February 2017 Moms

The Boob Thread

17810121315

Re: The Boob Thread

  • kirstynikolekirstynikole member
    edited February 2017
    @concreteangell I'm home with my 2.5 yo and newbie, so coffee is a must! I'm having around one a day, but have been working up to a full cup. DS1 was very gassy anytime I had caffeine or acidic foods so I wanted to see how DS2 handled it. So far, so good and thank Goodness, because I'd be a complete zombie without it. 

    @WinchesterGirl I feel your pain- it was like that with my first and I also had to stay away from tomato based sauces or anything else acidic while nursing DS1. It didn't last forever though, only the first 6 months, and then I was able to eat those things without it affecting him via milk. 
  • Loading the player...
  • Questions!!
    can you re-refrigerate breast milk that you have warmed up under running water? (I know you can't re-freeze thawed breast milk but wasn't sure if refrigerated milk had rules)
    can you feed LO again from the same bottle later? (Like if LO takes 2oz at one feeding, can you save the extra breast milk and feed from the same bottle later? H seems to think there's something about "contamination" *eyeroll*)
    and finally, can you add pumped milk from one session into a bottle from another pumped session? Pumped 3oz two days ago, put it in the fridge, and want to know if I can add pumped milk from today or should I just leave today's in its own bottle
  • srscott3 said:
    Questions!!
    can you re-refrigerate breast milk that you have warmed up under running water? (I know you can't re-freeze thawed breast milk but wasn't sure if refrigerated milk had rules)
    can you feed LO again from the same bottle later? (Like if LO takes 2oz at one feeding, can you save the extra breast milk and feed from the same bottle later? H seems to think there's something about "contamination" *eyeroll*)
    and finally, can you add pumped milk from one session into a bottle from another pumped session? Pumped 3oz two days ago, put it in the fridge, and want to know if I can add pumped milk from today or should I just leave today's in its own bottle

    My midwife told me no to all of these when I asked (contamination was the reason). For the same bottle, my midwife told me that if it's within a 30min window, there's no issue, but anymore than that and you risk bacteria forming or something like that. 
  • @srscott3 I follow the number of the b[r]east and 6 months frozen 6 days refrigerated or 6 hours out. So if you have a bottle and they don't finish it you can leave it out and offer if first, but not put it back in the fridge to try heat again later. 

    I wouldn't combine that heated bottle but offer that one then a different fresher one. 

    For combining two different pumps they both have to be the same temp, so both refrigerated to combine them, you can't add warm milk to cold milk and make sure you mark them with the oldest day. Adding new milk doesn't reset that clock. 
  • Omg @kswiger06 that is too funny! When we went to DD's day care intake meeting, we were going over logistics of bringing in breast milk and I'm not sure how, but the topic came up of how BM can be sold for some decent money! My H had no idea this was a thing and joked that I should start selling my stash lol.
  • Lol @ColeBug89 we didn't know it was a thing either until I stumbled across those websites. My husband did the hypothetical math for $4 and it's a bit of money for the baby being only 3 weeks old. Lol I joked with my husband that I better not see the milk slowly disappearing (but I really better not haha)
    Pregnancy Ticker
  • Um, ewww
    Married - 7/29/06
    Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09 
    Mia - 6/16/11
    Surprise! due 2/23/17


    BabyFruit Ticker
  • @kswiger06 I'd be cool selling my oversupply to whoever but OMG HE WANTS TO EAT FROM THE WOMAN??? ewww! 

    nope. nope. nope.
  • This reminds me of why I hated Grapes of Wrath...  
    Pregnancy Ticker


  • This covers both the discussion going on here and in the randoms...

    *shudders and goes to watch TV*
  • So some advice from exclusive pumpers needed! Baby girl just will not latch, I had 3 LCs at the hospital and one come today and all said I need to use a shield. Which is fine, but she's not even great with that. (They think she has a tiny mouth and needs her soft pallet to be stimulated to suck. And I have pretty flat nips that she just won't react to.) Anywho, today is the first day I think my milk is coming in, definitely hard spots but not terribly enforced.

     So, how long do I need to pump? I'm doing every three hours, but only getting an ounce combined. Is this normal for this stage? I have been doing 15-20 minutes (doing both at the same time). Then I read you need to go 5 minutes beyond the last drop, but I wasn't sure if that applies when my milk is coming in. My nips are in terrible shape, so I want to do 15-20 minutes if possible, until the bleeding stops at least.

    Sorry for the rambling post!! 
  • I did every 2-3 hours for 15 minutes 8 times a day until I felt really comfortable about my supply. I had cracked and scabbed nipples for a few days, but just keep pushing through it until they got better. Use allllll the lanolin and motherlove nipple cream, and maybe turn down the intensity on your pump (not sure where you're pumping at). I did a lot of massage during pumping the first few days/week to encourage supply. I did not pump five minutes passed the last drop because I don't have the patience. 

    And supply can change quickly...I cried one day because I didn't know how I'd pump enough to keep up with what she needed, and one week later I had 30+oz frozen. 

    Another random note: at 3 weeks pp I randomly tried bfing with a nipple shield in the middle of the night because I did NOT want to pump. She'd really failed to latch/she'd just get frustrated prior to that, but that night she took to it like a champ. We now do all MOTN feedings as bf, and I pump at 10pm and not again until 6am, and then do every 3-4 hours for 15 minutes during the day, striving for 7 pumps/day. My 6am pump is the only 20 minute pump I do. 

    Good luck and hang in there...exclusive pumping ain't always easy! 
  • kswiger06kswiger06 member
    edited March 2017
    @leslie1331 I personally think it sounds like you're doing great! If your milk is just coming in, then an ounce of milk is just fine. Everyday it will slowly increase. I've read (here and in different Google searches) that other ladies have pumped longer, but I've only ever pumped 15-20 minutes (unless I see milk still coming out). However if you see you still have milk coming out after 15-20 minutes, I'd continue pumping until you see it stop. In my opinion, I don't think you need to pump a full 5 minutes after you no longer see milk, but once you notice both sides have stopped, then I'd go ahead and stop after the 15-20. The only thing I'd suggest, is if your not doing so already, after the first 10 minutes, I'd start massaging/gently squeezing your breasts. It will help make sure they are completely emptied. Also apply lanolin to your nipples before and after you pump, to try and help keep them from cracking any further. Aannnddd if it comes to it, instead of pumping longer sessions, I always choose to go with pumping more often, like every 2 hours during the day. :)

    ETA: like @Patience7150 said... check the power of the suction. It doesn't need to be all the way up, I turn it up just until it's slightly uncomfortable which is super low on my pump lol
    Pregnancy Ticker
  • Thank you @Patience7150 and @kswiger06!! That makes me feel so much better. I was doing fine with it until this last time when the blood really started and I didn't get much. I was also doing some olive oil on the inside of the flange too. And definitely loading up on nip cream and just whipped out my soothies. I'll take a deep breath  :)
  • @Leslie1331, come on Tuesday!   As for pumping,  I echo the other advice and if you are getting an ounce that sounds about right.   Also,  have you tried offering her the breast after you have started  pumping?   It helps to draw the nipple out so baby can latch.   

    Don't give up, I wish the LCs had been more helpful though.  Does she open her mouth wide when she cries or yawns?   

    Married - 7/29/06
    Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09 
    Mia - 6/16/11
    Surprise! due 2/23/17


    BabyFruit Ticker
  • Partyof6? said:
    @Leslie1331, come on Tuesday!   As for pumping,  I echo the other advice and if you are getting an ounce that sounds about right.   Also,  have you tried offering her the breast after you have started  pumping?   It helps to draw the nipple out so baby can latch.   

    Don't give up, I wish the LCs had been more helpful though.  Does she open her mouth wide when she cries or yawns?   

    I might go up, I think I met at least one of the ladies that runs it! They were pretty helpful in the hospital, they worked with me for forever, she just isn't having it.  I try to offer to her after the shield comes off because they are pretty far out and she just has no interest. They think she may grow out of it as she gets older. So I'll try like once a week to see is she takes to it. We can use the shield and she's okay with it, so I have been using that. I more wanted to start the pumping now that my supply is coming in. 
  • @leslie1331 fellow EP here since Jan. 7th. Here's my advice: 
    1. Lanolin or favorite boob cream on before pumping, then again after.

    2. Suction set med... pump set low. Check mine out as I type

    3. Have 2 sets of pump parts (phalanges, membranes, etc.) and use one set during the day and one at night. Keep them in the fridge after you pump so you don't need to wash every time.

    4. Buy a handsfree bra like Simple Wishes bra from amazon, or the Freemie cups or both. 

    5. Pump every 2-3 hours (or as often as your LO eats) for 6 weeks at least to encourage supply. Most days I get in 7 pumps in 24 hours, sometimes 8. I pump after I feed LO each time. You MUST pump in the MOTN until your supply regulates and then you can consider dropping a pump session. 

    6. Massage breasts during pumping to encourage full let down. 

    7. Pump ONLY 15-20 minutes unless you feel like you are still getting a ton coming out, then go maybe 5 minutes longer. To encourage supply only pump 2 minutes after the last drops, not 5. If you do this every time it will signal your body to always make more, so when you are comfortable with your supply then stop going 2 min past the last drops.

    8. Download the app Pump Log (iPhone). It will track your sessions, their length, how much you got and your freezer stash. It also tells you based on what you are producing to date, how long you need to pump to feed baby to x months. 

    9. If you have more questions just ask! Or PM me! I've been at this 8 weeks now and am getting more tips and tricks by the day! 

    Btw, 1 oz in the first few days is right on track! Keep it up! Even at 8 weeks PP, my supply continues to increase with the schedule I just outlined for you. 
    Me (26) DH (28)
    Married 6.22.13
    Hoping for a Herd Linky
    4/15--TTC #1
    12/15--IF testing
    3/16--Dx Unexplained IF
    Clomid + Ovidrel + IUI + Progesterone cycle
    Cancelled due to cysts. Started 3 weeks of BCP.
    4/16--Cute Ute! Clomid+Ovidrel+IUI+Progesterone TI.
    Cancelled-no response
    5/16--Hemmorhagic cyst and other cyst discovered.
    No medicated cycle. MRI scheduled to rule out
    septate uterus.
    6/16--Septum discovered. Consultation for surgery.
    Surprise BFP 6/8/16--EDD 2/13/17
    Kole David--1.7.17--Tiny but Mighty, born at 34+5 after HELLP syndrome
    Chart Stalk Me

     
  • @leslie1331

    Last and really important tip! Let yourself go one long 5 hour stretch between pumps a day. I like to pump after every feed and then skip pumping at
    the early morning (4ish AM feed) for one longer stretch of sleep. 
    Me (26) DH (28)
    Married 6.22.13
    Hoping for a Herd Linky
    4/15--TTC #1
    12/15--IF testing
    3/16--Dx Unexplained IF
    Clomid + Ovidrel + IUI + Progesterone cycle
    Cancelled due to cysts. Started 3 weeks of BCP.
    4/16--Cute Ute! Clomid+Ovidrel+IUI+Progesterone TI.
    Cancelled-no response
    5/16--Hemmorhagic cyst and other cyst discovered.
    No medicated cycle. MRI scheduled to rule out
    septate uterus.
    6/16--Septum discovered. Consultation for surgery.
    Surprise BFP 6/8/16--EDD 2/13/17
    Kole David--1.7.17--Tiny but Mighty, born at 34+5 after HELLP syndrome
    Chart Stalk Me

     
  • @leslie1331 I pumped after each feeding attempt to build supply while my kid was having some issues, and I just want to echo @paigeed on one item: skipping one pump session in favor of sleep turned out to be key for me. When I was exhausted, I couldn't beef up my supply for anything. Once I started to be able to count on a longer stretch of sleep, my production increase significantly. 

    Also, I had to pump 35+ minutes at first. I never could recognize a "last drop" to pump past - I would have a steady, slow flow of drops, seemingly in perpetuity. After some trial and error, I found that I needed that length of time to properly signal my body to produce more. The good news is that I only needed that length of time for about a week. I'm still somewhat slower to produce and I don't quite keep up with my kid's demand, but I can produce around 4oz in 15 or so minutes at my most productive. It takes time, but your volume and efficiency will improve!
  • @paigeed thank you so much, that helped a ton!! I have the spectra pump and was doing a level 4 (I think 12 total) and put it down to a 2 and feel better and am still getting stuff. I'll see about turning it up once they heal up.  But, this is at least tolerable. And thanks for the advice about the sessions, I did every three last night and I am finishing one up now. Even stretching to 4 hours at some point will be a treat!   

    And thanks for the additional tips too @NiceyMeany   :)
  • Speaking of pumps,  if you have a Spectra pump,  where did you find extra supplies?   Amazon has a few that claim they are compatible,  just wanted to ask if anyone had experience. I want an extra set just to help with washing, etc. 
    Married - 7/29/06
    Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09 
    Mia - 6/16/11
    Surprise! due 2/23/17


    BabyFruit Ticker
  • @Partyof6? There are adapters that make your spectra compatible with Madela parts. I don't have a spectra pump so I can't speak to how well these work, but I saw them on a Facebook group im a part of. 

    https://www.amazon.com/Maymom-Breastshield-Connects-Backflow-Protector/dp/B01DGEDVUM
  • @leslie1331 every 3 hours is about average for what I do. If I know there's going to be a long stretch sometime later in the day I'll do a couple 2 hour ones and then one long one when I need to. It's all about the number of pumps. You can arrange the time a little bit to fit your schedule better! I'll be here if you need more help, I know I did.
    Me (26) DH (28)
    Married 6.22.13
    Hoping for a Herd Linky
    4/15--TTC #1
    12/15--IF testing
    3/16--Dx Unexplained IF
    Clomid + Ovidrel + IUI + Progesterone cycle
    Cancelled due to cysts. Started 3 weeks of BCP.
    4/16--Cute Ute! Clomid+Ovidrel+IUI+Progesterone TI.
    Cancelled-no response
    5/16--Hemmorhagic cyst and other cyst discovered.
    No medicated cycle. MRI scheduled to rule out
    septate uterus.
    6/16--Septum discovered. Consultation for surgery.
    Surprise BFP 6/8/16--EDD 2/13/17
    Kole David--1.7.17--Tiny but Mighty, born at 34+5 after HELLP syndrome
    Chart Stalk Me

     
  • Partyof6? said:
    Speaking of pumps,  if you have a Spectra pump,  where did you find extra supplies?   Amazon has a few that claim they are compatible,  just wanted to ask if anyone had experience. I want an extra set just to help with washing, etc. 
    I am going to order some soon, so  I have kind of looked. I did notice some options on the Aeroflow website too! 

    I saw the posts about the adapter for the Medela parts on Pinterest too! 
  • I have a question about establishing a feeding schedule...  We've reached the feed on demand stage (no more waking up at certain hours), but what happens now?  Do I just continue on this way for awhile?  Or, is it good to feed at the same times every day?  I feel like our nursing is so haphazard...  I don't always know when she's hungry and sometimes I have a hard time believing she really wants to eat again.  I just worry that I'm doing too much or not enough and wonder if others have a better way of dealing with this.
    Pregnancy Ticker
  • I feed when she acts hungry. I don't always eat at the same time every day. 

  • I also just watch the cues @MLRocha. I agree that it seems wacky to have no schedule but I just tell myself that he knows what he needs and as long as he's gaining I need to trust him. 

    I have a new issue. Thanks to help from a LC consultant we have a really solid, 90% pain free latch. However, about ten minutes into each feeding, LO starts pulling and tugging at my nipple and it kills. I assume this is him getting frustrated as the flow slows, but how should I handle it? I'm not completely empty when he starts, so should I just try to muscle through? Unlatch him so he can learn not to do it? Switch sides? So far I've been pretty well regulated without an over or under supply. 
  • CAmama99CAmama99 member
    edited March 2017
    I unlatch, burp him (sometimes I find trapped gas causes the tugging), then reoffer the same side. That often acts as a reset and he will settle back down. If he still tugs and fusses, I will try switching sides.  Sometimes he tugs as he gets very tired and the fast flow of #2 puts him right to sleep.

    @Xstatic3333
  • Thanks @CAmama99! Burping is a good idea; he's pretty gassy in general. 
  • Anyone else's other kids or spouse asked to try their milk? Sorry if this already got discussed at some point and I missed it. I think there was a poll a while back. My milk is old news to my H, but even though my older 2 kids both had my milk for a year, clearly they don't remember as they're both begging me to try it. I'm not against them trying it and told them I'll let them, but not directly from the tap, sorry kids. You had your turn. 

    They were also also fascinated the one time I pulled out the pump already. Like in awe of it. And my DD1 said she wants to pump when she's older.
  • @Xstatic3333, mine does the same thing you're describing and @CAmama99 has some very good suggestions. I also just started trying the Mylicon gas drops and it's hard to say, but certainly seems like they're already helping my baby out to give her some relief from the gas pains. We used them with our DS too and they didn't do too much for him, I guess it's kinda hit or miss. Works for sone babies but not for others. 

    @MlRocha, I know exactly what you mean, but like others have said I wouldn't be too concerned with feeding on a schedule right now. 
  • I feed on demand and look for the cues. Lately it's been eating her hands and crying hysterically. I believe she's going through a growth spurt. The only thing that's more or less a routine is bed time. 
    *************
    First BFP: 12/16/13
    EDD: 08/23/14
    Baby BOY born: 08/29/14
  • @Jab3 my 7yr old is fascinated and has asked to try and I'm like "nope, that's your brother's food!"
  • My kids haven't asked to try the milk, but they have asked a bunch of other questions. They want to know why Austin only drinks milk, and why he can't have regular milk they they get. And my son is always curious and wanting to learn so since I pump, he had a billion questions about that. Where I was shy about telling him where babies come out from, I ended up telling him that he can't watch me pump because the milk comes out of my boobs and it's my private area. Then I told him about the differences in nursing and pumping. Lol 
    Pregnancy Ticker
  • Is anyone else using the Simple Wishes handsfree bra or the Freemie cups? I have both, but I feel like I get less milk out when I use them as opposed to just holding the phalanges myself. Anyone have any advice or is this a normal experience using those products? I'd really love to be able to use handsfree pumping tools, but if it cuts my supply down by 1/4 or 1/2 then I just can't do that. 
    Me (26) DH (28)
    Married 6.22.13
    Hoping for a Herd Linky
    4/15--TTC #1
    12/15--IF testing
    3/16--Dx Unexplained IF
    Clomid + Ovidrel + IUI + Progesterone cycle
    Cancelled due to cysts. Started 3 weeks of BCP.
    4/16--Cute Ute! Clomid+Ovidrel+IUI+Progesterone TI.
    Cancelled-no response
    5/16--Hemmorhagic cyst and other cyst discovered.
    No medicated cycle. MRI scheduled to rule out
    septate uterus.
    6/16--Septum discovered. Consultation for surgery.
    Surprise BFP 6/8/16--EDD 2/13/17
    Kole David--1.7.17--Tiny but Mighty, born at 34+5 after HELLP syndrome
    Chart Stalk Me

     
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"