All Things Breastfeeding

rspalding001

@kvruns don't substitute breast milk for water when making the formula. Just make it like the instructions say and add it to your breastmilk bottle after it's already been mixed with water. So your bottle will be made of both breast milk and formula in that way. 

kvruns

Thanks for the app @tigerfish227

kvruns

@rspalding001 ok so if I wanted a 6oz bottle total do the normal 2oz water/1 scoop formula, mix it up and then add it to 4oz BM and swirl together? 

rspalding001

@kvruns yes that's it. For the formula to work properly it needs to be mixed with water in the proper quantities. Once it's mixed you can set it aside in the fridge and add to your pumped breast milk to get whatever oz bottle you are aiming for. Just swirl the two together like you said.

kvruns

thanks @rspalding001 I'm going to try that tonight just to see if I can get a little extra in him since he's so small 

lajoliedreamer

kvruns said:

@lajoliedreamer do you do a certain ratio, such as the formula can says 2 scoops for 4oz - do you do the same just substitute BM for water or do you just add a scoop of formula to the BM but not worry about the ratio from the can?  

I make the formula in a separate bottle using can instructions and then top off the breastmilk with it until it's the amount I want to give her.

SandNStarsNJ

To those of you pumping in MOTN: Do you immediately refrigerate the milk? Or if it's a few hours before you wake do you leave it out until morning? 

I realize it's a silly question but I'm looking for a way to not be wide awake post pump which means avoiding going downstairs. 

leighry

I only pump right now when I'm at work so I do refrigerate it.. but with my 3rd if I pumped within a few hours of her being up I would sometimes leave it out.. but I was also obsessed with my stash so I would freeze the most recent and pull older milk so I wouldn't waste it. 

kvruns

SandNStarsNJ said:

To those of you pumping in MOTN: Do you immediately refrigerate the milk? Or if it's a few hours before you wake do you leave it out until morning? 

I realize it's a silly question but I'm looking for a way to not be wide awake post pump which means avoiding going downstairs. 

I refrigerate right away but I pump right next to the kitchen. I'm always wide awake post pump though. 

hoosiermama-2

@SandNStarsNJ I get it in the fridge within 5-6 hours, sometimes sooner if I can't get back to sleep. Everything says 6 hours at room temp is fine. Been doing this since she came home.. The kitchen is downstairs and opposite our bedroom 

lajoliedreamer

@SandNStarsNJ - I keep it upstairs in the bathroom since it's likely to be given to her within the 6 hour room temperature limit. I also don't want to have to go downstairs and wake up more if I can avoid it!

rspalding001

So we have been having crazy storms for the last month, tons of rain and wind causing mudslides etc. well today our power went out. One of my first thoughts is oh crap please let them fix it before my freezer stash thaws out! How long will stuff stay frozen in a regular freezer with no power? Ugh, if I were to loose my stash I'd be so depressed especially since I only manage to freeze about 2ozs a day so what I have has taken a while to build up. Praying for a quick fix and the power to come back on soon!!!

lajoliedreamer

@rspalding001 - oh no!! I hope your power's back now!

kvruns

oh no @rspalding001 hope it's back on quickly!  I was thinking of storing some BM at my parents' house because they're in FL for the rest of the winter but was afraid of a power outage at the house and us not knowing about it and the milk being ruined. That would suck

rspalding001

Power came back on a half hour ago. It was out for a little over 4 hours so nothing terrible but sure did have me worried. Freezer stash is safe

SandNStarsNJ

The fear of spilled (or spoiled) milk is very real once the stash has been established! Glad the power is back on @rspalding001!

kvruns

GOt an infant scale and did a weighted feeding - 3.5 oz. he didn't eat very well from one side but went to town on another. Guessing this might be why he's so small if he's only eating that little 

ZoeFer

Is 3.5 oz little ? DD does not get anything more than 3 oz when she is bottle fed. I got back to work last week and she eats only 3 bottles of 3 oz during the day. Her weight gain was going well until now but I am not sure if she is eating enough or not. And I am really worried that my supply is going low with pumping. Our BF was going so well until I started to work, this situation is making me so upset. I wish I had not gone back to work so early.

kvruns

@zoefer my pediatrician paperwork says 5-6 oz per feeding. I do a 5.5 bottle overnight since he goes so long between eating 

SandNStarsNJ

ZoeFer said:

Is 3.5 oz little ? DD does not get anything more than 3 oz when she is bottle fed. I got back to work last week and she eats only 3 bottles of 3 oz during the day. Her weight gain was going well until now but I am not sure if she is eating enough or not. And I am really worried that my supply is going low with pumping. Our BF was going so well until I started to work, this situation is making me so upset. I wish I had not gone back to work so early.

Remember a lot of factors can influence your supply. There's stress, hydration, calories, and even skin to skin with LO. Your body might need adjusting. I always had to stay on the pump longer than a nursing session to ensure I kept my supply where it needed to be. 

And for comparison, with our last one I sent 15-20oz of BM for a 9 hour stay at this age. This one isn't going to daycare for another month but I think might need more, unless of course he refuses to eat when I'm not around as that is currently his MO. 

Megz1902

kvruns said:

@zoefer my pediatrician paperwork says 5-6 oz per feeding. I do a 5.5 bottle overnight since he goes so long between eating 

I think that is a formula recommendation?... I have been reading that Exclusively BF babies need 25-30 oz per day from months 1-6 and need 1-1.5 oz of BM for every hour away from mom. My girl eats about 9 oz over 3 bottles at daycare. I send 5 bottles in case, and have tried to put more in the bottles but she still seems to only eat about 9 oz over 3 feedings. Then she nurses 5+ times before and after daycare. 

lajoliedreamer

kvruns said:

GOt an infant scale and did a weighted feeding - 3.5 oz. he didn't eat very well from one side but went to town on another. Guessing this might be why he's so small if he's only eating that little 

E only eats about 4 oz a feeding, a mix of breast and formula. The exception is nighttime when she eats a couple oz more (not that it's been helping her sleep longer...)

I think it's like everything else, there are recommendations, but every baby is different and as long as they are having regular wet/dirty diapers and not losing weight, it's not worth stressing about.

kvruns

I did a weighted feeding again last night and it was only 3oz this time but he slept for almost 11 hours so whatever I'll not worry about it!

dreamcatch-her

3.5 oz a feeding is great. The recommendation for breastfed babies is 1-1.5 oz per hour. I suggest looking up breastmilk recommendations on KellyMom. Over feeding baby can be quite the headache with upset stomach and acid reflux. I second each baby being different as well. As long as output is going well (multiple dirty diapers a day) along with steady weight gain, then you're doing great. 

ZoeFer

@SandNStarsNJ thanks for your reply. the first week at work was stressful for me and i think stress was not helping. also i realized that i stop pumping too early, when i kept pumping after the milk slowed i had second or third let down. it is getting better.
I have a question for working moms. i have a job interview on Monday. it will start with a lunch at 12 pm and then interviews will go on until 5 pm probably. I am trying to decide if i should carry my pump (a huge bag) and ask for time for pumping or just wait until the interviews are over. 

SandNStarsNJ

ZoeFer said:

Snip

I have a question for working moms. i have a job interview on Monday. it will start with a lunch at 12 pm and then interviews will go on until 5 pm probably. I am trying to decide if i should carry my pump (a huge bag) and ask for time for pumping or just wait until the interviews are over. 

Because it's an interview I would probably pump right before the lunch and immediately after the interviews and wear a snug sports bra for the day. That or bring my hand pump and excuse myself to the bathroom for a quick 10 min release if it got really bad. Upon getting the job however I would make clear the need for time to pump. 

Good luck with the interview!

hoosiermama-2

Has anyone used freemie collection cups? I didn't look too hard but couldn't find a good review on a blog or anything.
https://www.freemie.com/freemie-freedom-pump/freemie-freedom-deluxe-set

jsmai

hoosiermama said:

Has anyone used freemie collection cups? I didn't look too hard but couldn't find a good review on a blog or anything.
https://www.freemie.com/freemie-freedom-pump/freemie-freedom-deluxe-set

I've got a set.  Pricey, but nice not to have cups  dangling. You do get a bit of a 80s Madonna thing going though.  I got mine so I could pump in the car.  

SandNStarsNJ

hoosiermama said:

Has anyone used freemie collection cups? I didn't look too hard but couldn't find a good review on a blog or anything.
https://www.freemie.com/freemie-freedom-pump/freemie-freedom-deluxe-set

I've never heard of this but am intrigued! How is it as far suction? And in the car? I need details!

jsmai

I just have the collection cups and use them with my medela so I can't speak to how much suction their pump provides.  You do need a bra that hold them in place.  Additionally,  you really do need to be sitting straight to avoid leaking.

SandNStarsNJ

jsmai said:

I just have the collection cups and use them with my medela so I can't speak to how much suction their pump provides.  You do need a bra that hold them in place.  Additionally,  you really do need to be sitting straight to avoid leaking.

Thanks! I think I'll just stick with my projecting bottles under a scarf while driving. 

kvruns

Ok so I went forever since nursing or pumping today. I'm finally pumping and it's like clear - way different than normal. What gives?

Ladybug2821

kvruns said:

Ok so I went forever since nursing or pumping today. I'm finally pumping and it's like clear - way different than normal. What gives?

I heard that can be caused by being somewhere that is hot. Not sure if it is true though. I've had my right side do that a few times and I do live somewhere hot. I've also read that it is the foremilk (the lactose part) without the hindmilk (the cream). 

SandNStarsNJ

Ladybug2821 said:

kvruns said:

Ok so I went forever since nursing or pumping today. I'm finally pumping and it's like clear - way different than normal. What gives?

I heard that can be caused by being somewhere that is hot. Not sure if it is true though. I've had my right side do that a few times and I do live somewhere hot. I've also read that it is the foremilk (the lactose part) without the hindmilk (the cream). 

In my experience it's the foremilk. Hindmilk is opaque. 

kvruns

Ladybug2821 said:

kvruns said:

Ok so I went forever since nursing or pumping today. I'm finally pumping and it's like clear - way different than normal. What gives?

I heard that can be caused by being somewhere that is hot. Not sure if it is true though. I've had my right side do that a few times and I do live somewhere hot. I've also read that it is the foremilk (the lactose part) without the hindmilk (the cream). 

I'm not sure if I should give it to him or not?

rspalding001

@kvruns it's just more fore milk than usual it's still totally fine to give it to him. If it bothers you you can mix it with other pumped milk to give it more of a balance between fore milk and hind milk but it's not necessary.

dreamcatch-her

Definitely okay to give it to baby, but don't be surprised, his poop will change in consistency for about 2 diaper changes. Nothing to be alarmed about, though. 

kvruns

dreamcatch-her said:

Definitely okay to give it to baby, but don't be surprised, his poop will change in consistency for about 2 diaper changes. Nothing to be alarmed about, though. 

Thanks. I might use it to mix in with formula or another session because he needs the fattier stuff for sure 

kristah2

@kvruns I would definitely give it to baby. If you didn't pump it you wouldn't have even seen the difference and baby would have ate it as is! All good! 

kvruns

Very good point @kristah2 I did give some mixed with formula bc one container wasn't enough for a bottle. I'm not bringing anything I pump back home so might as well try to use it all