Exclusively pumping Big Thread

Jenn06L80 · May 2014

How many ounces are you giving LO? My girls are almost 6 weeks and probably around 6.5-7 pounds. They have gained 2.5-3 pounds from birth. I am giving then 4 3 oz bottles of Breast milk and 2 3 oz bottles of formula. I am thinking they might be ready for a bit more.

KatieGummow · May 2014

We give the boys (10lbs 12oz and 8lbs 12oz at 4.5weeks) 3.5 oz of breast milk about 8x a day. We on demand feed during the day. We plan to have them up to 4 oz by 7weeks of age.

snmetz7 · May 2014

Jenn06L80 said:
How many ounces are you giving LO? My girls are almost 6 weeks and probably around 6.5-7 pounds. They have gained 2.5-3 pounds from birth. I am giving then 4 3 oz bottles of Breast milk and 2 3 oz bottles of formula. I am thinking they might be ready for a bit more.

My LO is eating 22-27 oz per day...at 4 weeks. Do they still seem hungry?

Jenn06L80 · May 2014

No they really don't seem hungry. They sleep 4-5 hour stretches frequently. However they are finishing their bottles quicker. Maybe I will go up to 3.5 oz. Right now they are only taking about 18 oz a day, but they have gained over 2 lbs since birth and rarely fussy.

spano41 · May 2014

I give LO 80ml (2.6 oz) bottles because that's the size of all of my storage bottles

lately she has been wanting a bit more so I'll heat up an extra 20ml and give her 100 ml (3.3 oz). She drinks a total of 20-28 oz depending on the day at 3wks.

In other news, I pumped 40 oz yesterday! I don't know why this has me so excited, 40 just seems like a lot more than 39 haha.

scarles · May 2014

Three straight lansinoh bags with holes. It's making me so crazy!!!

spano41 · May 2014

I've started hearing really bad things about the lansinoh bags which sucks because that's all I've been using. I haven't thawed any yet but I'm planning on always thawing in a tupperware because they seem to be so prone to leaks.

Mamamonzo · May 2014

spano41 said:
I've started hearing really bad things about the lansinoh bags which sucks because that's all I've been using. I haven't thawed any yet but I'm planning on always thawing in a tupperware because they seem to be so prone to leaks.

I've thawed a few with no issue!

Kelsey2me · May 2014

I'm so incredibly frustrated with figuring out what amount to give my LO. She's four weeks old. These are the details:

She doesn't really give hunger cues. She'll be out and wake up screaming. Sometimes its 3 hours after a feeding, sometimes it's 2. She sucks down bottles, so we've worked on pacing her. We burp her very often and she just screams every time we try to burp her. After she finishes a bottle, she never seems to be content. Just screams. I've given her as little as 2 oz and as much as 4. Amount doesn't seem to matter. She doesn't give cues that she's full...just sucks down the bottle and screams when I take it away or when she's finished it off. She also spits up a ton. All. The. Time. Amount doesn't seem to change that fact either. I've taken her to the doctor and the doctor said if it's reflux, they can only help her manage pain from the acid from spitting up.. and she's not in pain right now (the spitting up part appears to be effortless) so there's nothing they can do. She gave me a sample of probiotics to see if that helped, it hasn't done much yet. I pretty much never lay her flat because if I do, she'll start spitting up, regardless of how long after feeding its been. I'm so so frustrated. She's gaining weight fine despite the fact that she spits up a ton... Which is super confusing. She soaks bibs, clothes, blankets, me, everything. I dont know how she's gaining weight. I just don't know how much to give her in each bottle. There is a rare occasion where she'll down 3.5 oz and pass out and sleep for a few hours, and times when she'll take 2.5 and spit most of it back up. I dont know what to do! I've tried different amounts and I get the same result...an angry, screaming baby and lots of spit up. Any advice?? (sorry for the long post...)

Kelsey2me · May 2014

A second opinion would probably be good. I told the ped all of this and she didn't seem concerned because the diaper count and weight gain is good. She mentioned the medication for acid, but basically said that she wouldn't diagnose it as reflux unless she seems to be in pain from it. So basically, the medication won't come until she's actually in pain from the acid... I thought that was odd. She currently sleeps in her car seat at night and still spits up throughout the night. I don't know how well ever get her to sleep in a crib!

scarles · May 2014

@kelsey2me does she use a pacifier? Sometimes after a bottle I will give my LO a paci for a few minutes and then take it out. If he's still whining or crying I'll give him some more. Like your LO, he just sucks down the bottle and would drink as much as I gave him. I find that if I give him the paci, it lets his stomach settle and he figures out that he's full most of the time. I'm giving him 3 oz at every feeding, about every 3 hours. He is 3.5 weeks. It sounds like something more with your LO, but maybe this might help?

Kelsey2me · May 2014

@megla‌ We are doing the paci thing. She loves her paci but it's tough to get her to take it after a bottle. I've thought the same as you.. If the paci makes her mad then she probably is still hungry... So I give her more but a lot of it ends up coming back up.. Since this seems to be a pattern I can't figure out how much to feed her. She fusses at the paci so I think she wants more milk but all the spit up makes me think I'm over feeding her. *sigh*
@Jessieann1020‌ I think the doctor ruled it out because she spits up in her sleep and in between feedings and and it doesn't wake her or seem to bother her. It's mainly during feeding time that we have the hardest time with her being upset.

snmetz7 · May 2014

@eme520 idk if it is pp hormones or if I've gone soft but I just wanted I give you a big shout out. You have been so helpful and supportive of everyone here and on pgal and in general and I for one am so grateful that you ended up on my bmb. End sappy thread high jack.

KatieGummow · May 2014

Awww

Mamamonzo · May 2014

Scared shitless we are going to lose power and I won't be able to pump tonight. I NEED a manual pump!

KatieGummow · May 2014

Didn't even think about that mama!!!!

spano41 · May 2014

@Mamamonzo‌ do you have a car charger? That is my back up plan for power outages.

Lindsay808 · May 2014

Some bonuses about EPing...
DH took over for most of the night so I got a good 6 hours of sleep!! My boobs were dying when I woke up but so worth it.
Also, I love not needing to worry too much about having a few drinks when I got a good stash in the fridge!

Lindsay808 · May 2014

Oh and I have another dumb question...
I rinse my parts now and put them in the fridge but they're never dry when I take them out for the next pump. I have to get in there with a paper towel and dry em out. Should I just not bother rinsing out the parts before throwing them in the fridge?

scarles · May 2014

@Lindsay808‌ I wouldn't bother rinsing. I sometimes just wipe off the shields with a paper towel but that's it.

Mamamonzo · May 2014

Jessieann1020 said:
@Mamamonzo‌ that would stink! Are you able to nurse LO at all in a pinch? I need to get a manual pump for out and about!

My kids a brat and won't nurse. Maybe if he was super super hungry but not on your average day! We didn't lose power, and DH came home and surprised me with a manual!

Also I went up in size for the flanges, it pulls more areola but my nipples don't swell and it hurts a lot less... Plus I got an extra 2 oz per boob!!!

snmetz7 · May 2014

The larger flange did nothing for

Mamamonzo · May 2014

snmetz7 said:
The larger flange did nothing for

Maybe that jut means you were already using te correct size and I was using the wrong all along

Mamamonzo · May 2014

Jessieann1020 said:
Lots on my mind regarding pumping right now. I wrote before that I missed alot of pumps last week between doctor appointments and my surgery. I'm seeing the impact now on my supply. Last night I slept through a pump and ended up going 8 hours between pumps. I was just SO tired. I haven't been able to commit to motn pumps, I just like my sleep too much. I know now is the time to stop if I am going to otherwise I will really have to work hard to get my supply back. I wish I had a great supply so I had motivation. I just feel so guilty quitting, I shouldn't but I do. Any thoughts or advice? Thanks for letting me "type it out".

Do what's best of you! Maybe you could do a couple pumps a day to get rid of some pressure and store all that so you can use a bit of BM here and there. Any little bit helps!

Don't stress yourself out, you have enough on your plate as it is!' Xoxo

snmetz7 · May 2014

Bump

KatieGummow · May 2014

Tell me if this is a bad idea:

We have the Kiinde system, which uses non-reusable bags. What if we use one bag for each kiddo (marking whose is whose) and refrigerate after each feeding, then when they get hungry again fill it up using a different full bag that had been warmed with the warmer (uses water) and stick the empty bag in the fridge. Then I can refill that bag that wasn't attached to the nipple (being sucked on) with fresh pumped milk and continue the process a couple times. At the end of the day toss all the used/refrigerated bags and start over.

Bad idea?

Lindsay808 · May 2014

Feeling discouraged tonight. She's starting to be much more fussy and crying a lot more. How do I pump when I'm the only one to take care of her? I can't put her down without her fussing so I have to wait until she's in a deep sleep. So feeding, changing, rocking for 30 minutes, then pumping? There's no way I can live like that.

scarles · May 2014

@Lindsay808 If my babe is awake, I will lay him on my lap while pumping. Don't get discouraged! There are ways around it. Hang in there!

@KatieGummow‌ that sounds fine to me. I don't have an issue reusing bags/bottles for the day.

scarles · May 2014

So I purchased the freestyle pump yesterday and it's awesome! Thanks @Holljade‌ for your help! It actually has increased my output and does a much better job emptying my breasts than my hygeia did.

Lindsay808 · May 2014

jbug88 said:

Lindsay808 said:
Feeling discouraged tonight. She's starting to be much more fussy and crying a lot more. How do I pump when I'm the only one to take care of her? I can't put her down without her fussing so I have to wait until she's in a deep sleep. So feeding, changing, rocking for 30 minutes, then pumping? There's no way I can live like that.
I struggle with pumping during the day while home alone. I have found if I sit on the floor and lay DS on my legs I can still pump, and entertain/touch baby at the same time. I've also put him in the boppy right next to me and laid him in there. As long as he is somewhat cradled in somethig and I can reach him and touch him he does ok. I've also held him against my chest in between the phalanges in a moment of desperation. It wasn't ideal, but it got the job done.

DH works evenings...4-2am, her fussiest times so it's really difficult. She wants to be held against me and rocked or else she's screaming. I put her in the swing and rock n play but not even an ounce into pumping and she's crying to be held.

Emily041285 · May 2014

How often do you ladies replace the little white flanges on your medela pumps? I was thinking about that today and I realized I don't think I've done this since dd was born...

Emily041285 · May 2014

eme520 said:

Emily041285 said:

How often do you ladies replace the little white flanges on your medela pumps? I was thinking about that today and I realized I don't think I've done this since dd was born...

The white membranes that attach to the yellow piece? I've only replaced them when I've accidentally washed it down the sink.

Yes. I vaguely remember a lc telling me in the hospital to replace them. I just can't remember how long. Now that I'm saying it out loud I'm not sure why it would matter.

Stace0616 · May 2014

If LO is being really fussy, I will prop him up in his Boppy in front of me to feed him while I pump. Otherwise, we have a routine: feed, pump (while he chills on Boppy or in the RnP to poop lol), diaper change, throw away diaper and refill bottles/wash pump parts, then hold until he falls asleep. Most of the time he is already asleep after the diaper change though

Mamamonzo · May 2014

Emily041285 said:
How often do you ladies replace the little white flanges on your medela pumps? I was thinking about that today and I realized I don't think I've done this since dd was born...

I change them with every pump. You can get a big pack at target. The more fresh they are the better output you get. I soak them in water and air dry them

spano41 · May 2014

I was told to change the membranes every 6 wks or if I noticed suction getting worse.

kalette · May 2014

Only change them when they no longer lay flat against the valve.or if they tear.

Emily041285 · May 2014

I thought it had something to do with the suction. This morning I noticed something wasn't right with my pump but I couldn't put my finger on it. I'll try replacing them.

Mamamonzo · May 2014

eme520 said:

Mamamonzo said:

Emily041285 said:
How often do you ladies replace the little white flanges on your medela pumps? I was thinking about that today and I realized I don't think I've done this since dd was born...
I change them with every pump. You can get a big pack at target. The more fresh they are the better output you get. I soak them in water and air dry them
You use a brand new pair every time? That's got to be expensive!

No I wash them. They sell 6 packs at target and I rotate them with every pump

patunia7321 · May 2014

I'm a little late with this but I've been on a semi bump break. Thanks for the kind words @eme520 @spalumb9 @jbug88 and @embear22 This is such a great group of mamas!!! I'm weaning off slowly. First to go were my middle of the night pumps! Yippee! I would love to keep EP if I was producing enough- working so hard and still basically formula feeding seems like more effort than it's worth after so long with no increase. It still kills me that I'm giving formula when I was so dead set on EBF from the start, but letting go of the constant anxiety feels pretty great and I finally feel like I am truly enjoying my little guy. Good luck to all of you and keep that liquid gold flowing!!!

scarles · May 2014

You ladies who struggle with undersupply are champs - I don't know what I would do in your shoes. Kudos to you for pumping/BFing as long as you have!

@patunia7321‌ good for you! I'm sure making that decision was difficult but your babe is healthy and you are happy! What else matters??

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