PAIF Graduates - New Mommies - May 2018

Polythene Pam · May 2018

@JWatt5 that actually sounds great ha. Any other favorite finger foods? Graham (almost 7 months) goes insane every times I eat so I’ll start adding texture to his purées to work up to finger foods. I remember my daughter loving avocado and cream cheese mixed together over toast but I love new ideas!

MMD1986 · May 2018

Polythene Pam said:

@MMD1986 it’s totally by each kid (which will drive you nuts my son is mostly nursed so around 3 months finally started spacing out feedings. He’s almost 7 months and when given a bottle, can down 8 oz.

my daughter was formula fed so if she downed 2 oz, I’d make her a 2.5 oz bottle. Up to 3, give her 3.5 if she needed a touch more. Just gradually increase as they consistently eat more. As they take bigger bottles they’ll usually space them out more. I vaguely remember 3-4 months for her, she was a big eater though but she ate every 3-4 hrs then.

It does drive me nuts! I make the bottles 3.5 oz and sometimes he will down them, and sometimes he'll only want like 2 oz and then I have to dump the rest which is so hard because I hate wasting breast milk. I guess I'll just keep doing the 3.5 oz and gradually increase every few weeks or so. I'm probably overthinking it, he will always let me know when he is hungry.

JWatt5 · May 2018

@Polythene Pam - I made a tube melt today with avocado, tune, cheese and tomato and just gave him a 1/4 to work on haha. That’s what I have loved about BLW and why I wanted to do it - sharing food. He’s all about ground turkey right now, noodles, asparagus stalks. I just did strips of bread, dipped in egg like French toast with spinach. I saw it online. Cooked it like you would French toast - loves that!

Polythene Pam · May 2018

@JWatt5 amazing!! He’s trying to steal all my food so I’ll definitely start. We did kind of a mix of purees and BLW with my daughter so I’ll definitely pick up the BLW a bit, he acts like I’m starving him even though he’s a tank haha.

JWatt5 · May 2018

@Polythene Pam - we started with BLW but we’ve used some pouches a few times, added that at 7.5 months when we went to Mexico. He can suck on those on his own now so good snack or lunch in a pinch haha. He’s never had a problem with both, likely like your daughter. Haha.

persnickity · May 2018

Love BLW, but we are so boring with food. Haha. Meatloaf was a big hit recently. We do a fruit for breakfast/mid-morning snack, meat and veggies for lunch and dinner. Veggies are usually carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower. Need to figure out some other things to try. Thinking berries with it being summer...

byrneme · May 2018

@persnickity I feel the same way lol. We've recently added cantaloupe and watermelon which have been a big hit. She LOVES cheese and mandarin oranges and cut up rotisserie chicken. Tried black beans and it was a fail but I'll keep at it! She does love green beans and pickle spears (odd I know but I think it feels good on her gums!)

mbradfo2 · May 2018

The food sounds good to ME!

I'll probably try my hand at making some baby food once we get to that point. I'm looking forward to seeing what foods she likes! I ate tons of pho and asian fusion when I was pregnant so maybe she'll like that!

I was thinking that I would like to bring baby to visit my RE's office; the nurses sounded excited to see her when I first let them know that she had arrived! I just don't want to upset anyone who is at the office. I remember when I was in for my first appointments during IVF and a woman came in, loudly announcing she wanted her records since she was naturally pregnant. It was upsetting to me at the time since I was feeling really down over everything and I don't want to bring in my little bundle and upset someone in the same way....I was thinking of calling ahead and asking when would be a good time?

dreamcometrue2017 · May 2018

Hi ladies! Ive been MIA for a little while but my littlw guy arrived on March 26 via c-section due to being breech. This may have worked out for the best as he was quite a nice size. Jaxon was born at 8lbs 9oz and 21.5in with quite a head on him! We spent 3.5 days in the hospital which were pretty much sleepless, but we made it! Recovery has gone smoothly and my not so little guy is growing like a weed! He loves the boobie, hates bottles and pacifiers. He’s now just over 9 weeks old and weighs in at about 14.5 lbs and 25in long! He eats somewhere around 5-6oz, but i can only measure that when he has a bottle, which isnt often. Anyway, so happy to see all the adorable babies and that everyone is doing well. Here’s my 2 month Chunk(nickname courtesy of my sister lol)

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/l9/88av4nqzjpzy.jpeg

MMD1986 · May 2018

Congrats @dreamcometrue2017! He is precious.

persnickity · May 2018

@byrneme any meat has been a big hit. The watermelon got a strange look, since she wasn't expecting it to be juicy. Haha. Banana is the clear favorite right now.

omarismyhomeboy · May 2018

So handsome @dreamcometrue2017! Congratulations.

June is 6 days from turning 9 months and I am officially reaching the end of my BF journey. And by BF I mean exclusively pumping. I have pumped the whole time starting with the second day in the hospital. It's been such an annoying part of my life, but at the same time, I am feeling guilty about quitting. I am only producing about 6 oz a day at this point, and 9 months seems like a good place to wrap it up. I am a big believer that fed is best, so why am I having all this guilt? Hoping all the moms who dealt with this have some words of advice

mbradfo2 · May 2018

@dreamcometrue2017

What a cutie! Definitely a chunky monkey

Anne was born on 3/26 as well - also via c-section, but due to pre-eclampsia and failure to progress after induction! Good day for cute babies

persnickity · May 2018

@omarismyhomeboy Exclusively pumping has to be one of the most challenging things ever. I only pump at work and that's challenging enough! At almost 9 months, June is getting ready to move primarily to solids soon. No matter when you decide to stop, it's never an easy decision. Do what's right for you.

mtpbadger · May 2018

Hello all! I guess I should finally post here

I had Abigail just over 7 weeks early on 5/15 (due date was 7/4) after my water broke in the afternoon on 5/14. Labor went fairly quickly once I was admitted to the hospital that night, got to enjoy a tornado warning as well once we were checked in, and barely had time for an epidural. During labor the baby was in a bit of distress and was very close to having an emergency csection. I actually ended up pushing in the OR just in case, which was a little unnerving. But baby girl was born healthy, but tiny at 3lbs 11oz and has been rocking the NICU so far. It sucks being away from her, especially since the hospital is about 40min away (we were planning to deliver at a closer one but L&D was full there so got sent to another one). Hoping she gets to come home in the next week or two.

Ive been pumping since she was born every two to three hours and ugh, what a pain. I went back to work a week after she was born in order to save my leave for when she comes home and I feel like I barely get any work done bc I’m always pumping. And my bosses are being a$$es and not very accommodating at all. I can’t wait until I am able to go on leave and soak up all the baby snuggles I can.

MMD1986 · May 2018

@omarismyhomeboy I feel like 9 months is awesome to exclusively pump. You should be proud of yourself for sticking it out that long.

@mtpbadger welcome and congrats on your sweet baby girl. The NICU can be so hard, but she is in good hands. Is she on oxygen or just basically there to feed and grow?

mtpbadger · May 2018

@mmd1986 thankfully she never had to be on any oxygen so just to feed and grow. Shes working on taking all her feeds thru a bottle and is improving every day. We’re hoping she’ll be home in another week or two. She’s a fiesty little one!

omarismyhomeboy · May 2018

@mtpbadger oh my goodness she's beautiful! and you are dealing with so much, mom! being at work while babe is in the NICU, having unsupportive bosses, etc. You are a rockstar and you're going to be getting baby cuddles so soon!

Polythene Pam · May 2018

@dreamcometrue2017 what a cutie!! Congrats!!

@mtpbadger yay congrats!! I can’t remember, are you in WI or went to school here? That sweet babe will be home before you know it

keep us posted, you’re doing a great job!!

@omarismyhomeboy I couldn’t nurse my daughter and we only made it 6 weeks pumping (really tough delivery and blood transfusions meant zero supply). I pumped pumped pumped to up my supply, I literally still get anxiety if I hear a pump 4.5 years later. What helped me is realizing all that extra time saved pumping can be given to June!! Used to pump at bedtime? Snuggle her instead. Take a bath alone instead. You made it SUCH a long time, she’ll be able to mix milk with formula in just 2 months so you seriously rocked. Hugs, I know it’s hard but pumping sucks (ha), go snuggle that sweet girl instead. And my daughter (4.5), 99% formula fed, is pretty dang awesome and healthy... no regrets ever

mtpbadger · May 2018

@PolythenePam thanks! I went to school in WI - currently living right outside of DC.

@omarismyhomeboy I give you huge props for pumping that long!! I've only been at it just over 2 weeks and it's exhausting!

JWatt5 · May 2018

Congrats @mtpbadger ! Hope she’s home soon!!

@omarismyhomeboy - good job still pumping! I only made it to 5 months haha. But I couldn’t stand the pain anymore. The milk guilt defiantly sucks. For me I just woke up one morning and felt ok about stopping. As I was stopping I had times where I second guessed myself but...a week later that was gone. Not having to worry about pumping before bed is the best.

persnickity · May 2018

@mtpbadger congrats!! And it is really stressful to pump at work, but I can only imagine it's so much worse with unsupportive bosses. It kinda drives me crazy, because no one has issues with people taking smoke breaks, and yet the seems to be so much hassle with pumping. Hopefully your bosses get better.

latershrader · May 2018

Congratulations to all the new momma's out there! @mtpbadger I'm right outside of DC too!

I'm curious for the BF mom's...Do you switch to formula after you decide you're done with BF and/or pumping?

mbradfo2 · May 2018

@mtpbadger
congrats! i'm sure she'll be home before you know it

It's nice to see all the new mommies!!

My birthday is coming up next month - the big 35. I always said I wanted to have kids before 35 and I guess I achieved that

Just not in the way I expected!

byrneme · May 2018

Welcome to all the new mommies - love seeing the tiny bundles of joy!!

@omarismyhomeboy HUGE kudos to you for making it to 9 months, that is downright amazing. Stopping is a mental mindgame but know what you've done is incredible. Exclusively pumping was the hardest thing I've ever done (I only got to 6 months) but you are going to love your freedom and yay for making it through cold and flu season!! Good job mama!

2MomsHoping · May 2018

*Lurking from 3rd Trimester*

@mtpbadger great to see an update from your little Abigail looks like she is doing wonderfully! I’m super impressed that you are able to keep up with the pumping and went back to work so close after delivery, though I completely understand you want to save your time be with your little one. So sad these tradeoffs need to be made at all and your work is giving you are hard time. The law is on your side with taking time for pumping so don’t let them push you around!

@omarismybomeboy though I have no experience with pumping…yet. 9months seems extremely impressive to me! Even if you believe fed is best the societal pressure still can make us feel like we aren’t doing enough and that lets the guilt creep in. Celebrate the awesome success you have had with breastfeeding. I have known so many who struggle and the time it takes to pump exclusively is an enormous sacrifice to nourish your little one don’t forget that and be proud of it! If you are ready to end the journey then mama it is the best and right time for you and your babe!

Holls214 · May 2018

@mtpbadger so happy to see an update from you as well. She is beautiful. Hoping she gets to come home soon and your bosses get better.

I guess I should join here as well. Baby Bryson was born 3 weeks early through induction on 5/25. Labor almost progressed too fast but got the epidural in time thankfully. I got induced at 10pm and was a 10 by 12:30am. I got the epidural at a 10 and I give major props to anyone who does it without meds because omg that was painful until the epidural kicked in and keeping still while getting it through the contractions was intense. I pushed for almost 4 hours and he was out. He weighed 6 lb 9 oz and was 19.5 inches long. He had low blood sugar when he was born so we had a bit of extra monitoring but he is just perfect and fine now.
I’m not producing any milk really 2-3ml per pumping so he will be a formula baby. I’m going to keep pumping until my husband goes back to work and give him the little bit we get. I guess due to my hormone problems and Pcos I don’t really produce milk.
Life has been a whirlwind since but we are so in love and sleepy at the same time.

omarismyhomeboy · May 2018

What a sweet boy @Holls214!

To everyone who made me feel better about the end of pumping- THANK YOU. It means a lot. I love this community dearly.

MMD1986 · May 2018

Fun that so many new moms are getting to join in. Congrats @Holls214! Bryson is a cutie.

stella_700 · May 2018

So many precious babies. I'm loving it, welcome new Moms and their beautiful babies.

@omarismyhomeboy Congrats so much on pumping for June. I know how hard it is and hope you feel proud over the work (and it is HARD work) to pump for her that long. I both dread and long for that decision so I understand a bit how you feel.

wabash15 · May 2018

@mtpbadger she is beautiful congrats. I would check, most places have laws requiring businesses to give moms time to pump, maybe reminding them of this will help them be less of a PITA.
@latershrader I think it depends on how old they are when you wean... If less than a year I would probably supplement with formula as solids are not ideally supposed to be the primary source of nutrition till after a year. if after a year you could offer cows milk or the milk substitute of your choice.

Polythene Pam · May 2018

@latershrader you’d switch to formula if before a year.. however I’ve seen some moms have just enough of a stash that they can start slowly introducing whole milk at 11 months. So half formula or breastmilk, half milk in a bottle, then all milk at a year.

Love all the new babies!! Congrats mamas!!

mtpbadger · May 2018

@holls214 stick with the pumping. It took me almost a week to get anything measurable and a few days ago it was like the flood gates opened. Since Bryson was early, it may take a little bit. It’s so frustrating to pump and basically get a few drops but hang in there! Are you able to rent a hospital grade pump? Also, if you don’t have one, a hands free pumping bra is SO worthwhile. I would be going crazy without mine! He is just so adorable!!!!

Holls214 · May 2018

@mtpbadger I’m going to keep it up for a couple weeks at least to see. I just think once my husband goes back to work if I’m not producing it would be a lot alone... We did rent a hospital grade pump as well.

persnickity · May 2018

@Holls214 it can take a bit for milk to come in. And then there's the whole issue of supply regulating too. I started over producing around 4-6 weeks before everything finally sorted out. Also, try playing with the settings. I found that the 2 minute let down phase, then 2 minutes at the medium speed, followed by 6 minutes at the slower speed with slightly higher suction actually got more out because it better followed her nursing pattern.

mtpbadger · May 2018

@holls214 the LC at the hospital also gave us good tips on hand expressing both while pumping and after and I found that helped me get a lot more and increase my supply. (https://med.stanford.edu/newborns/professional-education/breastfeeding/maximizing-milk-production.html)

Holls214 · May 2018

Thank you ladies! I will try all of that as well. I think the lactation specialist was concerned too because there’s been a couple times with nothing at all as well as the minimal amounts. Fingers crossed.

Polythene Pam · June 2018

@Holls214 hugs!! I never produced enough with my daughter (truly, tried pumping 24/7 for 6 weeks and saw LCs to try to up supply, it was due to traumatic delivery) so I can also say be kind to yourself

if you can (and want to) increase supply, it’s worth it. But if it’s too much and it’s a stress or you’d rather snuggle that sweet baby.. that’s worth it too. My daughter was FF besides the tiny amounts of breastmilk at the start, and my son is 7 months and attached to my boob, both are amazing and healthy. Just hugs

JWatt5 · June 2018

@Holls214 - it took about 8 days for my milk to come in. We followed the nurse/pump/supplement plan for two weeks and after that my supply was enough (I ended up an exclusive pumper for other reasons). It’s a lot - but there’s nothing wrong with formula too!! I supplemented from day one and that was the best decision I ever made. Like @Polythene Pam said - your baby will also turn out healthy and amazing!
let me know if you have questions - I used different pumps, power pumped, supplements and LCs as well as went to the Jack Newman clinic (he’s the “breastfeeding guru here).
*edit for the usual spelling haha

mtpbadger · June 2018

Thanks ladies! thankfully I work off site most of the time and my on-site supervisors (not my direct management) have been pretty awesome about the whole pumping situation and have been flexible with me if I need to leave early, even covering for me since my direct management was slow in approving a change in my hours. Now just waiting for the FMLA paperwork to get pushed through and hoping it does ASAP since it sounds like Abigail might be home either this weekend or early next week! She's been able to maintain her temp in an open bassinet and has been taking all of her feeds by bottle for the past 24 hours. If she hits the 48 hour mark, they'll start looking at discharge...eeek! She could be stubborn and all of a sudden stop or regress, but I'm starting to get excited that the end of her NICU stay seems pretty near! And of course nervous about having her home and figuring out a "new normal" with her!

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