@Carly79 You mentioned being a pump snob, so I'm @ you, but this is really for any STM+
I'm curious about breast pumps; I'm probably going to be returning to work while still breastfeeding, plus I've heard they can help your supply come in. So what are the best pumps in your experience? My insurance plan covers pumps, but it's covered via a spending account, so they don't dictate which pump I have to have. So I have the freedom (and terror) of trying to pick the best one...
I've also really loved my Medela, but I have noticed that the motor on it has seemed to deteriorate in the year that I've used it, so I have to turn it wayyyy up to get any let down at all. It could also be that my supply is way down from when DD was born.
Hi ladies - got kind of a weird question. I have an OB appointment on Wednesday - not sure if this is something that's normal and not worth bringing up at all, something that can wait until Wednesday or something I should call about now. Usually my lower abdomen is soft and squishy, but occasionally part of it (I'm assuming my uterus) will get really hard but it's only the right side. Sometimes it's enough to stick out and look lopsided, sometimes it's just harder to the touch but you wouldn't know by looking at my belly. It's not painful at all. If I were further along and baby was bigger I would just assume it was baby hanging out on the right side or maybe Braxton hicks or something? Does this sound normal to you ladies who have done this before?
Pumps: Medela Pump in Style Advanced was my favorite. I had a Evenflo hand pump too for quick relief of pressure and that worked for that purpose. Bandeau: @cjs260 I had the Medela bandeau and it certainly helped it be hands free but I found it was a pain to have to basically undress to be able to use it. I think if I was going to do it over again and wanted to pay for another pump (insurance doesnt cover mine) I'd get the Medela Freestyle so it could be hands free without the bandeau. Cribs: We got a 4-in-1 for DD with the logic that it could transition with her and be used longer. She'll be in it as a toddler bed when this baby comes so I'm planning on buying another 3-in-1 or 4 -in-1. Then we save money on toddler beds and full beds when the time comes. Hard bellies: @ceclarlinetlo it definitely sounds like baby is just hanging out on one side to me. I remember that happening as early as 14 weeks or so with DD. She totally favored my right side and as she got bigger it was more painful and obvious looking at my belly, I'd shove her over and she'd roll right back. You can always ask your OB to poke around and confirm but I wouldn't stress about it in the meantime. (BH btw, at least for me, made my whole belly hard, not just the side she was favoring, but did start around this time)
Hi ladies - got kind of a weird question. I have an OB appointment on Wednesday - not sure if this is something that's normal and not worth bringing up at all, something that can wait until Wednesday or something I should call about now. Usually my lower abdomen is soft and squishy, but occasionally part of it (I'm assuming my uterus) will get really hard but it's only the right side. Sometimes it's enough to stick out and look lopsided, sometimes it's just harder to the touch but you wouldn't know by looking at my belly. It's not painful at all. If I were further along and baby was bigger I would just assume it was baby hanging out on the right side or maybe Braxton hicks or something? Does this sound normal to you ladies who have done this before?
Mine is doing the same thing. I think anything is "normal" during this growing stage so I wouldn't call about it but it certainly wouldn't hurt to bring it up at your next appt. It's very similar to Braxton hicks but I too was thinking it was kind of early for that! Bodies are weird.
I second the Medela In Style Advanved. I had the backpack version and it was perfect for hauling to and from work, very discreet and hands free when carrying it around.
@Carly79 Thank you! I just found out about the Spectra brand a few days ago. I'm very hesitant about it, though, because I'm in Canada, and I've found exactly one store in the country that carries it, and it's a baby boutique that's almost 3000 miles away... so I'm nervous about replacement parts! How easy was it to "hack" the medela parts to the Spectra? I like the idea of a closed system! How hard is it to clean the PISA? It being an open system seems like a drawback...
@poetryanoceans Cleaning the medela tubes is pretty easy, it just takes time for the tubes to dry so I suggest a second set if you are pumping very often (I suggest a second set if pumping often anyways in case you get a whole in your tubing). Other than allowing a motor to dry, if milk gets in it, I'm not sure if there is a way to clean it but I have heard stories where customer service for medela will overnight a new one if it happens. I like the idea of a closed system and really wish the ameda home pump worked better. I've not heard many people who rely on their pump for more than some relief or an occasional bottle that like the ameda one. The ameda hospital one is awesome. I'm only familiar with the Spectra USA site but it seemed to have a decent selection of replacement parts. Again, I suggest getting at least 2 sets of pump parts so you have them in case something happens. You can also find like parts on amazon for certain pieces. I ordered mine online, I haven't found any places in the US that carry it in the store. Hacking it for medela parts was easy and the exclusive expressing/pumping page I follow on facebook is the one that gave me the directions/idea. It's just a little nerve racking to cut in to the parts. If you are going to get the Spectra, you are probably better off ordering the parts you need for that, I only hacked it because I already had medela parts. Having to do everything online with Spectra is definitely a drawback.
I had the Medela Freestyle with DD and found the hands-free feature very useful. I was able to do my make-up & hair while pumping each morning, which was a big time-saver for me.
I used the Ameda Purely Yours with 2 kids and loved it. I liked that it is a closed system. I have never had any issues and when it did lose suction, about a year in, it was an easy fix by replacing the pump vales and diaphragms.
So this is my 2nd,.... Are any other 2nd timers having trouble remembering or feeling pregnant? I just feel normal and it kinda freaks me out Like maybe somethings wrong,... I'll be 12 weeks Saturday
@poetryandoceans I was in a Facebook group for people who exclusively pump. The general consensus there is the spectra s2. I have a different spectra pump (s9) and the Medela PISA. I've noticed the spectra is much gentler. Also, I bought freemies hands free collection cups. They basically slip in your bra and replace the flange and bottle that you usually pump into. I really liked them because I could pump discreetly (or as discreet as you can be with a freaking loud pump!)
I have a question for third+ time moms. I have been explaining to my 2 1/2 yr old about the baby in an attempt to prepare her in advance. At first she seemed excited but lately....not so much. Like yesterday, out of nowhere she says, I want to baby to stay in your tummy, mommy. She's been super clingy and has started regressing on potty training claiming that she wants to be a baby and wear pull ups again. I knew this would probably happen but I figured it would happen AFTER the baby got here! Anyone else dealt with something like this before? How did it turn out?
From a psychological stand point, this is normal. It is an attachment theory phase so to speak. Your 2 year old is at an optimal age for them to understand what is about to happen. They realize their attention from you is about to be shared and not solely provided to them. Try to just keep reassuring and take a break from talking about the baby too much. As for the potty training regression, an emotional stressor such as this can lead to regression. This too is normal. Try to encourage but do not overwhelm. She will get through once she feels secure and reassured.
Re: Ask a STM+ Week of 7.11
BFP1 12/24/14 - EDD 09/07/15 (D/C 8w1d)
BFP2 6/12/15 - EDD 2/22/16 (D/C 10w3d)
———
Diagnoses and Treatments
PCOS (myo-inositol, excercize)
Indeterminant levels of APS IgM antibodies (baby aspirin)
Sub-septate uterus (hysteroscopic septoplasty 12/18/15)
———
BFP3 05/02/16 EDD 01/09/17 DS born 01/05/17
BFP4 01/28/19 EDD 10/?/19 🤞🙏
Bandeau: @cjs260 I had the Medela bandeau and it certainly helped it be hands free but I found it was a pain to have to basically undress to be able to use it. I think if I was going to do it over again and wanted to pay for another pump (insurance doesnt cover mine) I'd get the Medela Freestyle so it could be hands free without the bandeau.
Cribs: We got a 4-in-1 for DD with the logic that it could transition with her and be used longer. She'll be in it as a toddler bed when this baby comes so I'm planning on buying another 3-in-1 or 4 -in-1. Then we save money on toddler beds and full beds when the time comes.
Hard bellies: @ceclarlinetlo it definitely sounds like baby is just hanging out on one side to me. I remember that happening as early as 14 weeks or so with DD. She totally favored my right side and as she got bigger it was more painful and obvious looking at my belly, I'd shove her over and she'd roll right back. You can always ask your OB to poke around and confirm but I wouldn't stress about it in the meantime. (BH btw, at least for me, made my whole belly hard, not just the side she was favoring, but did start around this time)
BFP1 12/24/14 - EDD 09/07/15 (D/C 8w1d)
BFP2 6/12/15 - EDD 2/22/16 (D/C 10w3d)
———
Diagnoses and Treatments
PCOS (myo-inositol, excercize)
Indeterminant levels of APS IgM antibodies (baby aspirin)
Sub-septate uterus (hysteroscopic septoplasty 12/18/15)
———
BFP3 05/02/16 EDD 01/09/17 DS born 01/05/17
BFP4 01/28/19 EDD 10/?/19 🤞🙏
@poetryanoceans Cleaning the medela tubes is pretty easy, it just takes time for the tubes to dry so I suggest a second set if you are pumping very often (I suggest a second set if pumping often anyways in case you get a whole in your tubing). Other than allowing a motor to dry, if milk gets in it, I'm not sure if there is a way to clean it but I have heard stories where customer service for medela will overnight a new one if it happens. I like the idea of a closed system and really wish the ameda home pump worked better. I've not heard many people who rely on their pump for more than some relief or an occasional bottle that like the ameda one. The ameda hospital one is awesome. I'm only familiar with the Spectra USA site but it seemed to have a decent selection of replacement parts. Again, I suggest getting at least 2 sets of pump parts so you have them in case something happens. You can also find like parts on amazon for certain pieces. I ordered mine online, I haven't found any places in the US that carry it in the store. Hacking it for medela parts was easy and the exclusive expressing/pumping page I follow on facebook is the one that gave me the directions/idea. It's just a little nerve racking to cut in to the parts. If you are going to get the Spectra, you are probably better off ordering the parts you need for that, I only hacked it because I already had medela parts. Having to do everything online with Spectra is definitely a drawback.
BFP 2/3/16 --> MC 2/13/16
I used the Ameda Purely Yours with 2 kids and loved it. I liked that it is a closed system. I have never had any issues and when it did lose suction, about a year in, it was an easy fix by replacing the pump vales and diaphragms.
DS2: 11/5/14
I was in a Facebook group for people who exclusively pump. The general consensus there is the spectra s2. I have a different spectra pump (s9) and the Medela PISA. I've noticed the spectra is much gentler. Also, I bought freemies hands free collection cups. They basically slip in your bra and replace the flange and bottle that you usually pump into. I really liked them because I could pump discreetly (or as discreet as you can be with a freaking loud pump!)