@serenaxo84 We did warm BM bottles for LO. We would put the bottle in a bowl of warm water to warm it. Once he was older (9+ months) he would take it cold.
However, I don't think it's something that's necessary, if your LO will take cold milk from the fridge.
@serenaxo84 I've read that cold breastmilk is fine for baby as long as he'll take it cold, but it might be harder to mix the fat layer back in to the milk when it's cold.
@serenaxo84 My SIL gave me a bottle warmer (and a wipe warmer). This may be a FTM ignorant thing, I'm kind of against using either because what if we're out and about and my baby has to have cold milk and a cold baby wipes?! I don't plan to warm bottles if I don't have to. My SIL said it helped with her son's reflux.
Me:33 DH: 34 Married: May 2011 TTC #1: May 2015 DS: 10/20/2016 TTC #2: June 2019 #2 EDD: 2/20/2020
I just caught up on this thread and it's left me with 3 questions:
1. What is "let down"?
2. Is there a benefit to using glass bottles vs plastic if pumping and heating BM?
3. When BFing, should you be sitting in a chair with arm rests or no?
1) There is a small amount of "ambient" milk stored in the breast itself but most of the milk is produced during let down, wherein an awesome cascade of hormones causes the milk to be produced and flow from the breast. Basically, milk is produced in waves, not a constant flow.
2) I think most pumps come with plastic bottles for pumping itself, but for feeding babe it's entirely up to you.
3) Do whatever is comfortable. Some holds may be harder in a chair with armrests (football/rugby hold), but you'll figure out what works for you when the time comes.
If babe will take cold milk, that's fine. One of the things we suggest if babe is refusing the bottle is to try different temperatures of milk to see if that makes a difference.
@serenaxo84 I've read that cold breastmilk is fine for baby as long as he'll take it cold, but it might be harder to mix the fat layer back in to the milk when it's cold.
I was wondering about that! I might try cold bottles at first and that warm with hot water if we need to. I hate the idea of having to warm a bottle every time!
@ibabylove87 I think it's such a preference thing. I feel like with the wipe warmer that the baby is going to scream getting a diaper change, a warm wipe isn't going to make a difference! Except maybe in my electric bill!
Something that hasn't been brought up, but I'm curious. @Turtlemomma is it true you shouldn't shake breast milk? Seeing the post about the fat layer above triggered my memory.
I was told to gently swirl the milk in the bottle to incorporate the fatty layer (that sticks to the sides), but never to shake because it can break down the nutrients?
If that's not true, we wasted a lot of time swirling.
@F47 - I bet it's just so you don't incorporate air bubbles in the milk, which would cause gas issues. When I worked in infusion pharmacy, there were meds we had to swirl, not shake for that reason (bubbles). It didn't change the chemical makeup, just affected the ability to utilize the medication right away because of the bubbles.
How long do you need to wear the nipple leak pad things? I know every woman would be different, but I'm hoping since learning the milk comes in waves, that you wouldn't leak for the whole time you're BFing
There are books and books worth of info and studies re: glass v. plastic v. silicone v. etc. My best advice is to do your own research and choose accordingly. A lot of it is based on whether or not the plastic (or whatever) is subject to breakdown and release of chemicals/endocrine disruptors into milk once heated or during high heat sterilization.
I wasn't planning on warming bottles! I did a few pumped bottles for DS and always served them cold out of the fridge. Do a lot of people warm BM bottles? I was hoping to avoid that whole warming thing!
Hey, if your kid would take a cold bottle then more power to you. Mine freaked the eff out and wouldn't go back to sleep if I dared give a cold bottle. Only made that mistake in the motn once.
I just bought the lansinoh plastic bags to store breast milk seeing how it's quicker to warm milk in the bags than through a bottle. At our breastfeeding class they said to just run it under/let it sit in warm water to bring to room temperature so that's my plan.
All my print resources say to swirl, not shake, because it can potentially break down the proteins in the milk itself. Current chatter in the lactation field is starting to question that but for now I'd still err on the side of swirling.
In our BF class, the teacher said if your child gets used to getting warm milk from a bottle, then they will always want warm milk from a bottle. If you're out and about with no bottle warmer, then you take that chance of the baby not eating. I figured I would get it warm enough via warm water and that would be the best baby would get as you can pretty much get warm water everywhere.
@mizzkbrat - I'm sure every baby is different, but my bestie used a bottle warmer with her son and warm tap water was fine for him when feeding out and about. That said, he was formula fed once she realized her supply wasn't enough.
@blonde1817 I'm late on this, but thought I would throw in my rec. I loved my medela nursing bras. I had 2 underwire ones, and also bought a nighttime sleep bra that I found absolutely necessary. Had to go up1 or 2 cup sizes (can't remember right now which), and didn't buy them until after my milk came in. Luckily our pediatrician has lactation consultants, and they had bras there to fit me and purchase on site.
1. Nipple shields are a great option if it turns out your baby has a hard time latching. My first 3 nights were so hard bc my guy had such a hard time eating. The lactation consultant at the hospital actually had me hand expressing milk (with no pump) onto my fingertip and putting it into the baby's mouth. It would take me almost an hour for one feeding, and then they wanted me to start the next feeding two hours after the previous feeding began (he had lost a lot of weight, so they were worried about gaining). Needless to say I was exhausted and crazy. Looking back I could kick them for not suggesting I try nipple shields or pumping Sooner! The last day at the hospital we figured out he had tongue tie, and had that fixed at day 4. He used the nipple shields to eat almost always until 8 weeks, and then suddenly just didn't need them anymore. We likely would not have made it breastfeeding if I hadn't discovered them! I used the medela brand that has a little cut out on the side where baby's mouth goes.
2. I forgot my other points while writing the first one. Lol.
Question ... our hospital offers a breastfeeding basics class (which we've already taken) and then a separate class on pumping. Debating whether I should take the pumping class before or after baby... any thoughts? Obviously I would like to wait until my milk is regulated to start pumping, but I also have no clue how to use the pump and don't want to be totally lost in case I end up needing it sooner for some reason.
@Blonde1817 personally and this opinion may be due to the experience with my first birth. But I would take it before hand. Breastfeeding was really really hard with my first baby. She wasn't 100% healthy when she was born and had trouble staying latched and sucking. I solely relied on pumping in the hospital and several days at home and we fed her with a syringe, until she got the hang of nursing properly. They helped me at the hospital get used to pumping but I would've been lost if they didn't. They don't offered pumping classes here, but if they did I would sure take one before baby arrived cause you just never know what your birth is going to entail. It could either be great and you don't need to worry about it, or it could be like mine and all you do is pump. Knowledge is power!
Warning
No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
I also took advantage with my second baby and pumped one boob at the same time she would eat for a month and got a good stock pile cause I always worried there would be a time I would need it and either not have time to pump ahead of time or not have the milk to pump. I know there is mixed opinions on this for various reasons, but it worked for me and I didn't have issues, but I was very diligent (even in the middle of the night) to always pump.
Warning
No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
Question ... our hospital offers a breastfeeding basics class (which we've already taken) and then a separate class on pumping. Debating whether I should take the pumping class before or after baby... any thoughts? Obviously I would like to wait until my milk is regulated to start pumping, but I also have no clue how to use the pump and don't want to be totally lost in case I end up needing it sooner for some reason.
They taught me how to use the pump while I was at the hospital. Check to see if they provide LC services in postpartum at your hospital. Bring your pump from home, they will tell you all you need to know for basic pumping. If you ever get to the point of needing to EP there is definitely more to know, but it may be information overload at this point.
@LauraPCOS - you would only need to clean your nips if you are using a nipple cream or a treatment that is recommended to be washed off before a feeding. If you were to develop thrush for example, the medicine would of course need to be cleaned off.
@Blonde1817 I would take the pumping class if offered. When in the hospital they had me pump to stimulate my breast and help my milk come in. They also helped me hand express and feed by syringe because she has a hard time latching and sucking. Also it gives me peace of mind to know how much she is getting. She was readmitted for weight loss the day after discharge, so maybe I'm just a little patinoid. I don't want to be readmitted again.
On a side note. I was able to pump 70ml this morning. 10ml more than what she needs to eat! Never thought I'd be so excited about the amount of milk pumped.
TTC #1 since August 2015 BFP #1 January 28, 2016
EDD October 3, 2016 Felicity Joy, born September 2, 2016 My Chart
TTC #2 Since August 2020 BFP #2 September 11, 2020 EDD May 23, 2021
@blonde1817 I would definitely take it ahead of time. I took one ahead of time, and was glad I did. If you can wait a while to pump, wonderful. That was my plan too, but i ended up needing to pump on day 3 or 4. Everything is much easier to accomplish before the baby arrives than after. Take the class, sanitize your pump and figure out how it works, and buy spare parts so you always have a clean set ready to go--before baby arrives in my opinion.
@mkc3888@gatorMom2014 Thanks for the advice! I decided to go ahead and take the class on Friday. I haven't even tried to figure out the pump, I'm so overwhelmed by my cluelessness lol. It'll be good to have some idea of what to do. And knowing myself, I will want to leave the house as little as possible once baby is here!
After taking my breastfeeding class last night, I am so confused and see why people get upset and quit BF.
The instructor said you should not pump after feeding. I have read otherwise. No clue as to what is the right way of doing things.
The instructor said to not worry about having frozen milk for back to work and that you only need 20 oz on hand. Again, everything I Have heard was pump pump pump and store store store... no clue.
After taking my breastfeeding class last night, I am so confused and see why people get upset and quit BF.
The instructor said you should not pump after feeding. I have read otherwise. No clue as to what is the right way of doing things.
The instructor said to not worry about having frozen milk for back to work and that you only need 20 oz on hand. Again, everything I Have heard was pump pump pump and store store store... no clue.
BF makes me stressed and it hasn't even started!
This. All this. I'm more nervous and anxious about BFing than I am delivering my son!! Ugh. I guess it's going to be like anything else, trial and error. We will figure out what works for us and our baby. Hopefully.
Married 11-11-11 TTC only since Dec 2015. I had some weight to get off. Been working hard in the gym for over a year. BFP 02-15-16 with our first IT'S A BOY!!!
Bestie's new LO has been alive for about 3 full days now and we were texting this morning. Exact quote: "...my nipples are going to fall off." Ohhhh this does not make me less nervous about BFing
Married 11-11-11 TTC only since Dec 2015. I had some weight to get off. Been working hard in the gym for over a year. BFP 02-15-16 with our first IT'S A BOY!!!
After taking my breastfeeding class last night, I am so confused and see why people get upset and quit BF.
The instructor said you should not pump after feeding. I have read otherwise. No clue as to what is the right way of doing things.
The instructor said to not worry about having frozen milk for back to work and that you only need 20 oz on hand. Again, everything I Have heard was pump pump pump and store store store... no clue.
BF makes me stressed and it hasn't even started!
This. All this. I'm more nervous and anxious about BFing than I am delivering my son!! Ugh. I guess it's going to be like anything else, trial and error. We will figure out what works for us and our baby. Hopefully.
This was my issue with DS1 and I'm hoping to avoid it this time around. I am going to try and really just listen to my body and figure out what works for us. There is such thing as too much information and PP especially too much information boogles my mind and I can't think straight.
i think Kelly mom is a great online source and talking to some of the ladies here. I also think finding a good LC that is on the same wave length as you will be helpful- someone who has the same parenting values as you. Ask for recommendations from local friends and local groups.
+1 to @serenaxo84 for kellymom and a good LC. And (easier said than done) try not to stress about the unknown!
Here's the thing: just like everything else with parenting, the right thing for one person is the wrong thing for someone else. Given the right circumstances, you may need to pump after feedings (I had to with DS, under the advice/recommendation of a very experienced LC). I needed fenugreek. We more or less EP'd for his whole BFing experience. For others, what I did could easily lead to oversupply and mastitis, so it would be wrong for them to do what I did (obviously).
It's good to arm yourself with information beforehand, and a PP made an excellent point that it's easier to do this before baby instead of after. But there is a point where it's information overload, and where you won't use most of what you learned. You just can't prepare for all situations- sometimes you really do just have to wait and see what cards you've been dealt, and then seek information (and/or a good LC) from there in order to problem-solve your specific issue.
Just know you will do great no matter what happens! Because your baby will be fed. And that is the end game really.
@Sprinkels28 Just listen to your body. My class said it's wise to pump once a day at least to start stockpiling a bag a day. What if you are pumping to allow your partner to bottle feed and get some bonding time in, and you spill that bottle? Now you don't have any spare milk to give them because you haven't started freezing anything. Just be prepared. I dont think they say like go and fill your freezer up asap, but having a small back up will be great for any occasion.
@bnsmith85 and @sportiegrl1213 There is definitely a brief, but intense, period of time when your nipples are really, really sore. This is normal. I think, for me, it was about 5 days in. I would have to hold on to something when DD latched on and for the first few seconds of BFing. But then it got easier and then it didn't hurt at all. I can't remember exactly how long this period lasted, but it wasn't for more than a week.
+1 to @serenaxo84 for kellymom and a good LC. And (easier said than done) try not to stress about the unknown!
Here's the thing: just like everything else with parenting, the right thing for one person is the wrong thing for someone else. Given the right circumstances, you may need to pump after feedings (I had to with DS, under the advice/recommendation of a very experienced LC). I needed fenugreek. We more or less EP'd for his whole BFing experience. For others, what I did could easily lead to oversupply and mastitis, so it would be wrong for them to do what I did (obviously).
It's good to arm yourself with information beforehand, and a PP made an excellent point that it's easier to do this before baby instead of after. But there is a point where it's information overload, and where you won't use most of what you learned. You just can't prepare for all situations- sometimes you really do just have to wait and see what cards you've been dealt, and then seek information (and/or a good LC) from there in order to problem-solve your specific issue.
Just know you will do great no matter what happens! Because your baby will be fed. And that is the end game really.
+1 to @serenaxo84 for kellymom and a good LC. And (easier said than done) try not to stress about the unknown!
Here's the thing: just like everything else with parenting, the right thing for one person is the wrong thing for someone else. Given the right circumstances, you may need to pump after feedings (I had to with DS, under the advice/recommendation of a very experienced LC). I needed fenugreek. We more or less EP'd for his whole BFing experience. For others, what I did could easily lead to oversupply and mastitis, so it would be wrong for them to do what I did (obviously).
It's good to arm yourself with information beforehand, and a PP made an excellent point that it's easier to do this before baby instead of after. But there is a point where it's information overload, and where you won't use most of what you learned. You just can't prepare for all situations- sometimes you really do just have to wait and see what cards you've been dealt, and then seek information (and/or a good LC) from there in order to problem-solve your specific issue.
Just know you will do great no matter what happens! Because your baby will be fed. And that is the end game really.
I am still pretty confused about breastfeeding overall, but I think that the most important message I got from my breastfeeding class was not to overcomplicate things if you don't absolutely have to... initially just focus on trying to breastfeed whenever baby is showing signs of hunger (and/or every 2-3 hrs). Don't try to pump (unless things aren't working out and you need to) until your milk supply is established in a month or so, and don't introduce bottles or pacifiers in that time either.
Other strategies might work for other people, but I think trying to look ahead too much initially would just stress me out. At first I was annoyed that my hospital has two separate classes for breastfeeding basics and for pumping, but I think it's helpful to separate them and cut down on the info overload a little bit. I'm also super glad our pediatrician has a LC available for free if needed!
Re: All Things Breastfeeding
However, I don't think it's something that's necessary, if your LO will take cold milk from the fridge.
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
2) I think most pumps come with plastic bottles for pumping itself, but for feeding babe it's entirely up to you.
3) Do whatever is comfortable. Some holds may be harder in a chair with armrests (football/rugby hold), but you'll figure out what works for you when the time comes.
I was told to gently swirl the milk in the bottle to incorporate the fatty layer (that sticks to the sides), but never to shake because it can break down the nutrients?
If that's not true, we wasted a lot of time swirling.
temperature so that's my plan.
All my print resources say to swirl, not shake, because it can potentially break down the proteins in the milk itself. Current chatter in the lactation field is starting to question that but for now I'd still err on the side of swirling.
1. Nipple shields are a great option if it turns out your baby has a hard time latching. My first 3 nights were so hard bc my guy had such a hard time eating. The lactation consultant at the hospital actually had me hand expressing milk (with no pump) onto my fingertip and putting it into the baby's mouth. It would take me almost an hour for one feeding, and then they wanted me to start the next feeding two hours after the previous feeding began (he had lost a lot of weight, so they were worried about gaining). Needless to say I was exhausted and crazy. Looking back I could kick them for not suggesting I try nipple shields or pumping Sooner! The last day at the hospital we figured out he had tongue tie, and had that fixed at day 4. He used the nipple shields to eat almost always until 8 weeks, and then suddenly just didn't need them anymore. We likely would not have made it breastfeeding if I hadn't discovered them! I used the medela brand that has a little cut out on the side where baby's mouth goes.
2. I forgot my other points while writing the first one. Lol.
It's a boy!
@LauraPCOS - you would only need to clean your nips if you are using a nipple cream or a treatment that is recommended to be washed off before a feeding. If you were to develop thrush for example, the medicine would of course need to be cleaned off.
When in the hospital they had me pump to stimulate my breast and help my milk come in. They also helped me hand express and feed by syringe because she has a hard time latching and sucking. Also it gives me peace of mind to know how much she is getting. She was readmitted for weight loss the day after discharge, so maybe I'm just a little patinoid. I don't want to be readmitted again.
On a side note. I was able to pump 70ml this morning. 10ml more than what she needs to eat! Never thought I'd be so excited about the amount of milk pumped.
BFP #1 January 28, 2016
Felicity Joy, born September 2, 2016
My Chart
BFP #2 September 11, 2020
EDD May 23, 2021
It's a boy!
After taking my breastfeeding class last night, I am so confused and see why people get upset and quit BF.
The instructor said you should not pump after feeding. I have read otherwise. No clue as to what is the right way of doing things.
The instructor said to not worry about having frozen milk for back to work and that you only need 20 oz on hand. Again, everything I Have heard was pump pump pump and store store store... no clue.
BF makes me stressed and it hasn't even started!
TTC only since Dec 2015. I had some weight to get off. Been working hard in the gym for over a year.
BFP 02-15-16 with our first
IT'S A BOY!!!
Ohhhh this does not make me less nervous about BFing
TTC only since Dec 2015. I had some weight to get off. Been working hard in the gym for over a year.
BFP 02-15-16 with our first
IT'S A BOY!!!
i think Kelly mom is a great online source and talking to some of the ladies here. I also think finding a good LC that is on the same wave length as you will be helpful- someone who has the same parenting values as you. Ask for recommendations from local friends and local groups.
Here's the thing: just like everything else with parenting, the right thing for one person is the wrong thing for someone else. Given the right circumstances, you may need to pump after feedings (I had to with DS, under the advice/recommendation of a very experienced LC). I needed fenugreek. We more or less EP'd for his whole BFing experience. For others, what I did could easily lead to oversupply and mastitis, so it would be wrong for them to do what I did (obviously).
It's good to arm yourself with information beforehand, and a PP made an excellent point that it's easier to do this before baby instead of after. But there is a point where it's information overload, and where you won't use most of what you learned. You just can't prepare for all situations- sometimes you really do just have to wait and see what cards you've been dealt, and then seek information (and/or a good LC) from there in order to problem-solve your specific issue.
Just know you will do great no matter what happens! Because your baby will be fed. And that is the end game really.
Other strategies might work for other people, but I think trying to look ahead too much initially would just stress me out. At first I was annoyed that my hospital has two separate classes for breastfeeding basics and for pumping, but I think it's helpful to separate them and cut down on the info overload a little bit. I'm also super glad our pediatrician has a LC available for free if needed!
It's a boy!