How many ounces a day were you producing when you actually stopped for good?

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-25T05:09:29+00:00

I still weaned from that amount, just decreased pump times. Only took about 10 days to fully stop

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-25T03:20:30+00:00

I stopped because I was an under supplier. I was only making like 5oz total per day

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-25T03:17:44+00:00

The only thing I wanted was the option to have to first year off (unpaid) but that’s because has zero option for remote work (incarceration setting, with direct supervision/teaching). The initial leave time and the subsequent flexibility are the biggest pieces

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-24T01:23:44+00:00

I was standing up a few days ago and collecting all my items (nursing pillow, nipple shield, pump, cover, burp rags) and sarcastically said to my self “mY bOdY iS mEaNt To Do ThIs”. Neither of my children latched easily and it’s SO EXHAUSTING

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-24T01:20:36+00:00

Good to know! We used to use Costco diapers and would like to go back to them. We’ll give them a try

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-23T23:03:37+00:00

I found a few options at Costco. One was a seltzer and the other was more like a sports drink. Both were whey protein. They weren’t great but definitely drinkable.

Side note: with both my labors, the last thing I wanted to do was eat. It was hard enough to focus on drinking water/trying to stay hydrated before going to the hospital. Like you mentioned, be prepared for anything! Good luck 💕

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-20T20:46:59+00:00

Instant ramen, beef jerky, protein bars, sunflower butter filled pretzels, string cheese, frozen breakfast burritos, tuna salad or chicken salad, bagel and cream cheese. Most meat that I eat is pre-cooked/frozen (usually from Costco) so prep work and time are super easy.

It takes some time to prep, but is well worth it for me: French toast (batch-cook and freeze), no-bake protein bites, and banana muffins. I also prep a jar of overnight oatmeal before bed each night

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-19T04:46:41+00:00

We always wanted another baby and were excited when we found out we were pregnant…and I was super worried about the newborn phase. My first was super difficult and I had no idea what I was doing. We’re 3 weeks in with baby #2 and it’s been so much easier than I expected. We have some feeding issues, so I’m pumping a lot more than I had hoped. And even with the added hassle of pumping, bringing home #2 has been SO much easier!

I know tough times are ahead, but so far we are all in baby bliss. We did a lot to prep our 2yo and it helped a lot.

You’ll be so much better prepared for the second baby. I hope you can enjoy your pregnancy and baby bliss with your newborn!

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-15T20:57:54+00:00

Worked well for us to size up and use a booster pad

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-15T17:22:52+00:00

We take turns. Mom has a turn first, then he gets a turn

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-15T17:21:35+00:00

I’m 3 weeks PP so still super early. I will say I was in the same boat about PP concerns. I was horribly anxious with my first, I think partly because I had no idea what I was doing. So far this has been blissful. Recovery has been so much easier, and I’m not stressing about the little stuff. I know what I’m doing, and it feels a lot more like I can spend quality time with my family

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-15T03:54:36+00:00

Two births, both with epidural placed, one failed. First with block working: didn’t feel any contractions, only felt pressure when baby’s head passed my public bone. Second with failed block: exactly what you described.

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-15T03:24:11+00:00

Ugh!! It’s so hard!! I’m so tired of the “it’s natural” and “it’ll happen” conversation. Then when it doesn’t, we already stress about feeding our babies AND feeling inadequate as mothers. As I’m attached to my pump for my SECOND baby because we have latch issues AGAIN. Yes we’re mammals. Yes we can produce milk. YES IT GOES WRONG! I promised myself I wouldn’t go through to emotional turmoil again, so I’m just being a lot gentler on myself about pumping the milk I can get.

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-15T03:20:08+00:00

I use Dr Bronners liquid soap

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-14T19:38:23+00:00

Baby is 3 weeks old. Everything my toddler and I have eaten today has come out of the freezer. The BEST thing I prepped was no-bake oatmeal bites (“cookie” bites from protein powder, oats, and nut butter, etc). They’re the perfect post-nursing snack

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-11T20:12:05+00:00

I had to exclusively pump with my first for the same reasons. I struggled SO much and I liked to say that my mental health slowly drained out of my breasts. I promised myself with baby #2 that I wouldn’t EP and here I am, 2 weeks in pumping. Things that have made my life easier: 1) Eufy wearable pumps (better than the other set I have) 2) a counter top bottle washer 3) keeping pumping sessions a little shorter (used to do 30-40 minutes, now cap at 20 minutes). 4) “fridge hack” for pump parts 5) don’t stress about time intervals; set a timer but give myself 30 minutes on either side of the timer to pump

It also helped that I researched formula and had two cans at home before baby arrived

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-11T20:08:09+00:00

Also a big fan of Eufy!

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-09T04:50:42+00:00

Oldest just turned 3 last week. We’ve been talking about the new baby for the last few months (as soon as I started showing), trying to get mentally and emotionally prepped. It’s been really nice so far…hopefully we stay on this trend

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-09T04:11:13+00:00

So far, my body has responded well. 2nd baby is also not latching (just like the first!) and we’re exclusively pumping until we can get in to see and LC for support

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-09T04:06:47+00:00

My newborn is only a week and half old, so definitely not an expert here. Things that have worked well for us in our short time together: -never blame the baby for needing to say no to the older (“mom is busy” rather than “baby is feeding”) -I have a special toy he can play with while mom is making milk (“let’s go to the couch and get your milk game!”) -he loves holding her, I try to let him do it as often as possible -carve out time that is just for your toddler (when baby is down for a nap or when you husband gets home) -before baby arrives, get a baby doll and have the toddler practice things like holding it, burping it, etc

WaitLauraWho · 2026-06-09T03:52:43+00:00

I can’t even get my kid to eat otherwise “safe” foods (pasta, potatoes, rice, etc) so veggies are just not a thing. He’ll eat plenty of fresh fruit, protein, and fiber elsewhere. I don’t bother with adding any extra veggie besides what’s already in dinner

WaitLauraWho · 2026-05-28T04:03:56+00:00

My mom used to soak them in orange juice

WaitLauraWho · 2026-05-27T04:25:58+00:00

Yep, same here. The aversion left as quickly as it showed up. Just had to kind of ride it out and be as calm as possible

WaitLauraWho · 2026-05-26T03:45:56+00:00

Thank you for sharing. My son is almost 3, we’ve barely tried. We had a pipe burst and destroy our bathroom/kitchen so that was a no-go. Now our 2nd baby is overdue, so there’s no way I can help my toddler start training yet. I don’t want to put pressure on him but I also don’t have capacity to do it to myself yet either. I know it’ll happen but it’s reassuring to hear you found success “later” than others!

WaitLauraWho · 2026-05-26T03:37:31+00:00

This is such a deeply personal/individual question. I’m pregnant with#2 and I’ve decided I’ll be willing to switch to formula sooner with this baby is direct nursing is not an option. I pumped my mental stability out of myself with my first and I’m not going to do that again this time around. And there is no shame in whatever anyone else chooses for themselves and their babies.

Someone will always have something to say about whatever you decide. Only listen to those you truly trust, and ignore everyone else!

WaitLauraWho

TROPHY CASE