@mytrueloves breast aversion like you are explaining is often a normal reaction when you have a forceful or over active let down (which it sounds like you may have. I had the same problem the the instant I took of my bra, and leaked through every thing. Mine was an over active let down. Gravity/not wearing a bra/pressure against my breast while sleeping etc caused a let down every time. And I didn't really have an oversupply. If he drank from that breast I got nothing extra pumping, if he didn't I may get 1-3 ounces but I fought for every pumped drop.) You often see coughing/gagging/choking (and quite a few other symptoms) as well.
Like @jennybean80 said, it's only good for 24hrs after defrosted, so I wouldn't want to defrost a lot at a time unless you are strictly bottle feeding. I know DS would never take more than about 3oz breast milk in a bottle feeding (despite his age. He will still only drink about 3-6oz of lactose free/soy milk even at 2). I was told that was pretty typical and breastfed babies don't usually go up a lot in ozs (like don't usually drink 8-10oz bottles at a time like formula fed babies. But I don't know why, other than it being more filling/formulated to their needs at that point in time. I'm sure some babies might take more.).
And definitely @arome2311 about the mastitis! That can go so bad so quick! I have been one of the insanely lucky people in that I breastfed for over 2 years and never got it.
Breast fed babies don't need the volume to get the nutrients they need so you won't event need over a 4oz bottle if you are pumping and feeding. Breastfeeding was covered in our Bradley class but taking a breast feeding class as a refresher next week!
I've heard both positive and negative things about breastfeeding classes depending on your hospital. It wouldn't hurt to take one. I would recommend meeting with a lactation consultant after your LO is born. My hospital and pedi both had lactation consultants. My pedi's LCs were so helpful! I would have given up on breastfeeding if it weren't for them.
My first kid I couldn’t breastfeed and so I just have a lot of anxiety this time around. Our pedi doesn’t have one in office and my hospital was useless last time. Ugh I’m just really anxious. Meanwhile Dh is like “it will come back to you!” Which is less helpful than he thinks.
@HoosOnFirst - Have you looked for your local La Leche League? I’ve heard really good things about them.
I had been planning to take a breastfeeding class, but then things didn’t go as planned. Our NICU is super supportive of pumping and breastfeeding though, and I have met several times with an LC, both for support pumping and as we have started working on breastfeeding. It has been very helpful.
@HoosOnFirst I've heard that La Leche League meetings can be very helpful. You can attend them before you deliver and maybe you will find great support there? I've personally never attended a meeting, but heard good things. Hopefully you have some in your area.
Strangely even though I’m in a major city suburb, the closest la Lache league is inactive! The closest hospital has a breastfeeding group twice a month i’m going to go to. But having trouble finding a class prior to delivery just to refresh myself on the basics! Will keep looking. Wish all the research was in one place!!
LA Leche league is nice! I have gone to a couple already. My breastfeeding class is with a lactation consultant at our stand alone birth center. There should be a website to search for you nearest lactation consultant. I know they have different levels of certification so all should check that out.
@zwink1 ETA- obviously the most important thing here is that you are planning on feeding your baby in some way shape or form. whatever works best for you and baby will be good, whether that is breastmilk, formula, or any mix of the two.
i went back to work after 6 weeks with three kids and managed just fine, but i did pump regularly at work. I think the key to this was that I just let them know right away it was something i needed to do and kept it a priority, even when i could have adjusted the schedule (and even when it was a hassle for me ), so that they never expected me to change it. disclaimer: i never had issues with supply in general so i know it is very different for everyone.
also, our first was terrible about taking bottles, so we started by 3 weeks after that. whether it was that or just different kids, we had a much easier time with the others switching. also, our sitter had them using sippy cups at 4-5 months and that was easier all around. they took them better and seemed to have less issue switching between bf and the cups.
@HoosOnFirst - Also- have you considered looking to see if other hospitals in your area offer breastfeeding classes? You don’t have to be planning to deliver at my hospital to take their classes.
Breastfeeding is great if you can make it work exclusively bf great but if not, its not an all or nothing situation. We supplemented a bottle a day after I went back to work and I was less stressed and kid was fed. Still managed to bf for a year. The first few weeks are important to establish bf supply and get the baby used to the "extra work" they have to do for bf but once that is down, it's pretty convenient especially for night feedings.
@HoosOnFirst - Also- have you considered looking to see if other hospitals in your area offer breastfeeding classes? You don’t have to be planning to deliver at my hospital to take their classes.
I did! There’s a class on Monday from 6-9 at the hospital closest to me, but it directly conflicts with my pt appt for my back. And then the next class there is in November, which isnt as helpful. So checking the next closest hospital I’m sure I’ll find one. A lot of LCs around here but I don’t need a one on one until after I have this kid.
I'll have to think about what I can do with the scheduling situation. For the most part, work will be very accommodating and I can get up and leave my desk whenever to pump. On the other hand, I also handle hearings, sometimes in person, and there's no way to adjust those around my pumping schedule, so I'll have to work on setting up a schedule that will run into the least resistance there...
@kiwi2628 - Get or make a Pumping bra. It will make the whole experience less frustrating.
Also- I suggest spending some time researching the suggested settings for your specific pump. That was much more confusing to me than how to hook stuff up.
My hospital has a free breastfeeding class clinic every day at 930 am. You can go as along as you gave birth at the hospital. You can make appointment for one on one time as well. During my prenatal class they had a good two hours of breastfeeding talk. I'm glad they are so pro breastfeeding!
Me 33 DH 41 TTC since 2016 Due: October 12, 2018 Location: Ontario, Canada
Mine has a totally free new moms luncheon I think once or twice a month where you can go meet other new moms and they have a lactation consultant there that will answer all the questions. So I’m going to try to hit up that while I’m on maternity leave. Even though I’m scared to meet new people....
@zwink1 I went back to work at 7 weeks with both my kids. I’m a teacher and have to pump at recess, lunch and then right after school to help maintain my supply. It’s definitely doable though! I nursed both for over a year, but it does take some prep/planning. I’ve pumped around field trips and other activities and the key is knowing when those times are going to shift things and adjusting accordingly. I’ve used the Medela PISA and since it’s a double pump, having a pumping bra was so nice and helped with time management. I also left formula with my daycare for times when I didn’t leave enough or the kids needed more, jic.
We actually plan to do both formula and nursing for the first week or two. This is mainly because our other kids have both ended up with jaundice and needing photolight therapy (they’re at higher risk since they’re part Asian, are breastfed, born at 37 weeks, and in my daughter’s case, had a sibling who had it as well as me having diabetes). I’d nurse first then bottle feed a couple of ounces of formula. When we did that with our daughter, she was under the lights for about 12 hours vs the 3 days for our son. This switching off hasn’t been an issue, although I know each kid is different. My daughter preferred nursing so she wouldn’t take a bottle if I was around, but would gladly take one if I wasn’t there. If she heard my voice, it was enough for her to refuse a bottle and she’d want me. This was until she was about 8 months old. My son on the other hand just wanted to eat and would take it however way he could get it.
Re: Breastfeeding/ Pumping General Discussion
Like @jennybean80 said, it's only good for 24hrs after defrosted, so I wouldn't want to defrost a lot at a time unless you are strictly bottle feeding. I know DS would never take more than about 3oz breast milk in a bottle feeding (despite his age. He will still only drink about 3-6oz of lactose free/soy milk even at 2). I was told that was pretty typical and breastfed babies don't usually go up a lot in ozs (like don't usually drink 8-10oz bottles at a time like formula fed babies. But I don't know why, other than it being more filling/formulated to their needs at that point in time. I'm sure some babies might take more.).
And definitely @arome2311 about the mastitis! That can go so bad so quick! I have been one of the insanely lucky people in that I breastfed for over 2 years and never got it.
I had been planning to take a breastfeeding class, but then things didn’t go as planned. Our NICU is super supportive of pumping and breastfeeding though, and I have met several times with an LC, both for support pumping and as we have started working on breastfeeding. It has been very helpful.
i went back to work after 6 weeks with three kids and managed just fine, but i did pump regularly at work. I think the key to this was that I just let them know right away it was something i needed to do and kept it a priority, even when i could have adjusted the schedule (and even when it was a hassle for me
disclaimer: i never had issues with supply in general so i know it is very different for everyone.
also, our first was terrible about taking bottles, so we started by 3 weeks after that. whether it was that or just different kids, we had a much easier time with the others switching. also, our sitter had them using sippy cups at 4-5 months and that was easier all around. they took them better and seemed to have less issue switching between bf and the cups.
I'll have to think about what I can do with the scheduling situation. For the most part, work will be very accommodating and I can get up and leave my desk whenever to pump. On the other hand, I also handle hearings, sometimes in person, and there's no way to adjust those around my pumping schedule, so I'll have to work on setting up a schedule that will run into the least resistance there...
Also- I suggest spending some time researching the suggested settings for your specific pump. That was much more confusing to me than how to hook stuff up.
During my prenatal class they had a good two hours of breastfeeding talk. I'm glad they are so pro breastfeeding!
TTC since 2016
Due: October 12, 2018
Location: Ontario, Canada
We actually plan to do both formula and nursing for the first week or two. This is mainly because our other kids have both ended up with jaundice and needing photolight therapy (they’re at higher risk since they’re part Asian, are breastfed, born at 37 weeks, and in my daughter’s case, had a sibling who had it as well as me having diabetes). I’d nurse first then bottle feed a couple of ounces of formula. When we did that with our daughter, she was under the lights for about 12 hours vs the 3 days for our son. This switching off hasn’t been an issue, although I know each kid is different. My daughter preferred nursing so she wouldn’t take a bottle if I was around, but would gladly take one if I wasn’t there. If she heard my voice, it was enough for her to refuse a bottle and she’d want me. This was until she was about 8 months old. My son on the other hand just wanted to eat and would take it however way he could get it.