing? Nursing and pumping at work

Questions/AW? I have been worried (probably irrationally) about my supply dropping. What are signs of this?

GTKY: what's your favorite way to cheer up when you've had a bad day? Talking to my DH or one of my siblings.

duckker take a look around and see if you can find another option. Maybe an unused conference room or another office, or request a key for the closet you are in. I didn't like the accommodation my manager came up with so I suggested another space and he approved it. I think you are within reason asking for a key though. Good luck!

[lilyelayne]

Apr 20, 2015 12:16:32 GMT -5 anchovies said:

Apr 20, 2015 9:08:54 GMT -5 lilyelayne said:

Forgot my GTKY! Quiet cuddle time with DH and our dog (and now I'd add a happy sleeping DS). If I'm solo and not at home and need a pick me up, a manicure or taking myself out for mexican food. I love eating at restaurants by myself; it's so calming.
Of course there's always the drive through daiquiri shop - nothing like a sugary rum drink you can pick up on your way home!

This exists?? I've never heard of such a thing! Do they seal the container?

Lousiana is a magical place. It's just a regular styrofoam cup with a lid. As long as you don't put a straw in it, it's a closed container. They also sell mixed drinks. And Jell-O shots in plastic condiment containers.

[lilyelayne]

duckker US federal guidelines about nursing in the workspace. Bathrooms are not acceptable nursing spaces to the government either. www.dol.gov/whd/nursingmothers/faqBTNM.htm

I would push for a key to that storage closet. It would be more time efficient for both you and the woman who currently has to unlock it for you. You're trying to make pumping less disruptive to the work day; I would frame all my requests that way. Why don't they want you to have a key? Is there something sensitive stored in that closet they need to limit access to? If so, can it be moved to a different storage site for the next year while you need to pump?
You are not whining. You want to be a pleasant productive employee who also feeds her kid. Try not to apologize for having to feed your kid (which is what pumping is!) Maybe you could mention how much you appreciate their flexibility with your schedule during the early months and you want a pumping solution that is equally as beneficial / viable for all parties. Pumping is a requirement for you; you are an employee working out a problem with your employer, not a mom asking favors in the workplace. Good luck!

[cloe111479]

Apr 20, 2015 13:22:52 GMT -5 lilyelayne said:

Apr 20, 2015 12:16:32 GMT -5 anchovies said:

This exists?? I've never heard of such a thing! Do they seal the container?

Lousiana is a magical place. It's just a regular styrofoam cup with a lid. As long as you don't put a straw in it, it's a closed container. They also sell mixed drinks. And Jell-O shots in plastic condiment containers.

Amen for living in louisiana! (Says the girl who barely drinks but when she does she wants it from the drive thru!

[cloe111479]

How old is your LO? 10 weeks today

Are you nursing, pumping, supplementing? Just pumping.

Questions/AW? My little bit has been sleeping really well. Like 10pm to 5am. Last night she crashed at 8:30 after a good day at maw maws. I was expecting a 2/3 am cry but nope. She lasted til 5:20! We totally lucked out with a sleeper!

GTKY: what's your favorite way to cheer up when you've had a bad day?

Just getting home to my little bit is good right now. But I do like the occasional splurge on new clothes. Even if it's just something from old navy. It makes me feel better.

[lilyelayne]

seamonster I don't pump regularly, but have you tried taking pictures or video of your LO nursing (from your perspective) and looking at those to help trigger let down at the pump?

[Deleted]

duckker Not living in the US O have no idea about your rights but I hope everything works out for you. It sounds like a PITA having to hunt down that lady everytime you need to pump.

lilyelayne I am jealous of your LO STTN! My baby is only 2 days younger but she sleeps 4h at the most. My supply has not regulated yet but I'm hoping it will soon.

lotsofdotts Yay for good sleeper babies!

junebugjam I also try to give a bottle once a day. She fusses a bit in the begining and I have to kinda squirt some BM in her mouth to get her to understand that there is food in the bottle, but then she takes it. Sorry, but I think you just need to keep trying. Do you have any other friends or family that can try giving a bottle?

greenpony33 Mine is on pretty much the same schedule, and she always spits up a little after eating so I guess she eats as much as she can. I can kinda spread it out a little more if I distract her by walking her in the stroller or giving a paci for a bit, maybe that could work? Sorry, no real experience I'm just guessing.

[Deleted]

How old is your LO? 6w 2d

Are you nursing, pumping, supplementing?
Nursing mainly, pumping a bit. We are looking forward to our first night away from DD in two weeks so I'm trying to get a stash going for grandma.

Questions/AW?
Nothing ATM.

GTKY: what's your favorite way to cheer up when you've had a bad day?
A hot bath, a G&T or sex. Or all three (maybe not at the same time though)!

[lilyelayne]

kartish I don't know for sure but I'd think the main sign of supply dropping would be an unsatisfied baby. Why do you think your supply is dropping?

[lilyelayne]

@holachica we only do EASY when that's what DS does on his own. If he falls asleep after eating, fine. If he wants to play, great. If he shows any signs of being tired when playing (yawn, sleepy eyes) or if I know he's been awake too long (what is too long? I don't know. More than a couple hours and I'm giving him the side eye if he's not acting sleepy) then I immediately switch to a low gear so hopefully he'll fall asleep. Cuddles instead of playing, or maybe put him in the swing with some white noise. Give a paci if he's obviously sleepy not hungry and needs that little extra help to fall asleep. Sometimes he needs to eat after playing, and if it's EAE then yes sleep follows. I figure if there's at least one nap during the day that isn't immediately preceded by nursing then I'm doing good.

[seamonster]

Apr 20, 2015 14:12:32 GMT -5 lilyelayne said:

seamonster I don't pump regularly, but have you tried taking pictures or video of your LO nursing (from your perspective) and looking at those to help trigger let down at the pump?

I may do this when I go back to work. Maybe it'll help for my evening pump, which I've been dropping because he's been nursing to sleep this week. My MOTN and morning pump he's on my lap or next to me and I'm pumping the side he didn't feed off of (he feeds on both sides the rest of the day). My milk starts flowing (or rather dripping) pretty quickly, but stops or slows down after a few minutes. I get a somewhat better response with my manual pump, but it's so squeaky.

[kartish]

Apr 20, 2015 15:43:12 GMT -5 lilyelayne said:

kartish I don't know for sure but I'd think the main sign of supply dropping would be an unsatisfied baby. Why do you think your supply is dropping?

I think I am being paranoid, really. But LO gets more fussy at the boob, and then I wonder if he is having trouble getting milk. And I am adding another day back at work this week, so I worry about pumping enough. My first pump is always decent, but the second and third vary.

[osumegs]

@holachica I keep trying to follow EASY, but it hasn't worked out so well. She will sometimes fall asleep on her own (mainly evening), but for the most part she wants to cuddle and nurse to sleep. It ends up being more EAE for us as well

[osumegs]

How old is your LO? 9w3d

Are you nursing, pumping, supplementing? Nursing.

Questions/AW? None right now

GTKY: what's your favorite way to cheer up when you've had a bad day? right now, just a long, steaming hot shower

[WittyLittle]

How old is your LO? 9 weeks 4 days

Are you nursing, pumping, supplementing? Pumping and supplementing with formula at night

Questions/AW?
I managed to get my boobs down to 3 pumping sessions per day and got about 5 bottles out of that (LO has 6 feeds per day). Suddenly my supply has taken a nose dive so I supplemented 3 feeds on Saturday with formula, 2 Sunday and 2 today. LO now hasn't pooped since Saturday afternoon and seems to be bothered by it... Has anyone had to suddenly supplement and have a safe remedy for this?

GTKY: what's your favorite way to cheer up when you've had a bad day?
Chocolate, which isn't helping my self esteem, but does help in the moment!!!

[babycfeb2015]

How old is your LO? 9w5d

Are you nursing, pumping, supplementing? Nursing with an occasional pump session

Questions/AW? Ive gotten some good stares while he nurses lately. He just looks at me the whole time and its so sweet I could cry.

We also are trying to fix some silent reflux so half our nursing sessions involve screaming and spit up now. Not fun.

GTKY: what's your favorite way to cheer up when you've had a bad day? A workout or a hot bath tend to improve my mood. Or icecream.

[WittyLittle]

Apr 20, 2015 12:13:20 GMT -5 greenpony33 said:

How old is your LO? 10 weeks today


Are you nursing, pumping, supplementing? Nursing and an occasional bottle since I go back to work in 2 weeks. LO is going to daycare tomorrow to get use to it so he'll have bottles there.


Questions/AW?

DS is still eating every 2/2.5 hrs during the day and only have one 4hr block the first half of the night, then its every 2 hrs again. He only eats 5-8mins at a time, maybe I need to encourage him eating more at once (I just don't want him to over eat and then spit up more). Any tips on spreading out his feedings/making a schedule? Because this sleep schedule isn't going to fly once I am back to work.
GTKY: what's your favorite way to cheer up when you've had a bad day? A manicure or having drinks with friends or DH (but it's been almost a year since that's happened thank you LO ;-) )

This isn't for everyone of course, but what really helped us was giving LO a bottle of formula for his last feed everyday. Our midwife suggested it to us. It was hard for me because I wanted to EBF but we did see improvement in his sleep within a few days and he now can go 9-10 hours between feeds at night. If you're open to it, it might be worth discussing with your pedi?

[mands1125]

Apr 20, 2015 16:45:16 GMT -5 babycfeb2015 said:

How old is your LO? 9w5d

Are you nursing, pumping, supplementing? Nursing with an occasional pump session

Questions/AW? Ive gotten some good stares while he nurses lately. He just looks at me the whole time and its so sweet I could cry.

We also are trying to fix some silent reflux so half our nursing sessions involve screaming and spit up now. Not fun.

GTKY: what's your favorite way to cheer up when you've had a bad day? A workout or a hot bath tend to improve my mood. Or icecream.

The stare gets me every time. I just want to cry because I'm going back to work soon and I'm going to miss those moments