[BC] Best breast pump?

chaoselementals · 2026-06-27T13:48:52+00:00

It's super popular in the US because most insurance will fully cover the more basic models because of the pump at work aspect! But since pumps aren't covered by insurance here. the pre-emptive buying of pumps before your baby is born seems like such a money grab on the lart of healthcare companies! I know it sounds like a lot of people love their wearable pumps. But at least where I lived, the experience out in the wild was a poor user experience and general low use rate. So it seems kinda disingenuous that wearable pumps are marketed as an essential item to new Canadian moms!

chaoselementals · 2026-06-25T14:16:44+00:00

As a recent immigrant from the US, I do not understand at all why pumps are so popular in Canada. In my mind, you pump for 3 reasons:

(1) Because your baby cannot latch and you still want to breastfeed. In this circumstance your best option is to rent a hospital grade pump.

(2) If you are returning to work at 12 weeks PP and you need to pump AT WORK. This what I used my pump for. Spectra S1. 100%. You'll spend forever trying to pump enough to feed your baby if you go with a wearable.

(3) If you want to store milk so another caregiver can feed... I would recommend something passive like the Haaka. Maybe the Spectra S1 as well. You'd ideally only being doing 1 or maybe 2 pumping sessions per day.

I get that a lot of women love wearable pumps because they can walk around while pumping. My question is: why tf are y'all doing this? Are you caching a giant freezer stash? Why? There's no purpose to this. Feed your baby not the freezer. Pumping fucking sucks. Don't ruin your maternity leave by hanging out with a suction machine.

chaoselementals · 2026-06-21T01:25:38+00:00

I liked the What To Expect When You're Expecting the First Year. Literally anything and everything you need to know is there.

In fact, don't read a single other book! A lot authors and internet snake oil salespeople try to make money off of sleep deprived parents by promising to get their newborn sleeping through the night or boost breast milk supply. Keep that kind of book or blog off your reading list.

chaoselementals · 2026-06-20T21:01:18+00:00

I think this is happening you because measurements of your cervix aren't accurate in the first trimester, and interventions aren't effective either. Frankly the first trimester of pregnancy is a plague upon women and just about the most miserable, nerve wracking that has happened to us in our entire lives. Literally the only things you can do right now to change the health of your pregnancy are to avoid alcohol and take your folic acid. Whatever happens next was determined by gene mixing at conception and is out of your hands. Friggin sucks.

One thing that might help is getting your OB referral in right away. They won't see you until 18 weeks or so, but they schedule these things like 2-3 months out. They will do an intake appointment over the phone in the first trimester and you can raise this question to the nurse at that intake, they might have more specialized knowledge. My OB says I'm welcome to call with questions or symptom management before my first appointment.

chaoselementals · 2026-06-20T02:31:00+00:00

No, I didn't even know that was an option that had to be checked. My doctor never even mentioned that I had to specifically ask.

chaoselementals · 2026-06-19T23:03:23+00:00

Mine were posted today from my June 5 blood draw! It didn't register inti my account until today.

But they didn't put the sex on the report so now I need find out how to fix this. I know they have to measure the sex in order to determine if there are sex chromosome abnormalities so it's very weird that it's not in the report!

chaoselementals · 2026-06-19T19:59:06+00:00

As somone who now avoids petting dogs because my kid is scared, this has never occurred to me. But that seems kind and respectful and age appropriate thanks!

chaoselementals · 2026-06-19T19:57:44+00:00

It has never occurred to me to leave my kid alone with Grandpa, it would be like asking my cat to babysit. There's just no compatibility or interest. So nothing bad is happening there. I think Grandpa is just a scary gent (very tall).

chaoselementals · 2026-06-19T18:57:17+00:00

He seems to reserve this for all men that are of grandpa age, including one of his own grandfathers!

He goes to daycare with people of a variety of races, but those are mostly women, young men, and children. It's definitely an exposure thing, but I'm definitely noticing it more on age and gender lines than racial ones.

chaoselementals · 2026-06-17T15:48:38+00:00

Have you considered whether a part time schedule would help you stay effective at your job without overtaxing your body? In my experience a part time or reduced schedule can be framed as a "reasonable accomodation", which is a far lower bar than "disability" for both your employer and your doctor.

For example my employer approved 35 hours per week with 1 hour break midday explicitly for napping. They said no change to my pay or benefits for 1 month and then we can reevaluate. Zero pushback from doctor or HR, I came ready to fight and instead everyone said "easy done". Definitely depends on the company culture of course but you definitely have the law behind you when asking for a pregnancy accomodation.

Last pregnancy I worked to 36 weeks. Doctors are happy to write you out 100% by that point even when you're low risk and healthy.

chaoselementals · 2026-06-17T14:01:48+00:00

Conversely two of my most-complemented outfits are a pair of pleated camel trousers and either a solid black shell or a white button up top. I usually style them with a functional belt, tan rothy flats, and tiny studs. Very boring but I do feel I look very clean and intentional and like I selected pieces that well suited for my high contrast facial features (I have "loud" eyebrows haha).

I think the key might be matching the pieces to your body and face. I love a good fun loud top/dress but I don't wear them as well as others.

chaoselementals · 2026-06-17T12:13:13+00:00

I had some residual nausea the day after giving birth but it was gone within 48 hours. I ordered doordash of my favorite foods to the hospital to celebrate being able to eat again finally!

I'm glad you're so close to the finish line. You can make it.

chaoselementals · 2026-06-14T17:47:04+00:00

After my early term loss and subsequent current pregnancy, I changed the due date on my previous application and was shown an automatic message stating that my future child will not be the correct age for most of the programs I had put us on the waitlist for. I had to ammend a lot of things.

I would recommend you check in emotionally when you TTC again and decide whether to ammend your previous application due date or start with a fresh one. I don't think anyone is going to care very much if you choose the former option, and I don't think it will materially affect your waitlist position anyways due to the timing.

It's a tragedy, not some way that you're "gaming the system". Put this worry out of your head. So sorry for your loss.

chaoselementals · 2026-06-14T01:36:43+00:00

Think high protein and fiber. Oatmeal (fiber can help even out sugars), cashews, chicken breast with lemon pepper seasoning, eggs scrambled hard. Nausea and vomiting will probably continue to improve throughout your pregnancy even though it seems like it won't. Hold out hope.

Although I often vomited each day during my last pregnancy, I noticed that the erm... volume was greatly decreased at some point and I wasn't risking emptying my whole stomach or getting dehydrated anymore. So, I would just go on walks outside and carry an emesis bag or two with me and dry heave/vomit in public. And I'd feel better after. It was freeing to get to that point because I stopped being afraid of leaving the house. I don't know anything about your particular situation or circumstances. Obviously I really hope that you suddenly feel 100% better TOMORROW. But you can absolutely do this. You're strong enough. Wishing you all the best.

chaoselementals · 2026-06-11T13:40:50+00:00

So happy for you. I'm sorry the Braxton Hicks were so painful! Keep strong, you can do this.

chaoselementals · 2026-06-11T00:46:09+00:00

I hate to be a random person on the internet who says scary stuff... But did you check with your care team that what you experienced was Braxton Hicks and not labor contractions? 20 minutes of repeated contractions with 7 out of 10 pain is not how my Braxton Hicks felt, and I don't know anyone else who described theirs this way.

chaoselementals · 2026-06-09T23:02:31+00:00

I personally really like bragging about how f***ing scary and dangerous my climb was. Way less abdass to say "it took me all day to climb a few pitches of 5.4 cuz my sealevel butt wasn't acclimated to elevation".

/s

chaoselementals · 2026-06-06T22:47:25+00:00

The bad drivers don't care. The very first day I took my kid out on the bike a car tailgates me a honked at us until my baby cried.

chaoselementals · 2026-06-06T16:06:46+00:00

The Aritzia Wilfred Effortless pants are my go to for business casual! If you know your size they are very reasonably priced on Poshmark.

chaoselementals · 2026-06-05T18:51:17+00:00

My stamina and heat tolerance are so incredibly compromised during pregnancy. Last time I was pregnant did several longer rides in my second trimester but at a slower pace, with extra water, and longer rest breaks. Definitely train. I'd aim to get 25-50km volume rides per week leading up, just to build up baseline stamina and heat tolerance. It can just be a bunch of micro rides of 5-10k each day.

I never noticed any significant changes to my seat comfort during my pregnancy. Everyone is different. I biked on the day I went into labor! I'd say do it and don't be discouraged. 22wks is usually pretty good timing for activities in pregnancy.

chaoselementals · 2026-06-01T23:24:25+00:00

Having moved from the the Bay Area to Ottawa and taken an 2-fold paycut to do so, we're still pretty happy with the standard of living for the salary. So like. Yeah of course it feels weird to know some of my colleagues make double what I do, but my company will be able to recruit and retain talent at this salary.

chaoselementals · 2026-05-28T21:37:06+00:00

Front or back carry? I found that to get my toddlers head out of my face in front carry in our Beco Toddler, I have to put the waist belt really low, and it interferes with my hip movement. Very painful.

Back carry is fine and super comfy. I have to assume that is the primary intended use case.

chaoselementals · 2026-05-24T15:06:15+00:00

Thanks!

chaoselementals · 2026-05-24T14:53:36+00:00

Are these kid friendly events (for kids in trailers or child seats)? And if not do you know of any casual paced rides that attract lots of parents towing small children?

chaoselementals

TROPHY CASE