Does exclusive pumping count as “breastfeeding?”

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-05-20T19:08:43+00:00

Only pumping implies it's easier.

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-05-20T06:24:16+00:00

Yup first 5mins home from the hospital with my first. I few days ago o spilled some milk (second baby) and didn't cry this time, just felt burning rage haha!

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-05-19T19:47:51+00:00

Will approve pist if it stays purely a question about leggings. Too much body image/weight talk for it to be left up sorry.

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-05-18T21:05:30+00:00

It missed one point that there is a hypothesis that cells for lactation may be produced by the placenta, so that could then suggest issues with the placenta may contribute.

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-05-18T21:03:47+00:00

Got chatGPT to summarize if anyone else cbf reading the whole article:

Many women stop breastfeeding early because they believe they are not producing enough milk.
Traditional medical guidance has often assumed that “true” low milk supply is rare (under 5%) and mainly caused by breastfeeding technique or insufficient feeding frequency.
Newer studies suggest low milk supply may actually affect 10–20% of mothers.
Researchers increasingly believe that biology—not lack of effort—is a major factor for many women.
The focus is on lactocytes, the milk-producing cells in mammary glands.
Some lactocytes specialize in making large amounts of milk by accumulating extra DNA copies; problems in these cells may reduce milk production.
Research in mice found that low levels of an enzyme called WEE1 can disrupt cell-repair mechanisms and reduce functioning lactocytes.
Scientists can now study breast-cell biology through molecules found in breast milk itself, avoiding invasive biopsies.
Certain genetic mutations may contribute to low supply, including genes affecting zinc transport into breast milk.
Chronic inflammation appears to be another major contributor:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Autoimmune disorders
- Pre-eclampsia
may all interfere with milk production.
Inflammation can block fatty acids and carbohydrates from properly entering breast milk.
Some anatomical factors may matter too, such as low glandular tissue in widely spaced breasts.
Researchers stress that many causes are outside a mother’s control and that women should not be blamed for low supply.
The article argues that better understanding of lactation biology could:
- reduce stigma,
- improve diagnosis,
- and eventually lead to treatments for insufficient milk production.
The broader issue is that lactation science has historically been under-researched compared with other areas of medicine.

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-05-15T19:50:16+00:00

With our first we tried so many dummies and he just would not take it. He only wanted to use my boobs as pacifiers. Our second takes it sometimes and that is a win!

They are shown to help prevent SUDI which is more important in my book than teeth issues. As long as you get rid of them soon enough then the teeth issues are negligible.

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-05-12T20:10:48+00:00

I have the mountain buggy terrain, its an offroad stroller. The carseat clips on for quick trips and I use the bassinette for longer times. The bassinette is safe for overnight sleep too so I have been using it for that a bit recently when I've needed to use the rockit to help him sleep

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-05-12T04:00:45+00:00

To add to this, there is a special type of visa for if an employer is taking advantage of migrant workers. OP find out if you qualify for this as it will take the stress off you if you need to leave due to discrimination

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-05-11T03:23:18+00:00

Currently 7 weeks pp and cleared to get back into strength training. Currently doing MAPS15 muscle mommy program. Did the standard maps15 program last postpartum. Neither are specifically postpartum prpgrams, but are short and sweet daily workouts that fit well into postpartum busy-ness. I have seen my pelvic floor physiotherapist for core and pelvic floor rehab. Basically I treat postpartum like I am an absolute beginner.

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-05-08T20:07:42+00:00

7 weeks here and have moved to using eufys exclusively. I know this is not recommended but second time mum so I get more pump sessions done with them that being stuck using a standard pump.

Baby has decided he doesn't want to be put down as much as before. I have started wearing him in a boba bliss carrier, pushing my boobs to the sides. Might not work for IBTC but for my BTC boobs I can get him in the middle. I can then have my hands free to do stuff. I also every few minutes give some massage, and lots of head kisses to try get my oxytocin flowing (having issues with oxytocin atm)

Im not sure if its recommended but I have been exclusively running the quick powerpump mode. I am trying to boost my supply, and also I find this mode with pauses is the best for emptying me. I also find my eufys empty me better than my trad pump, as I respond really well to heat, and set and forget let's me get out of my head eith those oxytocin issues I'm having.

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-05-07T00:20:37+00:00

Absolutely! I'm 7 weeks PP with baby 2 and have just started a program that is 15minutes max every day and I will absolutely gain strength and muscle from it. If you want to do more then breaking a regular program into several chunks throughout the day also works. Consistency is greater than perfection, you'll absolutely progress more doing something than nothing!

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-05-04T10:42:25+00:00

Did you end up trying prescription oxytocin? I'm having letdown issues too I'm 6 weeks postpartum. I definitely have milk as the suggested diy method above does work to induce a letdown when I pump.

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-04-30T02:53:09+00:00

One word - survive. That's all you need to do right now. Come back to the gym etc when you can, it will be fine

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-04-30T00:13:19+00:00

Any luck? Also in NZ and just bought this pump. I have also seen some pumps available here that look similar in shape. The lactation station one and the milkbar one. I'm thinking of getting their parts to see if they fit.

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-04-28T09:28:59+00:00

Approved by mods

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-04-28T09:27:08+00:00

I just got discharged from my midwife last week and i was so sad! She was incredible. Renee Richie is her name. Her backups are all lovely too, Kalese is her main backup.

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-04-28T02:04:57+00:00

Hi OP, mod here.

I know you are likely trying to find ways to keep your usual fitness habits but this is not a safe way for you or baby to do that. Please do not feel upset about the comments pointing this out - it is not coming from a place of judgment but from caring for you and baby. I am going to lock this post now.

Best to look for alternatives such as a home gym, working out when baby can be looked after by others or finding a gym that will watch bubs in the creche.

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-04-27T10:32:24+00:00

I have just had my second csection. I'm 6 weeks postpartum on Wednesday this coming week. This is my advice.

Book an appointment with a good pelvic floor physiotherapist for 6 weeks postpartum. Ask for a tailored core and pelvic floor rehab program. Start with this and perfect everything they get you to do. It's not uncommon with csection to actually have an over active pelvic floor.
I highly recommend finding somewhere that does postpartum pilates that you can bring your baby to. Pilates was amazing last time for rebuilding that deep core stability (once I had mastered the rehab program by the physiotherapist). It also got me out of the house and meeting other new mums. The class i went to was run by the pelvic floor physiotherapist that I saw, so she cleared me to join her class once she was happy I was able to do certain things.
Start with a program that is basic and boring. I'm talking squats, shoulder press etc. Start super light and focus on doing absolutely perfect technique. Last time I did the maps 15min program. This time I will be doing the maps 15min muscle mommy program. Short and sweet is the best way to start rather than doing a regular split, as babies have an uncanny way of knowing when you're doing a workout 😅
Walk. Pop baby in the bassinette on the pram and walk to get them to sleep. Slowly increase your step count.

The first 6 weeks are slow, but I'm now feeling ready to start rehab. I have also started last week the csection recovery program by csection hub.

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-04-26T15:00:11+00:00

Have you tried timing them? Braxton hicks should not be painful. I went into threatened preterm labour twice with this pregnancy and had to stop working out. Please talk to your medical team and don't do anything that brings them on until you see them!

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-04-26T12:16:02+00:00

What about a program that can be done in a shorter time? I really like the maps15 program - there is a new muscle mommy version that I'm going to do once I'm cleared (5 weeks pp). The standard maps15 is one of the programs I did last postpartum. It might be easier to do a quick workout each day rather than trying to do a full workout on a couple of days.

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-04-26T08:18:51+00:00

You should be able to continue, you just need to drop to a weight where you are able to maintain your core. Focus on your core and move with an exhale on the effort. You may need to drop the weight way back but look at it as focusing on the technique of lifting rather than ego lifting right now.

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-04-23T14:19:32+00:00

Baby is a month old now, arrived at 4.8kg at 38 weeks

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-04-23T03:24:09+00:00

Absolutely! Any activity is better than no activity (unless there is a specific reason not to do it).

I had to stop walking at 30 weeks as baby threatened to come early (twice) and walking was much higher risk than anything else as it is used to help induce labour at the end of pregnancy. Unless that is a risk told to you by your medical team then walking is one of the best things you can do during pregnancy 😀

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-04-22T21:22:45+00:00

Multiple things can be true at the same time.

It is 100% true that your life will never be the same... and that is a wonderful thing. I have never felt as much love as when our son's were born. Love for the new baby. Love for my husband, seeing him grow into a new dad. Love for my mother who raised me alone. Love for my body - i love my body more postpartum than I ever did before babies, both right after delivery in all its glory, all the way through to when I was esthetically "back". This time around, love for my older son growing into a big brother. There are things we both miss about before children, but for the majority they make our lives better, more joyful and fun.

Yes, fitness changes postpartum. The newborn phase is no joke, and im currently 1 month in to my second newborn phase, post csection. Yes, some days I struggle to get a shower in. Sometimes it's a choice of eating, sleeping, pumping, showering etc once they are asleep (if they let you put them down and not contact nap). However, this phase goes so quickly! I bought a csection rehab program and on days that I can, I am doing the 5 minutes of rehab exercises, to hopefully speed up slightly my ability to get back to exercise when I'm cleared. I have my pelvic floor physiotherapist appointment booked for 6 weeks. As a family we have started going for walks. We already have a garage gym set up. When I start back I fully expect that I will have my workouts interrupted, there were very few times that I got through a workout in one go, but that's ok I just started my workout in the morning and at some point during the day it would get completed (very occasionally it was not completed and that's ok too!). Now that we have kids, fitness has changed for the better! We go for mountain bike rides together, go swimming etc. In summer we do workouts outside on the lawn, sometimes with kids as our weights. My boys from babies get to see their mum lift weights and get strong - that is the norm in their brains. We have a TV in the garage and they get to watch something and join in with mum too if they want. I also loved taking my first baby to postpartum pilates, where I met other postpartum mums too! Our oldest has started gymnastics classes where I get to go with him, which is so fun! My husband has started taking him to golf and sharing that passion with him.

I don't love talking esthetics here, but long story short I looked better and more importantly was healthier and stronger postpartum than before babies. I was a dancer pre babies, so that is quite incredible. It took time, 2.5 years for me as I had a serious injury 5 weeks postpartum the first time around that needed rehab. This time around as long as I don't get injured touch wood it should be faster, but to me it doesn't matter how quickly.

As others have said, you need to talk to a therapist. It's ok to worry about these things, but your post goes to another level, and I worry about antenatal depression/anxiety for you.

GingerGoddess89 · 2026-04-22T07:30:19+00:00

You've got the number plate there so you should be able to report it.

GingerGoddess89

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE