so we're coming down to the wire!
we have everything set up, packed and ready for the big day!
we have everything set up, packed and ready for the big day!
one thing i haven't gotten yet is a breast pump. those things freak me out. i tried to look at the reviews online but i only got more intimidated. once i go back to work, lori, my mother-in-law will be watching the kiddo and therefore, i'll need to leave milk with her. so here's where i need your advice.
do i wait to make sure all is well with breast feeding before i spend the money on one?
i hear you can rent them from the hospital. is this true? good idea? bad idea?
what's the best brand? (electric only. not messing with manual)
is a double sided pump purely for efficiency or is it a must?
PLEASE HELP!!
any and all advice is accepted!!
this little guy has no idea his world is about to be turned upside down. he'll no longer get all the attention once this babe comes home!
12 comments:
Have you ever heard of Lucie's List? It's like a blog thing. She sends out weekly emails with reviews on products and general pregnancy/parenting advice. I'll forward you the email about breast pumps. Other than that, I obviously have no advice on the subject. haha
I have the Lansinoh pump. http://www.lansinoh.com/products/double-electric-breast-pump
In terms of waiting until all is well with breastfeeding, I would say having a pump helped. When your milk comes in after a few days, you will be super engorged which is a little painful. Being able to pump and take the edge off, helped me to stick with it even after a few days. Christopher had problems with latching and I was unable to feed him for 24 hours due to pain. I could pump and give him breastmilk and it was a lot easier. Having a double pump will keep you from wasting milk. When you nurse on one side (or pump) the other ide will let down. Hope this helps! Here if you need anything. C is almost 5 months old and has nothing but mommy milk! :)
Having a double pump has helped me a lot, I got it before Cole was born. I second what Lauren said. It hurts if you can't pump and for whatever reason they can't latch on right. Plus if you're looking to store milk u can always pump in between feedings and freeze, and don't forget lactation cookies, they worked for me. The first week is hard breastfeeding, you're both adjusting to something new. Don't get frustrated! Frustration messes with your supply. Avent is what I have and it works great. I only had a manual pump and it was horrible! I've never rented so I don't know details on that :) I have the recipe for cookies on my blog. I ask Alyse how you're doing like everyday. Hang in there!
Have you told your Dr. you are planning to breastfeed? If they have on your paperwork that you are a breastfeeding mother, they have a breast pump waiting for you in your hospital room. They have you pump on a schedule to get your milk to come in (I'm assuming this is the same even if you don't have a c-section). There is a lactation specialist that will come in and explain everything to you so you don't have to worry at all. For the amount of pumping you are talking about, I would suggest a hospital-grade pump. You can rent or buy them from A Woman's Place. You could also rent it first and then buy it off Amazon if you really like it. But they are so helpful at A Woman's Place. It's the same place that they have the breastfeeding support group. Just remember two things (1) breastfeeding is HARD even if you are good at it, so be really committed from the beginning if you want it to work! There are tons of resources out there to help you and family support is key (2) don't beat yourself up if it doesn't work. Your baby will not die if you give him formula if it turns out to be too hard. Cut yourself some slack :)
I've heard wonderful things about the Medela double electric pump. Pumping is stressful. Pumping is demanding. BUT if you can keep your milk supply up with eating well, drinking a LOT of water, and keeping to a schedule like if your baby was nursing from you, then you shuld be fine. Don't get discouraged if pumping doesn't work and you have to supplement. I felt so guilty and horrible to even THINK about supplementing with Brinley. I was in school full time and then had an internship. It finally clicked around brinleys 7 month when I had no milk supply. I couldn't pump. She didn't want to nurse from me. And I knew that I should have been doing formula and breastmilk the entire time. I've known friends who pump the entire 1st yr because their baby was never able to latch properly. She is a champ. And it is totally possible.
So fun for Lori to watch the babe! She will love it!
Okay first of all, as long as baby latches well, weight stays good(less than 10% wt loss) and little man doesn't have any problems with jaundice, you do not need to pump in the first 2 weeks. The baby latching is the most effective way to remove the colostrum/milk and the baby latching helps your hormones better make the transition from colostrum to milk. Just make sure to feed him every 2-3 hours at first. The rule of thumb for the first few days is 8 good feeds in a 24 hours period. But the first 24 hours he is going to be super sleepy, so don't stress if he doesn't seem too interested in latching, just squirt some colostrum in his mouth if he won't latch. Babies are born with extra fat stores because of this. Depending on how long your maternity leave is, I would recommend to start pumping around 2-3 weeks to store your milk up. The Medela pumps are awesome. I personally used a hygiea, its one of the only pumps on the market that can be resold because the pump itself stays sterile and does not come in contact with the milk. On that note, be careful if you borrow a pump, that it's from someone who you know is healthy, and I would not recommend buying one off of craigslist. Now not to bash any lactation consultants, TMH has a few great lactation consultants, but they also have some that are not so good. So make the decisions that you feel comfortable with, for what you want for you and your baby. Feel free to call me or email or whatever with any questions you have. I love breast feeding, have taken some classes on it in regards to helping others breast feed, it's one of my favorite parts of my job to be able to get a baby to latch correctly and help mom be confidant. Good luck!
And I've been told that the first 13 days are the hardest, that if you make it through that, you're golden! My #1tip, don't let him latch if it hurts. Take him off and relatch. Sore nipples are no fun and can be avoided. And be confidant. The baby senses if you're stressed. You can do it. Remember how much money you'll save by breastfeeding :) Pumping's not so fun, but getting the extra breaks at work is lol. Sorry to write so much, breast feeding is one of my passions.
Oh and electric for sure, with a battery storage, and double pumping is way easier(they have specials bras you can get, so that you can pump hands free).
I exclusively pumped for a year with Savannah (she could never latch on). I had a Medela Pump In Style and it worked great! If you want more tips or some more in depth info feel free to call/text me. Not that my experience is what everyone has but I made it pumping for a full year so I feel like I have some good experience under my belt.
I started out with a manual pump which worked fine when I was engorged but the electric pumps are definitely where it is at.. Also everyone's milk supply comes in differently, and if you are anything like I was, I had to pump sometimes before and after My son nursed because I was producing soo much and if I didn't then my son would just keep nursing and wouldn't stop until he had projectiled.. a double pump is awesome b/c you dont have to worry about leaking from one side while only pumping one side at a time but definitely not necessary its more for your comfort. Your milk probably wont come in for a few days so you may never see a hospital pump while you are there but you can always ask the lactation nurse.. and by the way the hospital pumps were the best! TMH has a mommy shop across the street that you can rent pumps and things from if need be.. I personally bought a single battery operated Evenflo SimplyGo pump from Walmart (they have dual also) and it worked wonders for me and I plan on using it this time around with my daughter!! It was easy for travel purposes and is discrete! The price is right and works well! No need to purchase a super expensive one when they all get the job done!! It took me less than 5 minutes to pump 5-12 oz depending on time of day and feeding schedule! so its quick and gets a lot out! 4-5 oz is normal feeding portions so the more you get the more you store away!! :)
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Evenflo-SimplyGo-Single-Electric-Breast-Pump/15529729
Well... unfortunately I can't help you with the pump question. But I can give you encouragement to have that baby!!
GO KRISTEN!!! =) Love you!
Kristen, I'm not sure what insurance you have, but I believe the lady at the hospital tour I did said that CHP is covering up $150 of covered breast pumps. That may be something you want to check into...I don't know if it's the same for other insurances as well, and I don't know what the specifications are. I already have one though, and I plan to take it to the hospital with me (just in case). Good luck mama! Almost there :)
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