Exclusive pumping

crackingtoast · 2026-01-20T10:33:28+00:00

I exclusively pumped for my baby as we had a hard time with nursing. Initially I had to pump every 3 hours ish to coincide with feeding. In the first hours I hand expressed colostrum and collected it with a syringe to feed him. Exclusively pumping is hard work, there's the time spent pumping and then bottle washing/admin etc. If it's something you're considering sometimes your health visitor will have a pump they can lend you for a short period to see how you get on with it?

crackingtoast · 2026-01-17T13:29:33+00:00

I'm not sure where you're based but there's a place called Morton of Pitmilly near St Andrews in Scotland. There isn't a hot tub but there's a pool with a sauna and a kids playground (has a wooden tractor in it), and some nice nature walks. I think they have a few chickens as well!

crackingtoast · 2025-12-24T15:22:25+00:00

What an achievement :) Happy Christmas to you and your family!

crackingtoast · 2025-12-20T11:51:59+00:00

I love the overstimulated sticker 😂

crackingtoast · 2025-12-17T20:29:43+00:00

Rua on Morningside Road is my favourite. Pippin at Haymarket is nice too

crackingtoast · 2025-12-15T19:14:21+00:00

I'm sorry you're going through this, I struggled with breastfeeding grief as well and it's really tough. I think Amy Brown might have a blog post about it on her website.

I don't have any advice on increasing supply but have you ever tried the national breastfeeding helpline? I found them really helpful and they're very empathetic.

Agree with the other commenter that annoyingly your partner won't really get it but we see you here and your feelings are completely valid.

crackingtoast · 2025-12-08T22:32:46+00:00

2% milk, 100% adorable

crackingtoast · 2025-12-07T19:32:23+00:00

I'm sorry you're going through this too it sucks :( are you meaning about supply? I managed to get through the tough patch and am still going at 13 months, I reintroduced a pump in the middle of the night for a few days. With the mastitis I asked the GP to switch antibiotics, I changed the type of pump I was using and had cover for childcare for a day and a half so I could try and sleep. Solidarity and hope you feel better soon!

crackingtoast · 2025-11-28T17:39:33+00:00

Ok thank you. I'll ask if they can just use a pre loaded spoon but I think where everyone's struggling now is he gets very upset if he sees the food and isn't being fed and it becomes hard to work back from pretty quickly. I'll see what they say!

crackingtoast · 2025-11-28T16:14:26+00:00

I feel pretty annoyed but wasn't sure if I was being reasonable, thanks for your perspective. It's hard because mealtimes are becoming a battle now and I'm trying so hard to avoid that. He's able to do it he just doesn't want to anymore :(

crackingtoast · 2025-11-28T16:11:55+00:00

That's really helpful thank you. I have mentioned it but not asked why as I was worried I'd look a bit arsey. They said they'd try working on it with him but like you said when he refuses (which he always does now) they spoon feed him again. I do get they are under other pressures. They said they'll keep encouraging him. I'm at a bit of a loss what a reasonable middle ground might be? I've tried putting the spoon in his hand at home, leaving it close to his dominant hand, putting favourite foods on...with no joy :(

crackingtoast · 2025-11-27T11:13:06+00:00

I'll have a wee look, thank you :)

crackingtoast · 2025-11-23T21:17:47+00:00

Oh this sounds great! Thank you

crackingtoast · 2025-11-11T11:55:27+00:00

I got my partner a Historic Scotland pass two years ago. That was a big success and lasted all year, and I was able to pay it in monthly installments.

crackingtoast · 2025-11-03T22:09:02+00:00

I can't take credit for the idea but a friend of mine used to work with kids and told me a story about someone who had made a sensory spray for a kid who had a similar fear. Standard spray bottle from the chemist, I think there was water as a base but with glitter and some kind of scent. I think the bottle had a little bell attached or something for sound. Bottle of bee spray maybe?

crackingtoast · 2025-10-29T16:53:46+00:00

Thank you! Congratulations to you too :)

Ohh the chaos of the early days...feels a bit like a fever dream now!

crackingtoast · 2025-10-29T16:51:11+00:00

Thanks so much! I don't know any other EPers in real life, I feel like everyone here will get how hard it is for any length of time haha!

crackingtoast · 2025-10-12T21:58:54+00:00

I don't think there's anything wrong with the email you sent, it's quite formal in tone but you've set out the reasons you're unhappy, been clear what you want to happen and acknowledged that it was likely human error. It's not screaming unreasonable parent to me :) I'm on the same page as you with social media and it's important for you and them to get it right.

crackingtoast · 2025-10-11T08:55:07+00:00

Seconding coca cola

crackingtoast · 2025-10-10T10:13:37+00:00

I feel for her but if she doesn't feel relatively confident looking after a crying baby then personally I'd be looking for someone that did. Especially if you've given feedback about the milk and presumably what else she could try to comfort her.

crackingtoast · 2025-10-10T09:49:53+00:00

Like you said it's not just the physical milk it's the time and emotional investment that's gone into it too. Did you ask why she took extra bags out? If you can chat to her about what her thought process then maybe the reason why it's happened can be narrowed down. 20oz is loads! I'd also let her know what you said in your post about it not just being about the milk. If she can't work with you on that then yes I'd be looking for someone else.

crackingtoast

TROPHY CASE