June 2014 Moms

June '14 BFing/Pumping Questions Thread

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

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Re: June '14 BFing/Pumping Questions Thread

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  • lest12lest12 member
    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.

     

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

    All tips appreciated! :)

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  • 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.

    Married DH 7/30/11

    CSC arrived 5/7/12 

    CHC arrived 6/2/14

  • I haven't leaked a thing... Hoping my supply will be okay!
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  • 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 .
  • @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.
  • 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!
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  • How does having a csection affect BFing? I want to be prepared in the event a csection is necassary.
     TTC#1 Since April 2011 
    BFP#1 5.23.12 C/P 4w4d 
    BFP #2 10.1.13
    EDD June 10, 2014
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  • 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. 
  • @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.
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  • @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?
  • @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.
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  • 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.
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  • Mia081081Mia081081 member
    edited 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.
  • @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.

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  • 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.

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  • @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

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  • elittlerelittler member
    edited May 2014
    Deleted because I didn't finish reading the posts....
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  • 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.

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  • k318k318 member
    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.
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  • 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
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  • 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!
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  • 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.
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  • gmc222gmc222 member

    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.

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    After 3 failed Clomid+TI cycles, DD was conceived with IUI#1

    TTC #2

    Clomid 50 mg + IUI#1  = BFP, m/c and D&C at 7w1d

    Clomid 50mg + IUI#2 = BFN

    Clomid 100mg + IUI#3 = BFN

    Lupron + Follistim + IVF#1 = 11ER, 10M, 10F, ET of 1 expanded BBA 5-day blast, 2 Frosties. BFP! Beta 10/13 = 264! Beta 10/15 = 702! EDD 6/21/14

  • 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.
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  • gmc222gmc222 member

    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.

    image

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    Pregnancy Ticker

     

    After 3 failed Clomid+TI cycles, DD was conceived with IUI#1

    TTC #2

    Clomid 50 mg + IUI#1  = BFP, m/c and D&C at 7w1d

    Clomid 50mg + IUI#2 = BFN

    Clomid 100mg + IUI#3 = BFN

    Lupron + Follistim + IVF#1 = 11ER, 10M, 10F, ET of 1 expanded BBA 5-day blast, 2 Frosties. BFP! Beta 10/13 = 264! Beta 10/15 = 702! EDD 6/21/14

  • 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.

    Married DH 7/30/11

    CSC arrived 5/7/12 

    CHC arrived 6/2/14

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