Can we talk about Breastfeeding & Pumping?

[ladybrienne]

With my first son, I BF for about a month, we had so many struggles and those struggles partly contributed to my PPD so I stopped. Ultimately it was the right decision and one I have no regrets over. I was able to get into therapy and take anti-depressants and get into a much better place.

I have decided I am going to give BF another try. Honestly, my main motivator is that it will be getting into flu season and I have a germy little toddler in daycare, so it can't hurt to give it a try. I have Lexapro on standby with my dr if things get bad again and I feel good about this decision.

Anyway, for those of you who are BF this time around, talk to me about your successes with it and what was the hardest.

I also want to hear about pumping schedules - if all goes well, I want to try and get a stash for when I go back to work. Tell me about this too.

[hayleysmith]

Went through the same thing with my first - though I just exclusively pumped - but he was having reflux/gas issues and that plus c-section recovery & PPD made it just all too much for me. I am asking for percocet with a side of zoloft after my RCS this time, so I'm hoping I'll be able to EP longer! I really want to avoid paying for formula this time now that I have two in daycare spending all my monies!

[ladybrienne]

Aug 9, 2018 6:55:47 GMT -6 hayleysmith said:

Went through the same thing with my first - though I just exclusively pumped - but he was having reflux/gas issues and that plus c-section recovery & PPD made it just all too much for me. I am asking for percocet with a side of zoloft after my RCS this time, so I'm hoping I'll be able to EP longer! I really want to avoid paying for formula this time now that I have two in daycare spending all my monies!

The cost of formula is another motivator for me to try and stick it out longer. I have no doubt in my head that it's going to be REALLY hard and a lot of pressure. But yeah, 2 kids in daycare plus the cost of formula after being out of work for 3 months.....I want to cut costs where I can!

[Dramaphile]

I would recommend getting the information of an IBCLC (independent board certified lactation consultant) before birth so you can head off any issues as early as possible. Hospital and pediatrician lactation consultants are great, but not always the best help you can get. A local Breastfeeding support group online or in person is also great, sometimes there are hospital-based ones, or a LLL nearby. I learned a ton from my FB breastfeeding group and it really helped me see what was normal and what was concerning.

I was lucky not to have a ton of issues with my first (my main problem was oversupply, so I ended up block feeding to get it under control), but am definitely keeping contacts in my back pocket in case baby #2 is more challenging.

And know which medications are safe for BF - Lexapro and Zoloft are both fine to breastfeed while taking. Pharmacists and doctors are not always the most knowledgeable about what can or can't be taken while BF and tend to be over-cautious. Infant Risk hotline is a great free resource, and they have an app called Mommy Meds as well.

[foxtober]

My son took to breastfeeding easily, but we had a round of thrush early that really dropped my supply (because it was so painful to feed). I was really glad I stuck with it when we discovered his food allergies, even though that meant making my whole stash worthless days before he started daycare.

During my leave I pumped after he would eat. He would usually drain one boob and I would pump the one he didn't fully drain and then feed him on the pumped side to start the next time. I didn't do it for every feeding, usually just morning ones because my supply was lower at night. I also didn't start regularly until my nipples stopped hurting.
Once I was back at work the easiest one to pump was the 2am-ish and then I'd pump 3 times at work a day (a half hour each time on a double pump worked for me at first). As I began to dread pumping (around 6 months) I would do two times that could go up to an hour each.

[jillywilly]

I have no advice because I'm basically in the same boat - with my first, he was jaundiced, so we had to go BACK to the hospital after being released, he wasn't pooping enough, and my milk hadn't come in, so we had to start supplementing with formula, and then he never really wanted to go back on the boob from there. At the time, exclusively pumping seemed like the easier choice, so I did that for six months (though not really "exclusively" - he probably had 80% breast milk/20% formula), until I finally stopped an switched to all formula.

Pumping made me miserable, so I was really happy to make the switch to formula. I'm hoping to be able to get this kid to breastfeed the old fashioned way this time, because I just don't think I can do that again, especially now with two kids, but I do also want to give it another shot - basically for the same reasons, there will be a germy three year old bringing home day care germs, and $$$. My plan is to basically tell them at the hospital to treat me like a FTM when it comes to breastfeeding since it didn't work last time, and also having a few cans of formula on standby just in case.

[ladybrienne]

jillywilly I had formula on hand with N in case my milk didn't come in quick enough and man was it a lifesaver. DNW a starving newborn.

I am going to take a BF class this time around. I didn't the first time. I also didn't like how I was treated by the hospital lactation consultants - they were like......mean. I plan to stand my ground this time around.

Dramaphile my OB was hesitant about me taking Lexapro and BF. I plan to bring it up with them again because I have read that it is safe.

[Diordra]

I am in the didn’t even try with DD1 boat and plan to this time.

I would definitely talk to them about the Lexapro as I am still taking it. My OB, psych and myself felt it would be far better for me to continue through pregnancy then deal with the nearly debilitating anxiety I had while pregnant last time.

[LoisLoan]

I breastfed both girls until they weaned around 1. With my first, the struggle with her is that she had a hard time latching. I agree with seeing a Lactation Consultant outside of the hospital, as that is what helped with us in that case. We ended up using a silicone nipple shield to help with her latch until around 6 months when she just started latching fine without it.

With my second, she had a tongue tie which the lactation consultant in the hospital found and corrected. I did end up going to a lactation consultant after we left the hospital as well as I had a massive oversupply that was making it hard for her to eat. So I guess my best advice is to second whoever said to find a good lactation consultant outside the hospital as I feel like that is what saved us both times. I got information for this from my pediatrician. 

[charlotte]

I don’t have any experience with pumping, but I guess I’ll just share a little bit about my experience BF last time.

It was EXTREMELY difficult for the first 4ish weeks. I didn’t suffer from PPD but the initial baby blues added to our struggles nursing caused me to be very emotional. I cried before feeds a lot for the first 2 weeks. It was painful and frustrating and looking back I wish I would have sought out a lactation consultant (the hospital LCs were awful). Then at 3 weeks I got mastitis, which was terrible.

My OB had told me in the hospital to expect BF to be really hard for the first 3 weeks, so I felt like I was kind of prepared for the initial difficulty. If it had stayed that difficult, I would have stopped.

After 3.5-4 weeks, it got a lot easier and just continued to get easier until we weaned at 16m. I ended up really loving nursing! I do wonder a lot if the start will be as rough this time around or if it will feel easier.

Your mental health is most important... I know you know that. Some pro-BF people will advise you to “stick it out” no matter what, and that may work for some, but if your mental health is suffering please put yourself first!

[charlotte]

Aug 9, 2018 7:46:22 GMT -6 ladybrienne said:

I also didn't like how I was treated by the hospital lactation consultants - they were like......mean.

Oh, I see we were at the same hospital.

[ladybrienne]

charlotte I feel a little more prepared this time around since I know how hard those first few weeks are, and because I know what to look for when it comes to knowing the difference between baby blues and PPD.

I have no idea what to expect this time around when it comes to the LC's at the hospital, I am delivering at a different one.

However the first LC to treat me like a milk maid, rather than a human being, is getting told where the door is, and not allowed to come back. I am not dealing with that shit this time around. BYE BITCH.

[sarcaztic10]

I agree with finding and using a good LC outside the hospital they really can make a world of difference. The ones in the hospital are great but can be in a rush to get to the next person on their list and may not spend as much time with 2nd time moms as they would with first timers. I also agree with seeing if there is a local LLL meeting nearby because they can be a great resource as well.

I BFed DS1 for 4 months and stopped because I couldn’t seem to figure out what I was eating that was bothering him. Our Pedi at the time recommended I quit and switch to formula and refused to refer for allergy testing. Later in our 3rd or 4th 2nd opinion we got a referral and found out he had an egg allergy but I had already quit BFing. This was 9 years ago though so food labels weren’t as easy to check for allergens so while I regret quitting I know it was the right decision.

With DS2 I BFed for 18 months and pumped at work for a little over a year. I avoided dairy and eggs in my diet for most of that time as well. I actually cut out both at around 30 weeks PG and will do so with this one too.

I got a stash set up before I got to work by pumping once on one side in the morning after he fed on the other. Mornings are the best time to pump because supply is higher than at night. I wouldn’t start building up a stash until after 6-8 weeks so you can establish supply and get a good latch.

Once back at work I initially started pumping both breasts 3x a day but that got tiring really quick so I dropped it down to both sides 2x per day. At around 6 months my supply started to take a hit so I started drinking lactation tea like it was my job and managed to pump just enough each day for him to drink the next until he hit about 14 months and moved rooms at daycare where they would no longer give him breast milk.

[sarcaztic10]

charlotte in my experience the first few weeks of BFing are always super hard. I cried a lot in the first few weeks with DS2 because it hurt and because my milk took what seemed like forever to come in. I think the only difference is that with subsequent kids you know for sure it does get better in a couple weeks.

[hayleysmith]

Aug 9, 2018 9:19:41 GMT -6 charlotte said:

Aug 9, 2018 7:46:22 GMT -6 ladybrienne said:

I also didn't like how I was treated by the hospital lactation consultants - they were like......mean.

Oh, I see we were at the same hospital.

Same at mine...I actually told the woman to GTFO and not come back in my room. Not my best moment but she just kept going on and on with the stuff. My son would not latch and actually could not drink from a bottle and was syringe fed the first 2 days. He was screaming his face off and I hadn't slept in almost 2.5 days.

[quijibo]

I’m torn between putting him on the breast or going straight to EP. DD never figured out her latch and it quickly became too much for both of us. We did EP and supplemented after the first week. It also took nearly a week to get any decent amount of milk to come in. It was sloooooow going.

If I do EP, I plan to be much better and more consistent about it this time around, because I severely hurt my supply in the beginning and was never able to get it back up beyond 8oz. in a day.

I also plan on ensuring no LCs in my hospital room. I was seriously traumatized by them. So I third or fourth the outside support group or outside LC. And anxiety / depression meds on hand.

[Argyle]

I had a similar experience to many--a positive BF experience overall, but the first month was hard. Jaundice, tongue tie, took a while for milk to come in, and he just plain wasn't getting anything half the time even though the latch always looked good (did weighed feeds to discover this). I pumped after every (lengthy) nursing session to supplement his crappy efforts, which was killing me sleep wise, until a lifesaving LC did some weighted feeds and told me to cut him off after fifteen minutes on each side (cause he wasn't getting much after that anyway). DS got better with practice and I was able to cut back on the pumping sometime during the second month and just nurse + build stash.

Will do cutoffs again, if this one does the same thing. This time I will also have any tongue tie taken care of immediately, in the hospital. No waiting for it to be a problem. And I will pump in the hospital to kick start production (okay, I might not meet this goal, but it's the plan).

For stash, after a couple weeks I will pump once a day, after the midmorning feed. That was my best production, and if you're consistent with the timing you can train your breasts to have that extra output.

[quijibo]

Can I add a question(s)? Anyone have favorite recipes or vitamins / supplements for boosting supply? Or do you naturally rely on baby / pump to do that?

[Dramaphile]

Aug 10, 2018 6:26:29 GMT -6 quijibo said:

Can I add a question(s)? Anyone have favorite recipes or vitamins / supplements for boosting supply? Or do you naturally rely on baby / pump to do that?

Baby/Pumping/hydration will do the most work.  And making sure to eat enough.  The more milk you remove, the more demand you create and your boobs will adjust to it.  If you want to get a little extra milk out without actually getting out a pump, some people like using the Haaka or similar pumps, it's a silicone thing you suction to your boob and it collects extra letdown while you nurse on the other side.  Not recommended if you tend toward oversupply since it is actively suctioning milk from you, but can be a way to save a little extra milk each time for storage or supplementing.

I did just get a fridge magnet with a recipe for lactation cookies that looks tasty, I'll take a picture of it when i get home if I can remember.  last time, someone gave me a packet of Chubby Babies double chocolate lactation cookies and they were damn delicious.  No idea if they do anything, but I was a big fan.  www.gngourmet.com/chubby-babiesdc.html

I took the Naturemade postnatal vitamin for a few months in the beginning, it has some extra vitamins in it that are supposed to go into your milk and also replace what you're losing.  FYI it turns your pee neon yellow because of the excess B-vitamins you're peeing out.

A warning I've seen about fenugreek supplements, it can make you smell like maple syrup and can make some babies gassy, apparently, so I'd watch out for that if you try it.

[LoisLoan]

Aug 10, 2018 6:36:52 GMT -6 Dramaphile said:

Aug 10, 2018 6:26:29 GMT -6 quijibo said:

Can I add a question(s)? Anyone have favorite recipes or vitamins / supplements for boosting supply? Or do you naturally rely on baby / pump to do that?

Baby/Pumping/hydration will do the most work.  And making sure to eat enough.  The more milk you remove, the more demand you create and your boobs will adjust to it.  If you want to get a little extra milk out without actually getting out a pump, some people like using the Haaka or similar pumps, it's a silicone thing you suction to your boob and it collects extra letdown while you nurse on the other side.  Not recommended if you tend toward oversupply since it is actively suctioning milk from you, but can be a way to save a little extra milk each time for storage or supplementing.

I did just get a fridge magnet with a recipe for lactation cookies that looks tasty, I'll take a picture of it when i get home if I can remember.  last time, someone gave me a packet of Chubby Babies double chocolate lactation cookies and they were damn delicious.  No idea if they do anything, but I was a big fan.  www.gngourmet.com/chubby-babiesdc.html

I took the Naturemade postnatal vitamin for a few months in the beginning, it has some extra vitamins in it that are supposed to go into your milk and also replace what you're losing.  FYI it turns your pee neon yellow because of the excess B-vitamins you're peeing out.

A warning I've seen about fenugreek supplements, it can make you smell like maple syrup and can make some babies gassy, apparently, so I'd watch out for that if you try it.

I can confirm the maple syrup smell! I used fenugreek a little bit with my first towards the end of our time nursing and my armpits smelled like maple syrup. My husband would call me Mrs. Butterworth, lol. 

[sarcaztic10]

Aug 10, 2018 6:26:29 GMT -6 quijibo said:

Can I add a question(s)? Anyone have favorite recipes or vitamins / supplements for boosting supply? Or do you naturally rely on baby / pump to do that?

In the beginning you shouldn’t need much to boost supply because between baby and pump you should be able to establish a good supply.

If you start back at work and the pump just isn’t doing it for you then I would suggest looking into supplements like fenugreek, goats rue etc. I started drinking the Earth Mama Angel Baby lactation tea 3+ tines a day at work and that helped me keep pumping at work until I was able to stop when DS2 was 14 months old. I had a problem getting comfortable pumping at work and that was the main reason my supply dropped I think. I wasn’t working from home then and for me pumping in the office was stressful.

[sarcaztic10]

And yes, I smelled strongly of maple syrup for 9+ months of my life.

[Diordra]

SO adding on to quijibo's question, what if you really really really don't want to pump?

[Dramaphile]

Aug 10, 2018 8:05:15 GMT -6 Diordra said:

SO adding on to quijibo 's question, what if you really really really don't want to pump?

Are you going to be working or at home?  if you are at home, you don't really need to pump while you are with baby unless you have some kind of supply or transfer issue that requires giving bottles.  Some people like to use the Haaka or Milkies Milk savers (they basically catch leaks while you nurse the other side) to save a little extra milk for if you need baby to get a bottle while you step out once in a while.  

If you're working, combination feeding is possible (formula while you are away, nursing while you are with baby), but you should probably consult an IBCLC on how best to do that without risking clogs/mastitis or losing supply.  I know people with older babies who are successful at it and basically nurse in the morning/evening and give formula bottles during the day, but it might be tricky while your supply is still establishing in the early months.  

[Diordra]

Aug 10, 2018 8:11:51 GMT -6 Dramaphile said:

Aug 10, 2018 8:05:15 GMT -6 Diordra said:

SO adding on to quijibo 's question, what if you really really really don't want to pump?

Are you going to be working or at home?  if you are at home, you don't really need to pump while you are with baby unless you have some kind of supply or transfer issue that requires giving bottles.  Some people like to use the Haaka or Milkies Milk savers (they basically catch leaks while you nurse the other side) to save a little extra milk for if you need baby to get a bottle while you step out once in a while.  

If you're working, combination feeding is possible (formula while you are away, nursing while you are with baby), but you should probably consult an IBCLC on how best to do that without risking clogs/mastitis or losing supply.  I know people with older babies who are successful at it and basically nurse in the morning/evening and give formula bottles during the day, but it might be tricky while your supply is still establishing in the early months.  

I work from home and DH is a SAHD so we’ll both be available to each other after leave. It’s the pumping at first to help your milk come in that I’m like ehhhhh. With DD1 it didn’t come in for about 5 days or so I’m like well then what???

[Dramaphile]

Aug 10, 2018 8:37:26 GMT -6 Diordra said:

Aug 10, 2018 8:11:51 GMT -6 Dramaphile said:

Are you going to be working or at home?  if you are at home, you don't really need to pump while you are with baby unless you have some kind of supply or transfer issue that requires giving bottles.  Some people like to use the Haaka or Milkies Milk savers (they basically catch leaks while you nurse the other side) to save a little extra milk for if you need baby to get a bottle while you step out once in a while.  

If you're working, combination feeding is possible (formula while you are away, nursing while you are with baby), but you should probably consult an IBCLC on how best to do that without risking clogs/mastitis or losing supply.  I know people with older babies who are successful at it and basically nurse in the morning/evening and give formula bottles during the day, but it might be tricky while your supply is still establishing in the early months.  

I work from home and DH is a SAHD so we’ll both be available to each other after leave. It’s the pumping at first to help your milk come in that I’m like ehhhhh. With DD1 it didn’t come in for about 5 days or so I’m like well then what???

Milk takes a few days to come in whether or not you pump, and if you are putting baby to breast frequently, you shouldn't need to. If baby isn't latching, or has jaundice, or is preterm some other issue, then you might need to, but in most cases pumping isn't necessary to bring your milk in. My LC and BF class actually did not recommend pumping at all in most cases until supply is more established at 4 weeks or so. I didn't pump with my daughter after she was born, I just put her to breast at least every couple of hours and it came in on its own.

[quijibo]

Dramaphile DD never latched and was on a bottle as of day 5. With H back at work right away and me being overwhelmed, I couldn’t force myself to drive 30+ minutes to an LC. It was just too much.

I’m preparing myself for DS to not latch, just because I need to mentally prepare for the past repeating herself. I may EP from the beginning, so I’m trying to figure out how to make enough milk via pump alone (if that’s what happens). I never, ever leaked. I never had an oversupply. Wet shirts never happened to me 😔

I will go back to work in 6 weeks (8 weeks if my placenta doesn’t cooperate and c-section is needed). I have a private office with a locking door. Fridge in the kitchen. So pumping at work ain’t no thing. DS will also be right down the road, so the option to pop down to daycare with milk is there, too.

[LoisLoan]

quijibo , you could get a silicone nipple shield to have on hand in the hospital in case he doesn't latch. It made a world of difference with my first when the LC I saw outside of the hospital suggested it, and I had one on hand with my second just in case we had the same issues. This is the one I used: www.amazon.com/Medela-Contact-Nipple-Shield-24mm/dp/B000067PQ0/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1533912906&sr=8-3&keywords=silicone+nipple+shield.

You can use it for a while to establish latch and then wean the baby off of it once they get the hang of nursing.

ETA: I wanted to add that I read that using a shield for too long could hurt your supply or cause clogged ducts if it isn't used properly so it really is a short term solution if the baby really struggles with latching.  Although, with that said my first didn't figure out the latch until almost 6 months but nursed just fine on the shield for that long. 

[Diordra]

Dramaphile Thank you! That makes me feel better. I am and will be a total FTM when it comes to this part so I really appreciate the answer.

[Dramaphile]

Aug 10, 2018 8:52:51 GMT -6 quijibo said:

Dramaphile DD never latched and was on a bottle as of day 5. With H back at work right away and me being overwhelmed, I couldn’t force myself to drive 30+ minutes to an LC. It was just too much.

I’m preparing myself for DS to not latch, just because I need to mentally prepare for the past repeating herself. I may EP from the beginning, so I’m trying to figure out how to make enough milk via pump alone (if that’s what happens). I never, ever leaked. I never had an oversupply. Wet shirts never happened to me 😔

I will go back to work in 6 weeks (8 weeks if my placenta doesn’t cooperate and c-section is needed). I have a private office with a locking door. Fridge in the kitchen. So pumping at work ain’t no thing. DS will also be right down the road, so the option to pop down to daycare with milk is there, too.

Ultimately, whatever works for you is what works!  I don't think I could personally deal with EPing, but for lots of people that is an option that works.  I would try and meet with a LC before delivery and make a plan on what you need to do to get milk to come in if baby doesn't latch this time around.  He may surprise you and latch fine, or you'll be prepared with a plan. 

Funny enough, I never leaked despite my oversupply and never felt letdowns.  Leaking doesn't seem to mean anything as far as supply goes.