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RE: Got Mommy's Milk, Take 7 - 8/4/2008 8:09:03 AM
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KatMack
Posts: 969
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Along the Canopy Roads
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I hate to say this, but those nighttime pumps are the best for getting and keeping your supply up. The hormones that help promote milk production are at their highest when we're sleeping, so encouraging production during that peak can do wonders for you supply. If you can get a hands free set up going, you can lean back on the couch and doze off while pumping (that's what I did).
Oatmeal every morning is another great way to keep up your supply and water, water and more water!
--Kat
_____________________________
<-- My sweet blessings.
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RE: Got Mommy's Milk, Take 7 - 8/4/2008 9:25:59 AM
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SweetLittleErin
Posts: 3479
Joined: 7/20/2005
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Sarah, no BC yet. I'll probably get that at my post partum visit here in a few weeks. We cant do anything until then anyway...at honestly, we probably wont be doing much after then either for a while. But we will be extra careful and use barrier I'm sure for a while anyway. WAY too much on my plate to get pregnant again right now...way too much.
Looks like I'll start waking up at night, maybe it will be better now that we are home and getting in some type of routine (as much as we can anyway).
_____________________________
~Erin~
Mommy to Isaac, born 7/29, 12 weeks early,
Mommy's Little Miracle Man
<----"Yay! I'm home!
A Glimpse Of Pink
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RE: Got Mommy's Milk, Take 7 - 8/4/2008 10:25:46 AM
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PrudentWife
Posts: 1442
Joined: 1/25/2006
From: The Promised Land
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If your desire is to breastfeed exclusively, 5 times per day will not build an adequate supply. I would say 8x per day would be the minimum if you want to exclusively BF.
I aslo agree with the ladies who say you need to wake up during the night.
I had a coworker who BF exclusively for well over a year. She would feed the baby in the morning when she woke, feed at the daycare before coming into work. (That was about 8am, the daycare was next door to our building). She would pump mid-morning, and then go to the daycare to feed the baby at lunch. She would pump mid-afternoon, and then feed the baby before the commute home at 5:30. That is 6 feeds right there.
Then she would feed at home, and even though the baby was sleeping through the night at an early age, she still woke the baby in the middle of the night to feed for almost a year. She also never fed the baby pumped milk except for when she was at work. She made sure to have as many real feedings as possible to stimulate her supply.
The last I talked to her was at about 14 months, and she still hadn't changed this schedule. And she claimed to have the same pumping output at 14 months as she did in the beginning.
It was her 3rd baby, and she found out through trial and error that that was the only way she could work and BF exclusively.
You're doing a great job, Erin. And you know what is best for you and your baby. I don't know what you're going through right now, but my heart goes out for you. You CAN do this, and we're all here to cheer you on every step of the way.
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 Mooing for 25 consecutive months and counting
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RE: Got Mommy's Milk, Take 7 - 8/4/2008 11:25:06 AM
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Mrs.X
Posts: 2677
Joined: 7/7/2005
From: Newberg, OR
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The shcedule Prudent mentioned about her friend is a good one. When you wake up, right before work, 10am break, noon break, 3pm break, right after work. Do you get two 15 minute breaks, and an hour lunch?
Maybe try setting your alarm for halfway through your sleep, like if you wake up at 6 and go to bed at 9, set your alarm for 1am or 2am. The reason most moms feel the fullest in the morning or middle of the night is because of the sleep they had.
I did want to point out that as long you keep your schedule during the day, you will keep your supply during the day. If it is too much for you, you can do formula or spare pumped milk in the middle of the night for your entire breastfeeding relationship.
You're doing great, Erin! Hopefully those boobs won't hurt ya too much for too much longer.
_____________________________
-Stina
From Sweet Grass to the Packin' House
What is her avatar?
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RE: Got Mommy's Milk, Take 7 - 8/4/2008 12:22:23 PM
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SweetLittleErin
Posts: 3479
Joined: 7/20/2005
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Thanks ladies. I am working on getting a schedule...this past week its been so hard because I havent had a routine at all. As far as breaks...I pretty much get what I want. Today I pumped at 7:30, just now at 11 (I was shooting for 10:30), I'll go again at 2:30, then when I get home, then 8:30ish, then bed time, then I'll try my hardest to get a nighttime one in. Boobies are feeling some better today...oh and my amount pumped was higher yesterday than the day before...and it seems like there is more todays pumpings than yesterday. I had to start pumping into the Medela bottles because the storage containers they gave me (the hospital has specific ones they want used) only hold 70ml and I am getting enough to almost fill three (total) each pumping.
I'd like to exclusively BF...thats my goal...but alot of my goals have had to change when my baby came 12 weeks early...
_____________________________
~Erin~
Mommy to Isaac, born 7/29, 12 weeks early,
Mommy's Little Miracle Man
<----"Yay! I'm home!
A Glimpse Of Pink
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RE: Got Mommy's Milk, Take 7 - 8/4/2008 2:36:33 PM
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Mrs.Wifey
Posts: 5061
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From: The Gorgeous plains of Colorado
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(((Erin))) The NICU pumping definitely sucks, I was doing it every 3 hours around the clock and it is draining. I figured it was worth it since it was the same schedule we would have had if I had a newborn at home, ya know?
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Ryanne
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RE: Got Mommy's Milk, Take 7 - 8/4/2008 4:33:50 PM
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SweetLittleErin
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Generally speaking...how much milk do I need to be getting? My LC said to try get between 500 - 750 ml. Right now he isnt getting any milk, I just dont know how much I need to aim at getting. That make sense?
_____________________________
~Erin~
Mommy to Isaac, born 7/29, 12 weeks early,
Mommy's Little Miracle Man
<----"Yay! I'm home!
A Glimpse Of Pink
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RE: Got Mommy's Milk, Take 7 - 8/4/2008 4:38:53 PM
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firefightermama
Posts: 1403
Joined: 10/24/2006
From: Canada
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I don't know for sure Erin, but I would try to empty your breasts each time you pump, or at least pump until the flow slows down considerably. If you are talking about how often to pump each day, I don't really know what would be the recommendation.
I have a little chart that my LC gave me, on suggested amounts. I will quote the chart on the ages, but for your situation, you would judge from the time he starts having milk, instead of since birth, does that make sense?
Birth to 1 week - 6-10 feedings/24hrs - 2-3oz per feeding
1 to 2 weeks - 6-8 feedings/24hrs - 2-3 oz per feeding
3 weeks to 2 months - 5-7 feedings/24hrs - 4-5 oz per feeding.
Now, We never really dropped to less than 8 feedings until we quit breastfeeding, so these are rough guidelines ONLY!! But I hope it gives you an idea how much you might need...
_____________________________
~yolanda~
"I wish I was a glow worm, cuz glow worms are never glum.
How can you be grumpy when the sun shines out you
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RE: Got Mommy's Milk, Take 7 - 8/4/2008 5:01:15 PM
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SweetLittleErin
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I FEEL like I am getting a good amount but I have nothing to compare it to. Especially since right now he isnt getting any of it so its so hard to know if its enough and if I am doing it "right" or what.
I have been pumping for 15 minutes or when the milk stops, whichever is longer. My GOAL has been to try to pump every three hours, I have been missing that sometimes when we were out and about. But maybe I can get into a better routine now that we are back home. When we are at the hospital I try to pump there. I think it will be easier if I can get a hands free thing.
_____________________________
~Erin~
Mommy to Isaac, born 7/29, 12 weeks early,
Mommy's Little Miracle Man
<----"Yay! I'm home!
A Glimpse Of Pink
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RE: Got Mommy's Milk, Take 7 - 8/4/2008 6:01:47 PM
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Royal.Fortress
Posts: 2259
Joined: 8/11/2005
From: Ontario
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Erin - I'm sure your LC is giving you a good amount to shoot for ... if you're getting LESS than what she's suggesting, I would suggest some supplements to increase supply, but if you're getting in that range or MORE, than I'd say you're doing just great!!!!
The herbs my midwives suggested for increasing supply are Blessed Thistle and Fenugreek - you take them in capsules, in case you need that info later!!
And I would also suggest getting up at night - like Tammy said, the hormones are at their peak for supply =) When Gwen was first born, we were feeding her every 2 hours - so 12 nursings a day, and never less than 8 (that would be every 3 hours). When we started following her cues, she would eat every 1.5 - 2 hours during the day and go a 4 hour and then 3 hour stretch at night - which still worked out to 10 - 12 nursings. Even now (8 weeks on Thursday), she normally doesn't go for longer than 3 hours during the day. I would *definitely* suggest pumping at least every 3 hours - more if you're able, since the first 6 weeks after birth is when you're building your supply, and using a pump is not as efficient at that as a baby!
Brandy - If she's not feeding more often, than I have no clue why you're making more!! Maybe because she's not eating as much during the day and then eating BIG TIME at night your breasts are more stimulated? An empty breast actually makes milk quicker than a fuller breast, so maybe because she's emptying them more at night they're just "filling" quicker?
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Kim
my blog -> kim thru the looking glass
Proud member of the Moo Club
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RE: Got Mommy's Milk, Take 7 - 8/4/2008 9:22:52 PM
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purejoy
Posts: 902
Joined: 4/15/2005
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Erin, it sounds like you are doing awesome with pumping! Good job, mama!
Question for you ladies which might be silly, but I have no idea. Is it realistic that I could buy nursing bras now and they should fit when I have the baby? I'm 32 weeks tomorrow.
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RE: Got Mommy's Milk, Take 7 - 8/4/2008 9:41:56 PM
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Flintejae
Posts: 2579
Joined: 4/11/2005
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Purejoy: Hm. My first thought is that you should be okay, but I don't know how the milk will come in for you. I think I'm just around the same size as pre birth myself.
Pumping:
Erin (and all women who pump) I have a whole new respect for you! My job called this morning begging for my help next week with registration. I told them mornings were out, but I may be able to do afternoons. A dear friend sent me a like-new medella double pump backpack to use (she is no longer using it) so that I could pump some to have more freedom. I told my boss that I would see how the pumping went (if I could pump) and let her know tomorrow. The EXCITING news is that I pumped 1.5 ounces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (That's after feeding Jadon about a half hour later). However, my nipples hurt and thinking about all the work involved I decided it's not worth it. (It's COMPLETELY different having a baby milk your breasts vs. a machine!) I'd have to pump at least four ounces per day not to mention some for the weekend. (On top of feeding Jadon on demand) The money would be nice, but we don't "need" it. I told Jason my decision and he said, "Good!". I guess he didn't want me to do it which surprised me. I may go in no more than three hours a day if they really need me, but other then that I'm going to decline.
I am very excited that I have this WONDERFUL pump that I can use to pump for more freedom if we want to go to the movies or on a date. I figure I can pump through the week and get four ounces with no problem.
_____________________________
- Janine
Jadon, 3/12/08. Thank You, Lord, for Your Amazing Miracles
Moo!
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RE: Got Mommy's Milk, Take 7 - 8/4/2008 10:59:35 PM
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SweetLittleErin
Posts: 3479
Joined: 7/20/2005
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I didnt notice a big change when my milk came in. My breasts seem the same size just a different "texture".
I must say I am so glad that I am able to pump...at least this way he can have milk when he is ready. I just hope that he is also able to nurse some too, i dont want to miss out on that. But due to the situation we will have to start him on a bottle. We will let him try and learn to nurse, but we have to be able to bottle feed him before he comes home so the doctors and us can make sure he is getting enough.
_____________________________
~Erin~
Mommy to Isaac, born 7/29, 12 weeks early,
Mommy's Little Miracle Man
<----"Yay! I'm home!
A Glimpse Of Pink
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You are doing a great job mama, you just hang in there and before you know it this will be a distant memory!
But *anything* you can give him in this regard is a benefit to him, and you shouldn't feel bad if you can't meet that particular goal. Keeping up a milk supply with pumps can be tough.
So I need some new bras anyway. I don't know if I should just buy some cute and functional nursing bras and start wearing them now? Or buy something to get me through the next two months and then just see where I'm at with nursing bras when the time comes. Although at $14.99, it doesn't really make a whole lot of difference I guess. That's a pretty good price!