June '14 BFing/Pumping Questions Thread

katekat8721 · May 2014

Similar to the newbie/pregnancy question thread, feel free to post all your breastfeeding and pumping questions here!

jshrop · May 2014

I love these gifs

lest12 · May 2014

Good question @emilyh107‌ ! I'm a ftm and can see how that would be a little much. I'm wondering if no one else is leaking or having any colostrum or anything yet. My mom had problems with her supply, I'm worried about the same thing.

steprozz · May 2014

@emilyh107‌ definitely limit the visitors or at least ask anyone who is there to leave the room while you BF. also, can you ask that you only see the LCs at your request if you feel like you need their help rather than have them there intimidating you?

with DS I tried different holding positions. I felt like he latched better in some than others. also, rub your nipple across the top of their top lip rather than directing it straight at the mouth, it will make them open wider and should facilitate a better latch. those about all the tips I have... probably not terribly helpful sorry

kymirandar · May 2014

Love this thread I'm a ftm who intends to bf/pump at work

All tips appreciated!

tbmadeamistake · May 2014

I would definitely ask that they only come in if you ask. Baby is learning and so are you. I second the different positions and also try aiming your nipple at the roof of baby's mouth, instead of trying to go in straight. That helped some with C, though she ended up with bigger matching issues.

I am already leaking colostrum, but didn't leak ever with C, even once I had a good supply. My boobs aren't as big this time, but I'm obviously producing already, so I have no idea what that means. I don't think your moms issues will necessarily mean you have any.

SarahS11 · May 2014

I haven't leaked a thing... Hoping my supply will be okay!

HTBaby13 · May 2014

Lactation consultants were ok didnt know everything and two gave me conflicting advice about latching .my child's latch wasn't perfect but was fine . It was overwhelming . really I had to go with my instincts . and it worked well . I breastfed for over a year .

TonyaCody06 · May 2014

I just tell the LCs that I've got it under control and basically don't need any help.

Some pregnancies I have leaked colostrum and some I haven't. Not every pregnancy is the same but my supply was always fine (too much even).

-Express colostrum first before getting them to latch if having latch issues.

-Aim the nipple at the roof of their mouth.

-You can always ask for help from your nurse. Most L&D and PP units go through a breastfeeding education class. I know my unit had to when I worked L&D.

shellbell813 · May 2014

@emilyh107 I'm a ftm so no bfing tips, but at our birth class they told us that the nurses were happy to help facilitate keeping people out of rooms, so maybe to keep people from coming in while bfing, you could let your nurses know to not let anyone in at that time.

kbellizio3 · May 2014

I'm a FTM and hoping to kind of 50/50 pump and BF. DH really wants to help with the feedings. The plan is to introduce a bottle as soon as it's recommended, but I'm a little overwhelmed with figuring out a pumping/BFing schedule. For any moms who did both, how long did it take you to establish that routine between deciding when to pump and when to BF? And how long did it take to get a good supply in the freezer? I've got so many questions but it's really overwhelming. But it's what I want to do for my baby so I will do my best to make it work! (And not kick myself if it doesn't)

elsa1688 · May 2014

Unrelated, but is weird that I'm really excited to find out what team you end up on @TonyaCody06‌ ??

diagonalley · May 2014

emilyh107 said:
I have a question to the STM's(sorry FTMs)... I was really overwhelmed in the hospital trying to BF. The lactation consultants were constantly right there in my face shoving nipple shields and whatever else when DD wouldn't latch on. I remember crying because I felt like a failure because we just weren't getting the whole BF thing. How did you remain calm in the hospital when BF for the first time? I am hoping this experience will be different, but I'm honestly a little terrified again and I know that isn't good for me and the baby.

-Oh, I also am limiting visitors this time because every time I would try to feed someone would come barging through the door trying to hold my baby.

Hormones....

I am a FTM but since I am currently bf I will share my insight

They actually had me pumping right away because we weren't sure when DS would be able to nurse and that really brought my supply in. They also used the syringe with the beginning of my supply in it to help teach him how to breastfeed.(They would put a little in his mouth to give him a taste and get him to suck) This worked really well and I have not had any issues with him. Maybe you could try something like that?

diagonalley · May 2014

SarahS11 said:
I haven't leaked a thing... Hoping my supply will be okay!

I didn't leak a thing and my supply is more than adequate!

ricecakes1216 · May 2014

How does having a csection affect BFing? I want to be prepared in the event a csection is necassary.

TonyaCody06 · May 2014

elsa1688 said:

Unrelated, but is weird that I'm really excited to find out what team you end up on @TonyaCody06‌ ??

haha! Me too

steprozz · May 2014

ricecakes1216 said:
How does having a csection affect BFing? I want to be prepared in the event a csection is necassary.

it doesn't. well, I guess I should say it shouldn't. I had a csection and immediately nursed in recovery and all went well even though I couldn't feel my lower half of my body

TonyaCody06 · May 2014

ricecakes1216 said:

How does having a csection affect BFing? I want to be prepared in the event a csection is necassary.

Our c/s moms went to the PACU (post anesthesia care unit) for an hour before being transferred to a PP room. The dads and the newborns went to the nursery for assessment & bath while the mom was being stitched closed and recovering in PACU. Breastfeeding started as soon as the baby was brought back to the mother. It won't affect supply issues in anyway.

CJnKR2014 · May 2014

@lest12‌ I've been leaking for like... a month lol
@emilyh107‌ I went to a WIC breastfeeding class, and one of their biggest things was you want to let baby latch themselves, you don't want to force it- let baby lead. They said to lay baby on your chest and then baby will naturally head for the boobie! If not, then you can put baby's nose to your nipple and baby will open their mouth and latch on. Their last big tip was to make sure baby can move their head, that's how they latch- they have to be able to put their head back. If you want to you can PM me and I can try to get you more information on it

temursgirl · May 2014

@lest12‌ and @SarahS11‌ I haven't had any leaking and actually asked my doctor about whether that meant anything about my supply. He said no, and it's not unusual to not leak, especially in a first pregnancy.

cMichelle0423 · May 2014

@nutmegs8 I've never used a manual pumo, but my cousin did at first and she said she hated it. Personally, it already took me a out 45 min to pump both sides, which to me felt like forever. I'd have to assume doing it manually would take a lot longer.... maybe you can invest in a cheaper brand of electric pump? I know everyone just LOVES their fancy Medelas and Amedas (I totally just bought an Ameda) but with my first LO I used a single Tommee Tippee electric pump (only paid about $120) it worked pretty well for me.... another option is looking into getting a used pump? And just buying new pieces?

temursgirl · May 2014

@nutmegs8‌ what about renting an electric pump from the hospital? I don't know how much it costs or if there are any requirements to do so, but my friend is renting and it's worked out to be cheaper than buying for her (her insurance didn't cover it) and she gets a fancy Medela.

temursgirl · May 2014

How long does it take to get the hang of BF? Assuming one can and there aren't serious issues I expect there is still learning and adjusting. In that case when does it become NBD? Or at least doable? I'd really like to have it established before my ILs come and add a layer of stress.

Mia081081 · May 2014

lest12 said:

I'm wondering if no one else is leaking or having any colostrum or anything yet. My mom had problems with her supply, I'm worried about the same thing.

My mom said she had supply issues and my bro and I were FF. I didn't leak at all, but DD was a lazy eater and we did supplement the first few days. After that, I was perfectly fine and BF for 13 months, pumping 3x per day. It was hard work, but the right LC helped. Be patient and kind to yourself and find the right support.

Eta: the pumping was just when I went back to work. DD took the boon just fine after a week and some help from a nipple shield.

ncbelle · May 2014

If you are feeling overwhelmed in the hospital, speak up and say so!! Keep in mind too that not everyone running around saying she's an "LC" is in fact an IBCLC - so watch out for that (like an IBCLC is generally not going to throw a breast shield at you on day 1 because that's against best practices).

On the flip side of that, don't wait to ask for help if you need it!

It's 100% normal not to be leaking (or to ever leak) and that has no relation to your supply.

The vast majority of women will be able to breastfeed - true some will have a tougher road than others but the vast majority of "supply" problems are in fact demand problems (baby who isn't latching well, not nursing frequently enough, etc.) and can be overcome with support. Don't let anyone tell you in the first week that you need to supplement without working with an IBCLC first (keep in mind that sadly many pediatricians, OBs, and postpartum nurses aren't particularly knowledgable about breastfeeding and may make recommendations such as early supplementation that actually sabotage breastfeeding).

I wouldn't worry at all about pumping until more like 4 weeks unless you are having latch problems and can't nurse at the breast - just causes more work and baby at the breast is a much better way to build supply (assuming baby is latching).

kellymom.com is an excellent resource - read and bookmark if you haven't already!!

Breastfeeding USA (the group I work with) and La Leche League are great mother to mother support groups - don't hesitate to reach out even before baby is born!!

babygabe614 · May 2014

@lest12 I have not leaked at all yet, either. I even tried to see if I could express any myself and nope. I have also heard that this has no impact on supply.

babygabe614 · May 2014

I've read/heard that toughening your nipples beforehand can actually do more harm than good, and will essentially just end up with you having sore nipples but not help with dealing with the pain when LO actually arrives and is nursing. Anyone have experience with that or insight either for or against trying to toughen then up beforehand?

Our eventual plan is to have me BFing and pumping, and having some pumped supply on hand for DH to help with night feedings (and for me to send with LO when I go back to work). How early do you think we can start trying this? I want to get an established routine - of some sort - started before I go back at 12 weeks, but I've heard it can cause engorgement or other issues if you start pumping too soon.

emandjp · May 2014

Just want to put my input in for a lot of the questions:

We were pretty strict with visitors while we were trying to get the hang of breast feeding since it was so important to us. Most of our family understood but some of the pushier relatives showed up at times we asked them NOT to show up at and it created so much frustration and pressure for me. Just be firm, you are in charge!

It took us a good two weeks to really get bf down, it was really tough in the beginning just like I expected it to be. It is SUPER important to have a support system around you! Whether it's your partner, family, friends, LLL or even just making a phone call to a LC. My hospital has two lactation consultants and not only do they help you while you are a patient there but you can call them or visit after being discharged. Having that phone number was a huge relief! Also like @ncbelle said, kellymom.com is a great resource and I also found the book, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, to be extremely helpful.

Also, I totally agree that leaking/not leaking during pregnancy has anything to do with supply. I had zero leaking while pregnant and went on to have a great supply.

Good luck and ask away, this is a great thread!

SecondTimeinMSU · May 2014

@lest12 I was really worried too since my mom wasn't able to breastfeed us and my boobs did absolutely nothing last time. Plus add on top of that DS wouldn't even latch so I was just pumping to get my supply going. But still on Day Three I went to bed looking like Olive Oyl and woke up like Pam Anderson, rock hard and full of milk. It was crazy so try not to worry.

@emilyh107 I had a similar experience last time. DS was early and just didn't want to latch. I let them drive me crazy and torture my nipples forever. I think it is because they worry if they don't get you breastfeeding by the time you leave the hospital you never will. For DS it just took time and repetition in the relaxation of my own home. I probably pumped and fed him for like 6 weeks or so which helped take the pressure off me. I think this time I will just be more firm limiting their visits. If they want to spend a little while giving me pointers that is ok but then I am going to ask them to give time alone for LO and I to work it out on our own. It really took him and I to get a rhythm, it couldn't be forced upon us by anyone

Unknown · May 2014

This content has been removed.

elittler · May 2014

Deleted because I didn't finish reading the posts....

Savvy122 · May 2014

nutmegs8 said:

@shiggybop I'll look into those things. From my understanding, the deductible that I paid last year is carrying me through labor and delivery this year, which is why I haven't met deductible this year. I do have about 3 messages into a financial counselor, which won't return my calls, to make sure that I'm understanding it right. If I need to pay the deductible again this year, I need them to tell me that like soon! I'm seriously having pregnancy brain and it didn't even cross my mind to wait until after LO is born to get a pump. I guess I'm just in prep mode and want everything done before she arrives. Basically, I'm freaking out for no reason.

@nutmegs8

Just my personal experience here, so take this with a grain of salt....

I had both a manual pump (Medela) and a cheap double electric (First Years miPump). I preferred the manual pump. It took longer, obviously, and definitely was a workout, but I found that it was more effective at emptying the breast and keeping my supply up. I used the double electric only when I went back to work (due to pumping time constraints) and my supply completely tanked.

k318 · May 2014

Last time I had a bad time with bfing. Ds would scream, I had a slow let down and it was like he was upset he wasn't getting milk quick enough, and wouldn't latch well. I didn't get good support in the hospital. I ended up pumping for 6 weeks and feeding him a mix of bm and formula until about 3 months.

I do not want to pump this time. I was miserable, it took up a lot of my time and I feel that with a toddler and a newborn, throwing pumping in the mix, someone isn't gonna get enough attention. However, I want to try bfing again and if she will latch and it works out, great, if not, formula will be the way to go.

Does anyone have any tips on how to get it to work this time? Or how to help reduce my anxiety around bfing? My h and his family is very supportive of me bfing, my family is not. I don't have many friends with kids.

Mia081081 · May 2014

krptcmschfmkr128 said:

What is a good pumping routine for building a stash for return to work/outings without baby/etc?

From the time DD was 4 weeks until she was about 6 months old, I would always pump an extra session than she normally ate in order to build / maintain my stash. From about 4-8 weeks, I pumped around 6pm when DH got home and would give a bottle. After that, I would pump at 5:30am before DD was awake. I always had a lot at that time and DD never had issues getting enough at breakfast (around 7am) because my body was used to the extra pumping session.

Around 12 weeks, I was getting about 8oz every morning for my stash. Once I went back to work, DD was on a feeding schedule, eating at 7, 11, 3, 6:30 and 8:30. I would pump at 530am, 11 and 3. Though it was annoying to wake up so early to pump (then exercise), I found it worth it for me. I liked the alone time of pumping, working out and drinking coffee before DD woke up.

diagonalley · May 2014

Mease8 said:
In terms of building a stash, how long is the milk good for?!

5 days in the fridge, 6 months in the freezer

diagonalley · May 2014

krptcmschfmkr128 said:
What is a good pumping routine for building a stash for return to work/outings without baby/etc?

I try to pump after every feeding and already have a decent sized stash! Even if you did every other feeding you'd probably get a good amount!

diagonalley · May 2014

krptcmschfmkr128 said:

MommyP710 said:

Mease8 said:
In terms of building a stash, how long is the milk good for?!
5 days in the fridge, 6 months in the freezer

Preferred is 3 days in the fridge, not 5. And only if it's fresh milk. Thawed milk needs to be used within 24 hours.

The 5 days came from my NICU, but yes, 24 hrs when thawed or if mixed with formula.

gmc222 · May 2014

I will share my experience and hope it helps some of you FTMs!

I had a scheduled c/s with DD, and BF for 14 months. Once I held the baby for the first time I immediately tried to feed her and had no issues with her latching, but due to a complication I lost a lot of blood and my body was busy making more blood and my milk didn't come in for 6 days. After a few days they insisted I supplement with formula, which I unhappily did, but she was sucking it down. I continued to pump in order for my supply to come in. Once my milk started to come in it was hard to get DD to latch again, so we had a lactation consultant come to the house and she helped a ton. I was so happy I didn't give up, because I really loved being able to BF.

I also work FT, so after my maternity leave I was pumping a lot. I had two pumps, but my favorite was the Medela Freestyle because it was so portable. Pumping was always such a PIA, but totally worth it to keep BF'ing. After I'd been pumping for a couple months I bought a hands-free bra, and still can't believe I waited that long to get one - it's a pumping LIFESAVER! I have this one and love it. I use the Dr. Brown's bottles and DD had no issues going from bottles of BM to breast.

Lastly, I did have some supply issues around the 6 month mark, so my advice is to try to build a freezer stash early.

LindsayDesigner · May 2014

I BFed DD for 14 months until she self weaned. I was so worried about the weaning process but she took care of it!
I SAH so I didn't think I would need a pump so I bought a $35 Medela Harmony manual pump. I am so glad that I did! There were days when DD refused to nurse and she would only take a bottle. It didn't take nearly as long to pump as I thought it would and my hands didn't hurt. I think I could get 3-4 oz in a 25 minute session.

gmc222 · May 2014

I had a little Medela magnet on my fridge that I used as a guide, and it had the '5-5-5 rule': 5 hours left in room temperature, 5 days in the fridge, or 5 months in the freezer.

Also, once LO starts to drink from a bottle, you have to use it within the 5 hours and it cannot be re-refrigerated.

tbmadeamistake · May 2014

I was weird and had over supply in the mornings and under supply in the evenings..which meant I drowned poor C when she first woke up and then couldn't fill her up enough to get her to sleep a decent amount at night. When I was getting ready to go back to work, around 4-5 weeks (I went back at 10 weeks), I started pumping and we tried her on a bottle. She also had latching problems with me...not so with a standard sized nipple! She was a different baby because it wasn't either drowning or starving her, and I didn't have a screaming baby attached to me, so I made the decision to EP. I pumped for 4.5 months. Because of the over-supply in the mornings, it more than made up for my lack of supply in the evenings and I was able to stash an extra bottle every day. I pumped when I woke up, at 9, 12, and 3 while at work, and then again before bed. Those five sessions covered all of her needs plus an extra bottle. I froze everything and then pulled the oldest to send to daycare with her, as they were happy to defrost and make the bottles.

I was lucky, and my brother's BSC ex had a hospital grade Medela Symphony that she let me use, double electric (she even had a car-charger so I could pump on the go!). OMG amazing. I also had a manual that I'd take if we were going out, and it worked ok when needed. However, by the end of that I started to feel like the pump was an extension of myself and I just couldn't do it emotionally anymore. Happy momma trumped breast milk as far as the health and well-being of my child, so we moved to formula and she did awesome with that as well.

Balancing breastfeeding/pumping with your own emotional well-being is hard. Make sure you take care of yourself. I have already told DH that if Charlie has the same issues as C, that I'm not pumping this time. I don't have the amazing pump available this time around (she has a six month old) and I'm not sure I could handle it emotionally again. He's not happy, but he's also not willing to argue the point when I'm the one who has to go through it. I did buy a manual for nights when we want to go out, and I have a couple bottles on hand just in case. I don't want to use formula, mainly because with me quitting, we don't have the funds for it right now, but if I have to, I will make that work.

TL:DR - even with a wonderful supply, breastfeeding/pumping is hard and not for everyone. Take care of yourself. I stuck a schedule of pumping times in there some where, too.

Want a personalized experience?

June '14 BFing/Pumping Questions Thread

Re: June '14 BFing/Pumping Questions Thread

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

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