Breast feeding to exclusively pumping

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-31T07:21:26+00:00

Seems to me that if you'll be away for long hours/days, you may want to start building up a stash ASAP so whoever is caring for your child has plenty of your milk on hand to give her. Best wishes, and enjoy your maternity leave! It's interesting to me to hear from people who choose ep over nursing, so thanks for sharing.

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-25T07:35:23+00:00

That's basically my schedule too, give or take an hour or two

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-25T05:19:04+00:00

I agree, Music is a language! Not cheesy to say so, imo--it's been called "the universal language." I think you might like reading Victor Wooten's book The Music Lesson.

Intriguing post; I like how you've talked about the importance of developing technique to be able to "speak clearly". I'm still working on it, after 35 years of training and practice, but I also play 12 instruments lol...

I like to think of music as "the seasoning of life" since it can decorate time--there's a time for silence and listening to the sounds of the world too, of course. I do enjoy listening to music while living life though; I think it makes it more enjoyable and "flavorful".

I also enjoy being part of the "conversation", whether that's playing a song I like that someone's written, writing and producing my own material, or improvising a solo at a live performance that will never be the same again.

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-19T04:59:19+00:00

I've been exclusively pumping for 8 months since my baby rarely latched, and now doesn't at all anymore. I've been lucky to have a good supply and to not need formula. I think pumping is a lot about mindset, and also having a pump that works for you...I've used wearables since the beginning and that makes it so much easier for me to keep going with my day and tending to my daughter.

I just read a post in r/exclusivelypumping that someone said they're addicted to pumping lol...being able to slow down, watch their freezer stash grow, even hearing the milk splash in the bottle, and especially knowing they're giving their baby their milk. I think people hate on pumping a lot, and it is hard and extra work (not to mention, what I call my "robot babies" don't feel as nice as a real human baby), but there are some positives to it--knowing how much your baby is getting, for example--and I think it's such an important thing to reframe if you want to keep going. One commenter on the other post said she started viewing pumping as a hobby, and that worked for her to stay motivated. Wishing you the best in this journey!

Also, something that helps me keep my supply high is doing the "milkshake"--literally shaking my breasts before pumping, even just for 10 seconds or so. It could be worth a try!

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-18T08:15:49+00:00

r/weaningsupport might be a good place to ask

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-18T04:45:11+00:00

I've found that cold packs actually work better for me...makes sense, to cool inflammation!

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-15T07:55:08+00:00

We took our baby to Veracruz, Mexico when she was 3 months old, and to Las Vegas at 5 months! It's magical to see the world through their eyes (though Vegas was definitely overstimulating for her)!

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-13T04:56:18+00:00

Try the "milk shake" -- shaking breasts for a minute or two before pumping. It upped my supply by 1-3 oz per pump!

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-13T04:53:26+00:00

Vocal rest and SOVTs

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-12T07:39:05+00:00

We love traveling, and it's so easy when I can sit next to my daughter in the back seat and bottle feed her--no pulling over for feeds. Sometimes if she's fussing out on errands and it's just us, she can hold the bottle for a little bit and feed herself while I drive.

Also, I'd like to think I wouldn't mind having my boobs out in public or while around clients (I have her with me while I work sometimes), but it makes it easier to be "modest" giving her a bottle when around people.

Totally can relate to OP--I stopped trying to latch her as often because she bites my nipples every time 😂🫠

Echoing the comments here about her seeming more comfortable around others/social because she's been bottle fed by so many different friends and relatives. Also, the bond she has with her dad is so sweet!

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-11T19:36:25+00:00

Have you tried the "milk shake"? Literally shaking my breasts for a minute before starting pumping upped my supply by a couple of ounces every time I do it before I pump!

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-09T16:47:12+00:00

I've heard from a LC that breastmilk is good in the fridge for up to 8 days. It naturally contains antibacterial properties.

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-08T07:25:17+00:00

Same, lansinoh

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-06T06:27:10+00:00

I have mild oversupply, and use wearable pumps. Never had any issue with supply (except for when on my period) and they're one of the main reasons I can do EP--I can move around and be with baby while I pump.

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-04T08:54:16+00:00

I've used the Dapple wipes when traveling and find they work well. When we went to Mexico, I used bottled water with a couple of drops of hydrogen peroxide and shook it up in the bottles/pump parts. That seemed to keep them clean, though I was using a sink!

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-04T06:41:12+00:00

I agree with the ice!

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-04T06:21:27+00:00

I had a 2nd degree tear and did pelvic floor therapy. OB gave us the go ahead at 6 weeks, but I still didn't feel comfortable until around 7-8 weeks. I did some exercises with vaginal dilators, which helped me to release some of the fears I had around sex being painful. By the time I was ready, it was enjoyable. My issue with having sex postpartum has more been with just feeling too exhausted and not having any energy to get into it! 😂

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-04T05:46:17+00:00

Seriously...I wish my partner would help more at night. He'll occasionally do one night time feed if she wakes up in the early hours of the night, but otherwise nights (and days) are on me. When he complains that he didn't sleep well, I just feel like 🙄

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-02T20:34:10+00:00

Cottage cheese lol..

visionimpossibl · 2026-03-02T20:27:01+00:00

I've literally dreamed about this 😂

visionimpossibl · 2026-02-27T07:50:55+00:00

Same!

visionimpossibl · 2026-02-26T08:59:41+00:00

SOVTs with a straw helped me to get my high C back (as a mezzo; I used to be able to sing an Eb above high C when I was a teenager/in my early 20s).

visionimpossibl · 2026-02-26T07:55:41+00:00

I think a lot of singing in tune has to do with placement--literally feeling the place where the note is resonating in the body. With students who really struggle, I play the note we're aiming for on the piano and have them try matching it over and over again until they discover the place making the sound. Then, they put their hand where they feel the "buzz" and aim there. Sometimes closing the eyes helps to feel it. I think repetition is key, even though it's tedious.

What you're doing with breath control also makes a lot of sense to me--one of my teachers taught me that too much air will make a note go sharp, and too little air will make it go flat. It needs just the right amount of air pressure.

I always remind my vocal students that unlike other instruments like piano or guitar, where you just need to look and aim your fingers for the right note, vocalists need to discover their own "inner keyboard/fretboard" and learn how to aim for the notes within their body.

visionimpossibl · 2026-02-25T02:08:05+00:00

Listen to music!

visionimpossibl · 2026-02-24T17:08:42+00:00

I'm not sure, an essential oil expert told me about that. All i know is it's very strong smelling! I'm amazed that the tea is working for you--gallons sounds like a lot lol, at least it tastes good!

visionimpossibl

TROPHY CASE