When Charlie was a baby, breastfeeding was a tremendous struggle. Between his time in the NICU, slow weight gain, and me going back to work early, it made for a lot of crying (on both our parts), supplementing, and extra pumping sessions. All in all, he got breast milk for about 8 months. When Ginny was born, it was a very different experience. She latched right away, gained weight, I pumped and froze a ton of milk - everything you could hope for.
Aaaaand this is why I feel so guilty...
Pumping has taken a serious dive and I'm done stressing myself over a few ounces. I'm going to nurse when we're together, pump when I can, and fill in the gaps with my freezer stash of milk and eventually formula.
Now, I know that logically there is nothing to be ashamed of, but motherhood as little to do with logic and everything to do with heart. There are number of things I could try to boost my supply and keep on truckin', but I just don't want to. I don't want to spend hours pumping instead of playing with my kids, I don't want to take supplements that will quite literally make me smell like maple syrup, and I don't want to stress about every ounce I'm falling short. I held the one year mark as a finish line and forgot about taking it
day by day. Breastfeeding isn't all or nothing - there are many, many
options and this is one of them.
Will we still make it to a year? Who knows, but it's okay if we don't. Chances are, she'll still get breast milk daily for quite a while, even if its supplemented with formula and baby food. It's not the end of the world. The truth is, I do feel guilty and as if I'm sabotaging something that was technically working, but bigger than that, I feel relieved. I love breastfeeding and really hope we can continue as long as she'd like, but I'm really happy to finally be at peace with this decision.
Showing posts with label Breastfeeding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Breastfeeding. Show all posts
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Monday, July 1, 2013
Back to the Grindstone: Pumping at Work
Well, hello there old friend. We meet again.
After I had C, I went back to work after about 12 weeks and though I had been pumping every now and then since he was born, work was a whole new adventure. I was no longer about pumping in case we went out to dinner and needed to leave milk with a sitter; I needed to pump so he could eat the next day. No stress or anything. Thankfully, I had an understanding employer and a pumping friendly work setting. I was able to pump and bring C breast milk for about 5 months before he weaned. I hope that my experience last time can help me breastfeed even longer this time around!
Brought to you via trial and error (and tears, spilled milk, and one ruined keyboard), here are my favorite tips and tricks for pumping at work.
Bringing the Basics
Your pump is the obvious #1 on this list. If you plan on pumping while working full time, make sure its a good double electric pump that is made to handle the work load. I have a Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump with On the Go Tote
. This thing is a work horse and I'll be able to use it again this time around. There are several brands that make pumps hearty enough for full time use - ask around and do your research. Check with your insurance company to see whether they will help with the cost, but even if they won't - YES they are worth the money.
Your pump will most likely come with a cooler bag, but I like bringing something separate with more space. Other basics include flanges, connectors, tubing, storage bottles, and covers.
Point A to Point B
With all the stuff that goes into pumping, you need to figure out how to carry it around discreetly. Absolutely no need to be ashamed, but even the most confident breastfeeding Mom would probably rather not advertise at work that her "purse" is actually a breast pump. The version of the Pump in Style Advance (PISA) that I have comes in a sleek tote bag that I've gotten several compliments on and carried at work, professional conferences, and during job interviews. The pump motor is also removable so I could put it in different bag if I wanted to. The tote has plenty of room for everything I need to pump and for work, so I just use it as a purse.
This time around, I'm forgoing the tiny cooler bag that comes with the pump and am carrying the Lunch Break Thermal by My 31 as my cooler bag. There is plenty of room for everything and then some - including my lunch. This also means I have room in my pump bag for the items that would be in my purse cutting my stuff to carry from three bags (purse, pump, lunch bag) to two.
So You Forgot Your _______
At some point during your pump at work journey, you WILL have that moment where you forget something important. Hopefully, its not your entire pump (yes, I did that once). Forgetting a few pieces here and there sucks, but its normal. You just need to get creative!
I asked a bunch of Moms what their in a pinch solutions were and the most popular answer was Ziploc baggies. You can pump into them or use them with a rubber band as a bottle cover. They're easier to come across than milk storage bags in a work setting and work just fine.
What if you forget your cooler bag or icepack? If you can't get your hands on a fridge or baggie of ice, milk can safely remain at room temperature (61-79 degrees) for around 4-8 hours, depending on the temp of the room. Depending on your shift and when you pump, this may work for you. Here are more guidelines for storing breast milk from KellyMom.com.
Now lets say you do forget your pump or an important piece like flanges or connectors. If not, you may need to just hand express that day and write yourself a huge reminder Post-it for the future. Its not fun, but neither is being engorged for 8 hours.
Back Up Supplies
An easy way to avoid the panic of forgetting something important is to keep a stash of supplies in your car or desk. I always kept two bottles with caps, extra flanges, breast pads, baby wipes, and a few sample size packs of lanolin.
Another situation to be prepared for is pump/electricity failure. Its 9am and you're settling in for your first session and the power goes out. What do you do?! This has actually happened to me twice. Maybe I'm just lucky! Having a manual pump, battery pack, or car adapter will save the day....and your boobs.
General Tips
Nothing makes you want to go "moo" more than pumping. Its not relaxing or fun. Unfortunately, stress can seriously affect your supply. While its not always easy, try to create a relaxing environment wherever you pump, whether its an office, a storage room, a break room, or your car. If you have the luxury of pumping at your desk, shut your door and take advantage of the time to get things done uninterrupted. Its a great time to clean out your inbox!
Worried someone will bust on into your office mid pump? Get a rubber wedge door stop and kick it into the back of your door. It'll slow someone down enough to call out - even if they have a key.
Having supply issues while you're at work? Make sure your pump is in working order, drink lots of water, have a snack, and look at your little one. A cuddly baby is going to elicit a different response than a motor; pictures and videos of your baby can help relax you and get things going.
Keep your sessions as efficient as possible by not washing pump parts. I wipe out the flanges with a tissue and put the connectors, unwashed, in a wet bag in my cooler. The milk on them stays cold and they can be used again the next time. I wash everything when I get home. Not washing saves valuable time, especially if you're pumping during short breaks.
If you have a work wide Outlook calendar, mark off time so people know not to bother you (and that you're not just MIA). I simply write "Hold." Some people know what it means, some don't, but it helps me stay on schedule and not miss a session.
Keeping an extra power cord at work plugged in under your desk makes it easy to plug in go instead of crawling under your desk every day. Took me hitting my head several times under my desk to think of this one. Must have knocked something loose!
Resources and Links
Hands free pumping trick
Breast milk storage guidelines
US Department of Labor: Break Time for Nursing Mothers under FLSA
Breastfeedinglaw.com
LLLI: Breastfeeding and the Law
WorkandPump.com
After I had C, I went back to work after about 12 weeks and though I had been pumping every now and then since he was born, work was a whole new adventure. I was no longer about pumping in case we went out to dinner and needed to leave milk with a sitter; I needed to pump so he could eat the next day. No stress or anything. Thankfully, I had an understanding employer and a pumping friendly work setting. I was able to pump and bring C breast milk for about 5 months before he weaned. I hope that my experience last time can help me breastfeed even longer this time around!
Brought to you via trial and error (and tears, spilled milk, and one ruined keyboard), here are my favorite tips and tricks for pumping at work.
Bringing the Basics
Your pump is the obvious #1 on this list. If you plan on pumping while working full time, make sure its a good double electric pump that is made to handle the work load. I have a Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump with On the Go Tote
. This thing is a work horse and I'll be able to use it again this time around. There are several brands that make pumps hearty enough for full time use - ask around and do your research. Check with your insurance company to see whether they will help with the cost, but even if they won't - YES they are worth the money.Your pump will most likely come with a cooler bag, but I like bringing something separate with more space. Other basics include flanges, connectors, tubing, storage bottles, and covers.
Point A to Point B
With all the stuff that goes into pumping, you need to figure out how to carry it around discreetly. Absolutely no need to be ashamed, but even the most confident breastfeeding Mom would probably rather not advertise at work that her "purse" is actually a breast pump. The version of the Pump in Style Advance (PISA) that I have comes in a sleek tote bag that I've gotten several compliments on and carried at work, professional conferences, and during job interviews. The pump motor is also removable so I could put it in different bag if I wanted to. The tote has plenty of room for everything I need to pump and for work, so I just use it as a purse.
This time around, I'm forgoing the tiny cooler bag that comes with the pump and am carrying the Lunch Break Thermal by My 31 as my cooler bag. There is plenty of room for everything and then some - including my lunch. This also means I have room in my pump bag for the items that would be in my purse cutting my stuff to carry from three bags (purse, pump, lunch bag) to two.
So You Forgot Your _______
At some point during your pump at work journey, you WILL have that moment where you forget something important. Hopefully, its not your entire pump (yes, I did that once). Forgetting a few pieces here and there sucks, but its normal. You just need to get creative!
I asked a bunch of Moms what their in a pinch solutions were and the most popular answer was Ziploc baggies. You can pump into them or use them with a rubber band as a bottle cover. They're easier to come across than milk storage bags in a work setting and work just fine.
What if you forget your cooler bag or icepack? If you can't get your hands on a fridge or baggie of ice, milk can safely remain at room temperature (61-79 degrees) for around 4-8 hours, depending on the temp of the room. Depending on your shift and when you pump, this may work for you. Here are more guidelines for storing breast milk from KellyMom.com.
Now lets say you do forget your pump or an important piece like flanges or connectors. If not, you may need to just hand express that day and write yourself a huge reminder Post-it for the future. Its not fun, but neither is being engorged for 8 hours.
Back Up Supplies
An easy way to avoid the panic of forgetting something important is to keep a stash of supplies in your car or desk. I always kept two bottles with caps, extra flanges, breast pads, baby wipes, and a few sample size packs of lanolin.
Another situation to be prepared for is pump/electricity failure. Its 9am and you're settling in for your first session and the power goes out. What do you do?! This has actually happened to me twice. Maybe I'm just lucky! Having a manual pump, battery pack, or car adapter will save the day....and your boobs.
General Tips
Nothing makes you want to go "moo" more than pumping. Its not relaxing or fun. Unfortunately, stress can seriously affect your supply. While its not always easy, try to create a relaxing environment wherever you pump, whether its an office, a storage room, a break room, or your car. If you have the luxury of pumping at your desk, shut your door and take advantage of the time to get things done uninterrupted. Its a great time to clean out your inbox!
Worried someone will bust on into your office mid pump? Get a rubber wedge door stop and kick it into the back of your door. It'll slow someone down enough to call out - even if they have a key.
Having supply issues while you're at work? Make sure your pump is in working order, drink lots of water, have a snack, and look at your little one. A cuddly baby is going to elicit a different response than a motor; pictures and videos of your baby can help relax you and get things going.
Keep your sessions as efficient as possible by not washing pump parts. I wipe out the flanges with a tissue and put the connectors, unwashed, in a wet bag in my cooler. The milk on them stays cold and they can be used again the next time. I wash everything when I get home. Not washing saves valuable time, especially if you're pumping during short breaks.
If you have a work wide Outlook calendar, mark off time so people know not to bother you (and that you're not just MIA). I simply write "Hold." Some people know what it means, some don't, but it helps me stay on schedule and not miss a session.
Keeping an extra power cord at work plugged in under your desk makes it easy to plug in go instead of crawling under your desk every day. Took me hitting my head several times under my desk to think of this one. Must have knocked something loose!
Resources and Links
Hands free pumping trick
Breast milk storage guidelines
US Department of Labor: Break Time for Nursing Mothers under FLSA
Breastfeedinglaw.com
LLLI: Breastfeeding and the Law
WorkandPump.com
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Back to Work!
Though the official start of summer was only a few days ago, living on an academic calendar means our summer started back in May. It also means that we're almost halfway through since "summer" ends in mid-August. All that being said, I'm back at work and the summer is flying by. Does the lack of posting make sense now?
Though its been busy and my time with the kids has been reduced, I am happy to be back at work. Don't get me wrong, I obviously adore my family and cherish every second with them, but I also really love my job and missed it quite a bit. I started out slow to help the transition - my first week, I worked three part time days, the next week I was back full time, but have been coming home for lunch everyday. One of my biggest fears was that my milk supply would tank when I went back to work, so being able to come home for lunch to nurse G has helped tremendously.
I started pumping a few weeks ago in anticipation of going back to work and though I wasn't thrilled about pumping again, it was nice to have a buffer of milk in the freezer. My supply has always been on the high side, but there are worse problems to have. So far the whole working and pumping thing is going well, but I'm fully aware it could change at anytime. No reason to stress though - today my supply is good, G is nursing well, and that's all I can ask for.
Last week, C began going to a new daycare and he loves it! He and G will attend full time in August when J goes back to work. For now, however, he's going part time just to get out of the house and socialize. Plus, it means J can get some one on one bonding time with G.
Otherwise, G is happy and growing like a weed, C is doing great with the potty training and has been chattering up a storm, and J is applying to every teaching job he can get his hands on in hopes of getting a full time position somewhere for the fall. The weather is beautiful, our garden is growing, and life is good.
I'm hoping once I get back into the swing of things with work and being a full time working Mom, I can post more. There are so many posts I've started, but never finished due to lack of time. I love blogging, but sometimes it just falls to the back burner. Besides, if it weren't for my family, what would I write about? ;-)
Though its been busy and my time with the kids has been reduced, I am happy to be back at work. Don't get me wrong, I obviously adore my family and cherish every second with them, but I also really love my job and missed it quite a bit. I started out slow to help the transition - my first week, I worked three part time days, the next week I was back full time, but have been coming home for lunch everyday. One of my biggest fears was that my milk supply would tank when I went back to work, so being able to come home for lunch to nurse G has helped tremendously.I started pumping a few weeks ago in anticipation of going back to work and though I wasn't thrilled about pumping again, it was nice to have a buffer of milk in the freezer. My supply has always been on the high side, but there are worse problems to have. So far the whole working and pumping thing is going well, but I'm fully aware it could change at anytime. No reason to stress though - today my supply is good, G is nursing well, and that's all I can ask for.
Last week, C began going to a new daycare and he loves it! He and G will attend full time in August when J goes back to work. For now, however, he's going part time just to get out of the house and socialize. Plus, it means J can get some one on one bonding time with G.Otherwise, G is happy and growing like a weed, C is doing great with the potty training and has been chattering up a storm, and J is applying to every teaching job he can get his hands on in hopes of getting a full time position somewhere for the fall. The weather is beautiful, our garden is growing, and life is good.
I'm hoping once I get back into the swing of things with work and being a full time working Mom, I can post more. There are so many posts I've started, but never finished due to lack of time. I love blogging, but sometimes it just falls to the back burner. Besides, if it weren't for my family, what would I write about? ;-)
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Pump Smart, Not Hard
With my return to work looming on the horizon, its time to start building a freezer supply of breast milk. Not my favorite part of breastfeeding, but necessary none the less. Luckily, we ended up finding a chest freezer on Craig's List so storage is no longer a problem. Time to start pumping!
With a toddler and a newborn hanging around, however, there isn't a ton of time during the day to get in a session or two. Pumping, labeling, cleaning, and storing needs to be as efficient as possible to keep the day moving.
Pumping
I keep my pump set up 24/7. When I go back to work, I keep one AC adapter plugged in at home and one at work, so there is no climbing behind or under furniture to plug it into the wall. I sit it next to the couch, so when I need to pump I can just set it next to me, set up, and go. I keep extra breast pads, lanolin, and a burp cloth in my pump bag so they are within reach should I need them.
Cleaning
Cleaning pump parts is annoying. I hate doing it, so I don't....at least not every time. Fresh milk is good in the fridge for about 3-5 days. Therefore, you can put your pump parts in the fridge between pumping and they'll stay fine without cleaning! This little tid bit of information saves so much time during the day and is invaluable when you're pumping during a quick work break. A zip top bag or plastic tub work great for storage.
Labeling
Since I am working on saving milk, everything goes right into freezer bags and into the freezer. The process of finding a bag and then a Sharpie to label it (both of which seemed to migrate around my kitchen) took way too long. This little bit of genius I'm genuinely proud of. I cut a slit in the top of the storage bag package and put a magnet inside the package behind the bags, sticking it on the side of the fridge. The Sharpie is right in the top and whenever I need one, I know exactly where they.
Storing
While the typical storage bag (I use Lansinoh brand) is made to stand up, you should always freeze them flat to save room and make storage easier. There are a lot of ways to store frozen bags, but my favorite is standing up like files in a basket or box. I don't have enough milk to fill one yet, but I bought square baskets at the dollar store to keep things organized in the freezer. Always remember the FIFO rule (first in, first out) so you're pulling the oldest milk first.
With this system, I can get through a pumping session in just under 25 minutes. If I needed to set up my pump, actually pump, then clean parts, find bags, label, and store everything it would be closer to 40. That's a big difference, especially to two kids demanding your attention!
Now that I'm on the road to a nice milk stash, the next step is getting G to drink from a bottle....something she hasn't actually done yet. While I'm very happy and proud of that fact, it does make me nervous that we haven't given it a go yet. Wish us luck!
With a toddler and a newborn hanging around, however, there isn't a ton of time during the day to get in a session or two. Pumping, labeling, cleaning, and storing needs to be as efficient as possible to keep the day moving.
Pumping
I keep my pump set up 24/7. When I go back to work, I keep one AC adapter plugged in at home and one at work, so there is no climbing behind or under furniture to plug it into the wall. I sit it next to the couch, so when I need to pump I can just set it next to me, set up, and go. I keep extra breast pads, lanolin, and a burp cloth in my pump bag so they are within reach should I need them.
Cleaning
Cleaning pump parts is annoying. I hate doing it, so I don't....at least not every time. Fresh milk is good in the fridge for about 3-5 days. Therefore, you can put your pump parts in the fridge between pumping and they'll stay fine without cleaning! This little tid bit of information saves so much time during the day and is invaluable when you're pumping during a quick work break. A zip top bag or plastic tub work great for storage.
Labeling
Since I am working on saving milk, everything goes right into freezer bags and into the freezer. The process of finding a bag and then a Sharpie to label it (both of which seemed to migrate around my kitchen) took way too long. This little bit of genius I'm genuinely proud of. I cut a slit in the top of the storage bag package and put a magnet inside the package behind the bags, sticking it on the side of the fridge. The Sharpie is right in the top and whenever I need one, I know exactly where they.
Storing
While the typical storage bag (I use Lansinoh brand) is made to stand up, you should always freeze them flat to save room and make storage easier. There are a lot of ways to store frozen bags, but my favorite is standing up like files in a basket or box. I don't have enough milk to fill one yet, but I bought square baskets at the dollar store to keep things organized in the freezer. Always remember the FIFO rule (first in, first out) so you're pulling the oldest milk first.
With this system, I can get through a pumping session in just under 25 minutes. If I needed to set up my pump, actually pump, then clean parts, find bags, label, and store everything it would be closer to 40. That's a big difference, especially to two kids demanding your attention!
Now that I'm on the road to a nice milk stash, the next step is getting G to drink from a bottle....something she hasn't actually done yet. While I'm very happy and proud of that fact, it does make me nervous that we haven't given it a go yet. Wish us luck!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Surviving Growth Spurts
With the dreaded 3 week, 6 week, 12 week, etc. growth spurts on the horizon I know I'm in for a lot of time on the couch feeding G.
If you're unaware, growth spurts absolutely suck. You go from being a confident breastfeeding master to a sobbing mess. All of a sudden, your little one isn't satisfied and spends most of the evening crying through feedings and rooting all over the place. It can be mental torture and seriously hard on the boob esteem.
There are a few things you can do to try and prepare for this fun milestone/right of passage. First is to get plenty of rest (funny, right?), second is to keep nursing on demand as much as possible, and last, try to boost your supply through diet. A quick Google search of "lactogenic" foods will turn up a ton of sites with lists of how to boost your supply. None of them are scientifically proven, but a lot of Moms swear by them. All are healthy anyway, so why not give them a shot. Foods such as oatmeal, legumes, fruits and veggies with a lot of folic acid and fiber, grains such as barley, and of course plenty of water. Lots and lots of water.
A delicious and fun way to get in some good stuff is through lactation cookies. You heard me right - lactation cookies. Think oatmeal cookies on crack. I got this recipe from The Leaky B@@b and made them this week. They. were. delicious! I had to practically hide them from J, threatening that if he ate too many and lactated he would need to help with late night feedings. ;-)
Ingredients:
So, I've got my oatmeal for breakfast, cookies for a snack, lentil soup for lunch (recipe to come!), and plenty of water. While I wish I could solve the world's breastfeeding issues with cookies, another piece of surviving growth spurts is patience and perspective. Enjoy the time with your baby, keep on nursing, have confidence in your ability to feed your baby, and remember....this too shall pass.
Bring it on, growth spurts.
If you're unaware, growth spurts absolutely suck. You go from being a confident breastfeeding master to a sobbing mess. All of a sudden, your little one isn't satisfied and spends most of the evening crying through feedings and rooting all over the place. It can be mental torture and seriously hard on the boob esteem.
There are a few things you can do to try and prepare for this fun milestone/right of passage. First is to get plenty of rest (funny, right?), second is to keep nursing on demand as much as possible, and last, try to boost your supply through diet. A quick Google search of "lactogenic" foods will turn up a ton of sites with lists of how to boost your supply. None of them are scientifically proven, but a lot of Moms swear by them. All are healthy anyway, so why not give them a shot. Foods such as oatmeal, legumes, fruits and veggies with a lot of folic acid and fiber, grains such as barley, and of course plenty of water. Lots and lots of water.
A delicious and fun way to get in some good stuff is through lactation cookies. You heard me right - lactation cookies. Think oatmeal cookies on crack. I got this recipe from The Leaky B@@b and made them this week. They. were. delicious! I had to practically hide them from J, threatening that if he ate too many and lactated he would need to help with late night feedings. ;-)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- 4 tablespoons of water
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons brewer's yeast
- 3 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- If not in milled form, soak the flaxseed in the water for a few minutes to soften.
- Mix dry ingredients.
- Cream together butter and sugar, add eggs, flaxseed, and vanilla.
- Add to dry ingredients.
- Drop on cookie sheet
- Bake 8 - 12 minutes on 375º (I cooked them for 10 and they were perfect)
So, I've got my oatmeal for breakfast, cookies for a snack, lentil soup for lunch (recipe to come!), and plenty of water. While I wish I could solve the world's breastfeeding issues with cookies, another piece of surviving growth spurts is patience and perspective. Enjoy the time with your baby, keep on nursing, have confidence in your ability to feed your baby, and remember....this too shall pass.
Bring it on, growth spurts.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Breastfeeding: Take 2
A little over a week in and breastfeeding is going better than I could ask. In addition to being full term, I truly believe being able to nurse G so soon after birth, rather than pumping like I did with C, has made all the difference.
Now that my supply has settled and I no longer feel like I'm going to burst, nursing G has actually been very relaxing. I'm going the nursing on demand route, meaning I don't exactly get a lot done around the house and spend most of the day nested on the couch, but the snuggle time is absolutely wonderful.
Having "been there, done that" I'm trying to recall the struggles I had with C in order to avoid them this time around. While the situation is different, anything I can do to reach my goal of exclusively breastfeeding for at least a year is worth it.
One goal of mine is to make breastfeeding easier - on me and on J. How so? With C, I had this awful habit of sitting down to nurse him and always forgetting something I needed. Water, lanolin, etc. J was always getting me something that I forgot! This time, I took advantage of one of my favorite My 31 products, the Littles Carry All, and made a quick grab nursing kit. In my Littles Carry All I have...
Another goal was to make breastfeeding more comfortable. With C, I had a Boppy pillow - like every other Mom I know. I also had killer back pain from hunching over to use it. Maybe it flattened out over time, maybe it just wasn't right for me. Either way, I recently purchased a My Brest Friend pillow
and WOW is there a huge difference. With its larger and firmer pillow and huge back rest, nursing is way more comfortable whether sitting in a chair, on the couch, or in bed.
(I'll be posting more of my new favorite baby items on Saturday!)
I know its only been one week, but I hope things continue down this path. We have a long road of growth spurts, me going back to work, and starting solids between us an the 12 month mark, but I have faith we can make it!
Speaking of making breastfeeding easy and comfortable, don't forget about the Undercover Mama camisole giveaway! It ends on Monday - have you entered?
Now that my supply has settled and I no longer feel like I'm going to burst, nursing G has actually been very relaxing. I'm going the nursing on demand route, meaning I don't exactly get a lot done around the house and spend most of the day nested on the couch, but the snuggle time is absolutely wonderful.
Having "been there, done that" I'm trying to recall the struggles I had with C in order to avoid them this time around. While the situation is different, anything I can do to reach my goal of exclusively breastfeeding for at least a year is worth it.
One goal of mine is to make breastfeeding easier - on me and on J. How so? With C, I had this awful habit of sitting down to nurse him and always forgetting something I needed. Water, lanolin, etc. J was always getting me something that I forgot! This time, I took advantage of one of my favorite My 31 products, the Littles Carry All, and made a quick grab nursing kit. In my Littles Carry All I have...- Lansinoh lanolin
- Water bottle
- Extra breast pads
- Burp cloth
- Tissues
- Lip balm
- Easy to eat snacks
and WOW is there a huge difference. With its larger and firmer pillow and huge back rest, nursing is way more comfortable whether sitting in a chair, on the couch, or in bed.(I'll be posting more of my new favorite baby items on Saturday!)
I know its only been one week, but I hope things continue down this path. We have a long road of growth spurts, me going back to work, and starting solids between us an the 12 month mark, but I have faith we can make it!
Speaking of making breastfeeding easy and comfortable, don't forget about the Undercover Mama camisole giveaway! It ends on Monday - have you entered?
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Well, There Goes That Idea
Charlie loves formula. Tonight was night #2 that I gave him a supplement after breastfeeding to top him off before bed. The second he laid eyes on that bottle he was kicking, flailing, and grabbing for it. Not only did he suck it down in about five minutes, but he held the bottle himself the entire time. You'd think there was candy coming out of that bottle, not Similac.
This is me and my boobs trying not to feel inadequate.
The confusing part? If you don't know, formula smells like crap and I can't imagine it tastes much better. Originally, it was my plan to keep on pumping what I could at work and filling in the gaps with the milk in my freezer stash and formula. If he likes formula this much, however, I may be less inclined to obsess over this. Only time will tell. In the meantime, I now have the job of keeping my supply up when he prefers a bottle of smelly stuff. Rock on.
This is me and my boobs trying not to feel inadequate.
The confusing part? If you don't know, formula smells like crap and I can't imagine it tastes much better. Originally, it was my plan to keep on pumping what I could at work and filling in the gaps with the milk in my freezer stash and formula. If he likes formula this much, however, I may be less inclined to obsess over this. Only time will tell. In the meantime, I now have the job of keeping my supply up when he prefers a bottle of smelly stuff. Rock on.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
What the F%*# Wednesday
Wordless Wednesday is fun, sure, but I'm feeling a bit more punchy than that this particular Wednesday. Enter "What the F%*# Wednesday."
WTF baby teeth? Charlie is currently cutting three of his top teeth at the same time. You read that correctly, three. He has been a miserable mess and aside from the occasional hit of Tylenol there really isn't much we can do. He's started taking a cold ring teether, but only in the last 24 hours or so. For the love of all that is holy, I hope these teeth make an appearance soon.
WTF boobs? Yes, this is a sneak attack boob post. Since starting Charlie on solids, my milk supply has been slowly taking a dive. A lower supply means a personal invitation for Aunt Flo to reappear, which means an even lower supply. A vicious cycle. We've got a little over 4 months to go before we can wean him onto cow milk. Even if I have to deplete my freezer stash, even if I need to supplement with formula, this kid will get breast milk until October 31st if it kills me!
WTF weather? I don't exactly want it to be 100 degrees outside, but c'mon with all this flippin' rain and thunder!
WTF bugs? Grounds crew spread new mulch in all of the flower bed around our building and with it, brought those little house centipedes. Tons of them. Apparently, they enjoy the basement because they are everywhere - including our apartment. Joy.
What is your WTF Wednesday?
WTF baby teeth? Charlie is currently cutting three of his top teeth at the same time. You read that correctly, three. He has been a miserable mess and aside from the occasional hit of Tylenol there really isn't much we can do. He's started taking a cold ring teether, but only in the last 24 hours or so. For the love of all that is holy, I hope these teeth make an appearance soon.
WTF boobs? Yes, this is a sneak attack boob post. Since starting Charlie on solids, my milk supply has been slowly taking a dive. A lower supply means a personal invitation for Aunt Flo to reappear, which means an even lower supply. A vicious cycle. We've got a little over 4 months to go before we can wean him onto cow milk. Even if I have to deplete my freezer stash, even if I need to supplement with formula, this kid will get breast milk until October 31st if it kills me!
WTF weather? I don't exactly want it to be 100 degrees outside, but c'mon with all this flippin' rain and thunder!
WTF bugs? Grounds crew spread new mulch in all of the flower bed around our building and with it, brought those little house centipedes. Tons of them. Apparently, they enjoy the basement because they are everywhere - including our apartment. Joy.
What is your WTF Wednesday?
Saturday, December 4, 2010
The Crying Chronicles
I should preface this post by saying that in general, Charlie is a very, very good baby. He doesn't mind his car seat, he sleeps when we go out, etc. I must also add that I absolutely love that breastfeeding is working for us and that we get to bond in that way. There's just this one little issue...
For the past week or so, Mr. Charlie has taken to dominating my evenings with freak out after freak out. From about 6pm until 11pm is one long witching hour. At first, his red faced screaming resulted in me running around the apartment trying everything I could think of. Dirty diaper? No. Swing? No. Bouncer seat? No. Bounce and walk? No. The only fix was nursing him...sort of. When I would try to nurse him, he would eat for a bit, but then doze off and half halfheartedly suck as if I were a pacifier. When I tried to wake him up to eat more, another freak out would start. What was going on with this kid?! After reading an article on KellyMom.com, however, I learned that quite often babies this age want to cluster feed and comfort nurse to settle down from the day and prepare for the night ahead. It also could have to do with the numerous growth spurts that newborns go through during their first few months of life. Often this kind of behavior is diagnosed as colic or another digestive issue, not the need for comfort. The resulting good news? After his 11pm feeding, he calms down and goes to sleep until about 3am, then sleeps again from about 4am until 7:30am. Further good news? He'll grow out of it. Guess I can't complain about that!
Since my little discovery, Charlie is happier and I'm less crazy. Yes, he still wants to nurse almost every hour, but now I know to just let him nurse, sleep, and relax instead of trying to rush him off the breast so I could go get something done. Its natures way of slowing me down too, I suppose. Not a bad lesson to learn.
In a further attempt to help calm him, we got him a Wubbanub. Overall, Charlie isn't a binkie kind of kid, but he does like it when he's in need of comforting. The only problem was he couldn't hold the binkie in his mouth for more than a few minutes. He's got a strong suck, just not a lot of stamina. The minute he'd doze off, there went the binkie. In comes the Wubbanub; basically a little beanie baby attached to a newborn Soothie binkie. The baby can cuddle with the animal and hold in their binkie. Thank goodness for random inventions.
For the past week or so, Mr. Charlie has taken to dominating my evenings with freak out after freak out. From about 6pm until 11pm is one long witching hour. At first, his red faced screaming resulted in me running around the apartment trying everything I could think of. Dirty diaper? No. Swing? No. Bouncer seat? No. Bounce and walk? No. The only fix was nursing him...sort of. When I would try to nurse him, he would eat for a bit, but then doze off and half halfheartedly suck as if I were a pacifier. When I tried to wake him up to eat more, another freak out would start. What was going on with this kid?! After reading an article on KellyMom.com, however, I learned that quite often babies this age want to cluster feed and comfort nurse to settle down from the day and prepare for the night ahead. It also could have to do with the numerous growth spurts that newborns go through during their first few months of life. Often this kind of behavior is diagnosed as colic or another digestive issue, not the need for comfort. The resulting good news? After his 11pm feeding, he calms down and goes to sleep until about 3am, then sleeps again from about 4am until 7:30am. Further good news? He'll grow out of it. Guess I can't complain about that!
Since my little discovery, Charlie is happier and I'm less crazy. Yes, he still wants to nurse almost every hour, but now I know to just let him nurse, sleep, and relax instead of trying to rush him off the breast so I could go get something done. Its natures way of slowing me down too, I suppose. Not a bad lesson to learn.
In a further attempt to help calm him, we got him a Wubbanub. Overall, Charlie isn't a binkie kind of kid, but he does like it when he's in need of comforting. The only problem was he couldn't hold the binkie in his mouth for more than a few minutes. He's got a strong suck, just not a lot of stamina. The minute he'd doze off, there went the binkie. In comes the Wubbanub; basically a little beanie baby attached to a newborn Soothie binkie. The baby can cuddle with the animal and hold in their binkie. Thank goodness for random inventions.
 |
| Charlie's froggy friend |
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Lactation Consultants Need Halos
Yesterday, I met an angel....in the form of the NICU lactation consultant. Not only was she knowledgeable, but she was incredibly patient and kind. Her name was Tracey and she worked with Charlie and I for about an hour during his 3 o'clock care time. Before we started, she asked me about his eating habits and what his issues were. She also asked me how I was feeling about his progress and how I was taking care of myself. This surprised me, but it was incredibly helpful to talk to someone about my concerns. I told her his short history of sleepy eating, his need for phototherapy, and the various and conflicting recommendations we'd been getting from different nurses. I also assured her that I wasn't living in the NICU and did get out for sleep and meals. :-)
She next took Charlie and tested his sucking - she let him suck on a gloved finger so she could feel how he was moving his tounge. Through this she discovered two things; Charlie has a very high pallet (like me and the rest of the Simon kids) and that he has an uncoordinated suck (like many preemies). These two issues put together made it so he wasn't causing a suction between his pallet and tounge in a way that moved milk into his mouth. She was surprised and slightly upset that he didn't get a feeding tube when he was born like most preemies do. She confirmed my belief that because he weighed more than the average 34 weeker, that it was probably assessed (or assumed) that he could do more. With a feeding tube, most preemies get a jump start in energy to learn to feed. Charlie struggled a bit with feeding at first, causing him to fall more behind. That's okay though! We've figured out his problem and are working on fixing it. With some "suck training," Charlie should be able to continue becoming a stronger eater as the weeks go on. Normally, babies learn to suck/swallow/breathe during the 33rd - 35th weeks in the womb. Charlie just has to learn it out here.
Another huge accomplishment for my little man was finally figuring out nursing!! With the help of a few new holding positions, a breast shield, and a little patience, he latched for the first time and nursed for the whole feeding session! It was like magic. I'd heard about having "ah-ha!" moments with lactation consultants before, but I didn't believe it until I saw it. Now, my guy is eating like a little piggy - about 45-50 ml or 30 minutes breast feeding per session. His bilirubin levels and weight are holding steady at the moment, but if these new eating habits hold up, hopefully bili will go down and weight will go up.
She next took Charlie and tested his sucking - she let him suck on a gloved finger so she could feel how he was moving his tounge. Through this she discovered two things; Charlie has a very high pallet (like me and the rest of the Simon kids) and that he has an uncoordinated suck (like many preemies). These two issues put together made it so he wasn't causing a suction between his pallet and tounge in a way that moved milk into his mouth. She was surprised and slightly upset that he didn't get a feeding tube when he was born like most preemies do. She confirmed my belief that because he weighed more than the average 34 weeker, that it was probably assessed (or assumed) that he could do more. With a feeding tube, most preemies get a jump start in energy to learn to feed. Charlie struggled a bit with feeding at first, causing him to fall more behind. That's okay though! We've figured out his problem and are working on fixing it. With some "suck training," Charlie should be able to continue becoming a stronger eater as the weeks go on. Normally, babies learn to suck/swallow/breathe during the 33rd - 35th weeks in the womb. Charlie just has to learn it out here.
Another huge accomplishment for my little man was finally figuring out nursing!! With the help of a few new holding positions, a breast shield, and a little patience, he latched for the first time and nursed for the whole feeding session! It was like magic. I'd heard about having "ah-ha!" moments with lactation consultants before, but I didn't believe it until I saw it. Now, my guy is eating like a little piggy - about 45-50 ml or 30 minutes breast feeding per session. His bilirubin levels and weight are holding steady at the moment, but if these new eating habits hold up, hopefully bili will go down and weight will go up.
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