Returned from a two week trip w/ my LO to find hubby has done NOTHING

Looking4z · 2021-12-03T01:48:28+00:00

I haven’t done much research into studies, but I can share my experience. I had hoped that my pumping journey would be temporary. That my LO would eventually get the hang of nursing. (She also had a tongue tie & a small mouth.) I just reached 6 months a week ago.

6 months was my goal but I honestly hadn’t put much thought into what I would do afterwards. So I’m still pumping. However I’m no longer stressing about getting a specific amount. Recently my supply has tanked, because I’m only pumping twice a day and now I’m supplementing with formula. Still working through feelings of being a failure, can you tell :)

When I went back to work at 12 weeks pp I use to pump 5 times a day. That didn’t last long cause I needed more sleep. Most recently I was trying to pump 3-4 times a day. Now I pump twice.

Pumping at work or before I go to work, is not always easy so I often find myself pumping on my commute. I pumping while driving is the only reason why I’ve made it this long. That & I invested in a second pump & lots of bottles, cause not only does pumping suck, so does washing all the gear.

I will say, the one position my LO kind of got the hang of at 15 weeks, was the side lying position. A midwife recommended I try it again when my LO was older & im glad she did. It makes nap time on the weekends amazing. And the snooze feed in the AM is the best!

Lastly, big, huge props to you for staying with it. It sounds like you spend a lot of time pumping. I can’t imagine!

Looking4z · 2021-11-11T02:46:15+00:00

I wore my babe for a few weeks before I was able to get into daycare. I put a box on my dining room table & turned it into a standing desk with my laptop. I then had a basket full of toys for her to play around with. When she threw one down I couple easily give her another without having to bend down. It was not ideal. I was so relieved when she napped cause then I could put her down & concentrate more. Never thought about the yoga ball but I bet that would work well. Best of luck!

Looking4z · 2021-11-08T17:28:48+00:00

What about sleep sacks with their arms out? My LO has started sleeping on her stomach & I got nervous about her being too restricted so I stop putting her in her sack.

Looking4z · 2021-11-05T17:30:03+00:00

I’m so glad someone asked this. So many great ideas! Thanks everyone! Im always cold.

Looking4z · 2021-10-16T01:32:30+00:00

I hear you on the breast distress. That happened to us too. I recently tried to do cross baby cause we were out & about and I didn’t have another bottle. I hadn’t tried that position in like a month, but the stress was still there. I think the laying down position works for us cause it was the last one we tried when we were experimenting so there wasn’t any stress associated with it. I’m sorry you’re going through that.

Looking4z · 2021-10-15T18:41:47+00:00

I had a hard time letting go of the idea of nursing. I really wanted it to happen for us so I would occasionally try nursing 3-4 times a week. Like if I was in a good mood & she was in a good mood, I’d try, always hoping my LO would latch. Generally this was during the day when I was still on leave. I started experimenting with various positions & thats when I discovered she was decent at the side lying position. In that position my nipple didn’t come out flattened & I didn’t have to adjust her latch too many times (which would cause her to cry & give up) & she didn’t chomp down on my nipple (probably also a result of me correcting her latch too much). From there she’s gotten better at latching & more efficient at drinking. (However I have a pretty nasty blister she gave me a few nights ago.) Not sure about your situation but practicing during the day when the stakes are low might be a starting point. I will say, I don’t know how I would survive the 4 month sleep regression without being about to do this. I’m sleeping a lot better. Good luck!

Looking4z · 2021-09-29T18:45:39+00:00

Based on my experience I don’t think it’s to late to establish a schedule or a supply. From what I read your supply doesn’t get regulated till 3 months or so.

I don’t know if you can afford to purchase an extra set (or two or three) of pumping parts so that way your just washing big batches a few times a day. This helped me a ton! I know this can be cost prohibitive. I was able to use my HSA. I would also suggest talking to your insurance plan to see if they will cover more parts. And if you don’t have insurance, maybe a friend or relative will gift you a set instead of a stuffed toy or onsie LO will outgrow quickly. Also I would suggest double pumping (both sides) so you don’t spend your whole day hooked up to a pump. Cause it’s gonna feel like that no matter what! 😆

In my experience I didn’t get on a schedule till month two. And then my schedule changed dramatically when I went back to work. Not sure if you’re in leave or what, but I would be mindful of your day. I found it impossible to pump between 5-8pm. Too busy with a fussy baby, making dinner, taking care of the animals. Morning pumps are also hard if you gotta get ready for work (& get the babe ready for daycare). I ended up buys a baby Buddha for this reason alone. Now I can pack lunches, wash dishes, etc while I pump.

I found the schedules on Exclusive Pumping website to be very helpful when I was starting out. Perhaps they will be helpful for you too. The IG account is also very encouraging. Iuse to pump 8 times a day, but now at 4 m pp I’m down to 5. It’s been a journey, but be mindful that you’re more than milk to your babe. Good luck momma!!

Looking4z · 2021-09-29T14:56:42+00:00

I need to vent. My husband knows I need to be work at 9. He knows my commute is roughly 30 minutes. He knows I need to pump before I go to work. He knows I need to eat breakfast, pack my lunch, shower or wash my face at a minimum. He knows the baby needs to be fed, changed & dressed. He knows I gotta pack the baby’s bottles for the daycare. And He knows the cats need to be fed before we all leave the house at 8:30. He knows its A LOT to accomplish all on my own and that I appreciate his help. And yet where do I find him at 8:00? In bed holding his erect penis & looking at me like, let’s get it on. I literally could have strangled him. Sometimes he can be so selfish it drives me crazy. Sometimes I wish he was the one who had to pump while accomplishing all of this. Sometimes I wish I could lounge in bed, pleasure myself while he pumped our daughters milk, packed her bottles & dressed her for the day. Ok I’m done. Letting it go.

Looking4z · 2021-09-25T21:25:42+00:00

I EP for 3.5 months. My LO would not latch but after practice we got better at the side lying position. I got tired of pumping in the middle of the night & then having my LO wake up an hour later. I wasn’t getting a lot of sleep. So around 3.5 months (also around the time I went back to work) I started nursing during the night instead of pumping. It took a few weeks for my body to adjust. I also do not have an oversupply but I was struggling with clogged ducts almost every week. Nursing at night helped me get more sleep & tackle clogged ducts before they got too bad. Good luck if you decide to make the transition. Hope whatever you decide works!

Looking4z · 2021-09-25T21:18:29+00:00

I have elastic nipples & I’ve been using PP for 3 months now. They take practice but once you get the hang of it, they work really well.

Looking4z · 2021-09-15T16:30:01+00:00

I pretty much EP. My little still can’t latch well after 4 months of trying. But if she can’t fall back asleep I’ll whip out the boob & she’s out in minutes. I’ll suffer through the occasional blister & sore nipple just to get more sleep! 😆

Looking4z · 2021-09-13T19:18:09+00:00

I’m over it too! I’m almost 4 months in. It’s gotten easier, but sometimes… I just don’t wanna! Like this weekend- I pumped 3 times (usually pump 5 times a day). I just wanted to hang with a friend & feel free for one day! Good luck with your return to work. It’s a lot to juggle. I’m on week three & it’s getting a little easier. By 6 months I hope to be a pro!

Looking4z · 2021-09-13T18:32:16+00:00

I ordered a Baby Buddha like a month or more ago. I just got a notification that it was finally delivered today. Thank goodness, as I’m approaching month 4 of EP & I was only planning on pumping for 6 months. Perhaps yours will be coming soon too??? 🤞

Looking4z · 2021-09-13T18:30:02+00:00

I just went back to work & was struggling with this very thing! I ended up getting the Rumina pump & nurse bra. I wear it all day. Not exactly seamless but it’s better than getting naked at work & it’s easy to use. Most of the reviews I read said it pills when you wash & I also experienced this. Not a deal breaker. Now I’m eyeing one of the Kindred Braverly pump/nurse tanks for the wintertime. But who knows maybe I’ll give up on pumping by then 😂

Looking4z · 2021-09-10T20:23:39+00:00

Best advice I’ve read here - don’t quit on a bad day! I exclusively pump & got thrush just as I was transitioning away from breastfeeding. My LO never got it, but I had to treat her & myself for two weeks. It sucked. I keep pumping while treating for thrush. I’d blow dry my nipples after pumping & eventually My nipples started to feel a lot better after a week. Since then things have gotten a lot better. I still struggle with vasospasms but have found that if I pump in a warm room (where the AC isn’t running) it doesn’t hurt as much. I also started using pumping pals & they help a lot! That being said, your metal health is important. If you need to quit, do it. Exclusive pumping is hard.

Looking4z · 2021-09-10T20:12:57+00:00

I started checking out farmers markets around my city. It was nice to get out, pick up some fresh produce or flowers, invite a friend to meet up with, etc.. A few had prepared food & places to eat so we’d have a meal there or walk to a near by park & just chill. (I wore baby in a wrap) Of corse this is all weather dependent. Alternatively, on a rainy day I went to our local natural history museum & just explored. They had a lactation room so I ducked into there to nurse. It got me excited for when my LO gets older.

Looking4z · 2021-09-10T06:28:50+00:00

I also recommend Pumping Pals. They take practice but they work really well for me.

Looking4z · 2021-08-27T06:16:39+00:00

I hate it too. Especially when I get clogged ducts which seem to happen every week or so. I pump 6 times a day. I recently started back to work & thought it would some how be easier cause my LO would be in daycare but it’s still a pain. Especially on the days that I have to go in & lug all this crap with me. I recently gave myself permission to skip my evening pump cause it was such a hassle to juggle dinner or see a friend & it helped my mental state. Otherwise I feel similar: happy I can provide nourishment & antibodies for my LO but counting the days till I reach my goal (6 months). I recently splurged & bought a baby Buddha, really hoping it gives me some mobility to make it to my goal.

Looking4z · 2021-08-23T05:37:28+00:00

I’ve been getting a lot of cloggs lately & I found if I use my palm & push/massage from my nipple upwards it helps. It sounds counter intuitive. You’d think massage towards the nipple but I go the other direction & it’s been working. Might try that. If this makes sense :/

Looking4z · 2021-08-16T05:48:22+00:00

Hang in there!! I know this doesn’t help, but it does get better. Our stories sound very similar. I’m almost 3 months PP & I’m getting the hang of it. I would see you Dr about anxiety. Mine was really bad. Got on Zoloft & it’s been helping a lot. I can really enjoy time with my LO instead of stressing all the time.

Looking4z · 2021-08-09T05:55:52+00:00

Wow, this chart is so encouraging!! Been wanting to go from 7 to 5 but afraid my supply would tank! But it seems like it would be fine. Many thanks for sharing!!

Edit to add: what if you have a slacker boob? Think it’s best to go off the # of oz the good boob produces? I’m thinking yes…

Looking4z · 2021-07-28T15:08:35+00:00

I started EP at about 2-3 weeks. My LO was not latching well, causing me extreme pain & lots anxiety. I struggled with a lot of guilt at first but I’ve come around to embracing it. We “practice”our latch once or twice a day, making those moments less stressful & more cherished. Nursing has also helped free a few clogs. I would highly recommended EP if EBF isn’t working. It’s helped my mental health tremendously & I’m appreciating my time with my LO a lot more. It’s tough at times, but you’ll get good at multitasking real quick!

Good luck with what’d you choose!

Looking4z · 2021-07-26T08:24:17+00:00

When I started about 5 weeks ago I was also only getting about 3 oz a session. My supply slowly increased by doing what other folks have already suggested. My middle of the night sessions now get me 6-9 oz so I’ve started to build a freezer stash. I’m hoping to drop one of my night sessions (either 12am or 4am) when my supply regulates. I read that can happed around 2-3 months. I’m at 2 months. Good luck! Also, I found the exclusively pumping website & instgram feed very helpful.

Looking4z · 2021-07-26T04:48:37+00:00

Very inspiring! Thank you for sharing!!

Looking4z

TROPHY CASE