*Baby Corner*

[Staashi 371]

Breastfeeding Mamas,

I am still breastfeeding and working full time. I try to pump enough milk for Ilyas to eat every day, but is a bit frustrating. Since I am a teacher I only have time to pump once during the school day and he generally eats three bottles while I'm gone . So, I've been trying to pump in the middle of the night and after a couple of breastfeeding sessions, but I'm barely keeping up (and I've used up all my reserve in the freezer). I keep thinking that I am going to have to start supplementing with formula, but I don't want to do that. Any suggestions? I'm going to try to build up a reserve again during winter break (we have 2 weeks off of school)...

Do you have one of those Medela thingies? They seem to suck you dry and do it quickly to boot.

Edited December 13, 2008 by Staashi

[Anna C. 4]

Which pump are you using? Also, there is legislation in many states which mandates that you are allowed to pump every 3-4 hours at work.

Use at least the Pump in Style or rent a hospital grade pump. To keep your supply up it helps to take fenugreek and drink teas for nursing moms (e.g. the Yogi tea for mamas).

"No federal law establishes or protects a right to pump breastmilk in the workplace. Although 15 states have statutes concerning the practice (see map), these laws vary widely in what they require employers to do to accommodate employees who express breastmilk, and some don't require employers to do anything at all.7 As of this writing, the laws of California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana,8 New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Tennessee state that an employer "shall" or "must" allow pumping during breaks and/or provide a place to pump, while Georgia and Oklahoma state only that employers "may" allow breastfeeding employees to pump while at work. But if a state law uses "may" language, the employer is under no obligation to allow workers to pump or to provide any workplace supports. Among those laws that do require employers to allow workers to pump, some, like Mississippi's, provide only that an employer cannot forbid pumping during meal or break times that the employee already gets, not that the employer provide a designated pumping space9 (with the exception, in Mississippi, of child-care-facility employees10). New Mexico law, however, requires not only that the employer provide a woman a space to use a breast pump, but also that the space be "clean and private... near the employee's workspace... and not a bathroom."

http://www.momtalk.com/2008/01/rights_in_t...lace_mom_ta.php

At my old work, moms would just retreat every 4 hours or so and pump. No big deal. For me it takes 10 minutes to fill 2 bottles with a double pump (that was a hospital grade pump in the beginning, now it's the Medela Swing, one side only since I pump only for dad to feed baby every once in a while).

Edited December 13, 2008 by Anna C.

[Nessa 23]

how long does it take to pump? i mean, if i want to pump enough milk for him to last for 9 hours while i'm not with him?

[Vi Mazzella 4]

how long does it take to pump? i mean, if i want to pump enough milk for him to last for 9 hours while i'm not with him?

Good question Nessa...

[Nessa 23]

i was trying to find online. they say a newborn is breastfed every 3 hours. you should breastfeed only 20 min each time, because if you let them they'll keep sucking forever lol. the same about pumping, looks like 20 min each time.

then i stopped to think about, while you're home with the baby you'll spend 2h40min a day breastfeeding. when you're away for 9 hours, if the baby eats every 3 hours for 20 min, that means you'll have to pump 60 min to have enough milk supply for the baby to be fed. Besides that, you'll be home for 15 hours, so you'll need to breastfeed 5 times, which will be 1h40min + 1 hour of pumping.

makes sense?

[Carolyn 1]

I pump for about 15 minutes and I can get about 4-6 ounces a session (for both breasts, NOT each breast). From what I've read this is a pretty good amount to pump. Anna, I think you are very lucky that you can fill two bottles--you obviously have an abundant milk supply . I seem to be able to produce only as much as my little guy can eat. I don't think it's the fault of the pump (I have a Medela Pump in Style), I just think that is how much my body can produce.

I've read MN laws about breast pumping--they are decent laws, but only talk about allowing women to pump during breaks and providing a space.

I think I would be able to pump the same amount twice a day if I could only get the time out of class to do it. Unfortunately, my prep time is just before lunch, and I only have 5 minutes between classes all afternoon.

I think I'll try some of those teas or herbs...maybe just pumping more frequently will help, too.

By the way, the 15 minutes I spend pumping does NOT include the set-up time--going to the Social Worker's office where I pump, setting up all the equipment, pumping, taking everything back apart, putting the milk in the refrigerator, etc. all takes aproximately 25-30 minutes.

Breastfeeding and working full-time takes a serious committment.

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

Carolyn, i thinks its great that your making such an effort. Hopefully your plan works I would REALLY like to see a new pic of Ilyas. Im sure he has changed sooo much!!! Yalla momma. Its been so long

[Nessa 23]

oh, so you guys don't have a pump at home? i was wondering how long doers it take with an electric pump. I don't want to spend $200 in a pump that will take only 5 minutes less than a $50 one

[Carolyn 1]

Nessa, I carry my pump back and forth to work--it's a small backpack. I have heard that most inexpensive pumps are useless, but I haven't tried them. Most people suggest getting the Medela brand models--you are supposed to get them new, but I borrowed mine from my cousin (she is a meticulously clean person, so I felt ok about reusing her pump).

Some people can hand-express (which is free--just compress your breasts), but I couldn't get anything out. FWIW, my breasts also do not leak. It is nice that I don't have to worry about having wet spots on my clothes, but I think that women who have leaky breasts also have more milk--sometimes even what they call an "oversupply."

Check out this website for tons of great breastfeeding info: www.kellymom.com

Ok Kelly, here's a more current picture of Ilyas during Thanksgiving weekend...I tried to put in in my signature, but I can't remember how to do that--hints?

[sara535 15]

He's so cute, look at his big wide eyes!

[Anna C. 4]

@ Carolyn: Is it possible to talk to HR about your situation to get a more accommodating schedule? Definitely try fenugreek and teas. It won't hurt to consult a IBCLC for help. Nursing was really hard for us in the beginning; Jona was 3 weeks early and too weak to suck. We established my supply with the hospital grade pump and fed it to him through a SNS system (little tube that you stick to your finger and he sucks on it to train is muscles). It was very hard work, but paid off with an abundant milk supply. Thanks to my IBCLC - they really were a great help!

A good source for teas and herbs: http://www.mothernature.com/search/index.c...p;Type=Products

[Carolyn 1]

From the kellymom site:

What is normal when it comes to pumping output and changes in pumping output?

Most moms who are nursing full-time are able to pump around 1/2 to 2 ounces total (for both breasts) per pumping session. Moms who pump more milk per session may have an oversupply of milk, or may respond better than average to the pump, or may have been able to increase pump output with practice. Many moms think that they should be able to pump 4-8 ounces per pumping session, but even 4 ounces is an unusually large pumping output.

It is quite normal to need to pump 2-3 times to get enough milk for one feeding for baby (remember that the pump cannot get as much milk as a baby who nurses effectively).

Many moms are able to pump more milk per session when they are separated from baby. Milk pumped when you are nursing full-time is "extra" milk -- over and beyond what baby needs. Don't get discouraged if you are trying to build up a freezer stash when nursing full time and don't get much milk per pumping session -- this is perfectly normal and expected. It is very common to have more milk than baby needs in the early weeks, which regulates down to baby's needs over the first few weeks or months. When your <A href="http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/breast-fullness.html" target=_blank>milk supply regulates (this change may occur either gradually or rather suddenly), it is normal for pumping output to decrease. For moms who have oversupply, this change often occurs later (6-9+ months postpartum rather than 6-12 weeks).

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

Carolyn, Mashallah he is beautiful!!! He looks so fair skinned. *BEAUTIFUL*

To post pics in your sig upload them to photobucket and use the bottom link and paste it into your siggy. I always rezise the pics using percentages 40x40

[Autumnchik 6]

About the pumping - I HIGHLY recommend a Medela pump in style. I had a lot of problems with nursing and milk supply and ended up using a hospital grade pump for awhile, then the Medela ... and the results were similar. I also had tried a cheaper hand pump and it was worthless. Fenugreek did help me a little as well as blessed thistle. I ended up having to take Reglan to increase supply.

We went back to Santa's Village yesterday. Had a great time, rode some rides, took more pics with Santa. Declan wasn't nearly as smiley as he was last time so I am glad I have the original pictures with Santa. This time, I think he was very sleepy.

Declan has his surgery tomorrow. I won't have computer access for a couple days (as far as I know) ... so see you ladies soon.

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

good luck tomorrow declan