Exclusively pumping Big Thread

snmetz7

I spilt an oz today

Kelsey2me

I hope you all treat yourselves to something nice this Mother's Day!! You ladies are working your tails off for your little ones and you deserve a treat!!

It breaks my heart to read post after post about ladies struggling with their supply. My thoughts and prayers are with you ladies and I hope your Mother's Day is extra special!!

spalumb9

@Kelsey2me‌ - I think that's where my guilt comes in to play as I am working towards weaning off when I go back to work in a week. I have been quite fortunate to have an amazing supply the entire 7 weeks so far and both my DH and I feel bad that I am giving that up when there are so many of you wonderful moms here who are struggling!!! I really do hope it gets easier for you all!!

scarles

@spalumb9‌ I had the same conversation with my husband today! I am fortunate to have a great supply (although not without issue) and that reason alone made me feel guilty about quitting.

nycgirlkat

Does anyone always have to use hot compresses at every pumping session? All I do is sit around with a heating pad on!!! The last time I didn't use heat I didn't get much out so I use it every session.

scarles

Does anyone have the medela freestyle pump? I have a hygeia pump which I love, but it's not great for mobility. I'm just wondering how the suction is compared to other pumps.

Holljade

@megla‌ I have the freestyle and love it! Being able to move around is so nice. The auction hasn't been an issue for me at all.

scarles

@Holljade‌ thanks! How many ounces per day or pump do you get! I have a bit of oversupply and I'm just worried it would effectively empty my breasts. Thanks!

snmetz7

My new trick (heated lansinoh gel pads under the phalanges in my pumping bra-see pic) resulted and a whole extra oz! Plus it felt so good.

KatieGummow

Coconut oil instead of olive or lansinoh is my magical discovery! It's like butter in the flanges.

spano41

@megla I have the freestyle and love it.  I can tell the suction doesn't go up as high as my symphony but I don't need it that high.  I always get as much or sometimes more with my freestyle than I do with they symphony.  I think it's because I'm walking around not focusing on pumping so I relax more and end up getting more out.  It's so nice to be able to pump while cooking dinner or folding laundry, it saves so much time.  Buying the freestyle was definitely worth is for me!!

patunia7321

I think I might quit. It's not a bad day- I'm starting to think its not worth it. Spending less time with LO & being tied to this contraption to pump an ounce or an ounce and a half if I'm lucky. I've spent so much $$ on supplements, teas and accessories- all an exercise in futility. I'm sick of obsessing. I just want to enjoy my time with my son. After 6 weeks of trying I think I have to admit that I have officially failed.

spalumb9

@patunia7321‌ Do not feel like a failure! I had/have the same feelings about it all! The most important thing I have learned is to do what feels best and right now I fel spending time with our LOs is the most important thing, especially since my countdown to going back to work is only one week!!!

spano41

I find if I hand express a little before I start pumping it helps speed up my let down. I don't know if that it's recommended but it works for me.

Mamamonzo

megla said:

@Jessieann1020‌ and @Mamamonzo‌ how many weeks postpartum are you? I can't wait for engorgement to go away and for my supply to even out!

8weeks

Mamamonzo

I have to brag a bit. I know it's kind of sucky since some don't have a great supply, but I've worked my ass off to gets supply. I have 144 oz frozen! I'm so proud of myself!

mrscrcalli

So I'm planning to start pumping, not exclusively but I need to start getting a freezer supply started and I want to always

have a days worth in the fridge for random feedings and trips ect.

Can you tell me the best way to start this without starving my kid in the meantime

Thanks ladies :x

Mamamonzo

mrscrcalli said:

So I'm planning to start pumping, not exclusively but I need to start getting a freezer supply started and I want to always

have a days worth in the fridge for random feedings and trips ect.

Can you tell me the best way to start this without starving my kid in the meantime

Thanks ladies :x

Start with 2 pumps a day one in the morning after his first feeding and one in the afternoon or early evening. That will have start increasing your supply. Don't be discouraged if you don't get a lot right away.

You could also do one power pump session a day (10 min on 10 min off for an hour) do that 3 times a week and it will help too!

mrscrcalli

Mamamonzo said:

mrscrcalli said:

So I'm planning to start pumping, not exclusively but I need to start getting a freezer supply started and I want to always

have a days worth in the fridge for random feedings and trips ect.

Can you tell me the best way to start this without starving my kid in the meantime

Thanks ladies :x

Start with 2 pumps a day one in the morning after his first feeding and one in the afternoon or early evening. That will have start increasing your supply. Don't be discouraged if you don't get a lot right away.

You could also do one power pump session a day (10 min on 10 min off for an hour) do that 3 times a week and it will help too!

I did one today after his feeding and got 2.5 combine! Lol

How long should I pump after he eats?

snmetz7

Today was my first day of 100% ep. LO was eating from me plus 12oz formula a day. Today we only had 5oz!! Progress

mrscrcalli

eme520 said:

mrscrcalli said:

Mamamonzo said:

mrscrcalli said:

So I'm planning to start pumping, not exclusively but I need to start getting a freezer supply started and I want to always

have a days worth in the fridge for random feedings and trips ect.

Can you tell me the best way to start this without starving my kid in the meantime

Thanks ladies :x

Start with 2 pumps a day one in the morning after his first feeding and one in the afternoon or early evening. That will have start increasing your supply. Don't be discouraged if you don't get a lot right away.

You could also do one power pump session a day (10 min on 10 min off for an hour) do that 3 times a week and it will help too!

I did one today after his feeding and got 2.5 combine! Lol

How long should I pump after he eats?

That's an incredible amount! You should pump for 15-20 min or, if milk flow stops sooner, pump for 3-5 minutes beyond that.



Oh ya? This is good???
LO blew through it in seconds! Do you recommend a differnt bottle, I'm currently using the one that came with the medela pump n style.

snmetz7

mrscrcalli said:

eme520 said:

mrscrcalli said:

Mamamonzo said:

mrscrcalli said:

So I'm planning to start pumping, not exclusively but I need to start getting a freezer supply started and I want to always

have a days worth in the fridge for random feedings and trips ect.

Can you tell me the best way to start this without starving my kid in the meantime

Thanks ladies :x

Start with 2 pumps a day one in the morning after his first feeding and one in the afternoon or early evening. That will have start increasing your supply. Don't be discouraged if you don't get a lot right away.

You could also do one power pump session a day (10 min on 10 min off for an hour) do that 3 times a week and it will help too!

I did one today after his feeding and got 2.5 combine! Lol

How long should I pump after he eats?

That's an incredible amount! You should pump for 15-20 min or, if milk flow stops sooner, pump for 3-5 minutes beyond that.

Oh ya? This is good???
LO blew through it in seconds! Do you recommend a differnt bottle, I'm currently using the one that came with the medela pump n style.


That's really good .5-1oz is what's typical after a feeding. I use the medela bottles I actually like them but think I might be in the minority.

Mamamonzo

@mrscrcalli‌ I second everything everyone has said! Unless milk is still flowing don't pump longer than 20 mins!

The amount you are getting after nursing is awesome!!

We used the Medela bottles with a med flow nipple because it took Luke an hour to get through the slow flow with just 1 oz I don't mind the bottles, but I like the Playtex Vent aire way better. They've really reduced the amount of air he takes in!

Holljade

@megla‌ I usually get 3-4oz from the left and 2-3 from the right and I don't even have it in the highest settings- it's worked really great so far!

Mamamonzo

Jessieann1020 said:

@mamamonzo That is awesome! I know that you have worked hard! I know you did fenugreek and lots of power pumping. Anything else besides the normal advice like lots of water, food, lots of pumps etc.?

Mothers milk tea as well. Other than that, no other advise!

Well. Coconut oil to lube things up! Makes a huge difference!

KatieGummow

Jessieann1020 said:

So do you lube up your boobies in the flanges? I never use anything in my flanges and have been wondering if I should?

I didn't always but then I noticed a tiny blister on one of my nipples from the friction so now I lube up every time w coconut oil.

scarles

@Jessieann1020‌ I always lube the flanges and I find it makes a big difference. The nipple moves much better and I think is more stimulated this way.

@Holljade‌ thanks so much! That's about what I'm averaging with my hygeia. I think I will probably go with the freestyle!

snmetz7

Just lubed up this time amazing the difference

Lindsay808

eme520 said:

Nothing like lubing up the boobies! I also found that a larger flange increased my production even though it pulls in a lot of areole, which is supposedly a no no. Whatever, it works.

Really? Mine do that too...why such a no no? It doesn't hurt and I get a good amount.

scarles

Lindsay808 said:

eme520 said:

Nothing like lubing up the boobies! I also found that a larger flange increased my production even though it pulls in a lot of areole, which is supposedly a no no. Whatever, it works.

Really? Mine do that too...why such a no no? It doesn't hurt and I get a good amount.

Same here!

macynsnoop

@eme520 I just switched to the larger flange size & I noticed an increase in my oz too! It does pull in mire areola but it feels better & produces more than the smaller size did.

Lindsay808

Question for being out and about...i usually pump a bottle and take it with us so I don't have to worry about warming it. But now that summer is coming, i feel like it's way too hot to be giving her a bottle that's been sitting in the diaper bag for a few hours so I suppose I'll be bringing the cooler.
My question is about warming...what do you guys do? I asked for a bowl of hot water today at a restaurant but what about everywhere else? Like the mall, park, etc...

snmetz7

Lindsay808 said:

Question for being out and about...i usually pump a bottle and take it with us so I don't have to worry about warming it. But now that summer is coming, i feel like it's way too hot to be giving her a bottle that's been sitting in the diaper bag for a few hours so I suppose I'll be bringing the cooler.
My question is about warming...what do you guys do? I asked for a bowl of hot water today at a restaurant but what about everywhere else? Like the mall, park, etc...

A thermos of hot water. One came with my tommee tippee bottle set

snmetz7

@KatieGummow‌ when you use coconut oil on the phalanges does your milk smell like coconut? Did I use too much?

Mamamonzo

eme520 said:

Lindsay808 said:

eme520 said:

Nothing like lubing up the boobies! I also found that a larger flange increased my production even though it pulls in a lot of areole, which is supposedly a no no. Whatever, it works.

Really? Mine do that too...why such a no no? It doesn't hurt and I get a good amount.

I have no idea why it's not recommended. It seems to work great for lots of us!

The pumpin pals flanges pull the areola in because it says it mimics a good latch so if your regular ones are doing that it can't be that bad???

KatieGummow

@snmetz7 said:

@KatieGummow‌ when you use coconut oil on the phalanges does your milk smell like coconut? Did I use too much?

I actually put it on my nipples rather than the flanges. I will have to smell my milk next time and see though! I was wondering how much gets in the milk..

spalumb9

Do you all feed your LO at the same time every day? Or does it kinda rotate depending on when they decide they are hungry? Should I be getting on more of a stricter schedule?
7 weeks PP and returning to work in one week....

spano41

I Just warm the bottle by holding it in my hand or putting it between my legs if I'm sitting somewhere just to take the chill off. LO doesn't mind cool milk as long as it's not super cold. This does require some anticipation as to when she is going to want to eat though because it takes a little while.

KatieGummow

@spalumb9 said:

Do you all feed your LO at the same time every day? Or does it kinda rotate depending on when they decide they are hungry? Should I be getting on more of a stricter schedule?
7 weeks PP and returning to work in one week....

We do it on demand now that they both gained 3 lbs since birth, but I am staying home so it might be different. At night i keep them on the schedule; when I wake to pump, they wake to eat.

KatieGummow

I would keep the bottle deep inside the bag (not on outside pockets) because I think as log as it doesn't get too warm or direct sunlight it should be fine?