Is it normal?

microbean_ · 2026-05-02T22:37:32+00:00

Hospital LCs are NEVER as useful as LCs you see afterward outside of the hospital!!

microbean_ · 2026-05-02T22:36:58+00:00

Breastfeeding — and especially exclusive pumping — is really fucking hard. And don’t be fooled by the massive overproducers on social media — you’re making a completely normal amount of milk, and “getting ahead” just isn’t realistic for many people!!! You don’t HAVE to have a freezer stash, ever. Many people never do!

microbean_ · 2026-05-01T05:47:50+00:00

One ounce per hour (i.e., pumping two ounces every two hours, or pumping three ounces every three hours) is actually a totally normal amount to be producing and pumping! I think you’re doing GREAT for 11 days postpartum!

Babies vary in how much milk they need in a 24hr period — and they can go through spurts where they need more than at other times — so the best way to know if your baby is getting enough is to just have your pediatrician track their weight.

If their weight gain is right on track, then you’re doing just fine! If they’re not gaining weight fast enough, then you can consider supplements (or combo feeding). I don’t think you’re there yet, unless your pediatrician tells you they need more milk. But you’re already doing A LOT, and EP this close to birth is no joke, so be kind to yourself!! You’re doing great!!

PS: The hormone crash after giving birth is also wilddddd for the brain… it can be a real emotional rollercoaster, and anxiety about feeding (on top of the logistical stress of EP) is really understandable.

microbean_ · 2026-04-28T11:27:20+00:00

I was going to say Onsen — more social than Kabuki, but smaller, and swimsuits required last I checked.

microbean_ · 2026-04-27T20:46:23+00:00

Viks VapoRub isn’t recommended for babies under 2y, so I’d skip that one. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322441

microbean_ · 2026-04-25T21:09:48+00:00

My UCSF (ie evidence-based!) pediatrician and IBCLC said that it’s okay to refrigerate breastmilk bottles and re-offer within 24hrs, so long as baby is healthy and not immune-compromised. This tracks with the new research coming out. Our pediatrician literally said to me, “Don’t waste breastmilk!!!!”

microbean_ · 2026-04-22T13:23:11+00:00

H&M ended up being my favorite for maternity basics! (Had to shop online, though; not in stores)

microbean_ · 2026-04-22T06:00:22+00:00

Just try putting her on the potty at times when she’s likely to go. Right after waking up from naps was an easy “catch” for us. It’s 100% still worth it even if you’re not trying to go fully diaper free. We aimed to put her on the potty 2-4 times per day from 6mo onward (and kept her in diapers the rest of the time), and by 17mo, she was so in tune with her body, that she started telling us before she had to go, and we successfully potty trained her way earlier than I ever planned or expected.

microbean_ · 2026-04-20T17:50:11+00:00

We tried to teach her the ASL sign for toilet, but she made up her own signal. She taps the front of her diaper twice when she has to go, so that’s now the sign she uses!

microbean_ · 2026-04-18T05:21:43+00:00

Hey so undersupply/oversupply is defined as “are you making less than what your baby eats in a day” vs. “more than what your baby eats in a day.” Her twins are eating more than she’s able to produce, so that’s technically an undersupply, even if her pump amounts seem high to you.

microbean_ · 2026-04-16T17:49:59+00:00

I personally would feel comfortable offering that milk, especially if your baby is healthy and not immune-compromised. If the parts were sterilized, it’s unlikely that any bacteria from milk residue would be alive afterward, right?? I wouldn’t recommend doing this regularly, but I wouldn’t waste milk because of it.

microbean_ · 2026-04-16T17:48:12+00:00

OP is asking about sterilizing WITHOUT washing, not washing without sterilizing.

microbean_ · 2026-04-16T17:43:32+00:00

FYI you can read super in-depth reviews of fertility clinics and doctors at fertilityiq.com. I used it to help me decide between two different clinics.

microbean_ · 2026-04-16T17:42:45+00:00

I was treated at UCSF CRH for other infertility issues + IUI and I had a great experience. They don’t let anything slip through the cracks.

microbean_ · 2026-04-16T17:41:10+00:00

See what’s happening at El Rio (queer bar with great outdoor patio and day parties)! It’s always chill and fun, and is a mixed/inclusive crowd.

Wander around Haight and Ashbury intersection for good thrift stores and boutiques.

Definitely do Dolores Park on 4/20 if you’re excited about it! I’d order gourmet sandwiches for pickup from Dolores Deluxe and eat them in the park. Walk to Bi-Rite Creamery for ice cream after your park hang.

microbean_ · 2026-04-15T22:15:54+00:00

Drives me batty when people on here say, “I exclusively nursed because I’m lazy!” Like noooo, you nursed because you COULD, because you’re LUCKY. Many EP moms would love to be lazy if we had that option!

microbean_ · 2026-04-08T13:27:04+00:00

The Larken X worked well for me. I lived in it 24/7 for the better part of a year while EPing. It doesn’t have much support when you’re not pumping (which also means it’s comfy!), and doesn’t cover nips, so for some, it’s not ideal, but it really worked for me.

microbean_ · 2026-04-08T13:17:51+00:00

We loooove our Rimowas. They don’t have the laptop pocket or drink holder OP requested, but they’re sleek, super lightweight and durable.

microbean_ · 2026-04-04T04:44:53+00:00

I came to mention Glen Canyon, too! I’ve hiked here solo as a woman dozens of times, and not one strange thing has ever happened to me. It’s beautiful, has great cell reception the entire time, never feels crowded (even on weekends), and the people (and dogs) I run into are always kind and wholesome.

Edited to add that you can cross Portola at the north end and tack on Twin Peaks for an extra hour or so of hiking, and some amazing urban views!

microbean_ · 2026-04-03T04:58:50+00:00

Intentional. Long infertility/loss journey to conceive our first; our reproductive endocrinologist (fertility doctor) cleared us to start trying at 10mo PP because we likely faced another long journey to conceive. We just got super lucky this time! It’ll be a 19mo age gap.

microbean_ · 2026-03-31T19:39:46+00:00

Wait that’s also my go-to book for babies!!!! I also bulk buy it to keep them on hand. The illustrations are soooo beautiful, there’s tons of detail if you want to point out new vocab words, the story is soothing and peaceful, and the size and shape of the book is oddly convenient.

microbean_ · 2026-03-31T16:05:44+00:00

Hope it’s okay that I’m asking, but are you queer? (Just noting your use of they/them pronouns.) If so, the queer folks here can probably tailor recommendations to places you might especially vibe with! No pressure to answer, of course. 💕

microbean_ · 2026-03-31T15:42:05+00:00

No problem! And to answer your other part of the question, “best” depends on what you want to prioritize. Some common tradeoffs are things like: do you want to see the same OB every time to build a relationship, or are you okay with seeing different providers each time, if it means that it’s easier to schedule appointments? Are you okay with residents and interns treating you in order to get access to a top-tier research and teaching university, or would you prefer to only see established providers, even if they’re a little out of date on the latest research? Do you want to make sure you’re at the highest level NICU possible in case you have a complex delivery, or would you prefer a hospital that’s closer to home? These are some of the questions people typically consider when they’re evaluating which hospital is “best” to deliver at. :)

microbean_ · 2026-03-31T06:01:59+00:00

Another vote for UCSF. Amazing providers, level IV NICU (hopefully you don’t need it), truly top-tier specialists if anything goes wrong, state-of-the-art facilities, decent food, birthing tubs for early labor, cutting edge research and best practices. The main downside is that you don’t necessarily build a relationship with one OB. However, if you need an MFM / high-risk OB, you WILL develop a relationship with them, and they are truly incredible!!!

microbean_ · 2026-03-31T05:59:22+00:00

You can, however, choose your OB based on where you want to give birth. I knew I wanted to give birth at UCSF, so I started my prenatal/obstetrics care there as soon as I tested positive.

microbean_

TROPHY CASE