I am Donald Olsen, working at Printer Tales as the Senior Content Writer. My experience resolving printer-related issues across various brands is vast. I have been in this domain for years and have helped many users solve both easy and complex printer problems. On the Printer Tales website, you can find simple guides for printers like HP, Brother, Canon, and Lexmark- all written by me
Re: All things pumping
I try to convince myself I can wait a little longer but then realizing I definitely can't. I don't like to pump first thing because I like her to have first pass at the morning milk. My LO slept for almost 7 hours last night! I think my supply is starting to regulate because I got full but I wasn't in pain by the time she woke up.
My question is about storage. At first I was breaking things down to 2-3 oz. bags but now that DH feeds her one bottle a day I know she drinks 4 oz. a sitting. Should I store in 4? This is just a lot of bags, measuring and pouring.
Just an FYI: My routine is morning pump when DH goes to work while LO sleeps. If I get 10oz total great! But I never have. Instead I get about 8 so I make one 5 oz. bottle for the fridge so DH can do a feeding in the evening and store my pump parts and the other 3 in the fridge for later. When DH feeds her after work I pump again and get about 7 oz. store it in the fridge and put my pump parts in the dishwasher. Before bed I take all the milk in the fridge and pour it in freezer bags. Either 5 oz. or 2.5 oz depending on what I have.
Edited because I posted too soon and words.
DD: 05/14/16
Question - I have been putting a dab of polysporin on the milk blister I opened after feeding. I put some on at 11pm, slept in a sleep bra and bamboobies, and then manually pumped 1 ounce at 4:30am. I want to mix it with what I pump out of my other breast this morning to freeze. Is this a bad idea since I'm using the polysporin?
Edit: I just called the ped's office on the polysporin question. I feel like I'm the May 2016 milk blister first. Hopefully all of my struggle can help someone else if they get one.
I'm also curious - how much does everyone have in their stash at this point? I have about 38 ounces. I'd like to have 100 ounces which seemed doable before getting the milk blister and worrying about pumping causing engorgement. I know I can replace what I feed by pumping during the feeding, but I want some of the stash for date nights that involve alcohol, so those feeds can't be replaced. The rest is for going back to work or an overnight trip.
Edit: Oh - I see what you're getting at! I can wait for the alcohol to clear later and then pump to replace. That could definitely work if engorgment doesn't come along!
I loved this BMB while pregnant to get me through the work day, but I honestly don't know what I'd do without all the advice and insights post birth on all the various things. I feel like this board is more valuable after giving birth!
DS1: May 2016
DS2: Jan 2019
Baby #3 EDD: 6/18/24
1. This always gets me: I pumped yesterday morning and put it straight in fridge bc I'm running a bunch of errands today. I thought it would be easier to thaw. If baby doesn't use it, can I freeze? The fridge to freezer confuses me.
2. I was so engorged on the side I was going to nurse the baby from this morning at 6 I pumped for 2 minutes for comfort and so she wouldn't get pissed. I turned my lactina on high and it started spitting out and I wondered before I went down to the average setting if it would be a problem to keep it on high?? Does that make sense? I thought it would get some of the milk out faster?
1. Fridge to freezer is fine! I found that milk had the best texture if it was frozen within 3 days of pumping. Once it has been frozen and defrosted to where the ice crystals are gone, that's when you need to use it or lose it within 24hrs.
2. Using the high setting all of the time can irritate some women and cause blisters/other nipple trauma. If it doesn't hurt you, it should be okay.
I pump 8-10 times per day (LO rejected breast when dr. had me start pumping and giving him the bottle after breast feedings when he wasn't gaining early on). I get anywhere from 3-7 1/2 oz per pumping session total. LO gets on demand feedings, so I simply feed out of the newest bottle until it's either empty or 2-3 hours have gone by during the day or up to 4 at night.
Eta- any milk not used by the time I pump again gets stored in fridge. DH nightly freezes all but the three newest bottles so I have extra easily available in a pinch, like when LO finishes newly pumped bottle sooner than I'm ready to start thinking about pumping again. Typically bottles are transferred from fridge to freezer in 1-2 days.
I typically try to feed from both breasts but my left side is much smaller than my right, so I usually start him on the smaller one and when he pops off I move him to my larger one. When I pump I do both sides at first and then do the last 5 or so minutes just on my slower breast so it gets a little extra stimulation.
also if your mostly EBFing like me I've found its best to not be around when your partner is bottle feeding the baby. Once I was watching him and he seemed a little confused. I wanna make sure he associates me with breast, not bottle.
Like I said I don't ALWAYS get a bottle in, but my "rule" is if Ezra's asleep and I feel my let down I pump. If you don't feel your let down when your baby is asleep feel your boobs, if they feel full give it a shot!
Edit: ok I just googled this and I definitely do not experience any feeling for this. However, I saw somebody mention that they feel thirsty when they let down. I have consistently has a moment right when I start breastfeeding where I'm always like "DAMN I'm way thirstier than I thought!" Maybe thats it?
Edit: words
@Jparke2 Samsies as the other two. Didn't feel anything for 3 weeks. Now I feel a tingly feeling, and sure enough, if baby isn't on the boob I leak. If she is on, she starts the long slow gulps.
Today I was away from Elle for 2.5-3 hours (job interview) and so she stayed with DH. I fed her before I left and right before I came home he had given her a bottle and she was back asleep. I waited an hour but she was sound asleep so I decided to pump for relief. I overfilled the bottles. I spilled milk on my lap. I was able to get over 8 oz./ breast and still feed Elle when she woke up an hour and a half later.
@Bellodomani you mentioned having oversupply and a strong let down. Does it get better? Will this continue or eventually regulate?
DD: 05/14/16
DD: 05/14/16
I love EBF and wish I could avoid all bottles... I hate pumping and feel totally lost doing it.
DD: 05/14/16