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Success after IF
niknak1128
member
BF-pumping questions..
niknak1128
member
I just had my first breastfeeding class last night. I wasn't sure what classes to sign up for so I just attended a seminar at BRU. They had a certified lactation specialist there and she was really great but she did say that normally she teaches a 4 hour session and we only had an hour or so. It was a good class and I learned a lot but I'm still pretty confused.
I'm not sure what to do. I will get 6 weeks (vag) or 8 week (C). I'm not planning on taking extra time because I want to save my vacation time and I don't want to be unpaid using FMLA. I can only be off more than that IF there is a medical complication with me which I have to have a note for. Sooo.. most likely.. I will be back to work pretty quick. There is NO place for pumping where I work. We have a 2 stall women's room but it's not very private and the stalls are small with no where to set anything down. I sit in a cube so no privacy there.
The lactation specialist suggested that I purchase a small single pump.. she said that the hospital I will deliver at actually gives away Medela manual pumps but you have to ask for them. So she said to either train myself to pump at home.. or try using the small pump at work in the bathroom.. or even manually doing it with my hands.
She also said to start pumping while still home and that it's best to do it in the morning. I already get up at 5:30 because I commute 45 minutes one way to work. So do I get up extra early, feed him, wait 30-45 minutes, and somehow have time to pump?
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Re: BF-pumping questions..
First off....is your goal to give BM only, or are you ok with using formula?
If you want to give bm only, you will NEED to pump at work. I had to pump every 3 hours....so usually 2-3 times a day in a normal workday. I also had to pump in the bathroom. Getting a single pump is a complete waste of money and time. It will take far too long to pump enough using that. Get a good double electric pump, and just make something work. I would occasionally pump in my car. Is there an empty storage room, or supply closet, etc you could use?
If you are ok with formula and don't want to bother with pumping at work, you can always use formula during the day and just nurse when you are home. This will require you to drop the last daytime feedings before you go back, but a lot of women do this as a less stressful option.....but your supply may not last forever if making it to one year, etc is important to you.
I'm ok with using formula too. I just wasn't sure when or how to start incorporating it. My doctor suggested BF'ing for 4 weeks or so and then starting formula but the lactation lady last night said that I could BF for the entire 6 weeks and just start him on formula when he goes to daycare.
I really don't think I can pump at work. If I bought a double pump, there is seriously no where to set things down. I was kinda thinking the single manual pump would take forever too.
A manual pump worked ok for me...I could get a bottle in about 10-15 minutes. But with a double pump I could get 2 bottles in about 5-10 minutes....a HUGE difference when working and having very limited breaks.
I would hang my pump bag off the hook in the stall and just stand there. I also occasionally used a locker room part that they added later where I at least had a bench to sit on. Have you talked to your HR type person? They might have suggestions for you.
But if you are open to formula I"d introduce it earlier than your first day of daycare...my DD refused any and all formulas I ever tried. Of course, I didn't even try any until she was nearly 9 months.....but I'd hate to have you dealing with that on your first day back at work.