Let's talk about breastfeeding

DogfishHead · January 2014

Are you planning on breastfeeding, combofeeding, formula feeding?

Do you have your eye on a pump? If you are a STM, were you able to bfeed your other little/s?

DogfishHead · January 2014

I tried with DD. Oh lord, I tried. She was born with 37 ulcers in her throat, so I was unable to lay her down to breastfeed after 5 weeks, which is when we found out about the ulcers. Her head was not strong enough to bfeed upright, so I pumped. But, she had so many health issues and screamed every second of the day and I just couldn't produce enough. I took fenugreek, I took Reglan, nothing helped. I even called up the Devil Association aka the LLL and they were disgusting. I went dairy, soy, gluten, and legume free. I was only able to pump for 10 weeks.

Breastfeeding was hell for me. That being said, I don't think lightening will strike twice. I don't think I can be born with another little sickie, at least not to the level that she was. So, I am totally game for giving it the old college try again. My goal with DD was 6 months, that is my goal for this one. But, if I wind up with another child like DD,this time I will not beat myself up if stress causes no milk again.

MrsLaLaBug · January 2014

planning on it, yes. I BF'ed last time until they put me on meds for PPD. I'm one of those who doesn't care even if they say "it's safe to BF while taking this medicine", so I stopped after I got on the meds. I'm thankful I made it as far as I did last time.

Sweetest116 · January 2014

I was an exclusive pumper with DS for 12 months. I used a Medela Pump In Style Advanced and it held up great and handled my massive over supply without a problem.

icaughtfire · January 2014

I FF my daughter. I was taking a medication during pregnancy that caused low birth weight & my cardiologist recommended not BFing because it passes through the milk. No longer taking any meds so I'd like to try BFing this time around, so we'll see how it goes. There's a Medela pump I want, only because I work full time so I'll need something heavy duty.

dinodna3 · January 2014

FTM here, the plan is to breastfeed. Definitely would like to hear about pump recommendations.

DogfishHead · January 2014

dinodna3 said:

FTM here, the plan is to breastfeed. Definitely would like to hear about pump recommendations.

I had the Ameda Purely Yours. It was okay. Whenever my DD was in the hospital, I would use the Medela pumps that they had on hand and I liked it better,

kmbk27 · January 2014

First timer here planning on breastfeeding - which I didn't even really realize I had thought about until the NP asked which I was planning on during my first appointment. I will also be on the lookout for pump recommendations. Medela has been the most recommended here and by the few people who know about the pregnancy so far.

DogfishHead · January 2014

cpj7 said:

@DogfishHead - sorry to hear about your little one. I hope this time around there's no issues.

Thanks! I remember calling my doc when she was two months and requesting that my tubes get tied. He told me to wait 6 more months before making any decision like that because of how bad things were with her.

I don't think it is possible for me to ahve another one born with the cluster of issues she was born with.

But she is perfect now. See?

Irisheyes1247 · January 2014

With DD1, I was not able to get her to latch. She stopped having dirty and wet diapers while we were still in the hospital and we had to stay an extra day. The hospital LC (no help at all) suggested I pump and supplement with formula, and I was so terrified that they were going to tell me she was 'failure to thrive' and not to get attached (thanks hormones) that I decided pumping was "easier" and I would just do that. I was terrible at keeping a good schedule and I was so overwhelmed by the process of pumping, feeding, washing, screaming baby and back to work, that I quit by 3.5 months.

With DD2, I was able to bf. We did supplement, usually about 1 bottle per day, either of pumped milk or formula. We made it until around 10 months. She was extraordinarily mobile (walking at 8 mos!) and just could not be bothered to sit still and nurse, so we stopped.

This time I hope to nurse again. I really enjoyed it, once we got past the initial stages, and I hope to be able to go longer.

lesleyn21 · January 2014

I was only able to bf for 6weeks with Ds. I have bad endo and needed to be on meds that dried me up. I had this pump and i really loved it. I will be buying it again for sure.

JosephsSweetie · January 2014

Yes, I plan on nursing my new baby. I'm still nursing my 2+ year old son, and hope to wean him sometime before June-ish. I'd like to be done when he's done, but I also don't want to tandem nurse at this point. We've been down to just 2 minutes at bedtime for about a year now, but it is still nice bonding time for us.

I used a Medela PISA (pump in style advanced) and had no problems with it. I have friends who used other brands and ended up purchasing a Medela later.

I froze my milk in freezer trays instead of bags. I found this easier because then I could thaw the exact number of ounces I wanted. Once I'd fill a tray, I'd put it in a freezer ziploc with the date on it and throw it in the deep freeze.

SingleMom31 · January 2014

I nursed our first for 7 months before having major supply issues. I'm hoping to BF as long this time. I have an Avent pump -- I liked it because we have Avent bottles and I could pump right into the bottles. I can't vouch for the new style Avent one though since I bought mine before the recent re-design.

beck12803 · January 2014

I breastfed DD1 for about 21 months, tandem nursed for a while with DD2, and she and I are at 10 months, going strong. I will also be breast feeding this new baby.

I love my Medela pump. But I was never a big fan of the Medela storage bags! I love the Lasinoh brand bags (and breast pads).

amyc216 · January 2014

I hope to BF! I BF'd DS for 9 months, but I know all babies are different so hopefully it will work out with this baby.

fitmamax3 · January 2014

I'm planning on bf, but I saw that baby formula keurig machine, and it made me want to formula feed because it's so damn cool.

dezbear · January 2014

I bf my son till he was 14 months. I had to pump as well but thus time I plan on pumping very little. I'm actually really excited about it. I miss the quality time and him being so small.

ve304856 · January 2014

JosephsSweetie said:

Yes, I plan on nursing my new baby. I'm still nursing my 2+ year old son, and hope to wean him sometime before June-ish. I'd like to be done when he's done, but I also don't want to tandem nurse at this point. We've been down to just 2 minutes at bedtime for about a year now, but it is still nice bonding time for us.

I used a Medela PISA (pump in style advanced) and had no problems with it. I have friends who used other brands and ended up purchasing a Medela later.

I froze my milk in freezer trays instead of bags. I found this easier because then I could thaw the exact number of ounces I wanted. Once I'd fill a tray, I'd put it in a freezer ziploc with the date on it and throw it in the deep freeze.

This is a great idea! I will have to try it this time. I BF DS for 4 months. I stopped bc I was a restaurant manager and I could not always go to pump when I needed to. I would try to pump around the busy times but it just became too hard. Now that I am a SAHM I would like to nurse for a year but I would be happy with 6-9 months them pumping until a year. I had a Medela Freestyle and loved it.

itsagalsworls1024 · January 2014

First time mom here but I'm planning on BF this LO. I will have to go back to work so I will be looking for a durable pump also.

nyg2042 · January 2014

I'm planning on breastfeeding, but I will hopefully be a FTM so no advice on pumps.

LovingStepMom · January 2014

I nursed my son until he was 2.5 years old. I plan to BF this one at least for 1 yr. I have the medela freestyle pump

shutaff · January 2014

I am a FTM and planning on nursing. My mom and my sisters all FF their babies (including me) so I will be the lone wolf trying this. I'm hoping it goes smoothly.

purplehaze11 · January 2014

I'm planning on EBFing this little one. I'm still currently bf-ing my 18 month old DD. I have a Medela double electric that I love and will re-use

chardonnay24 · January 2014

I'm planning on trying. I had a hell of a time with my first. He couldn't latch, and I spent weeks seeing lactation consultants and finally a feeding disorder specialist. He wouldn't, or couldn't, extend his tongue to be able to latch properly. I pumped for 6 months, my supply dried up, and I switched to formula.

I really don't want to have that experience again. I don't have time to EP now, with a special needs kid running around needing therapy and activities and preschool. I will definitely try to breastfeed, but I won't beat myself up about switching to formula this time around if I need to.

Tussie Mussie · January 2014

Breastfeeding started off badly last time and just got worse. We switched to formula at 6 weeks, and it was definitely the right choice for the situation. I'm really hoping this go round is better, and I am able to EBF.

suitern · January 2014

I am planning on BFing again as well. DS nursed until around 18 months when AF came back. He weaned on his own terms which was good, but my supply totally tanked when I would ovulate.

NashvilleMama4 · January 2014

Yep! I nursed them all and plan to do the same. My pump is a cheapie though. I might check into our insurance to see if they will provide one.

MMason12 · January 2014

I'm planning on breastfeeding. I will have to go back to work around 6-9 weeks so I will have to pump throughout the day, so yes I am going to be looking into pumps.

I know my insurance will cover a pump if I buy it through a medical supply store. I have 4 in the area that work with my insurance, so once I'm in my 3rd trimester I will head on over and figure out who offers what and go from there.

aggiefrau08 · January 2014

I plan to EBF. I did with DS and we are still BFing. My pump was mostly a waste since I'm a SAHM, but it was nice when I had mastitis and had to make sure I was drained after he ate. I have a Lansinoh Affinity double electric.

BookitBoo · January 2014

I tried nursing DS for 3 months, and did just about everything. He had a great latch, I just never produced more than 2 ounces a day. I have already spoken with my OB about lactation specialists and plan to get into contact with them soon. The hospital I delivered DS at did not have a lactation consultant while we were there. I plan to go into this with a full support team.

I had no idea that it was normal for newborns to lose weight immediately after birth, but DS lost a significant amount and we were scheduled to see the ped the day after we were discharged. He started to jaundice, and the doctor suggested we supplement with formula and keep pumping and trying to breast feed.

I really hope it works this time, but if it doesn't I'm not going to beat myself up or allow anyone to beat me up.

I had a medela pump, which was awesome. It had an attachment to pump hands free? I'm rather large chested so that didn't work for me, maybe I was doing it wrong. But I bet that would be handy for whoever it works for!

nicari_13 · January 2014

I BF DD1 for 14 months. DD2 is still nursing at 17 months. I'd like to wean her before the baby gets here, but she's a diehard nursling lol. She would nurse every 2 hours if I let her. I'll definitely nurse this baby too. I'm way too cheap to FF!

emmylu30 · January 2014

Sweetest116 said:

I was an exclusive pumper with DS for 12 months. I used a Medela Pump In Style Advanced and it held up great and handled my massive over supply without a problem.

Exclusive pumper here too. I loved my Medela Pump In Style Advanced in The Metro Bag. For me it was great to have a pump that is not attached to the bag if you plan to pump a lot. I hope to get 2nd baby to latch since exclusive pumping is a lot of work and I will also have a 2 year old this time around.

kayemgi · January 2014

I'm a FTM also and planning to try to BF, even though it absolutely terrifies me! I've read so many good things about the Medela In Style Advanced that others have mentioned here, I plan to get that one.

Katsouza1 · January 2014

I was unable to BF with my DD due to PCOS I didn't produce any milk. This time around I am hoping I will at least be able to combo feed but I won't get my hopes up. Also if you need a breast pump many insurance companies will cover some or all the cost of one.

Edit: spelling

MrsGoody1118 · January 2014

I bf my daughter for 20 months. We weaned because I was ready but unfortunately, she was not. It was a struggle until she turned 2. I am excited to do it again with baby #2.

I work full time and have a PISA. It worked great and I will use it again.

wcjc7707 · January 2014

I plan to BF again. I BF DS #1 for 12 months (he weaned when I got pg with DS #1, I'm guessing a change in the taste of milk) and BF DS #2 for 15 months. I am so excited about getting to breastfeed again. It was the best experience for me.

I am a SAHM, but have a PISA. I found it really helpful because I'm not entirely comfortable nursing in public. Also I like to pump and have a little extra in the freezer when the time comes for the baby to start solids. I use frozen milk to make cereal and to smooth out purees.

NMason505 · January 2014

I BF in the hospital with DD. Once we got home she wouldn't latch and we had tons of visitors, which made it difficult to try again. I was able to pump for 10.5 months and had enough in the freezer to get her to her 1st birthday. I'm REALLY hoping this time it will workout. I'm not sure how I'd be able to pump every couple hours with a toddler running around.

roashem2008 · January 2014

I tried so hard with DD to BF. I couldn't get a good latch, my milk never fully came in, and I was either pumping or nursing around the clock for the first 8 weeks. It was hell, and I was miserable. Then I went on the mini pill, and I know they say it doesn't dry you up, but I think it definitely contributed. We switched to formula around 8 weeks. But, I think I will give it a go with this one. I am really hoping it works out because I don't now how I am going to nurse and pump constantly with a 15 month running around. As far as pumps, I have the Madela Pump and Style.

kleigh926 · January 2014

I nursed DD until she was 10 months old. We had a lot of problems. I decided multiple different times that I would not be BF'ing future children, but I always come back to it because of the benefits (especially financial). However, I will be doing it much differently this time. Namely, introducing a bottle and formula at a very young age and keeping up with giving bottles consistently. And if it gets too stressful, I will not force myself to keep going.

I have the Medela PISA. It worked fine for me. I didn't use it a whole lot since I work very part time.

mrsdanielleM2010 · January 2014

I'm hoping to be able to bf, but to mostly pump so others (like dh, our moms, etc) can bond by feeding, too. My cousin who is a sahm did ebf, and her baby didn't bond with his daddy or go to anyone else without screaming bloody murder until after he was weaned.

jllmb79 · January 2014

I hope to BF Baby #3.

DD#1 was BF till 15 months when it got too pain full do to pregnancy with DD #2

DD#2 is BF and almost 11 months old. I am hoping to make it to 12 months and then re asses since I am pregnant with #3 and have no intention of tandem nursing.

I have a Medela Free Style. I used it to pump while at work with DD#1. I use it now to pump BM for one sippy a day for DD#2. I love this pump with my simple wishes hands free bra.

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