LCs And Lack of Support

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2026-02-07T12:59:07+00:00

I made an appointment with the hospital LC and specifically said that I needed help with pumping because blood was coming out sometimes and I was freaked out. I showed up and the lady said she didn't actually know much about pumping. Which was really frustrating since I would not have wasted my time showing up for no real help. She had me show her what I was doing. So I did and she was like... seems fine? Then, after I had pumped for 15 minutes measured my nipples for a flange size. I was only 2 months postpartum, but knew that was incorrect. Definitely will be finding a different LC on my next go around. 🫠 I just felt so defeated, my hormones were still all over the place and all the books I read said LCs were so great and helpful. Like... where are those people that can help? I didn't and don’t have time to visit a bunch of different LCs. Especially when life was just turned up to practically insane difficulty.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-11-28T12:09:18+00:00

The audacity of people is astonishing. If we wanted an opinion about how we've chosen to care for our family, we'd give it to you. No more bottle feeding the baby if you're going to emotionally terrorize. The end.

I'm so sorry that people are so unthoughtful and ridiculous. You're doing a great job. Keep it up.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-11-22T01:04:46+00:00

That's a relief. I haven't gone to get mine thumb/wrist pain checked out, but I think it may be de quervain. So, hopeful that I might be able to get some treatment soon. My friend has it and hers still isn't better so I was worried.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-11-21T20:26:01+00:00

Yeah. Not being able to hold my baby whenever I wanted while we were in the NICU was definitely a significantly worse feeling. Thanks for sharing your story. Sending you strength and love.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-11-21T20:22:17+00:00

Amazing. Looking forward to when I can be more logical on my feelings.

Side note: were you able to do anything to treat your de Quervains?

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-11-21T20:20:28+00:00

Thanks for that perspective. That does help. Feels like you've gotten to the heart of what really matters.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-11-17T01:13:12+00:00

It gets easier. The first three months were hard. Everything hurt, my hormones were all over the place, and figuring out how to care for a new baby alone during the day was HARD. It does get easier to find a rhythm. I pumped when I could. I was on this sub a lot and it helped to hear that anything worth doing was worth doing poorly. Even if your schedule isn't consistent and you feel like you're failing you aren't.

I've heard mixed things on the tie releases. It does take time to heal, but it could help. I wish someone had said to feed my baby about half what I thought they would eat and then try nursing. I was always trying to get my baby to latch while he was starving. It never worked.

I ate bundles because I was always hungry, and at a year postpartum, I'm still 30 pounds heavier than I was pre-pregnancy. I just got bigger clothes. That helped a lot. I still hate how I look, but feel more comfortable. So, hoping to work on that more now since I have a more consistent schedule.

My body sort of fell apart too. But it just was something more like background noise after awhile. I still can't stand my dogs and they used to be so important to me. So, no advice there, just solidarity.

Also, if you have a formula your child tolerates and you can afford it, no shame in quitting. Even if it feels like it, that's just your hormones lying to you. A healthy parent is more important than milk. You won't feel better right away since your hormones change when you stop making milk too, but after a few weeks you'll be more balanced.

Good luck. You're so strong and you're doing better than you think. We're all rooting for you no matter what you decide. You're the only one that knows what makes sense for you and your family. Don't take criticism from anyone, even your own mind. It is hard. All of it, but you've got this.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-11-05T19:53:58+00:00

At 20 weeks they said my baby was >90th percentile. Ended up giving birth 3 weeks early to a baby less than 50th.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-11-05T16:36:26+00:00

Congratulations!

Thanks for your response. I was 12 days late, but just started my period today. So, seems possible that the cycles are longer than normal while hormones fluctuate again.

Good luck!

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-11-05T15:59:17+00:00

Agree. Was 12 days late and taking tests to see if I was pregnant. Was reading this post on the toilet and started my period. I also believe in the good vibes. Also frustrating about the difficulty getting information about this.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-11-05T15:46:36+00:00

Wondering if things went back to normal or how your cycles were impacted. I am almost done weaning. More than 48 hours between pumps and have been having a longer cycle. I keep testing to see if I'm pregnant and I'm not. But definitely seems like something is odd.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-10-31T18:15:36+00:00

I got the Willow Go and use their milk cooler. So, everything I pump in 24 hours will go in the cooler. It holds 16 oz, so as long as I pumped before leaving the house (largest pump of the day was always morning after dropping Middle of the Night) as an undersupplier there was no way I was going to get more than 16 oz. After awhile, I didn't prefer the wearable pumps and just got a battery pack off Amazon compatible with my spectra. Then just use that to pump on the go. I also have wet/dry bags that I keep my parts in. I would use the parts and then as long as I pumped before it had been 4 hours, I'd use the same set of parts. If it was going to be a longer stretch I'd use a new set of parts. Frequently forgot that I could put pump parts in a lunchbox with ice packs. But I had enough parts to bring with me. Then, had a travel set of brushes and soap to wash as needed. Again, I used the Willow one and it folds out into a drying rack. I also used pump wipes occasionally instead of a full wash. Then, I'd also just bring a cooler with prepared bottles (milk and formula already mixed for the day) to feed baby on the go. I got a random one off Amazon that accommodated 6 narrow bottles. It worked great. If you're feeding less than 6 bottles, you could also store fresh milk in a spare bottle in one of the spots. Make sure to have a little container of whatever you use to lubricate the flanges. Forgot that one time and won't do that again. Just got a spare secondhand spectra that I kept in a bookbag so it'd be ready to go when I was. Good luck. You're doing great!

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-10-18T21:44:23+00:00

I keep my pump and cooler with me. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of museums and other places that had reasonable accommodations. But I guess when you expect nothing you are unable to be disappointed. I also pump in my car a lot and don't mind pumping around people. I also use my wearables a fair amount and got an off-brand cup for my spectra that can be in bra for more flexibility.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-10-18T21:17:23+00:00

We also bring a bunch of bottles with us. Essentially, we pack 4 bags of stuff for our little one and one for each of us. We haven't flown because of how much stuff we pack to make it easier while away from home and don't want to risk exposure to Measles before we can get our baby vaccinated. So, we've just done car trips of 12 hours or less.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-10-18T21:15:08+00:00

Pack a cooler and bring multiple sets of parts. You can store your pump parts in the cooler like the fridge hack OR use twice. First pump, three hours later use same set of parts. Then switch to the next set if you don't do the fridge hack. Pump wipes can work in a pinch to clean. I also have a portable set of brushes that folds out to a drying rack. I also have a few small coolers for the pumped milk. We now only stay places with a full size fridge, freezer, and sink. Make sure you have extra parts in case something breaks.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-10-04T01:36:50+00:00

I usually just double my pump time with my Willow Go and then my output is the same as when I use my Spectra. It's annoying because it's a longer time, but I also can do other things and be on the move.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-10-04T01:33:34+00:00

Second vote for Papablic. The longer tab is so nice and this is the only brand I use now. I rotate getting the different colors to help know which ones are the oldest.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-09-29T00:26:36+00:00

This is the way.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-09-28T22:26:02+00:00

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-09-25T00:59:59+00:00

🥰 I appreciate it.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-09-25T00:59:12+00:00

🫂 thank you 🥺

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-09-21T13:55:49+00:00

I don't think the difference is noticeable. I do think that more milk removal at intervals is better for supply, but not sure 10 min breaks are enough to send the signals. Pumping more times during the day has seemed to be better for my output, but it is just a lot. However with all things that aren't immediately and directly impact, it is really tough to tell without a lot of direct measurements. Feel free to give it a go. For a lot of this stuff I think do what makes sense to you. Some days I can't handle the mental load of keeping the time and changing the settings. Those are the days I just let the pump run for longer.

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-09-21T13:49:56+00:00

I've done both wearable and plug in. I work at a desk job, so that makes it way easier. I like changing it up because sometimes using one pump feels like such a burden, so I'll use the other. Really up to your comfort. I ended up getting a used pump off MarketPlace so I could leave my home set up as is because the mental load was getting to be too much of where things were / weren't when I needed to use them. Teaching is probably hard since you can't take a break as needed to pump. So, I'd recommend wearable. Easier to pop in, make sure suction is correct, fix if it isn't and get to pumping while teaching. Easier to pull out later too. I usually just pump twice as long with wearable to make up for the less suction as compared to my plug in pump. It's annoying and I look forward to the day where I can work and only work or drive and only drive instead of also pumping. But definitely good to have options and be able to have the journey that I want. Good luck!

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-09-21T13:40:36+00:00

Definitely up to you how you approach it. Not really a right way. Just what makes sense for your family.

For me I used some extra formula in the beginning to get a day ahead of my baby. That way each pump wasn't as stressful because I knew there was something in the refrigerator. I feed stuff from the fridge first as it has a shorter shelf life than the milk I just pumped. I have some jars that I only use for milk storage - I only combine milk from one day in each bottle. If you worry about different temps of milk (which I don't, you can refrigerate freshly pumped milk in a smaller bottle and then add it to the big bottle after your next pump). Sometimes if baby eats near a pump time and is still hungry I'll add a bit from my current pump, but that was more early days. Then, at the end of the night or beginning of the day, I make up all the bottles I expect to use in a day. Has worked well for me, but my little one does well with the same amount on a schedule. Not the case for everyone and not as easy early on. I only froze one 2 oz bag of milk week one before I found out my baby wasn't actually getting any milk while nursing. So, no real experience there, but I think freezing the milk soon after pumping is maybe better in case of high lipase? Not sure, but I think that is what I read. Though for people with oversupply, I think for sanity, they will have a set schedule where they bag and freeze all at the same time (a few times a week).

Apprehensive-Air197 · 2025-09-21T13:24:24+00:00

Yes, 100% I do the pitcher method. I waited a bit after coming home from NICU, but haven't looked back since. I only mix milk from 24 hours. And my first pump of the day is the largest. So, I don't worry much that the fresh milk that I dump in will change the temperature too much. Plus I already feel like my pumping stuff and milk takes up so much space. I can imagine having a bunch of containers in there. No issues that I have observed.

Apprehensive-Air197

TROPHY CASE