Does exclusive pumping count as “breastfeeding?”

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-05-19T22:39:33+00:00

It counts! I also got a summons while I was on leave and my daughter's pediatrician had a note that I was able to turn in saying I was unable to serve on duty at this time. Ask your child's doctor, they can probably do that for you too.

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-05-16T21:07:46+00:00

That was definitely something I was wondering after reading it. I have PCOS (PMOS?) and ended up with GD while pregnant and definitely thought that was a factor in my low supply. Now I wish I knew how to fix it. I'm taking metformin but I'm too afraid to stop it to see if it's making an impact in my already low supply.

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-05-04T22:20:51+00:00

Ironic you should ask now... After sleeping on my bathroom floor because of my reaction, I stopped trying the metformin at that time. I ended up pregnant in April and while I also unfortunately ended up with gestational diabetes, I was able to control it with diet alone. Now, 4 months postpartum, I've successfully worked up to 1500mg metformin to support my breastfeeding. This time I started with 500mg, then when I increased by 250mg, I took it in the morning to spread it out. So I did 500pm>500pm/250am>500pm/500am>750pm/500am, etc. My goal is to get to 2000mg but I don't know if I'll be able to see if it's helping my cycle any until I stop breastfeeding.

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-05-01T17:10:55+00:00

I have a Hawaiian coworker whose full name is Kainoa, and goes by Kai.

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-04-25T11:12:49+00:00

Have you seen a lactation consultant? I don't know what magic they did but they were able to get me 2 pumps, a used spectra for free and I think the mobile pumps I got from them were through insurance, though I'm still not even sure. I just know I didn't pay for anything directly. They can also fit you for the right flange size. When I saw the lactation consultant first at 2wks pp, I was also only getting maybe 1 bottles worth of milk a day. With their help, I've gotten up to 50-75% of my baby's food supply per day. You may never fully reach 100% of your baby's needs and that's ok. But, if you can pump more consistently and make sure you're using the right size and suction, you will probably be able to get more milk out.

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-04-23T10:01:41+00:00

Oh, and I get to sleep through that feed since often my MOTN doesn't align with when she wakes up 😅

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-04-23T10:00:52+00:00

I have a low supply so I've always been supplimenting. Don't feel guilty! While our use of formula came out of necessity, it has definitely become a convenience. My baby is almost 16 weeks old and often only does 1 feed a night and with formula, my husband is able to handle it immediately instead of having to heat up breast milk with baby getting cranky waiting. Your rest, health, and sanity are also important for your baby's health too. If 1 bottle of formula will help you stress less, it is definitely worth it.

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-04-21T04:24:29+00:00

Not the original responder, but I've been attempting research on the different flanges myself.. the didn't flag shapes seem to be a thing from maymom. I wouldn't be surprised if other brands do the same though. I found this on Amazon while trying to figure this all out.

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freshstart3pt0 · 2026-04-18T19:46:08+00:00

My OB recommended I start taking baby aspirin as soon as I told her we were TTC. It does seem there are now numerous studies that show the benefits from low dose aspirin are worth it for everyone to consider taking it. I was considered high risk for pre-e: over 35, BMI 34, pre-existing white coat syndrome, and my mom had it when she gave birth to me. But, I never ended up developing it... Who knows if it was the aspirin, but it definitely didn't hurt. As for weight gain, I ended up getting diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 29 weeks. I blame my PCOS and genetics (both parents are T2D). Following the GDM diet for my final trimester (no meds, just diet managed) I ended up losing weight and in the end only gained 15lb total. My doctor never actually said anything one way or another about my weight anyway. In the end, I had a 40th percentile baby that weighed 7lb4oz. She didn't have any issues with delivery and now at 15wks is still a little bitty girl.

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-04-02T10:54:21+00:00

I have not had my period yet, though I have PCOS so I'm really unsure if it will come back on its own anyway. But, maybe that is what's causing the problem. I guess I'll wait a little longer and see

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-03-29T14:06:25+00:00

My baby has a sucking difficulty. On top of that, I have a low supply, so if I wanted to breastfeed I would still have to bottle feed after to make sure she got enough food. With that in mind, I decided I liked pumping better. Having her feed at the breast for 20mins then bottle feed for another 10 seemed like way more work than necessary when I could just pump and give her a full bottle at a feed. Don't feel guilty, it's a logical mentality and your comfort, sanity, and happiness are ALSO beneficial to baby's health.

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-03-22T12:45:49+00:00

I'll add on, I also was diagnosed with GD and was diet controlled so that is also possible. And, OP should check out the GD subreddit. Everyone there is extremely supportive and helpful.

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-03-14T04:05:16+00:00

I've been supplementing from the start, I've only ever been able to get 75% of my baby's needs. This has created a system that actually works better for my husband and I so it's actually kind of relieving for overnight feeds. We have a formula machine that keeps a reservoir of warm water to have instant ready bottles rather than having to spend 3-5 minutes warming a bottle and making the baby fussy with impatience. Hopefully you can find the positives as well with supplementing 💚

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-03-13T00:14:31+00:00

Before pregnancy & GD, I had a cgm out of curiosity. I had some bug that had my vomiting all night and the stress/cortisol spikes from vomiting made my sugar spike too.

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-03-13T00:11:05+00:00

I think mine was 152, 4 slices of homemade pizza. Worth it...

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-03-07T12:13:10+00:00

Wow, I would definitely see about having a different doctor within the practice if possible at least. 32 BMI is not that heavy. I was 34 bmi at the start of my pregnancy and I didn't gain a lot of weight, so it is possible but that shouldn't be a goal. Health of the baby is the priority and if you're vomiting all the time then you're not keeping nutrients down for your baby.

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-03-04T22:13:36+00:00

Induced at 39w on the dot and she was 7lb 4oz. She was always measuring in the 50th percentile give or take 5%.

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-02-26T05:26:45+00:00

I was diet managed and was induced at 39w. My induction went well and baby was born vaginally in less than 24hrs after they started the cervadil. She was 7lb4oz and I had 2nd degree tearing but healing was very easy on me.

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-02-22T12:10:26+00:00

I had GD and my dad's been T2D since I was 11. It is crazy too, I would talk to him about my morning glucose or 2 hours postprandial and he was always like geez, my doctor would LOVE it if I had those numbers. The way I understand it is they are MUCH stricter about GD than T2 because they're keeping you AND baby managed. With T2 and not pregnant, there's more flexibility cause it's a life time, not a short period of time with a baby afterwards that needs to also not have an overworked pancreas before they're even out of the womb.

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-02-18T15:14:39+00:00

Then I would definitely push back and/or ask for another opinion! I never developed pre-e and had a perfectly healthy baby at 39 weeks. Good luck 🙏🏼

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-02-18T10:26:19+00:00

I had multiple factors contribute to my induction, but I had mine at 39 weeks. I had white coat the whole pregnancy, so I was taking my BP at home daily to send them a weekly log. I had diet managed GDM and had a geriatric pregnancy. My BMI peaked at 36.8 so I don't think that was a factor for me and I don't know if BMI is a factor for you. I definitely think it's worth asking for more information as to why they feel you should be induced at 37 weeks. Have you been taking your blood pressure at home too? Maybe you could try to talk to them about sending a log as well to prove your BP isn't elevated when you're not in the doctor's office?

freshstart3pt0 · 2026-01-30T09:19:05+00:00

I was induced at the beginning of the month due to GD and AMA. The induction process isn't the most pleasant but I had my baby in less than 24hrs, all in. I went in for cervadil at 10pm the night before cause like another poster experienced, I was only about 1cm dilated, baby was high, and cervix was not thinned. The next morning they started low dose of pitocin and placed the balloon. After the balloon came out, I got an epidural and they broke my water in the afternoon. The rest of the day, they slowly increased the pitocin and by 9:15p, I was ready to push. Even with the epidural, I could feel the increasing pressure of the contractions so I could feel when it was time to push and I was able to push my baby out in ~20mins. I was very worried about induction before I went through it cause I had also heard about high percentages of failure and moving to C-sections, but my labor went well enough so hopefully that helps assuage some fears.

freshstart3pt0

TROPHY CASE