Breast feeding confusion

Mcsweets · October 2013

OK ... I figured this would be an easy concept, although maybe I'm making it too hard. I know when I'm with the baby - boob in mouth and I'm done.
- How do I know if they've had enough?
- Will I know if it's empty?

Part 2: Pumping!
I have purchased a Medela advanced pump thingy. It has 2 bottles with it I believe. I plan on using this and storing the milk while I'm at work. I've learned I apparently need to clean all the hoses and stuff after each pump. *You'd think this was a duh, but I hadn't even thought about it*
- For extra bottles, do I need to buy Madela bottles?
- What other accessories do I need?

Thanks

matthewmegan · October 2013

With DD, initially, we had to work to keep her awake to eat. We also had to supplement with pumped milk via syringe (she was 5lbs5oz at birth). The rule of thumb I went by initially was 15 min on each side. If they don't get enough, they will let you know! As they become more efficient at eating, sessions went down to about 10 min total.

As far as the pump, don't open it until you are sure your insurance won't cover it. Most will under the Affordable Health Care act. You will likely need more than 2 bottles esp if you're going to store. I froze most of mine, but pumped twice a day at work, so needed 4 bottles just for that. I also used fresh parts each time, so I brought in two sets of everything and washed it all at home in the dishwasher on the "sterilize" cycle. Many of the bottles the baby uses can also work with the pump. If you use Madela bottles, it will be really easy. We used Dr. Browns. The glass bottles fit, but were very heavy and I couldn't attach them to the pump and use the hands free bra. The plastic ones worked great though.

Kristen61607 · October 2013

- you know they're done when they stop or fall asleep, lol
- yeah, after your milk comes in you'll know when your empty. They'll go from hard to soft.

-No, you don't clean hoses in a Medela PISA. The only thing they tell you to clean is what the milk touches which is the bottles, flanges, and little connector pieces. Oh and the yellow things with the membrands (this is probably confusing you even more, lol). and honestly with the pumping I did for twins, you're not going to have time to clean after each use. Just stick everything in the fridge and wash once at night.

You don't need to buy medela bottles. One of my girls liked dr. brown, the other liked playtex ventaire, so I just poured the milk from the pump bottles to the eating bottles after I was done. Then stored in fridge.

Kristen61607 · October 2013

Oh - and you need a hands free bra. I really don't find it optional, lol. If you're bigger busted like me, definitely a hands free bra with straps. I LOVEEEDDD simple wishes! can find it on amazon!

BrideNamedMeg · October 2013

You're never really "empty". Once you get through the initial engorgement period, your body basically produces on demand, if you're not producing enough they'll want to nurse more to give your body the message to up the supply. Both my kids were good about letting me know when they were finished

My DD especially would not take anything less than a full feeding, ever. There were no quick "top off's" for her! You can also keep track of wet diapers, as long as they're having a good amount of wet diaper per day you know they're eating well. Providing you don't have any underlying medical issues, it's a great little system.

I never cleaned the hoses after each use - nothing ever got in there. I'd clean the flanges and all the parts that the milk actually went through but that was it. You can get other bottles that fit the medela pumps, I had a bunch of different brands, some I bought, some were given to me. I never stored breast milk in the bottles though (for freezing anyway). Lansinoh has the best bags and the most reasonably priced!

katykatykaty · October 2013

Kristen61607 said:

- you know they're done when they stop or fall asleep, lol
- yeah, after your milk comes in you'll know when your empty. They'll go from hard to soft.

-No, you don't clean hoses in a Medela PISA. The only thing they tell you to clean is what the milk touches which is the bottles, flanges, and little connector pieces. Oh and the yellow things with the membrands (this is probably confusing you even more, lol). and honestly with the pumping I did for twins, you're not going to have time to clean after each use. Just stick everything in the fridge and wash once at night.

You don't need to buy medela bottles. One of my girls liked dr. brown, the other liked playtex ventaire, so I just poured the milk from the pump bottles to the eating bottles after I was done. Then stored in fridge.

This exactly. The only thing I might add is that some people buy the Medela pump wipes and wipe the pump parts down between pumps at work instead of sticking everything in the fridge.

kaking78 · October 2013

You're not alone, @Mcsweets. I'm a FTM too and I spent way too much time staring at a wide variety of bottles, feeding systems, and rubber nipples the other day. I assume the baby will take the lead on the getting enough food end of things with the boob, but the bottle stuff has me flummoxed.

I will be taking a breastfeeding class in a few months. Hopefully that will help!

Edit: I can't type

ntdane · October 2013

Lots of good advice above. The one thing I would add is that if LO seems to eat constantly (as in you are never really getting a break from nursing) yet has plenty of wet/dirty diapers, it might not be a bad idea to get in touch with a lactation consultant. DS tried to eat like a champ and the nurses at the hospital told me his latch looked good before we left. Fast forward a few days and he's doing nothing but eat and cry and I'm getting raw. I went to see the LC and they can do pre and post feed weights of the baby to see how much they're eating. Turns out DS was tongue-tied and not as efficient as he appeared and while he was eating an acceptable amount, it was difficult for everyone involved for him to do so, plus he was a little piglet and wanted more than just enough

. One tongue clip later and we were back on track.

Basically, if ever in doubt, lactation consultants are your friends.

Mcsweets · October 2013

Thanks everyone!!!

roxi9020 · October 2013

Just so you know, your insurance company may only cover a rental... so you will want to contact your insurance company to get details.

Handy FAQ
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CEUQFjAA&url=http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/assets/file/ACA%20-%20General%20QA%20rev012113v3.pdf&ei=XjZcUtO-OIbQ8QTooICgDw&usg=AFQjCNG9Qh1MryMv9L-VNhkA0di7w0fiWw&bvm=bv.53899372,d.eWU&cad=rja

Mcsweets · October 2013

Our insurance doesn't cover the pumps *yet*. DH has stellar insurance - he has an older "grandfathered" plan that covers virtually everything without co-pays... BUT because it's grandfathered, its not part of the affordable care act.

Maybe his plan next year will? Either way I haven't opened it!

AJ2AR · October 2013

Just had to add my two cents after two years of breastfeeding. One year for each kid. First at the hospital make sure you have some cream for your nipples. Most hospitals I think supply this, but make sure you get the bra pads and cream. Your nipples will be raw! One of things that is harder to explain, but especially in the beginning if the baby gets a good latch, but falls asleep it helps if you almost do a fish hook with your finger into their mouth to have an easier break of suction. It could hurt you otherwise. I would also personally advise you buy extra membranes for your pump. They are easily lost but very important to the function of the pump. They other thing I would recommend especially if you are going back to work is a product called Milkies. I personally have not tried them, but I am not going with out them and really wish I new about them with my first two. Your milk will leak out and these slip discreetly into your bra and help to collect the leaking milk. I can't tell you how many pad I went through that were soaked with milk and wish I could ring them out. As some one mentioned as well talking to a lactation consultant is incredibly helpful. I never leave the hospital without seeing on first. You can not have the same medications while breastfeeding as you can while you are pregnant. Also if you have an latching questions it is good to have a resource. These are just a few things I thought of, sorry it got so long. Hope I explained everything so you understand. You will be a pro before you know it.

Mcsweets · October 2013

No that was awesome! Thanks!! I'm writing a lot of this down

FroeschleN · October 2013

I'm a FTM also but I found the videos from "the pump station" through Fit Pregnancy very informative. Loving all the good advice on here too! Here's a link for one of the videos (hope it works) https://www.pumpstation.com/pumpstation/dept.asp?s_id=0&dept_name=Video:+How+to+Breastfeed+-+Deep+Latch+Technique&dept_id=3895

snsnyder1 · October 2013

I bought a cheap evenflo double breast pump set and it worked great for me. It was only like $50 and it doesn't have and rubber hoses/ tubing to deal with. LOVED IT!

troublejessy · October 2013

This is a really stupid FTM question - but for those of you that store/freeze your milk in bags. Do you just pump into the bottles it comes with and then pour it into the bags? If so, do I need to buy additional bottles to pump into to have clean ones on hand (we intend to use glass bottles for feeding).

I am obviously having a hard time wrapping my head around the process, haha.

ProudMommy030614 · October 2013

My spoiled little baby wouldn't take a bottle! He was strictly breast than sippy cup I don't remember how many months old it was 8 years ago! Every bottle or nipple I tried he acted like I was trying to gag him!

VineyardMel · October 2013

So first of all, you'll figure it out. I promise.

Second, BFing is HARD. Just making sure you know so you're mentally prepared for how tough it can be in the beginning. It hurts. A lot. It's confusing--are they getting enough? how do you keep them awake? how often should they eat? etc., etc. But as hard as it can be in the beginning, once you get past the initially learning curve it becomes second nature and really easy. Kellymom was my go-to for everything. So much great info on that site that I used until we were finished with BFing around 11.5mo. Also, if you have any issues in the beginning that are above and beyond (baby can't figure out the latch or isn't gaining weight kind of thing), investing in a LC to come to your house is totally worth it and their input could keep you going when you'd otherwise stop.

But you'll figure it out.

Oh--and when you pump you can rinse the parts and put them in the fridge for up to 24 hours so you don't have to wash them every single time you pump. This was really helpful for me when I started back to work. I never had to clean the tubes, but you can watch and see if they start to get condensation in them. If they do you can just run the pump for a few extra minutes and it will pull enough air through that it dries it out.

hjw101 · October 2013

When I pumped for dd with my medela PISA I put my parts in the fridge while at work and then washed at night. I never cleaned my tubes. I only had 6 Medela bottles. At the end of the day I put what I needed for the next day in the fridge in dds bottles and the rest I froze. I agree with pp. when in doubt go to kellymom.com or call an IBCLC. Breastfeeding is hard work but in the end it pays off.

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