@lanie1000 Glad to hear it can be done. This might be a silly question, but how does the timing of pumping vary from the timing of feeding an infant every few hours? Is it that you have to pump for 20-30mins and THEN feed them, both every 2-3hrs? Did you pump and then feed immediately after each time or how was your schedule set up? How long were you doing the every 2-3hrs before you decreased frequency?
@kiwi2628 Thank you so much for sharing your experience. From what I've read, once baby starts sleeping longer, a lot of moms will cut back on pump frequency to mimic their baby's eating cycles. But it seems like everyone's supply is SO variable that some moms had no issues with less frequency while others would have their supply drop off quickly if they weren't more frequent. I'm just not sure what to expect my body to do in terms of supply since I'm a FTM. I'm fully prepared to formula supplement as much as needed, but I like the combination idea approach too. Having the option for others to help with feeding is a huge draw in my mind with two infants at once. I've definitely imagined the screaming hungry baby scenario - while I'm trying to breastfeed the other one!
@chipsnsalsa20@craftywitch Thank you both for your reassurances. It seems like everything I come across talks about how terrible breastfeeding is on mom and it's definitely off-putting. Not like I ever expected it to be a piece of cake from the get-go, but just like birth stories, it sounds like some women have had absolutely horrific experiences Of course everyone is different but it's nice to know it isn't guaranteed to be the worst thing ever.
@Swiftlet At first it was about the same. As I was trying to build up my supply, I would immediately give her (or have my husband give her) a bottle with the freshly pumped milk. After a few weeks, we resorted to a bottle warmer to heat up previously expressed milk. That was mostly to make sure we weren't wasting any of the milk since I had built up a decent supply by then. Having a system is really helpful. I would pump then wash my parts in the bathroom sink. While they dried, I had a second set of parts that I would hook up so the next time I woke up, the pump was ready to go.
My body became pretty dependent on a schedule. I was able to cut down to around 5 sessions a day by the time I went back to work three months after delivery and only one middle of the night pump. I kept going with my MOTN pump for a while because I was afraid my supply would drop if I cut it out. (It didn't). I ended up getting pretty good with managing time. I had a commute to work so I would pump as I drove to and from work.
Honestly, pumping became such a part of my life. When I look back at videos of my little one's first year, I can often hear my pump going in the background. I worried for a while that not breastfeeding would impact my ability to bond, but it didn't at all. In fact, the time we spent together while mama pumped during those early months was priceless.
@Swiftlet I started pumping right away with both kids so I would have extra milk for someone to do a feeding when I needed a break or nap.
I think it’s just important for first time moms especially to remember that fed is best and it doesn’t have to be all boob or you have to give up. Any combo of formula, boob or pumped milk is great. Find a good lactation lady. The hospital I delivered at has a few on call— they tend to be a little intense but good intentioned and my pediatricians office has an amazing lc on staff. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is a great book to have on hand.
Neither of my kids liked to switch boobs when nursing so I would use the Hakaa on the opposite side and it was amazing.
We wanted to go look at cribs in a store but since Babies R Us closed that leaves us seriously limited. We went to Buy Buy Baby and weren't impressed. Our Target doesn't have cribs set up, do other Targets? Any other idea of where we can go look??
@jvk2012 do you live near a Nebraska Furniture Mart? They aren’t that common, but if you have one, they had a lot of cribs set up. I think Roomstore or Rooms To Go Kids has them too?
@Swiftlet - can I highly recommend going to a La Leche League meeting before the babies are born? The women there are super helpful especially the leaders. I had a woman in my group tandem nurse her twins and she was very successful and it worked for them really well.
I always pumped whenever I fed the baby for the few weeks I exclusively pumped. There was not a lot of time left in the day after feeding baby and then pumping, so I would recommend you try breastfeeding first, as it is a lot less work.
@leksiL I can definitely understand that simply breastfeeding is less work and time involved. I'm going to have to pump regardless when I go back to work at 3mos and if I can have my husband or family trade in MOTN feedings or during the day feedings during those first 3mos it seems worth the trade off, at least in my mind.
A lot of EP people seem to lament being tied to their pump all of the time, but it seems like you're just as obligated to be near to your baby in those early days.
I hope I'm not coming across as defensive or close-minded in this discussion! I definitely have some breastfeeding anxiety that is rearing its ugly head and part of why I'm not too excited to breastfeed directly, but there are many other factors too. I really appreciate everyone's input and advice
@Swiftlet Not that I have much input because I'm a FTM BUT we also are in the age of pumps that you can walk around in, too. Freemie has a conversion kit and sometimes covered by insurance. DH and I spoke in detail about it and I'm going to get the Willow just because I can walk around in it, especially now that they have the container option.
@Swiftlet I'm just trying to be supportive and helpful. If husband is doing the bottle feedings in the MOTN you still need to wake up to pump in the first month. If you sleep through the night you will wake up completely wet from leaking and it may impact your supply. If your husband is doing all of the bottle feeding I would say yes, exclusively pumping would take about the same time as nursing. Although as the baby gets better at nursing they do get much faster and more efficient than a pump. The book I linked has a lot of good info for working with multiples too.
The good/great news is you can night wean before you go back to work!
When I went back to work I pumped 3x day, the schedule was like this - wake up, nurse - 8:30/9 a.m. - pump (I start work around 7:30) - 11:00 a.m. - pump - 1:00/2:00 p.m.- pump - 4:30/5 - nurse - bedtime, nurse
Me: 38, DH: 36 Married Jan 2008 DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18" so in love Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
Being a FTM I obviously have zero BF experience so my input in very limited but I really appreciate all the advice. The information I have read on here has been so valuable so I wanted to thank everyone for their sharing their experiences.
Me:37 MH:37
TTGP since 07/2017
**TW** in spoiler
DX: PCOS, anovulatory, AMA
Femara X3: no response
Clomid X3: BFN (cyst and thin lining)
IUI (Dec '18) MMC
IVF (April '19) 9 retrieved, 7 fertilized, 2 normal PGT-A
@jvk2012 Our Target has some cribs on display. They aren't full size though. Anyway, I didn't like them. The cribs at Buy Buy Baby are way too bulky and seem super heavy. We ended up buying this one online at Target. It is still in the box but I looked at each piece to make sure they weren't broken. It looked sturdy to me. I had a super specific style in mind. I didn't want anything too round and didn't like the look of bars all around.
TTC#1 10/2018: MFI (2 SA under 9 million/ml) 11/2018: HSG shows right Fallopian tube slightly damaged 1/2019: Husband diagnosed with grade 3 varicocele 4/05/2019: varicocele repair surgery 6/13/2019: BFP!!! EDD: 2/22/2020 Baby girl born 2/27/2020 7/18/2019: Total Motile Count at 3 months post surgery = 51 millions!! (number must be >20 millions to conceive naturally).
Just chiming in on the breastfeeding/pumping conversation...I breastfed exclusively until I went back to work at 12 weeks, then pumped during the day. I HATED pumping so much. I don't even know why, it just felt like such a hassle and I would do anything to try and run by daycare to nurse him so I could avoid a pumping session. I had an easy time with it all as well, pumped for 13 months and had an over-supply, but for some reason hated doing it. It's the #1 thing I'm not looking forward to this time. Although it is a handy excuse to get out of meetings occasionally Breastfeeding was awesome though, I was bummed when my supply dried up last month when my kiddo was 20 months.
I just wanted to chime in to say that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing with BF vs. EP. I EBF DD2 and I really didn’t enjoy feeling trapped at home. DD1 didn’t latch well due to a tongue tie and I EP for about a month and it was a lot of work. This time around I am hoping to pump as much as I can around baby’s nursing’s schedule to build up an oversupply so that I will be able to freeze milk and still get out of the house sometimes. It may not work out because traditionally I’ve not been able to express much milk via pumping and have had just enough milk to feed baby.
I just want to echo that breastfeeding isn’t an all or nothing thing. Any amount of breastmilk you offer your baby is beneficial regardless of how they get it. It also doesn’t have to just be breastmilk you offer. Doing a combination of formula and breastmilk is also awesome. Any amount is great. Breastfeeding these days seems to come with so much unnecessary pressure that I think we set women up for failure. I just want those that are intimidated by the whole process to not worry as much and know there are many options to help you at being successful at EPing or breastfeeding.
@jvk2012 I thought about you yesterday as I was at Target. The super Target I go to has about a dozen cribs on display. 2 are full size on end caps and the rest are display sizes showing the different colors. I live in Target land and each Target has different displays. I have to go to a smaller Target to be able to test nursery chairs. Have you been to regular furniture stores like Ashley Furniture? It looks like all these stores carry the same brands basically.
TTC#1 10/2018: MFI (2 SA under 9 million/ml) 11/2018: HSG shows right Fallopian tube slightly damaged 1/2019: Husband diagnosed with grade 3 varicocele 4/05/2019: varicocele repair surgery 6/13/2019: BFP!!! EDD: 2/22/2020 Baby girl born 2/27/2020 7/18/2019: Total Motile Count at 3 months post surgery = 51 millions!! (number must be >20 millions to conceive naturally).
Has anyone else ever been diagnosed with vasa previa? I had a follow up ultrasound this morning for placenta previa and was told I have a bilobed placenta, meaning there are 2 parts to it instead of 1. My doctor didn't seem very concerned, mostly said that when I deliver, I should remind the nurses of the condition so that they make sure ALL the placenta is out. I am trying my best not to worry, but we all know how that can go hehe. Any experiences would be helpful.
I just want to echo that breastfeeding isn’t an all or nothing thing. Any amount of breastmilk you offer your baby is beneficial regardless of how they get it. It also doesn’t have to just be breastmilk you offer. Doing a combination of formula and breastmilk is also awesome. Any amount is great. Breastfeeding these days seems to come with so much unnecessary pressure that I think we set women up for failure. I just want those that are intimidated by the whole process to not worry as much and know there are many options to help you at being successful at EPing or breastfeeding.
Thats what I'm doing. I am gonna pump my functioning boob three times a day and do formula for the rest. The immunological benefits of BM without the stress, depression, anxiety and time suck of trying to exclusively pump with no supplementing.
Yes to all of this breastfeeding business. I felt so overwhelmed last time and wanted so badly to breastfeed but even with lactation support couldn’t get her to latch. We ended up with a combo pumping/formula and while I wanted to throw that damn pump out the window we all survived! This time I’m just trying to put a little less pressure on it.
I was talking to another pregnant friend of mine yesterday after I found out I have to redo my AS and she said she had to do hers twice more because the baby was breech. Little girl was breech when I went Monday. I know baby's will typically resolve that on their own, but I'm just curious if anybody else has had that problem? Are breech babies harder to get measurements for? I did get a good laugh when she used the transvaginal wand to look at my cervix and it was like "oh hello there giant baby foot on the screen!" It was the cutest!
@babyroma breech isn't a concern in the second trimester. My first baby was a breech baby so I am very keen to have this baby flip. My baby was also breech at the AS and doctor said that was normal. I will probably spend the next four months on my head hahaha.
Me: 38, DH: 36 Married Jan 2008 DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18" so in love Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
My baby is currently breach @babyroma and they didn't have any issues getting measurements. We just had to go in for a second US because he was facing the wrong way to get good images of his heart. But other than that, they were able to get all the measurements required even though he is currently breach.
Anyone here take Elderberry syrup while pregnant? My daughter and I took this all last year during cold and flu season and I was going to this year, but have read articles that suggest not to but only really because of lack of testing on pregnant women. I am going to talk to my OB about it at my next appointment, but just curious if any of you women in here have taken it while pregnant.
I take elderberry syrup all the time and definitely will during this pregnancy. Just had some this morning. I couldn’t imagine there being anything negative to elderberry, but I am not a doctor. And, I doubt major pharmaceutical companies would spend money on testing a natural remedy when they can capitalize on pharmaceuticals. We have stayed healthier over the last few years taking a local syrup and I think that outweighs any negatives.
@DDRRT1982 Thank you for your input. And I completely agree about the testing. We stay away from pharmaceuticals as much as possible, and also have been healthier the last couple of years (knock on ALL the wood) since taking Elderberry, Vit C and Vit D so I don't know why I am even really questioning it.
@bg122785 - I would still ask your doctor. Supplements do not undergo any testing and make outrageous claims sometimes - I do not trust that industry whatsoever since it is not regulated.
Me: 38, DH: 36 Married Jan 2008 DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18" so in love Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
@bg122785 I asked my other BMB about this and while most of us agreed it’s probably fine, I decided to not do it. I would definitely ask your doctor and see what you think after that since it’s untested.
Me:33 DH: 34 Married: May 2011 TTC #1: May 2015 DS: 10/20/2016 TTC #2: June 2019 #2 EDD: 2/20/2020
It’s actually not a supplement. It’s a berry that is basically boiled and mixed with other common things you’d find in your spice cabinet. Mix it with honey and it becomes the syrup. You can also buy it USDA organic if you are worried about our food and drug not regulating it’s contents. Of course, ask your doctor. That’s always a good idea.
Edit: my comment was misleading when I said drug. I should of just said food. I basically meant a regulating body and incorrectly included drug. The FDA does work in conjunction with the usda at times, but in this example it’s not relevant.
On the herb/supplement topic: I asked my OB about herbal tea for my cold. She said they advise against it because there are no studies on herbs in pregnancy. Yes, some OB’s are stricter than others but that is enough for me to avoid it. My 2 cents.
I always ask my midwife about herbal supplements and teas because she's into herbalism. At my last birth they had me drink an herbal tincture they made at one point and I don't necessarily "believe" in that sort of thing, but it worked so whatever. If you're going to dabble in herbs and natural remedies, I'd look for someone knowledgable but "crunchy". Since basically none of this is regulated I can't imagine any OB/doctor recommending any of it.
@leksiL supplements with elderberry are usually compounded with other ingredients. This is not the same as true elderberry syrup, which is essentially a food and is often found in combination with other immune supporting ingredients. Elderberry syrup is also not the same as say a cough syrup which by your tone makes me think you are linking them in the same medicinal category. I have never once suggested herbs to be safe during pregnancy or encouraged anyone to take something without speaking with their healthcare professional. I would just like to differentiate this product from supplements with false claims and intentions. Elderberry, as the berry, is high in vitamin C and it’s consumption is no different than if someone was intentionally increasing their intake of vitamin C in other dietary ways. Adding common household spices and honey and then calling it a syrup does not make it medicinal, as it’s only intention is to support a healthy immune system. If I get sick, I do increase my consumption of elderberry syrup, but I also increase my intake of water and other dietary ways of supporting my struggling immune system. You can support your immune system all day long with interventions like the flu shot, but if you do not have a healthy diet, practice good hand hygiene, exercise, and adequate rest you will get sick and nothing will be able to protect you. For those concerned about herbs, please also watch your consumption of teas, coffees, soft drinks, and foods with flavoring. Also, there is some research regarding elderberry syrup, but like I said before this is a food and not a medicine or supplement.
In response to your comment about me stating that if something is organic it must be healthy for pregnant women...I did not say that. I am very aware of how regulating bodies in this country impact our food and drug and by suggesting an organic option I am in no way stating that something is healthy for pregnant women. Again, I will refer back to my continued encouragement of people asking the advice of their healthcare professional. However personally, research, experience, and time have shown me that even though the FDA, USDA organic, or any other regulating body suggest something is safe that it might not actually be safe for our bodies. For example, do you know what “other natural flavors” mean? These terms are commonly placed on the back of our foods and drugs, leading us to believe that something is natural, safe, and healthy. (This comment is also listed in drugs approved for consumption by the FDA. More commonly listed as “flavors”.). There have been many circumstances that have shown that this term is broad and that we might not be fully aware of what we are consuming or how it can impact our bodies, yet we go about our lives trusting these terms when common ingredients like elderberry might be flavoring our foods and drugs. The FDA has also approved medications over many decades that were researched and tested that have later been found to cause negative effects to our bodies. While I am very grateful for their work and progress, I do believe prevention and diet are my first defense in protecting myself, family, and community. I usually target this through diet and exercise and in this country not everything we consume in our diets is regulated by the FDA.
@TennisLove30 yep I started feeling them at the beginning of 2nd tri, both last pregnancy and this current one. No big deal. There’s no rhyme or reason to when I get them. My bladder could be full, or empty. I could be relaxing, or running around at work.
Re: The Great Question Thread
My body became pretty dependent on a schedule. I was able to cut down to around 5 sessions a day by the time I went back to work three months after delivery and only one middle of the night pump. I kept going with my MOTN pump for a while because I was afraid my supply would drop if I cut it out. (It didn't). I ended up getting pretty good with managing time. I had a commute to work so I would pump as I drove to and from work.
Honestly, pumping became such a part of my life. When I look back at videos of my little one's first year, I can often hear my pump going in the background. I worried for a while that not breastfeeding would impact my ability to bond, but it didn't at all. In fact, the time we spent together while mama pumped during those early months was priceless.
Diagnosed with PCOS & Hashimoto's
@um_thor - glad that worked out!
I always pumped whenever I fed the baby for the few weeks I exclusively pumped. There was not a lot of time left in the day after feeding baby and then pumping, so I would recommend you try breastfeeding first, as it is a lot less work.
This book also helped me a LOT: https://www.amazon.com/Womanly-Art-Breastfeeding-Completely-Revised/dp/0345518446
Married Jan 2008
DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18"
Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
Diagnosed with PCOS & Hashimoto's
The good/great news is you can night wean before you go back to work!
When I went back to work I pumped 3x day, the schedule was like this
- wake up, nurse
- 8:30/9 a.m. - pump (I start work around 7:30)
- 11:00 a.m. - pump
- 1:00/2:00 p.m.- pump
- 4:30/5 - nurse
- bedtime, nurse
Married Jan 2008
DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18"
Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
We ended up buying this one online at Target. It is still in the box but I looked at each piece to make sure they weren't broken. It looked sturdy to me. I had a super specific style in mind. I didn't want anything too round and didn't like the look of bars all around.
10/2018: MFI (2 SA under 9 million/ml)
11/2018: HSG shows right Fallopian tube slightly damaged
1/2019: Husband diagnosed with grade 3 varicocele
4/05/2019: varicocele repair surgery
6/13/2019: BFP!!! EDD: 2/22/2020
7/18/2019: Total Motile Count at 3 months post surgery = 51 millions!! (number must be >20 millions to conceive naturally).
TTC #2
9/07/2021: BFP - CP: 9/10/2021
10/07/2021: BFP - CP: 10/23/2021
12/23/2021: BFP! EDD: 08/31/2022
It may not work out because traditionally I’ve not been able to express much milk via pumping and have had just enough milk to feed baby.
Have you been to regular furniture stores like Ashley Furniture? It looks like all these stores carry the same brands basically.
10/2018: MFI (2 SA under 9 million/ml)
11/2018: HSG shows right Fallopian tube slightly damaged
1/2019: Husband diagnosed with grade 3 varicocele
4/05/2019: varicocele repair surgery
6/13/2019: BFP!!! EDD: 2/22/2020
7/18/2019: Total Motile Count at 3 months post surgery = 51 millions!! (number must be >20 millions to conceive naturally).
TTC #2
9/07/2021: BFP - CP: 9/10/2021
10/07/2021: BFP - CP: 10/23/2021
12/23/2021: BFP! EDD: 08/31/2022
I did get a good laugh when she used the transvaginal wand to look at my cervix and it was like "oh hello there giant baby foot on the screen!" It was the cutest!
Married Jan 2008
DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18"
Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
Married Jan 2008
DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18"
Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
Edit: my comment was misleading when I said drug. I should of just said food. I basically meant a regulating body and incorrectly included drug. The FDA does work in conjunction with the usda at times, but in this example it’s not relevant.
Here is a good article about this issue. https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/herbs-and-pregnancy/
Married Jan 2008
DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18"
Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
In response to your comment about me stating that if something is organic it must be healthy for pregnant women...I did not say that. I am very aware of how regulating bodies in this country impact our food and drug and by suggesting an organic option I am in no way stating that something is healthy for pregnant women. Again, I will refer back to my continued encouragement of people asking the advice of their healthcare professional. However personally, research, experience, and time have shown me that even though the FDA, USDA organic, or any other regulating body suggest something is safe that it might not actually be safe for our bodies. For example, do you know what “other natural flavors” mean? These terms are commonly placed on the back of our foods and drugs, leading us to believe that something is natural, safe, and healthy. (This comment is also listed in drugs approved for consumption by the FDA. More commonly listed as “flavors”.). There have been many circumstances that have shown that this term is broad and that we might not be fully aware of what we are consuming or how it can impact our bodies, yet we go about our lives trusting these terms when common ingredients like elderberry might be flavoring our foods and drugs. The FDA has also approved medications over many decades that were researched and tested that have later been found to cause negative effects to our bodies. While I am very grateful for their work and progress, I do believe prevention and diet are my first defense in protecting myself, family, and community. I usually target this through diet and exercise and in this country not everything we consume in our diets is regulated by the FDA.