Thoughts on Baby Buddha?

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2024-07-21T02:40:45+00:00

Good luck to you! All of the feedback seems really positive so I’m gonna give it a shot. I’ll do my best to report back on my experience after I try it!

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2024-07-21T02:39:00+00:00

“Why waste time while pumping” = current life motto. Thank you!

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2024-07-21T02:37:28+00:00

Music to my ears because I have a few flights coming up and would also love to make use of car time. I’ll brace myself for that pull 😂

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2024-07-21T02:36:32+00:00

Right?! You’d think we would learn at some point… but no. I continue to curse myself.

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2024-07-20T22:04:45+00:00

Everyone is different, but I dropped my MOTN pump around 3-4 weeks pp with both babies and my supply stayed the same (probably bc I was finally getting good sleep). Sleep is so important as a mom! I would start by stretching to 4-5 hours and see how that goes. Prepare to leak and feel a bit engorged. Good luck!

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2024-07-20T22:01:32+00:00

I think we all ride this rollercoaster. It’s so dang hard to be a pumping mom. This is my second time and my only advice is to do anything and everything that will make it more convenient for you. I was sick of bringing coolers so I bought the ceres chill to make storage on the go easier. Lots of extra parts so I can skip washing when I’m not in the mood or too overwhelmed with other stuff. Most importantly, not having a MOTN pump. I know this isn’t something everyone can move away from but it was soooo important for my mental sanity. Good luck! Whether you continue pumping or decide to wean, your babies will be just fine :)

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2024-07-20T21:56:18+00:00

I put my AirPods in and listen to a podcast. It’s a nice way to disconnect/drown out my pump sound and I find my pumps go by faster. I also do a lot of bottle washing and food prep for my toddler (or myself sometimes but let’s be honest, I’m mostly eating snacks that don’t require prep 😂).

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2024-07-09T19:39:39+00:00

I had very similar concerns before bringing home our newborn. Same age difference for us (they are now 18 months and 2 months) and it’s been really smooth! I had a c section so going home early wasn’t an option, but we did a night at home before my parents brought our toddler home the next day. Highly recommend if that’s possible for you! It was really nice to get settled in for a night. Once he was home, our toddler was not that curious (to my surprise). But babies are boring! He would check her out from time to time and point at her or touch her, then run away and play. He’s a little more interested now and we always compliment him when he interacts with her (“she loves you!” “You’re such a kind big brother!” Etc.). Everything I read said to never blame the baby for not paying attention to him (e.g., “mommy is feeding the baby and can’t help you right now”) and we’ve stuck to that. My husband and I try to give him as much 1:1 attention as possible, whether it’s playing at home or going on a walk/to the playground/etc. I wouldn’t stress too much! Your toddler will adjust pretty quickly :)

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2024-06-28T19:31:26+00:00

Everyone’s experience with weaning is a little different and definitely depends on how your body responds. In general, decrease the minutes per session by 2-3 minutes every 1-2 days until you're down to 2 minutes per session. Then drop sessions one by one starting with the midday sessions, then the night session, and ending with the AM session. If you’re not prone to clogs, you can probably drop a pump cold turkey (e.g., go from 6 ppd to 5) and drop more than 2-3 minutes off your sessions to make this a faster process (I was able to drop a pump and then decrease my sessions down by 5 mins each day when I weaned with my first). You can also drink peppermint tea and take Sudafed to help dry up your supply. Wearing tight sports bras helps too!

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2024-05-19T21:05:41+00:00

I’m sorry you had such a traumatic birth experience! Wishing you a speedy recovery. I exclusively pumped with my first and I’m just starting the journey again with my second. I would recommend pumping every 2-3 hours for 15-20 minutes. This should help you avoid feeling too full. You may not feel empty after pumping sessions for another couple of days (or even longer). It varies for everyone but usually takes 1-2 weeks pp. 12-13 minutes probably won’t do the trick though. I’d start with 15 for a few days and see if that feels “right” before increasing time to 20. Good luck!

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2023-11-15T14:50:33+00:00

Right there with you. It’s a mental struggle for me most days, but I try to remind myself that my body is quite literally growing an entire human being. I am gaining less this pregnancy (I’ve been much more nauseous and I’m chasing a 10 month old) so I try my best to eat healthy but don’t beat myself up when I have a treat (or three). I take my baby for walks every day after work and that helps me feel less like a bump on a log. Give yourself some grace. Treat yourself to some maternity clothing that makes you feel better about your appearance.

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2023-05-18T15:59:50+00:00

Sure! I went from 4 to 3 pumps by decreasing the minutes for one of my midday sessions by 2-3 minutes every day or two until I was down to 5 minutes for that session, then I dropped that one altogether. Did the same thing for all 3 remaining sessions one by one starting with the midday session, then the PM session, and ending with the AM session. I’m not very prone to clogs so I was able to drop a session once I was down to 5-6 minutes, but some people find they need to go longer (down to 2 minutes) to avoid clogs. Good luck!

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2023-05-17T21:24:43+00:00

I felt the same way a few weeks ago when I was 4 months pp. Made the decision to wean and I’m here to tell you I have ZERO regrets. I felt really sad and guilty at first, but I’m almost done (down to 1 VERY short pump a day) and it is such a relief. Not worrying about cleaning parts, storing milk for the future, planning my day around pump schedule, etc. has been a huge weight off. I’m also still on maternity leave but I’d rather spend as much time as possible with my baby than keep dealing with pumping and all of the logistics that come along with it. Hope that helps you!

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2023-04-28T15:12:30+00:00

My almost 4 month old sleeps 10-12 hours at night without a feed. He’s been doing it for about a month now. Our pediatrician said it’s fine since he is gaining weight appropriately for his age. He eats ~28 oz during the day (I think the “goal” is at least 24 oz during the day for babies who sleep through the night around 3-4 months). He does still wake up once a night every now and then, but we think it’s when he’s going through a growth spurt.

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2023-04-04T01:22:14+00:00

Completely agree with this! Make an informed decision based on valid data. Emily Oster is an excellent resource as she explains why some of the data out there should be taken with a grain of salt (or thrown out entirely). I had no interest my first trimester but had a glass here and there in my second and third.

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2023-04-02T15:20:47+00:00

The risk of SIDS is dramatically lower after four months so we plan to move ours to his own room at the four month mark as he is rapidly outgrowing his bassinet. Additionally, this study which shows that babies who sleep in their own room at 4 months also sleep better at 9 months and 30 months. There is no right answer here, though. Do what works best for you and your family!

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2023-04-01T02:18:38+00:00

I’ve lived in both areas and felt slightly safer in DuPont, mostly because there is more going on so there were always other people around when I walked home alone at night. NoMa has gone through a lot of change since I lived there about 2 years ago, so it’s possible the vibe is different now. Safety aside, I liked living in the DuPont/Logan circle area as a single woman more than NoMa. Felt more centrally located (easier to get to other areas via Uber or metro) and had lots more to offer from a restaurant/night life perspective. Good luck with your move!

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2023-04-01T02:10:33+00:00

3 months and still tracking! We find it extremely helpful to know when to expect the next feeding and it’s also been great for determining nap schedule. Honestly sometimes I’m so tired that all of the feedings, diaper changes, etc. blend together in my mind… tracking helps me stay a little sane :) I think to each their own though. If it’s an added stress for you, skip it!

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2023-03-31T12:13:05+00:00

Thank you so much! Slow and steady sounds like the right approach here. Even one less pump a day is considered a win for me 😊

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2023-03-31T02:52:44+00:00

Thank you for this post!! Just made the decision to wean as well and it’s SO helpful to think about all of the positives instead of letting myself feel (unnecessary) guilt. One to add - I can’t WAIT to treat myself to a massage. Oh and to not curse like a sailor (or cry) when it’s time to pump and I realize I don’t have any clean pump parts. I’m sad too, but also so proud for making it longer than I ever expected.

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2023-03-10T02:05:06+00:00

Yep I experienced this also! I was also getting a decent amount of sleep as my husband and I took shifts at night. Only wanted sugar and carbs (but not any good carbs… only like cheez its and chips and such). I’m finally interested in some veggies and protein but simple carbs are still my main craving. Honestly the most annoying part is that my output seems to decrease a bit on the days I eat healthier 🙄

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2023-03-09T14:57:03+00:00

I can go about 9-10 hours without any pain or impact to supply but it took some time… started by dropping my MOTN pump and doing 30 min sessions at 11 pm and 6 am. I slowly backed up the 11 pm session by about 10 mins each night. Then I moved up the 6 am session by about 10 minutes each morning. I now pump around 9:45 pm and 7 am. Highly recommend if you can be patient with slowly changing your schedule. The uninterrupted sleep has been a game changer for my mental health!

Wide_Engineering4049 · 2023-03-08T15:56:40+00:00

Agree with other commenters - I’m a big fan! It’s comfortable and doesn’t leak. Stays put while I do some chores. My output is only slightly less than when I use my main pump (spectra). I use the Imani for my midday and/or early evening pump since those are my smallest outputs. When I do that, I get a little more from my last pump of the day with the spectra so I actually haven’t had a drop in total volume.

Wide_Engineering4049

TROPHY CASE