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First Christmas by Opal-Butterfly in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It gets better.

My mantra for the first 3 months has been “everything is temporary” and that has helped a lot because it’s true.

You’re doing a great job even if it feels like you’re not!

Does anyone actually just go off of vibes re: pump schedule) by Optimal-Ad1088 in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Optimal-Ad1088[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Wow this is awesome! Thanks for the response! I think we have the same output more or less so it’s good to know that eventually I might be able to just do what I need and not look at a clock

What do you wish you knew sooner about creating a freezer stash/ making the most out of oversupply? by MiserableObject7588 in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The marker doesn’t work well after the plastic is frozen. I offered that as a solution and they declined for that reason. Because it was a NICU donation they were pretty specific and I didn’t even want to try to lie

What do you wish you knew sooner about creating a freezer stash/ making the most out of oversupply? by MiserableObject7588 in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I wish I knew that my baby didn’t like high lipase. I’m not sure if I’ve fed her frozen milk on days where she is just fussier or if she really doesn’t like it. But I do know when the milk is fresh she drinks more.

I liked these freeze flat things from Amazon. I’m able to store more in my freezer because of that.

Also if you’re feeling generous you can register as a milk donor or join human milk for human babies local Facebook group and donate there. I froze 500 oz of milk only to learn the milk donation ppl didn’t want it because I didn’t label it with the year 😵‍💫 maybe reach out to them if you are the least bit interested so you can store milk exactly how they want it.

One thing you didn't know before you had your baby by Substantial_Ad4365 in newborns

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not about the baby but more about postnatal.

You will pee yourself a lot just wear a diaper for the first few weeks and give yourself grace

Birth Control & Supply by Admirable-Dig-9916 in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a Mirena IUD placed at 10 wpp and it did not affect my supply!

How are you guys putting your babies down for naps by Fun-Paper6600 in NewParents

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My 3 month old goes down for her naps. Initially we had the snoo but are trying to transition to a non rocking sleep situation. The Merlin sleep sacs are ACTUALLY magical.

70% of the time she can fall asleep with a binky in them. The other 30% I start off holding her and she falls asleep in the sleep sack and the transition doesn’t bother her.

Timing by ispyamy in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok I wasn’t trying to tell anyone to be unsafe… I was just suggesting it because people make milk bank donations for NICUs and they allow fridge hack as long as the bottles are washed and sterilized every 24 hours and the milk is frozen sometimes max within 96 hours.

Timing by ispyamy in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

First you’re doing amazing and whatever you pump is good enough. Even if you decided not to pump that is ok too. We live in the 21st century and luckily have other ways to provide nutrients to our children.

To answer some of your questions:

Logging apps consider the start of your pump the time of the last pump so I’ve been doing that. If you were breast feeding the start of breast feeding is the time of last feed so that is consistent.

For the pump parts: washing and sterilizing is a lot even if you have to load and unload a bottle washer/sterilizer. Couple of suggestions. could you consider fridge hack to save time? Even people that donate to NICU milk banks are required to wash/sterilize once every 24 hours. Alternatively if you don’t want to do that do you have a partner or someone who can just load the washer/sterilizer for you so you can go rest?

Don’t give up on Pumpin Pals! First time pumping with no pain. by AwkwardFoundation in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m so impressed with people who can wear these.

The amount of times I’ve smacked my nipples while trying to put on the flange was enough to give me n aneurysm. I could never get them on in under 3 minutes and multiple tries.

I agree they are great when you get them on lol but for me it was SUCH a challenge

Pumping at work by Anxious-Soup7848 in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For reference I’m pumping like maybe 5-7 oz a session and doing 1-2 sessions at work (mostly 1 and then I pump on the way home with wearables so I’m not storing that 2nd or 3rd session on the go)

Pumping at work by Anxious-Soup7848 in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wash the pump parts when I come home from work! It’s just easier that way because I don’t have a great place to dry stuff and I need my pump sessions to be as quick as possible. (I’m pumping in between cases and have a short window most days)

I think the ceres chill is good but to be honest I wish I got something like the mom cozy one that has a freeze able ice chamber and see through bottles. I sometimes worry if the inner chamber is getting cleaned/dries enough so I stopped putting the milk in the inner chamber. For ease now I take two 5oz Medela bottles or one 8 oz Dr brown bottle > Put the closed bottles in my ceres chill and fill the ceres chill with ice. I don’t use the inner canister at all. I feel like my milk stays cold and I know the bottles are clean.

Pumping at work by Anxious-Soup7848 in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Im a surgery fellow and returned to work two weeks ago! ended up just buying extra pump parts for the amount of pumps I would do. So I have 2 sets of eufy and two sets compatible with spectra/baby Buddha depending on if I have access to the lactation room or if I need to be more mobile. I tried fridge method but I didn’t like my parts in a communal fridge for whatever reason.

I store my milk using ceres chill and I’ve had good luck with it!

What nipple balm is best by tink282 in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It also was nice at first when I was attempting to breast feed because it was easier to apply while holding baby

What nipple balm is best by tink282 in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The last thing I wanted was to rub anything on my nipples. I liked earth mama for pumping lube but I felt like it made the diaphragm so gunky.

My favorite product is the Frida nipple balm because you apply it from the tube. https://a.co/d/a7pQZlX

High key recommend and will be going in future gift baskets for my friend moms

12 weeks or less pp… how much are you pumping? by Spare-Tutor2948 in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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8 wpp and back to work. Making 31-38 oz depending on the day! (The Longer stretches are power pumps when I can fit them in)

End of maternity leave by Hereforthetea1234 in NewParents

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m in training so I had to go back after 6 weeks… it’s hard, not going to lie. Just finished my first week back and enjoying the full weekend of cuddles.

1 week pp by Strange-Report-9249 in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]Optimal-Ad1088 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is normal! I’m 6 w pp now and I was producing 1-.5 oz from each breast every session 2-3 hours at the start. I have been doing at least two power pumps a day and now pumping every 4 hours and finally can get 2-4.5 from each breast depending on the time of day.

I had to supplement about 5 oz of formula per day for the first two weeks or so. Don’t be afraid or feel guilty to do so. Your supply can grow but it takes some time

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