Breastfeeding Promotion and Support

Comment

Comment by Kerrie on April 8, 2009 at 11:00am

Anna Marie,
Here is my two cents... feed the baby in the morning, and then pump immediately after the baby finishes (you might want to wake about 30 minutes earlier to feed the baby) -- if you do this everyday you go to work, you will be surprised how much more you can gain. (Supply = demand). I set up a little pumping station where I get ready in the morning, nothing like seeing yourself pumping as you put on your make-up!!! :) I have nursed both of my children and I am the biggest fan of hands-free pumping (I think having to hold the parts in place is cumbersome (and stressful), but don't spend money on an expensive bra (also stressful and too time-consuming), use this website for a cheap little pearl: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/hands-free-pumping.html
I love this and have very successfully used this way of pumping for an entire year with both children. Also, eating oatmeal is also said to increase your supply (and is good for your heart).
Hope this helps,
~kerrie

Comment by Anna Marie Hall on April 7, 2009 at 12:20pm

Thanks, Candace. I do have a double pump - I have a Medela Lactina & it works great, and I could deal with the 2 - 3 oz at a time...IF I had more time to pump more frequently, but its a struggle to do every 2 hours, even, at work, we're very busy here...but I think it will work itself out, even if I have to supplement with a little bit of formula on occassion.

Comment by Candace McCowan on April 7, 2009 at 12:03pm

my youngest is in love with her receiving blankets...even when she gets out of bed she picks it up to bring with her. I agree with everything that has been said esp the cereal. That just means they are going to be harder to please the older they get in my opinion...next thing you know, you will be ready to feed them real food by 4 months! You know? And I had a double breast pump. That seemed to help while I was working. I would also try different breating techs. It seemed like when I would focus on my girls AND take deep breaths it did help me relax much more and in no time my milk would drop! BUT mostly on quantity double pumps are the way to go!

Comment by Marian on April 7, 2009 at 10:49am

Neither of mine took a pacifier. My daughter was a thumb sucker. I know there are a number of people who feel very strongly about it. I look at it as, what did we have before....it's kind of nature's way of helping us to soothe ourself as a baby. We didn't have any problem with her stopping. She moved on to just holding a cloth diaper (like a blanket) and then on to a teddy bear.

Comment by Anna Marie Hall on April 7, 2009 at 10:38am

We've tried, but he won't take it. He'd rather suck on his fist or his arm (last night he commenced to sucking on his arm & today he has a "hickie"!). I think he'll end up being a thumb baby once he figures out the concept. I thought the cereal sounded like a baaaad idea...thanks for confirming!

Comment by Marian on April 7, 2009 at 10:34am

Just happened to still have access to the computer so wanted to respond.
I'm not a big advocate for pacifiers but have you tried one? Sometimes it's not a matter of hunger but liking something in the mouth. Babies have a strong suck need and like to have something to suck on. Just because Levi will take more from the bottle, doesn't mean he really wants more. If he has it in his mouth, he sucks, then what-- he swallows. Sometimes we eat and eat too, even if we aren't still hungry. Ever been sitting around the table with family or friends and the meal is pretty much over but we haven't gotten up to clear the table yet since we are just enjoying the conversation. I know in my family it's not unusual for us to continue to pick at what is still on the table... have another roll, pick at the lettuce still in the salad bowl, eat a few more grapes...etc. We aren't still hungry but it's there so we eat it while we continue to talk.

As far as the cereal in the milk. I wouldn't since it is harder for them to digest. Sure some people say it helps babies to sleep longer or go longer between feedings but that's because it sits there while their stomach tries to digest it. You are correct in that most babies still need to wake at night. All babies are different and some start sleeping longer stretches yearlier than others. The big thing is to follow Levi's cues.

You are doing a great job!

Comment by Anna Marie Hall on April 7, 2009 at 10:11am

Thanks Mary & Marian. I have a shrine of pictures in front of my at my desk (I have a private office, so I pump in my office with the door closed/locked) to help with my pumping. I'm going over to Applecrate at lunch to see what I can find in the way of increasing supply. I do have a question - Mary - about that tea...does it have to be hot? Or could I make like a pitcher of it & drink it iced?

And, I do nurse (nearly constantly) when the baby & I are at home, but (even daycare was shocked at how much) he is soooo very hungry - drinking an entire 4oz bottle every 2 hours. He's growing very good - at 8 weeks old, he's gained 4 lbs from his birth weight. So, I don't think its a matter of not getting enough to eat. He just seems to never be satisfied? Any suggestions for that? Perhaps adding an oz of formula to 3 of bm? Has anyone had any experience with adding a tiny bit of rice cereal to bm at such an early age? I had a girl tell me she does it with her baby since he was 3 weeks old (that S-C-A-R-E-S me!!) and he's now 6 weeks & sleeping through the night (which S-C-A-R-E-S me even more) - aren't they SUPPOSED to need to eat at least every 4 hours?!? (Boy! I got off topic! LOL)

Comment by Marian on April 7, 2009 at 9:55am

Anna Marie,
I know it is hard when you first go back to work. It will get better with time as you adjust. It was hard for me too.

When it comes to milk supply, Mary is right, supply equals demand. I would suggest trying to feed more frequently when you are with your little guy. There is also the possibility of pumping one breast and feeding him on the other (if you are coordinated to do that).

There is a tendency to see a greater amount of milk in the morning and less as the day goes so this is normal. I know you get stressed when you don't see the results. We all do that when we have to keep up with growing baby. I do see some moms that are able to feed their baby a lot in the evening, during the night, and in the morning before they leave and then the babies don't need to take as much during the day. It's called reverse cycle feeding and works best if you sleep with your baby next to you.

Also remember, the pump is not your baby, it's a piece of plastic! We don't get the same feelings when we pump as we do when we hold the baby, relax, and look lovingly down at them. We usually are tense and staring at the pump because we are worried about getting enough. As hard as this may seem (and easy for me to say) try to relax when you pump, have a picture of your baby you can look at instead of staring at the bottle, or maybe read a book/magazine, watch TV, or talk to an understanding friend.

Just keep working at it and know that you are giving him the best. Even if you aren't there with him, he still gets mommy at every feeding.

Keep us updated. We are here to support you and each other.
Marian

Comment by Mary Kinney on April 6, 2009 at 3:30pm

Hi, Anna Marie! First: You go girl! I appreciate your enthusiasm and dedication. While breastfeeding is best for mom and baby, it doesn't come without sacrifice. Pumping is a prominent example!

My quick advice to you (since I'm sure others will weigh in on the timing question/issue) is to pick up a box of Mother's Milk tea by Traditional Medicinals. The health food/supplement stores in town sell it. It's delicious (be sure to add some honey) and the all-natural ingredients (fennel, fenugreek, thistle, etc.) promote healthy lactation. The tea has been effective for me.

Other ideas: Drink lots of water and get as much rest as possible. You have to take great care of yourself in order to take care of anyone else.

Also: Supply equals the demand. When the baby's needs go up or down, the milk supply will adjust ... although sometimes it takes a few days.

Let us know how things are going. Best of luck!

Mary

Comment by Anna Marie Hall on April 6, 2009 at 3:19pm

Does anyone know of any tricks to increase the AMOUNT you can pump at one time? Or are there any safe herbs/supplements that you can take to help increase it? Will increasing supply also increase the amount that you can pump? I obviously have a significant supply, my little man is growing rapidly, but when I pump, unless I wait 3+ hours between pumps, my quantity dwindles (i.e., 10am: 4.5 oz, 12pm: 3.75 oz, 2pm: 3 oz, 4pm: 2.75 oz). I don't have enough time away from my little man to pump more frequently than that. And if I wait the 3+ hours, I won't have enough that way, either, to make his bottles for daycare the next day. HELP! Advice, please!!

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