I would get the shields just in case your kid has latching trouble, but they are a PITA to use. Many women will EBF but still pump to build a stash. I would pump one boob in the morning after she had her fill from the other to build a stash. Once she was big enough to want both boobs then I didn't.
Umm I have no idea, I don't think so?! It has me worried in general, so of course I'm thinking of every worse case scenario. I am trying to be proactive about it so I don't have a freak out session at the hospital if it doesnt go smoothly
It probably doesn't hurt to have them on hand. I have no idea how flat my nipples are.... haven't really compared them to others LOL but the shield was the only way for me to get her to latch. and pumping really didn't hurt me at all. But it was a pain in the ass being hooked up to it so much and it felt like a burden. I always thought nursing would've been so much easier. I'm going to try harder this time and find out I hope!
Fed is best! My youngest who nursed for 20 months is the one with food allergies, asthma and eczema . I don't see the healthy correlation at all with formula vs. breastfeeding with my kids. My twins were a mixture, I never had enough supply, so we did a year of nursing, pumping and supplementing.
I had a horrible time in the beginning with my twins, and was encouraged by my mother and husband to give up and just go to formula. What surprised me the most was the intense desire to nurse after they were born. I had been okay with either option while I was pregnant , but as soon as they were out, it was like a mission.
I used shields, a supplemental nursing system, saw lactation consultants and a local doctor who is a nursing consultant. It was a lot of work. When my youngest was born, she latched in the delivery room and we never looked back.
I think closer to delivery we might want a thread just for breastfeeding.
Married - 7/29/06 Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09 Mia - 6/16/11 Surprise! due 2/23/17
@leslie1331 and anyone else so is worried about BF, i very highly recommend taking a BF class at your local hospital, if you can. I feel so much more confident after taking mine. I also found out that my hospital offers a free BF support group every Monday led by a certified LC.
I just want to say how impressed I am with how this conversation has went. Thank you ladies!
I do not often share my feeding story, I have found feeding to be such a hot topic. Especially in the majority of my online groups (natural living based ones). And I always fear backlash. This is honestly one of the best - most positive conversation I have ever witnessed!
I truly believe that fed is best and that you never know what will happen!
Here is another question: I will need to stop pumping, next school year, basically my principle is making special time for me this year to pump at school but next year it is looking like it is not possible. And before we say they have to make time, teachers technically are supposed to have time to go to the bathroom, but reality is different. So I am just happy the principle is working with me this year.
Anyways for mother who had to stop bfing and pumping switch to straight formula... How do you keep your breast from hurting or leaking? How does the baby do at night when they think they should be bf? How was your experience in general?
About how old will baby be when you expect to have to stop? I only ask because it is possible that you can do formula during the day and nurse while you are home, if that is something that appeals to you. It doesn't have to be exclusive either way, lots of moms do both!
@imalwaysme79 if you're doing a hospital tour I would ask, but I can't see why they wouldn't or how they can force you to breastfeed. I just found out the hospital I'm delivering at doesn't have pacifiers which I thought was really weird and I now have to go out and buy pacifiers.
@imalwaysme79 if you're doing a hospital tour I would ask, but I can't see why they wouldn't or how they can force you to breastfeed. I just found out the hospital I'm delivering at doesn't have pacifiers which I thought was really weird and I now have to go out and buy pacifiers.
I'm definitely going to ask. Our tour isn't scheduled until 12/15, so I have a lot of time to let my anxiety build over this I just wish everyone shared the same mentality that a fed baby is best regardless of how you choose to do that.
About how old will baby be when you expect to have to stop? I only ask because it is possible that you can do formula during the day and nurse while you are home, if that is something that appeals to you. It doesn't have to be exclusive either way, lots of moms do both!
6 months to 7 monthsish
Also I have read the problem with continue to bf during at night your boobs will becoming engorged(i think that is the term) cause you need to pump in the middle of the day too and I will not have time for that next year.
Yeah that may be a little young. Cabbage in the bra helps dry up supply. And antihistamines. Eta I mean young to be able to not pump during the day and continue to nurse at night.
About how old will baby be when you expect to have to stop? I only ask because it is possible that you can do formula during the day and nurse while you are home, if that is something that appeals to you. It doesn't have to be exclusive either way, lots of moms do both!
6 months to 7 monthsish
Also I have read the problem with continue to bf during at night your boobs will becoming engorged(i think that is the term) cause you need to pump in the middle of the day too and I will not have time for that next year.
If you could gradually decrease your nursing sessions to only a morning and night session and use formula during the day, that may be a way to help adjust your supply to get those feedings in.
With DS, I would always nurse before work, pump in the car on the way to work, pump in the car on the way home from work, nurse him before bed, pump before I went to bed, and then nurse throughout the night if needed.
It was gradual but it happened pretty naturally when I went back to work so my boobs didn't suffer much. I had a few morning of engorgement but it only lasted a few days until my body/supply adjusted.
Sage and Peppermint are also good at drying people up. My supply is extremely sensitive to peppermint oil and even a candy cane could drain it.
Differences between EP and EBF: With EP there are less immunity responses. Your breasts can produce antibodies/respond to a pathogen faster than your or baby's immune system can. They can only respond if they come into contact with the pathogen (ie the saliva of a suckling newborn). With EP, YES there is still a good deal of immunity benefit however it can be considerably slower.
It can also be difficult for some moms to respond to a pump the way they do a baby. Some moms it isn't an issue but others can not let down for the pump. By the same token, less oxytocin can be produced by an EP mom. Oxytocin makes you feel GOOD its the snuggle hormone. You can't snuggle a pump (I mean, to each their own LOL). Thats not to say there aren't PLENTY of opportunities to snuggle a baby, however it is kind of a perfect system since oxytocin help with nursing... Kind of 2 birds, 1 stone.
I am not trying to sway anyone, BTW just answering a PP question about why they aren't considered the same (in my mind, anyway).
DD1- Aug11 Angel Baby- June13, said goodbye Oct12 DD2- Aug13 DD3- due Feb17
My twins were still young when I went back to work like 4 months and I was able to pump on my way to school, I ate my lunch at my desk and pumped whIle I ate with my door locked. I nursed after school and in the evenings. depending on what time they went to bed and if I expected them to sleep through the night I would pump again before I went to sleep. As they got older I was able to drop down to nursing in the afternoons and evenings only and dropped pumping. I had a crappy supply with all of this even, and we did a combination of formula and pumped milk, and they were just fine.
@skiingstark, all that to say you make it work , however it will work for you, and the baby and your body can adjust.
Married - 7/29/06 Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09 Mia - 6/16/11 Surprise! due 2/23/17
@imalwaysme79 if you're doing a hospital tour I would ask, but I can't see why they wouldn't or how they can force you to breastfeed. I just found out the hospital I'm delivering at doesn't have pacifiers which I thought was really weird and I now have to go out and buy pacifiers.
I think it's a good idea to bring your own pacifiers to the hospital anyway, if you want to introduce one to your LO. I wasn't against it but didn't think to bring one last time and the hospital gave her one of those soothies which I hate and after that she wouldn't take any other kind. Learned that lesson and will be sure to pack one in the hospital bag.
@skiingstark I think you should be able to gradually replace daytime feedings with formula over the summer until you're only nursing at the times when you'll be able to during the school year. This happens naturally during the second half of the first year anyway as baby is eating more and more food and dropping nursing sessions. For the most part, our breasts will adjust to meet the habitual demand without leaking, engorgement, etc. That is, IF that's what you want to do
I have really liked Old Navy's sport socks. They stay on! Sort of boyish though- if you're expecting a girl (and want girly socks) these aren't girly at all.
I will pack my hospital bag at 38 weeks but I'll be induced so it won't matter anyways.
I FF both ds1 and ds2. I was pressured at the hospital to BF DD, I had planned on EPING. by the time I got home (6 hours later) I had cracks and blisters all over my breast's. I did ep for 4 months but my supply was slacking. With this one. I'm exclusively FF again. I'd prefer a healthy baby who eats than to be an extremely stressed out mother trying to squeeze another drop out.
You guys are blowing my mind. My hospital/drs said nothing about this to me. I never wore one last time and I'm really wondering if this is why I had pain for one full year afterwards.
You guys are blowing my mind. My hospital/drs said nothing about this to me. I never wore one last time and I'm really wondering if this is why I had pain for one full year afterwards.
If it makes you feel any better the one they gave me only fit for like 5 days.
You guys are blowing my mind. My hospital/drs said nothing about this to me. I never wore one last time and I'm really wondering if this is why I had pain for one full year afterwards.
My hospital gave me 2, I only wore it for 3 days after I left the hospital. It was a pain to put on and it was incredible uncomfortable. This time I will invest in a quality band.
@Gretchypoo I did not use any support post my vaginal delivery. It never even occurred to me. I was very sore and felt weak for maybe a week. I did need an over the counter pain killer (Motrin) if I was very active that day for at least 2 weeks (but not every day).
Question: my SILs decided to move up my shower so now I'm trying to decide who to send invitations to, especially concerning family that is out of state. Obviously I'm definitely sending invites to immediate family. But do I send invites to aunts and cousins also? Is that being inclusive or does it look greedy? All of my family is 12 hours away and I have 4 aunts and a bunch of cousins.
Question: my SILs decided to move up my shower so now I'm trying to decide who to send invitations to, especially concerning family that is out of state. Obviously I'm definitely sending invites to immediate family. But do I send invites to aunts and cousins also? Is that being inclusive or does it look greedy? All of my family is 12 hours away and I have 4 aunts and a bunch of cousins.
I had probably 5 or so invites that I sent to people in other states that I knew wouldn't be able to come (ie my best friend and her mom). I wanted them to have an invite and be included and not see a bunch of pics on facebook and be sad about it. But I also texted them and said pleaseeeee don't send anything, i don't expect a gift. They are coming from WV after the baby is born to meet him and that is enough for me.
@becbec28 I would sent to aunts and cousins for sure. I know YOU might feel like it's gift grabby, but I bet they would feel left out if they weren't invited. My cousins are all in FL. I have gotten baby shower invites from a few of them, and I always send a gift through Amazon. Which I would do without the invite anyway!
@becbec28 we sent invites to my SMIL, SSIL, aunt, and cousin who lived very far away, but only because I am very close with all of them. If we were less close, I wouldn't have. My aunt actually surprised me by coming!
Edit: SMIL was actually really bummed that I didn't invite her to my bridal shower and told me so, so that factored into my decision.
Thanks ladies! I don't expect anyone to come down and I don't expect gifts, I just want them to feel included. It's all my bio-moms family and I'm not super close with them but they are my family. My dad doesn't have any family that I've met and my step-mom has 1 brother that I haven't talked to since I left for college.
Then there's H's extended family that is mostly around us but I'll definitely send invites to the few out of state too. There's just so much to think about!
FTM and I just hit 29 weeks and last night I woke up several times and I was leaking! I know I leak a little bit during the day because when I take off my bra I have white crusty stuff on my nipples. But last night I actually felt wet from both my nipples. I'm wondering if this is going to be a consistent thing and I should start wearing a sleep bra with nursing pads at night? Should I just wait and see what happens for the next few nights?
Question for STMs who love the coffee and fed babies from your boobs last time - did you drink caffeine while BF-ing/pumping? If no, at what point in your pregnancy did you stop?
I just started drinking coffee and I'm loving life with my caffeine. I remember last time it was hard to figure out how long after drinking caffeine I could pump. I ended up going zero caffeine while I was pumping, but now when I think about dropping my coffee I get sad. Thoughts?
@ohstars I drank coffee the whole time. I only had one cup a day but I was under the impression it was okay. Maybe I'm wrong? I stuck with decaf during pregnancy and the first thing my husband did was buy me an iced coffee after.
Re: Ask a STM: November Edition
Many women will EBF but still pump to build a stash.
I would pump one boob in the morning after she had her fill from the other to build a stash. Once she was big enough to want both boobs then I didn't.
and pumping really didn't hurt me at all. But it was a pain in the ass being hooked up to it so much and it felt like a burden. I always thought nursing would've been so much easier. I'm going to try harder this time and find out I hope!
I had a horrible time in the beginning with my twins, and was encouraged by my mother and husband to give up and just go to formula. What surprised me the most was the intense desire to nurse after they were born. I had been okay with either option while I was pregnant , but as soon as they were out, it was like a mission.
I used shields, a supplemental nursing system, saw lactation consultants and a local doctor who is a nursing consultant. It was a lot of work. When my youngest was born, she latched in the delivery room and we never looked back.
I think closer to delivery we might want a thread just for breastfeeding.
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17
I feel so much more confident after taking mine. I also found out that my hospital offers a free BF support group every Monday led by a certified LC.
I do not often share my feeding story, I have found feeding to be such a hot topic. Especially in the majority of my online groups (natural living based ones). And I always fear backlash. This is honestly one of the best - most positive conversation I have ever witnessed!
I truly believe that fed is best and that you never know what will happen!
Anyways for mother who had to stop bfing and pumping switch to straight formula... How do you keep your breast from hurting or leaking? How does the baby do at night when they think they should be bf? How was your experience in general?
Married to my Soul Mate since 09/06/09
It doesn't have to be exclusive either way, lots of moms do both!
Me: 37 - H: 39
TTC#1: 01/2016
BFP: 06/18/2016 - EDD: 02/20/2017 - Born: 01/27/2017
Also I have read the problem with continue to bf during at night your boobs will becoming engorged(i think that is the term) cause you need to pump in the middle of the day too and I will not have time for that next year.
Married to my Soul Mate since 09/06/09
Cabbage in the bra helps dry up supply. And antihistamines.
Eta I mean young to be able to not pump during the day and continue to nurse at night.
With DS, I would always nurse before work, pump in the car on the way to work, pump in the car on the way home from work, nurse him before bed, pump before I went to bed, and then nurse throughout the night if needed.
It was gradual but it happened pretty naturally when I went back to work so my boobs didn't suffer much. I had a few morning of engorgement but it only lasted a few days until my body/supply adjusted.
Big Bro 7/14/13
Little Bro 2/6/17
Differences between EP and EBF: With EP there are less immunity responses. Your breasts can produce antibodies/respond to a pathogen faster than your or baby's immune system can. They can only respond if they come into contact with the pathogen (ie the saliva of a suckling newborn). With EP, YES there is still a good deal of immunity benefit however it can be considerably slower.
It can also be difficult for some moms to respond to a pump the way they do a baby. Some moms it isn't an issue but others can not let down for the pump. By the same token, less oxytocin can be produced by an EP mom. Oxytocin makes you feel GOOD its the snuggle hormone. You can't snuggle a pump (I mean, to each their own LOL). Thats not to say there aren't PLENTY of opportunities to snuggle a baby, however it is kind of a perfect system since oxytocin help with nursing... Kind of 2 birds, 1 stone.
I am not trying to sway anyone, BTW just answering a PP question about why they aren't considered the same (in my mind, anyway).
@skiingstark, all that to say you make it work , however it will work for you, and the baby and your body can adjust.
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17
Me: 37 - H: 39
TTC#1: 01/2016
BFP: 06/18/2016 - EDD: 02/20/2017 - Born: 01/27/2017
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=674616002&vid=1&locale=en_US&kwid=1&sem=false&sdkw=sport-socks-4-pack-for-toddler-and-baby-P674616&brandCvoSid=MQSBHZCF68BK&sdReferer=http://www.oldnavy.com/products/baby-boy-socks.jsp
I FF both ds1 and ds2. I was pressured at the hospital to BF DD, I had planned on EPING. by the time I got home (6 hours later) I had cracks and blisters all over my breast's. I did ep for 4 months but my supply was slacking.
With this one. I'm exclusively FF again. I'd prefer a healthy baby who eats than to be an extremely stressed out mother trying to squeeze another drop out.
Big Bro 7/14/13
Little Bro 2/6/17
Married: 9/2013
Love my LEO!!
TTC #1: 9/2015
BFP: 2/1/16 MC 2/8/16 @ 5wks
BFP: 5/22/16 RAINBOW BABY
EDD: 1/30/2017 *IT'S A GIRL!!!!*
Kirsten Grace 1/20/17
I had probably 5 or so invites that I sent to people in other states that I knew wouldn't be able to come (ie my best friend and her mom). I wanted them to have an invite and be included and not see a bunch of pics on facebook and be sad about it. But I also texted them and said pleaseeeee don't send anything, i don't expect a gift. They are coming from WV after the baby is born to meet him and that is enough for me.
Edit: SMIL was actually really bummed that I didn't invite her to my bridal shower and told me so, so that factored into my decision.
Thanks ladies! I don't expect anyone to come down and I don't expect gifts, I just want them to feel included. It's all my bio-moms family and I'm not super close with them but they are my family. My dad doesn't have any family that I've met and my step-mom has 1 brother that I haven't talked to since I left for college.
Then there's H's extended family that is mostly around us but I'll definitely send invites to the few out of state too. There's just so much to think about!
Married: 9/2013
Love my LEO!!
TTC #1: 9/2015
BFP: 2/1/16 MC 2/8/16 @ 5wks
BFP: 5/22/16 RAINBOW BABY
EDD: 1/30/2017 *IT'S A GIRL!!!!*
Kirsten Grace 1/20/17
Married: 9/2013
Love my LEO!!
TTC #1: 9/2015
BFP: 2/1/16 MC 2/8/16 @ 5wks
BFP: 5/22/16 RAINBOW BABY
EDD: 1/30/2017 *IT'S A GIRL!!!!*
Kirsten Grace 1/20/17
I just started drinking coffee and I'm loving life with my caffeine. I remember last time it was hard to figure out how long after drinking caffeine I could pump. I ended up going zero caffeine while I was pumping, but now when I think about dropping my coffee I get sad. Thoughts?