Breastfeeding/EP check in 9/14-9/20

[bibliothecary]

Sept 14, 2015 9:32:27 GMT -5 Laverne said:

Poll for pumpers, how long doyou stay at pump?
Building stash?
Immediate use?
Any tips for finging the time?

I want to build stash, but also want dh to give him one a day. Inusually stop after about five minutes a breast because it looks like the flow has stopped.

I pump for 15 minutes. Pumping for only five may just get you foremilk, which is not what you want to do. You'll have more letdowns with more time, giving you more fatty hindmilk.

I'm not stash building right now, because I still have thrush and freezing doesn't kill it.

If you're block feeding, you can pump one side and nurse on the other.

[laurasuzanne2006]

William is 11 days old.
EBF

More issues this time than with my daughter but nothing crazy. At first he had a shallow latch which caused some discomfort and cracked nipples but it corrected pretty quickly. He can also be a lazy eater and has a tendency to spit up.

Advice: set small goals before deciding to stop to allow yourself time to evaluate and decide if it's the right decision for you.

As far as building a stash, if lo is taking a pretty decent nap I will pump. Your breasts are never truly completely empty so I don't worry much about what If he wakes up not too long afterward. He also has a feeding at night that is more of a snack that leaves me still feeling full so I pump then too if I'm awake enough.
So far I have 30 ounces of stash. I also don't use any of it for occasional bottles, it all goes to freezer

[skinandbones]

Sept 14, 2015 9:20:34 GMT -5 zonagirl said:

My LO will be 6 weeks tomorrow

EBF. I pumped for the first time this weekend. I did 15 mins on one side and only got an ounce and a half. MH fed it to her that night just to practice with bottle feeding. She chugged it....oops. We then watched some videos on paced bottle feedings so hopefully it will be better next time.

Breastfeeding is going OK. I might feel more complainy (not a word, I know) if I didn't read here. But reading some of the really serious issues some of you have had to deal with has really humbled me and made me feel grateful for the relatively easy time I'm having.

The biggest struggle I'm having would have to be nursing in public. The times I have been at restaurants and had to nurse I have gone to the car. When people besides my mom have been over at home I step out of the room to get her latched and then come back with a cover. It is very stressful for me and I'm not looking forward to having my mil here for a week and I will have to worry about being covered all the time in my own home.

My advice for those who haven't tried a pacifier yet is to try one. At three weeks I was about to have a breakdown because she was on my boobs like 6 hours a day. My pedi recommended a soothie pacifier and it has been great. Her suck reflex is really strong and it helps with fussiness. It hasn't interfered with breastfeeding because when she is hungry she absolutely will not take the pacifier.

Question for pumpers- I got an ounce and a half from one side in 15 mins which make me thing I would need to pump for thirty mins to get a full meal. Normal? I'm not trying to build a stash just make the occasional bottle.

That's really good! I would suggest you play with your pump and see if you can get more than one let down surinf a single pumping. But doubling your time doesn't necessarily mean doubling your output.

When I pumped at work, I would get a totally of maybe 4oz total from double pumping and that was to replace a feed. I did a quick pump from one side this morning and got 1oz.

Your off to a good start.

[bcmomsaysso]

Sept 14, 2015 8:56:56 GMT -5 melohdy said:

1 month today

Breastfeeding and attempting casual pumping

It's going well. She's gaining like a champ. Pumping isn't going very well. I get up after our MOTN feedings to pump the other side, fully engorged, and hardly get a drop. Not sure how that's possible.

Biggest struggle: just getting over the mind fuck of not knowing whether or not they're getting enough.

Advice: I don't think it can be said enough: feed your baby without stress or guilt. If they/you need to give them formula, it's perfectly fine! Just don't give them Pepsi.

Re: pumping, are your shields too small? I had to get a bigger size and it made a huge difference on output. Also, massaging during pumping and prepping with a warm compress may help.

[runningmommy519]

bcmomsaysso isaac rarely burped. Ethan needs to be burped every session and usually more than once

hopefulreturn we have the same problem. Ethan unlatches when the flow slows down,

[runningmommy519]

Can we talk about spit up again? Ethan spits up every single feed. Sometimes it's a lot. Sometimes it's a little. Sometimes he cries afterward and sometimes not. Sometimes it comes out his nose. Ds1 never spit up this much. Could this be reflux? Could my flow be so fast he's eating to much to fast?

[2dumbdogs]

Age of LO: 3weeks


Breastfeeding, EP or a combination of both:EBF


Supplementing with some formula?nope


How is it going? It's going pretty well. She has a shallow latch but it's rarely painful for me, so I'm just letting it go. We have done feedings in public several times now, getting comfortable with it in safer places (baby time at library, mw waiting room) is a big confidence builder for when I have to feed her somewhere More public. It's like she knows we are out and latches on quickly and allows mine to be discreet, at home she flops around like a crazy person and pops on and off a bunch.


What has been the biggest struggle? If you overcame it, what did you do? Last week we had a ridiculous latch regression. I just kind of powered through it, and there were a lot of tears. Luckily she worked it out on her own after a few days.


Advice for others? Your nipples will get used to the pain!


Questions? I go back to work in 6 weeks. Pumping advice please? Lots of you are already pumping, some of you are almost back to work. I'm overwhelmed by the logistics of it all....so looking for some general advice on this. Thanks!

[trudytrudy]

Sept 14, 2015 13:57:44 GMT -5 runningmommy519 said:

Can we talk about spit up again? Ethan spits up every single feed. Sometimes it's a lot. Sometimes it's a little. Sometimes he cries afterward and sometimes not. Sometimes it comes out his nose. Ds1 never spit up this much. Could this be reflux? Could my flow be so fast he's eating to much to fast?

My son barfed a lot for many months. I asked his ped if it was reflux and he advised reflux gives babies sudden pain but my son was spitting up and not complaining about it. I think it was due to my fast flow and oversupply. This baby spits up a lot too and i suspect it's from eating a bit too much or whatever caused my first baby to spit up so much. I think they are considered to be a happy spitter, not a concern, just a laundry issue.

[cbnola71]

Age of LO: 3 weeks 5 days

Breastfeeding, EP or a combination of both: both - mostly BF, pumping about twice a day for a nighttime and freezer stash

Supplementing with some formula? Nope

How is it going? Better by the day. I constantly worry though about if he's getting enough through the breast or not. I think he went through a growth spurt the last week or so because things have suddenly slowed down and he can go 2.5-3 hours as opposed to 1-1.5 between feedings. Night time hasn't been good ever though. LO likes to be wide awake after his 4/5am feeding and not go back to sleep until after his next feeding. We were up from 445-730 this morning fussing. It's becoming a trend which makes me miserable. Sleep baby sleep!!

What has been the biggest struggle? If you overcame it, what did you do? Engorgement in the beginning. He wouldn't latch at all so I had to start pumping exclusively for about a week. It was hard to let go of the baby/mommy time with EBF, but we are getting that back now. Also, he is a lazy eater. I'm always messing with him to stay awake so he can get at least a good 15 minutes of active sucking in.

Advice for others? Not really.. Still figuring all of this out!

Questions? For those of you who have been combo-ing BF and pumping, how involved is your husband? Mine has been helping with the first feeding around 12-1 and he says it's too hard for him to fall asleep after and he can't function at work so he wants me to take over the whole night during the week and he would do weekends. I am wondering if this will turn me into a zombie during the day. Napping has been few and far between unless a family member takes LO for me so I can nap. We have been giving bottles in the nighttime since it usually holds him over longer so that means I have to pump too = up for at least 45mins-1 hour. I'm wondering what everyone else does or expects from their significant other for MOTN.

[bcmomsaysso]

Sept 14, 2015 13:57:44 GMT -5 runningmommy519 said:

Can we talk about spit up again? Ethan spits up every single feed. Sometimes it's a lot. Sometimes it's a little. Sometimes he cries afterward and sometimes not. Sometimes it comes out his nose. Ds1 never spit up this much. Could this be reflux? Could my flow be so fast he's eating to much to fast?

I asked my ped and he said reflux is over-diagnosed. He said he would be worried if she was crying while eating, refusing to eat, or if she wasn't gaining weight. Or if she had diarrhea/forceful vomiting.

I would wager the high flow could have something to do with it. My tatas have been a little crazy lately and I've noticed more spit-up

[hopefulreturn]

Sept 14, 2015 13:57:44 GMT -5 runningmommy519 said:

Can we talk about spit up again? Ethan spits up every single feed. Sometimes it's a lot. Sometimes it's a little. Sometimes he cries afterward and sometimes not. Sometimes it comes out his nose. Ds1 never spit up this much. Could this be reflux? Could my flow be so fast he's eating to much to fast?

We constantly get spit up out the nose. Sometimes it's mouth and nose, but often it is just the nose! She was diagnosed with reflux though because she was eating less and crying and arching in pain. She also had mucus coming up about an hour or two after feedings. That was the scary part because she'd choke on it. I think the fast flow is what makes her shoot it out her nose.

[shellyr]

Age of LO: 4 weeks, 4 days

Breastfeeding, EP or a combination of both: BFing with an occasional pumped bottle

How is it going? Much better. Haven't used the shield in 2 weeks. I stopped pumping once s day which I think has helped with too much letdown

What has been the biggest struggle? If you overcame it, what did you do? Figuring out supply/demand. I had a low supply at first because I lost a crap ton of blood during delivery so the LC's told me to pump after every feeding to increase supply and I ended up with too much letdown.

Advice for others? I don't have a lot of wisdom yet

Questions? I need to start pumping to build a stash again. I'm home alone 90% of the time right now and pumping the unused side *while* nursing is very hard with the pump I have (Ameda). Any advice is appreciated.

runningmommy519, my baby spits up A LOT too. She's gained 1lb 5 oz in 2 weeks so our doctor isn't concerned but told us to keep an eye on her and if she seems uncomfortable to call the office.

[yogisews]

cbnola71 my DH pretty much never does night feedings unless he is still awake when she wakes up. If that is the case he will deed her but if not I am up with her. I usually feed her and pump at the same time. I sit cross legged and set her down between my legs with her head resting on one thigh and feed her. That way the nighttime feeding/pumping goes faster.

[yogisews]

Where did you ladies go to buy your breast pump through insurance?

[2dumbdogs]

Sept 14, 2015 17:10:57 GMT -5 yogisews said:

Where did you ladies go to buy your breast pump through insurance?

You need to ask your insurance where you can buy it. I ordered mine on Amazon and filed a claim for the reimbursement. Some companies require you to buy from a specific vendor or a certain pump.

[yogisews]

Sept 14, 2015 17:26:50 GMT -5 2dumbdogs said:

Sept 14, 2015 17:10:57 GMT -5 yogisews said:

Where did you ladies go to buy your breast pump through insurance?

You need to ask your insurance where you can buy it. I ordered mine on Amazon and filed a claim for the reimbursement. Some companies require you to buy from a specific vendor or a certain pump.

I did, all they told me was that I had to purchase it and then file a claim for reimbursement.

[shellyr]

Sept 14, 2015 17:10:57 GMT -5 yogisews said:

Where did you ladies go to buy your breast pump through insurance?

My insurance ordered it for me and I think it came through CareMark.  

[2dumbdogs]

Sept 14, 2015 17:30:07 GMT -5 yogisews said:

Sept 14, 2015 17:26:50 GMT -5 2dumbdogs said:

You need to ask your insurance where you can buy it. I ordered mine on Amazon and filed a claim for the reimbursement. Some companies require you to buy from a specific vendor or a certain pump.

I did, all they told me was that I had to purchase it and then file a claim for reimbursement.

Then Amazon because lazy.

[RandomName]

Age of LO: 5 weeks

Breastfeeding, EP or a combination of both: EBF

Supplementing with some formula? No

How is it going? Good. Today was a weird day. He didn't spend a lot of time at the boob, seemed to just want to snack.

What has been the biggest struggle? If you overcame it, what did you do? Thrush and clogged ducts. We aren't over the thrush yet. Théo is done his meds tomorrow and I'll be done next week. The symptoms are largely gone tho. The clogged ducts were AWFUL. I basically rubbed my boob hard (with knuckles) for a full day, showered 2 times, put DS to the boob often, and left a heat pad in my bra. They were gone the next morning though.

Advice for others? BFing is hard and a mental/physical battle with yourself at times. It does get better.

[oopsiedaisies]

Sept 14, 2015 17:10:57 GMT -5 yogisews said:

Where did you ladies go to buy your breast pump through insurance?

Edgepark medical supply. Check their website. They will process the entire claim for you.

[ars093s]

Sept 14, 2015 19:31:04 GMT -5 oopsiedaisies said:

Sept 14, 2015 17:10:57 GMT -5 yogisews said:

Where did you ladies go to buy your breast pump through insurance?

Edgepark medical supply. Check their website. They will process the entire claim for you.

This is who I used too. Easy and got the pump within the week.

[htuzzi324]

N has a milk protein intolerance I'm pretty sure. Screaming after feedings and just wants to keep eating, spitting up, and green mucousy poop. It doesn't surprise me since my other two had it. I've been letting him cry and walking him around after a feeding and within ten minutes he is a happy baby again.
It was fun while it lasted, ice cream, yogurt, and cheese

[hiimjamie]

Age of LO: 17 days

Breastfeeding, EP or a combo: Breastfeeding

Supplementing with some formula? Nope, Jake was 8 pounds 3.5 ounces at his 2 week appointment so he gained back the weight be lost and was above his birth weight of 7 pounds 6 ounces. Doc was impressed.

What has been your biggest struggle? Definitely cluster feeding/lack of sleep bc of cluster feeding. Jake will eat and then w in 20 min want to eat again and the again 20 min after that. The only way I can stop him from crying is to put my boob in his mouth. I always think "there's no way he can be hungry again", but he is. Just keep swimming...

[hiimjamie]

Sept 14, 2015 17:10:57 GMT -5 yogisews said:

Where did you ladies go to buy your breast pump through insurance?

Aeroflow. I put in all my ins info, I had a person they assigned to me who contacted me with options that would be covered at 100% and others that I would have to pay extra for. I told them what I wanted and they sent it. It was very easy.

[wildermom]

Age of LO: 4 weeks, 5 days

Breastfeeding, EP or a combination of both: Ehh, EP with usually one nursing feeding a day. Trying for more as time allows.

Supplementing with some formula? No.

How is it going? Other than my hatred for the wretched pump and my boobs telling me what to do, it's great. Honestly, BF just isn't my thing. I don't really find it special or magical or bonding. Just a pain. Literally at times. Thankfully, I really have no true complaints. Despite learning to eat 24/7 on her belly, Eliza is a champion eater. Despite not being able to even try BF for several weeks, she has a magical latch. Despite the madness of her birth, NICU stay, and general life craziness, my supply has been fabulous. So yay for us! I really can't complain.

What has been the biggest struggle? If you overcame it, what did you do? I've had the weirdest time trying to regulate my crazy boobs. Part of it is my own fault for not being as strict about pumping since we've been home. But I think things are mellowing out. I'm pumping around 30-35oz a day, which allows for 5-10oz to go in the freezer stash each day.

Advice for others? Set short term goals.

[wildermom]

Sept 14, 2015 17:10:57 GMT -5 yogisews said:

Where did you ladies go to buy your breast pump through insurance?

Ditto talking to insurance. Mine gave me several options but the quickest and best was thru Target. They shipped the Medela PISA to my local store in four days and I just went in and picked it up from customer service.

[wildermom]

Sept 14, 2015 9:32:27 GMT -5 Laverne said:

Poll for pumpers, how long doyou stay at pump?
Building stash?
Immediate use?
Any tips for finging the time?

I want to build stash, but also want dh to give him one a day. Inusually stop after about five minutes a breast because it looks like the flow has stopped.

I pump for around 20 minutes each time. More if I need too. I was doing 10-15 in the NICU because I was always in a rush to get back to Eliza but with more time, I can work on growing my supply. My basic rule is to massage and get every last drop out, then pump another two minutes. It really has helped boost my supply spending the extra few minutes.
I try to stay two bottles ahead (4oz each feeding for Eliza) in the fridge so I'm not stressed about getting food immediately prepped for her. Usually that allows for me to toss around 5-10 oz in the freezer every day. My short term goal is 3 months because I hate pumping. But ideally I'll keep at it 6 months+ . Maybe more if she takes to nursing some more. It's nice to mix it up.

[smore]

Sept 14, 2015 19:34:22 GMT -5 ars093s said:

Sept 14, 2015 19:31:04 GMT -5 oopsiedaisies said:

Edgepark medical supply. Check their website. They will process the entire claim for you.

This is who I used too. Easy and got the pump within the week.

+1 for Edgepark.  Super easy and super quick.  Plus really helpful workers when I had questions.

[smore]

Age of LO: 6 weeks 4 days

Breastfeeding, EP or a combination of both: EBF

Supplementing with some formula? Nope

How is it going? Okay- dealing with OALD and OS and maybe a tongue tie on ds

What has been the biggest struggle? If you overcame it, what did you do? OALD and OS, trying block feeding. It is seeming to work. I do pump after morning feed to build stash for my return to work next week. I am only pumping that one time. Dreading the pumping at work.

Advice for others? Stick with it. I BF for a year with dd. She weaned herself as we started table foods. My goal is a year with ds. Feeling hopeful for that.

Questions? Not really.

[zonagirl]

Sept 14, 2015 20:29:44 GMT -5 hiimjamie said:

Sept 14, 2015 17:10:57 GMT -5 yogisews said:

Where did you ladies go to buy your breast pump through insurance?

Aeroflow. I put in all my ins info, I had a person they assigned to me who contacted me with options that would be covered at 100% and others that I would have to pay extra for. I told them what I wanted and they sent it. It was very easy.

+1 super easy.