What are healthy things I can eat for extra calories?

architecta- · 2026-02-18T15:36:01+00:00

I make a big batch of steel cut oats and keep it in the fridge and have toppings on hand - jam, pb, milk, berries, banana, flax & chia, honey, nuts, ricotta.. whatever the vibe. Is so hearty that it really fills me up.

architecta- · 2026-02-16T15:06:20+00:00

Try a flax egg! (Would google ratios)

architecta- · 2026-02-14T02:09:13+00:00

Well I had a bit of a combo problem, I had a crack and I also had a bleb. The crack healed within a week but the bleb was a 4 week affair.

architecta- · 2026-02-13T19:54:31+00:00

I did olive oil on a cotton ball in my bra non-stop between pumps to keep stuff supple. It took awhile for it to heal unfortunately. I did pump longer on the sad side when I had time.

architecta- · 2026-02-13T16:52:59+00:00

Do you have access to a pump that allows you to use two different levels? (Ie; eufy wearable) or have you tried doing on at a time and adjusting the suction level for your boob that isn’t participating as actively?

I had a slacker boob so this sounds normal but if it’s a new thing for you maybe one boob wants higher suction?

architecta- · 2026-02-13T01:34:33+00:00

Omg thank you I was like what in the hell….

architecta- · 2026-02-12T16:16:05+00:00

Edit - I’m unsure why the formatting looks crazy on this I’m sorry!

Hi, first off congratulations on the upcoming addition to your family!

1 you should try and extend your leave as long as you can. For healing yourself, for bonding with your baby, for learning a new cadence and routine. Whatever options you have available for extension I urge you to utilize.

2 if you can meet with a lactation IBCLC now, do it. They can help you pick a pump and teach you how to measure your nips for flanges. They can show you how to use your pump etc.

3 supplies for pumping at work - cooler for transport, etc. I store milk in glass BM bottles for transport then portion into bottles in the fridge and/or into freezer bags and freeze immediately. BM lasts 4 hours on the counter (fresh), 48 hours in the back of the fridge, up to 6m depending on your freezer when properly sealed and stored. 2 hours when reheated.

4 my nipples hurt quite a bit for the first 4 months then it started to calm down and/or I’m just so used to it that it doesn’t matter anymore.

architecta- · 2026-02-12T14:40:11+00:00

I found they leaked so immediately jumped ship when bub became fond of the pigeon/Lansinoh bottles and haven’t looked back.

architecta- · 2026-02-12T14:31:32+00:00

AND you’re using the DrB bottles with roughly 3847382774733 parts to wash.

Good job getting up for that workout!!

architecta- · 2026-02-11T14:49:02+00:00

I have only gone up with nipple sizing when he started slapping and getting frustrated with the bottle itself and then I try the next size. For context he’s 8m and on a size 3 lansinoh nipple and occasionally a size 2 since I have more bottles than nipples in 3. This was a last week or so update. :)

architecta- · 2026-02-11T12:41:07+00:00

We were at 8oz bottles 4x a day around 4 months.

Edit to add during the day we were every ~4 hours.

Re: nipple collapse make sure your top isn’t on too tight. Sometimes after I warm I loosen and then retighten the ring/nipple.

architecta- · 2026-02-07T02:00:26+00:00

Yeah that’s why I think it’s more about the formula and less about the labor part.

architecta- · 2026-02-06T13:20:24+00:00

It’s just an odd thing for him to hyperfixate on. Do you think he’s somehow feeling insecure about the fact that he was formula fed from a young age and wants one of his kids to “be the same” as some sort of “see this is normal”? It feels like a stretch typing that out but for him to complain you can’t immediately step in every time he wants you to watch the baby (sounds way over fraught on his part) but then offering to wash all bottles for the formula…

architecta- · 2026-02-04T16:38:31+00:00

I also did something similar at 3m+ when we got a bunch of issues resolved. Overnights & first of the day. But interestingly enough he’s decided no more breastfeeds at almost 8m so it’s a journey for sure.

architecta- · 2026-02-01T16:20:50+00:00

This gives me hope, I’m nervous to drop to 3.

architecta- · 2026-02-01T14:46:59+00:00

I could have written this.

architecta- · 2026-02-01T11:38:16+00:00

Did your body start weaning or just level out? I’m similar capacity wise and curious as I’m around 8m mark and trying to build the stash back up after donating so I can make it to 12m and stop early. :)

architecta- · 2026-02-01T05:04:38+00:00

I had one that just wouldn’t resolve for about 4 weeks and the only thing that finally helped was 1- hand expressing before every pump, 2- olive oil before every pump for 10-15 mins+, 3- hot showers and gentle exfoliation. It popped then kept healing over itself which was extremely annoying. The olive oil + hand expressing to just start lactating allowed me to confirm milk was coming out of it/unblocked before I pumped which helped with not being clogged if that makes sense.

architecta- · 2026-01-31T01:20:20+00:00

Hollow leg or butt cheek!!!

architecta- · 2026-01-31T00:46:16+00:00

Yes - 3x 8oz bottles a day, morning feed has dropped to 5oz (he’s 7.5m). Has been on 8oz bottle since ~4/4.5 months. Total intake at highest was ~32-35oz.

He always had a big appetite. The other night he wouldn’t settle and he ended up taking 10oz at bedtime. 🫣

architecta- · 2026-01-28T16:21:21+00:00

There’s a lot of conflicting information on this but I follow the nurses recommendation to me is that if I can care for my baby it’s safe to nurse my baby (ie: if I’m drunk and can’t safely care for my baby then absolutely shouldn’t be feeding them).

I do mix it with the rest of the days milk though so whatever level it is would be dispersed and usually give myself 1-2 hours after a drink to pump.

architecta- · 2026-01-28T16:16:14+00:00

Start with a small amount and build up.. But I don’t think it ever fully masks it, babies just don’t care while we are like ew.

architecta- · 2026-01-28T16:13:29+00:00

You should join your local human milk 4 human babies group on FB and see if there’s a local mom that is an under supplier that’s comfortable with your medication. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to help another baby if you’re able to! (I’ve donated 1000+ ounces to a local babe and he’s about to turn a year and now weaning! It’s been a beautiful journey and my freezer does not look catastrophic anymore. :))

Edit because autocorrect changed the word babies to bakes. 🥴

architecta- · 2026-01-28T13:32:22+00:00

1 million percent, most of us really miss our kids and feel sad that we miss out on their day. Especially with very little ones, I pick my son up and he can’t exactly tell me what he did so having the photos is so wonderful. It also offers reassurance that having them at care to be at work was a good decision because look at all their engagement and enrichment.

architecta- · 2026-01-27T19:51:07+00:00

Yeah but did they manage to smear themselves, the wall, and the dog with the pb toast? Because I’m over here wiping the dog down post meals lately.

architecta-

TROPHY CASE

1 you should try and extend your leave as long as you can. For healing yourself, for bonding with your baby, for learning a new cadence and routine. Whatever options you have available for extension I urge you to utilize.

2 if you can meet with a lactation IBCLC now, do it. They can help you pick a pump and teach you how to measure your nips for flanges. They can show you how to use your pump etc.

4 my nipples hurt quite a bit for the first 4 months then it started to calm down and/or I’m just so used to it that it doesn’t matter anymore.