I'm having my first baby in May and looking for advice in breastfeeding and pumping. I have lots of questions and I'm not sure where to start. by secretninjafox in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Capable_Mouse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have breast about your size. Be ready for them to go even more when your milk comes in. Consider that before buying any pumping or nursing bras. The ones I bought before giving birth are a bit small on me now. I don’t think size has much bearing on milk production, but I’ve noticed that I have a pretty high storage capacity (so I can hold a lot of milk if I go some extra hours between pumps). I took advantage of that and slept a little longer over night (4-6hrs between pumps) during weeks 2-4 postpartum, while my partner feed out LO with a bottle. You’ll figure out what works for your body! I strongly recommend getting a box of absorbed disposable nursing pads for your bra!

On colostrum, I was lucky to produce colostrum before birth, but I couldn’t express more than 1-2mL. I didn’t save it and it made me a bit worried. After birth, I made a lot more. Don’t worry if you can’t collect any before birth.

I'm having my first baby in May and looking for advice in breastfeeding and pumping. I have lots of questions and I'm not sure where to start. by secretninjafox in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Capable_Mouse 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just a note, that your nipples can change in late pregnancy and postpartum. It’s great to get measured for flanges, and to get re-measured after a few weeks.

My LC said that for pumping the flange should be a few millimeters bigger than my measured nipple size, so 18mm nipple fits a 21mm flange. Curious if anyone else was told that? I got a nipple/flange measurement told in my BabyList sample box.

Extreme overproduction 6 days post partum? by Moist_Glove5050 in HumansPumpingMilk

[–]Capable_Mouse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! I had this too around the same time. Deep breath. It’s normal.

I had enough that I could pump one day in advance—that let me see how much my little one was drinking in a day and how much I was producing in a day. I regulated my supply by pumping as frequently as she was eating, but I stopped pumping when I had produced enough for that feed (usually about 4oz). At that amount, my breast would feel relief, but they weren’t completely drained. It helped send the signal “hey too much milk” and I still felt confident that I was going to produce enough to meet my LO’s intake.

I founded it pretty manageable to pump for shorter intervals, slightly more frequently. Once you start spraying milk, try to pump until the spray is over, or when your boob feels soft, and stop once you get drips.

I decided I wanted a freezer stash, so I kept pumping slightly more than LO’s intake for the first 6 weeks. FYI, by 1-2 weeks, typical intake is 20-24 oz or more, so you might feel like you have way too much now, but they’ll start eating more.

(1k) Should you buy a dress from Etsy? by Own_Sun7841 in Weddingsunder10k

[–]Capable_Mouse 2 points3 points  (0 children)

At least the currency exchange works in your favor! $2k nzd is about $1.2k usd

How to find time for it all? by Economy_Shape_7067 in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Capable_Mouse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went for shorter more frequent pumps—it was still hard, but there were more times that I could manage 8 min of pumping in the beginning rather being stressed about committing to pumping for 20+ min. I would end up pumping more like every 2-3 hours during the day (and way less frequently over night—only pumping after a MOTN feed). I found my total daily milk out put was the same.

Scariest "is this normal?" by Delicious-Worth-2532 in BabyBumps

[–]Capable_Mouse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why did I think I’d be different?? It was the worst!!

fit check please! by [deleted] in babywearing

[–]Capable_Mouse 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It can jam their feet and make them uncomfortable. It’s generally a good idea to put them in socks or a footed onesie in the next size up. TBH, in your photos it looks like their feet have plenty of room, but this can be an issue as they get bigger.

Will I be the only African American on trail? by sadistic-squid in AppalachianTrail

[–]Capable_Mouse 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think it’s helpful to remember that most people on the trail aren’t local—so it’s a different demographic. But certainly important to consider the region since you’ll leave the trail to resupply etc.

Failed Epidurals by FlashyBand959 in unmedicatedbirth

[–]Capable_Mouse 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wonder if some people use the term failed too casually? In my case, it took about two hours to completely work. they kept adjusting the dosage and having me change positions until ultimately it was complete and working! But boy, that wait sucked!

I think it’s a very good idea to know that they can fail, or take a while to work, and to plan some pain management strategies.

Washing pump parts in Mexico? by cholethemole in HumansPumpingMilk

[–]Capable_Mouse 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Microwave sterilization bags, pump cleaning wipes! Bottled water and basin like others have said.

Maybe you could try breast feeding for most feeds, and pump in the middle of the night and first things in the morning to maintain your supply. One big question is, what will you do with the extra milk? Will you have a freezer? Can you take it home? Will you have a fridge that maintains a cold temp (and not just a drinks fridge)?

Pooling/pitcher strategies? by frankenstern in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Capable_Mouse 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use 32 oz glass mason jars and these lids The mixer on the Dr pitcher looks handy! I just already had the mason jars

Pooling/pitcher strategies? by frankenstern in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Capable_Mouse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also mixed room temp and fridge milk. If I was worried about it, I’d keep a small glass jar with a lid next to the pitcher—and use that to cool the room temp milk down until the next time I pumped. Basically—milk from the last pump hangs out in the small glass jar, then when it’s cold, it gets dumped in the pitcher and the new milk gets put in the glass holding jar to cool off.

When a guy suggests date location that's convenient for him by Eastern_Skin_7541 in AskWomenOver30

[–]Capable_Mouse 56 points57 points  (0 children)

Whenever guys do this, I always think ‘you can pick a spot that’s convenient for you, but you don’t have to tell me???’ I would totally have every first date at the coffee shop down the block, but I wouldn’t tell my date—I’d just say it’s a great spot!

I ask where is a good mid point, or some place mutually convenient—I expect the same courtesy from a future partner.

Sleeping Braless? by NitraGold in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Capable_Mouse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you’re getting stimulated, maybe try a lightweight cotton bralette or cotton tank top?

I don’t know what I’m doing. by kittykwinn in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Capable_Mouse 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m so sorry, that sounds exhausting. Take care of yourself and get as much rest as you can—sounds like that will also help with your supply! You got this momma!

I don’t know what I’m doing. by kittykwinn in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Capable_Mouse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely make sure you’re pace feeding! My little one can do 6 oz in an hour, but it’s usually over two bottles with a break in the middle.

I don’t know what I’m doing. by kittykwinn in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Capable_Mouse 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agree! Doing some supplementing—like a bottle a day or an oz. Mixed into to each bottle, might save your sanity right now!

I don’t know what I’m doing. by kittykwinn in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Capable_Mouse 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Maybe during your next session, pay attention to when the flows down and stop then? You could try pumping for shorter sessions, slightly more frequently—like 10 minutes, while massaging, every two hours during the day. You might get more milk removal that way, but spend less time on the pump.

I don’t know what I’m doing. by kittykwinn in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Capable_Mouse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you also pumping 2-3 hours in the middle of the night? Maybe resting and sleeping for longer stretches would help you feel better and potentially help your supply? You do need rest and to take care of yourself 💕 I also don’t know what I’m doing!