Exclusively pumping Big Thread

scarles · April 2014

Yes I put them in the microwave for 30 seconds or so and they wrap around the outside of the shield. They fit inside my pumping bra.

patunia7321 · April 2014

I put the whole thing as is in the fridge- I don't take it apart, I do wipe out any built up lanolin. I pour whatever I pumped into a storage bottle, screw the pump bottles back on, and stick it in the fridge. Thanks for the tip on the pearl pads- just ordered them!

scarles · April 2014

@patunia7321‌ thanks! I'm going to try the fridge out! I have the medela quick clean wipes so I will try that? Anything to simplify the process!

scarles · April 2014

Do you guys pump for a certain amount of time or until a few minutes after the last drop? I try to wait 5 minutes after the last drop but I get antsy after 25 minutes.

Mamamonzo · April 2014

patunia7321 said:
What's the story with power pumping? Anyone try it? How did it work for you?

@hordol my pumping routine goes like this: I have a pumping station set up in my bedroom. Comfy chair, ottoman, small blanket, heating pad, and I keep a case of bottled water and some snacks within reach. I use a hands free pumping bra, start off by putting lanolin on the nips, slipping the pump into the bra, chugging a bottle of water, and applying heat for a few min before I turn on the pump. (I just started to keep heat on the whole time seems to increase my output) I keep the parts in the fridge between pumps, wash w soap&water once a day, and sanitize once a week. I pump at least every time he eats and try to slip in a few extra sessions when I can. I keep the milk in storage bottles in the fridge because I use it pretty quickly. We actually bought a mini fridge and put it in our 2nd floor bathroom for this purpose. Plus I have to supplement with formula and that needs to be refrigerated as well, so after 2 nights of going up and down the stairs DH came home with a fridge. Ha.

Note: I still don't produce enough so if anyone notices an error in my routine or a better way please tell me! Also sorry if this is a big mess- can't get the <> button to work so no paragraphs ugh.

I did power pumping. I saw results after day two. They say to do it for 3 or 4 days. It really helped my slow side. Your pumping routine sounds good! How many weeks pp are you? I'm just over 6 and just now have extra every day to freeze. I never had to add formula but I was getting to the point where the next pump would also be his next bottle. It takes awhile to build up the supply!

scarles · April 2014

At what point do y'all start to freeze? Baby is 8 days old and I am ahead about 5 feedings. I just keep them in the fridge and rotate through.

Mamamonzo · April 2014

P&B715 said:
Power pumping, do y'all use the same bottles and continue to fill or new ones each pump?

Same bottle. I don't even unhook I just sit there.

hordol · April 2014

I'm wondering if my flange size is too big-- it looks fine when I first set it on there but the pump sucks in most of my nipple when it's going. When it's done, my nipples look and feel really weird/hard....do your nipples look weird when you are done pumping? Is that normal? Or should I order a new flange size?

Mamamonzo · April 2014

hordol said:
I'm wondering if my flange size is too big-- it looks fine when I first set it on there but the pump sucks in most of my nipple when it's going. When it's done, my nipples look and feel really weird/hard....do your nipples look weird when you are done pumping? Is that normal? Or should I order a new flange size?

Medela has a good reference to help with sizing on their website! Mine are hard and very plump for a few minutes after.

nursewinnie · April 2014

Mine are definitely misshapen when I finish pumping. I think that's due to the suction. I think the issue is if there's not enough nipple to fill the flange. Then it's too big. At least that's what I gathered from the reading I did when I first got my pump.

Mamamonzo · April 2014

P&B715 said:
I've only pumped twice today thanks to a very needy baby. I keep leaking. DH better hurry his ass home so I can pump!

Have y'all missed many/any pumping sessions?

I'm scared to miss any!

Jenn06L80 · April 2014

I have been EP for 3 weeks now for my twin girls. Yesterday and today my right breast has become painful and engourged on one side of the breast. I am constantly leaking milk from my right breast and it isn't feeling empty. I also think my out put is decreased from the right side.

There haven't been any changes and my left side is not giving me any problems. Any tips/advice to help me through this? I really want to avoid mastitis. Thanks.

patunia7321 · April 2014

@Jenn06L80‌ did you try heat and massage to get things moving? @Mamamonzo‌ I'm 4w pp. I'm hoping to see some results too!

Jenn06L80 · April 2014

patunia7321 said:
@Jenn06L80‌ did you try heat and massage to get things moving?

I have a heating pad and massage when pumping if I am not feeding one of the girls. Maybe I should try adding a pumping session to just my right breast?

bsh25c · April 2014

Get a breastfeeding bra! My DD is 2 weeks old and I just got my bra in the mail and it is AMAZING! It allows you to use your hands again and walk around if you have a portable pump. It's wonderful! You can even hold the LO on your chest while you pump if need be.

https://m.target.com/p/medela-easy-expressions-white-bustier/-/A-13141126

KatieGummow · April 2014

Does anyone's nipples hurt? Mine are so sensitive after 2+ weeks of pumping. When the shower water hits them or I first start pumping it makes me wince. Sometimes I feel a light shooting/lightening pain while pumping. Any one else? Any solutions?

Sorry if this has been asked. TIA!

scarles · April 2014

@KatieGummow‌ mine hurt and are sensitive but no shooting pains. Soothies feel amazing but obviously not usable while pumping. They may give you some relief though.

Mamamonzo · April 2014

KatieGummow said:
Does anyone's nipples hurt? Mine are so sensitive after 2+ weeks of pumping. When the shower water hits them or I first start pumping it makes me wince. Sometimes I feel a light shooting/lightening pain while pumping. Any one else? Any solutions?

Sorry if this has been asked. TIA!

Yes to all of this!! The only thing that I found that helps are the soothie gel pads and that's only a temporary fix. I always put a wash cloth over my boobs in the shower to protect my nipples! I also get a shooting pain through my boob after pumping.

patunia7321 · April 2014

@KatieGummow‌ I have some soreness but not shooting pain unless my nips shift in The flange and need to be adjusted. Have you checked if maybe you need a diff size flange? I've tried 3 sizes and still I'm not sure which is best. I also use lanolin to lube up the nips (tried motherlove for this and it didn't work as well for me.) I also use Dr. Newman's cream after pumping, one of the ingredients is an anti-inflammatory. Plus, I've been taking ibuprofen pretty regularly for swelling of the torn up lady bits, so maybe try a breastfeeding safe pain reliever?

KatieGummow · April 2014

@megla‌ @Mamamonzo‌ @patunia7321‌ thank you so much for getting back to me. Misery loves company! I am going to try the soothies and I just ordered a smaller flange. Please, Lord let it help!!!

scarles · April 2014

@KatieGummow‌ do you use something on the inside of the flange, like lanolin or motherlove? I use motherlove and it pulls my nipples further into the shield than lanolin. It's good for me but something like that may be hurting you?

KatieGummow · April 2014

I

megla said:
@KatieGummow‌ do you use something on the inside of the flange, like lanolin or motherlove? I use motherlove and it pulls my nipples further into the shield than lanolin. It's good for me but something like that may be hurting you?

I put lanolin on my nips after I pump now. I think my flange is too big because it pulls a bit of my Areola into the neck. I just felt on the smaller ones that too much of my nipple was touching the sides of the flange....

scarles · April 2014

Maybe put something on before you pump so there's not as much friction?

patunia7321 · April 2014

Power pumping success! (I hope!) day 2 of power pumping- highest output ever so far!!! I'm really excited and praying this continues. I just got over 2oz total- which I know may not sound like a lot, but when I started this adventure 3 1/2 weeks ago I was lucky if I got 1/2 oz total. This 2+ oz is almost a full feeding- if it continues I could stop supplementing with formula. I don't want to get too excited, but today is a good day.

fingersxxx

KatieGummow · April 2014

How long do you pump for? I have been doing 20-30 minutes (as long as the nips can take), but am now noticing at 30 minutes milk is still coming out. I really don't want to pump for longer but I also want to keep up my supply.

What do you do? Pump for time or pump for milk?

Jenn06L80 · April 2014

Right now I pump for milk. My girls are almost 4 weeks. So sometimes I end up pumping 20 minutes and one time if was 50 minutes. I am hoping once my supply is regulated that I will be able to pump for a consistent time.

KatieGummow · April 2014

Jenn06L80 said:
Right now I pump for milk. My girls are almost 4 weeks. So sometimes I end up pumping 20 minutes and one time if was 50 minutes. I am hoping once my supply is regulated that I will be able to pump for a consistent time.

50 minutes!? Oh man...

scarles · April 2014

My limit is 30... I can't take more or I'll go crazy. Most of the the time I stop at 20-25. Kellymom says at least 10 and stop at 20. But I've read elsewhere to pump at least 20 or 5 minutes after the last drop. https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/what-to-expect-when-pumping/

scarles · April 2014

@Jessieann1020‌ I have to set an alarm too wake up to feed and/or pump. It sucks but I would sleep through it too!

scarles · April 2014

How much expressed milk are you feeding your LO at each feeding?

nursewinnie · April 2014

Jessieann1020 said:
I'm such a dumbie! LO was supposed to eat around 11 last night and the night before. I had pumped a little after 9 so I wasn't going to do it again at 11 and DH was going to feed LO. Well E ended up sleeping until 2 so he didn't eat again until almost 6. The first night I thought it was a random long sleep stretch but he did it again last night. So I didn't explain to DH that if he went that long I needed to be woken up and missed a pump session 2 nights in a row. I feel like I keep accidentally killing my supply. I haven't been able to increase it enough to stop using formula. It's really stressful.

I've been reading a lot about this. My baby loves to sleep around 4 hours at a time. She's now surpassed her birth weight at 2 1/2 weeks old and has plenty of dirty diapers. Everything I've read says now it's fine to let them sleep until they wake up. My supply do far hasn't been effected so I'm gonna keep with it.

nursewinnie · April 2014

Oh now I see where you're having trouble with supply. I'm so sorry I missed that when reading. What a bummer. Maybe it'll turn around soon.

KatieGummow · April 2014

megla said:
How much expressed milk are you feeding your LO at each feeding?

They are both getting 80mL or 2.75 oz at every feeding. Half the time Carter doesn't finish his, but will a little bit later.

KatieGummow · April 2014

Jessieann1020 said:
It varies because what I end up getting varies. I try to do as much BM and as little formula as possible but sometimes he ends up getting only formula. I am going to have to reevaluate our routine because what we are doing now isn't working. I am not pumping enough I am sure. I have a hard time with getting busy and going too long between pumps.

Sorry ladies, I feel like my last few posts have been vent sessions!

Don't apologize! That is tough! I tell myself to pump every 2 hours, I end up not being able to and do it closer to 3 hours. When I told myself to pump every 3 hours it would be closer to 4. So I had to trick myself...

patunia7321 · April 2014

megla said:

How much expressed milk are you feeding your LO at each feeding?

He's eating a little less than 3oz very 3 hours. It's been about half and half- half expressed milk and half formula.

patunia7321 · April 2014

Posture/positioning? I've benn told/read to try to lean forward when pumping. Well, it's starting to take a toll on my back & neck. Anyone have any tricks for getting comfy? I think I'm going to try sitting normally today and see if it has an effect on production. Do you just sit normally? I realize this may be a really dumb question.

scarles · April 2014

@patunia7321‌ I sit in a recliner witha pillow behind my back so I'm more comfortable. I've also seen some shields you can use if you want to lean back. https://www.amazon.com/Pumpin-Pal-Super-Shields-Complete/dp/B0085CBA90

KatieGummow · April 2014

I lean forward because the milk build up around my nips make me nervous. One time a shield got loose and I spilled milk all over me!

KatieGummow · April 2014

Anyone else getting. Frustrated with a machine running their life? My life revolves around this thing. When I am put and about i think about it, when my children are crying and want to be held I think about how I can incorporate the machine.... Ugh!

scarles · April 2014

KatieGummow said:
Anyone else getting. Frustrated with a machine running their life? My life revolves around this thing. When I am put and about i think about it, when my children are crying and want to be held I think about how I can incorporate the machine.... Ugh!

Yes! Somehow I am currently managing to have baby in my lap and pump at the same time. I can't imagine how you do it with two. I just keep telling myself it will get easier and I won't always be pumping 8 times a day. Plus I am 11 days out since my c-section, and down 20 lbs. I have to believe some of it is due to pumping! Hang in there! Each day is different.

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