*Baby Corner*

[RussianGirl 0]

What pump do you use, Lyuba?

[RussianGirl 0]

churipu, amazing! 6 months is my short-term goal. 1 year is my long-term goal and then I am DONE! I hate it because my nipples hurt sooo bad (TMI, I know). I am now 99% pumping and I have a HUGE stash of frozen breast milk! I'm pretty proud

The vaccine schedule isn't too different. The main thing is to get no more than 2 vaccines a month. The goal is a fully vaccinated child. If you want to, I can e-mail/PM you the schedule and the reasoning behind it.

Lyuba, I exclusively breastfed for 1 month, then switched to pumping. I pumped about 15 mins and could only get about 1 oz. My body got used to the pump (it takes a while) and I can now pump 4-6 oz per session. I have plenty of milk now, I feed my baby and freeze the rest. You need to let your body get used to the pump. At the very beginning, I was so worried that I was not producing enough milk, so I understand...

Here is what I did:

Pump every 2 hours for 20 mins (I know... Where can you find the time?). The more you pump, the more your body will produce. It's demand/supply issue.

Take fenugreek (3 pills 3 times a day) AND Blessed Thistle (3 pills 3 times a day) <- NOT Milk Thistle, BLESSED Thistle.

Just because you can only pump 1 oz per session doesn't mean you aren't making enough milk. Sometimes the pump just can't pump everything out. Try to breastfeed your baby anyways. His sucking will let your body know to produce more milk.

When you’re pumping, compress and massage your breasts! It's very important!

Pump 5 more minutes after your milk stops flowing. This will let your body know to produce more milk.

Always double pump (pump both of your breasts at the same time). I think that tricks your body into thinking that it needs to produce enough milk for twins.

Visit the websites I posted in my previous posts. I found so much information and support there!

Yassmine, yes, it is normal, but you still need to do your kick counts! More info:

http://babykickalliance.org/kickCountFaq.asp

[RussianGirl 0]

More info on pumping and milk supply:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/index.html

Pumping forum at Kellymom:

http://forum.kellymom.net/forumdisplay.php?f=21

Pumping forums at LLL:

http://forums.lalecheleague.org/forumdisplay.php?f=12

[Lyuba 0]

Spasibo ogromnoe, my fellow Russian girl!

What part of Russia are you from?

Thank you for all your help!!!!!! I will try to do as you say. My little guy usually takes 4 ounces of milk at the feeding. As I can only pump 1 ounce, I have to supplement. If I pump after nursing (and he isn't a very good nurser, he likes to sleep and play at the breast, but he latches well), I can't pump anything at all.

I use Medela pump in style, it is fully electric double pump.

I will let you know how everything will go! Thank you again.

[yassmine2878 1]

Well now that Ive freaked out about the baby not moving, he's been super-active. I guess he was just chillin.

And Ace, where are you? If you're going to beat me to the finish line you had better fork over some cutie-pie pics.

[KJandSH 0]

The Pump in Style is a good pump for maintaining a well established milk supply, but is not strong enough for someone who is trying to build up milk supply.

I would suggest that you rent a Medela Symphony or Medela Classic or other hospital grade pump because they will be better at helping you to establish a good milk supply. I know that it can seem pricey, especially after paying for a Pump in Style, but it is worth it to be able to pump more quickly and spend time with your little one. Also, you won't have to rent it for the duration of the time you are breastfeeding. You can probably just rent it for a month or so.

Fenugreek is good to take for increasing milk supply. More Milk Plus (which contains fenugreek) is said to be good too.

The best thing for establishing a good supply is your baby though, so keep working with your baby at the breast. My poor nurser suddenly started nursing well around 6 weeks, so it may just take him a little longer. Just keep in mind that sometimes bottles can make things more difficult because babies get milk immediately rather than having to wait for let down like they do at the breast.

That being said, one of my twins was mostly bottle fed for 6 weeks and then she became a great nurser. I went from having supply problems for my twins to having more than enough milk for both. What helped me more than any pump or herbal remedy was just sitting with my babies and nursing on demand, even though it was every hour or 1.5 hours during the day sometimes. Frequent, short nursing sessions are the best to build up your supply.

Best of luck and congratulations on your sweet baby boy!

Kristi

Edited February 15, 2008 by KJandSH

[Autumnchik 6]

To those who are/have breastfed:

What are your thoughts on giving the baby both breastmilk and formula? My initial thought is that I would like to try to solely use breastmilk for the first 6 months or so, but I am wondering if that is realistic. It seems I have talked to many monthers recently who began introducing formula as well because they found it easier to be back at work or take the baby in public and give formula.

[RussianGirl 0]

Lyuba,

I'm from Ufa, Bashkortostan

I use Medela Pump In Style Advanced. Do you have Advanced?

If it is not Advanced, I would really recommend getting a hospital-grade pump such as Medela Symphony. I think it cost about $60 a month to rent (you can rent it from your hospital or an authorized dealer). You can return it as soon as you establish your supply and start using your PIS again. If you have Pump In Style Advanced, then continue pumping! PIS Advanced and Medela Symphony both help with low milk supply.

Another thing, you really need to have your hands free while pumping, so that you can compress and massage your breasts.

Here are some ideas:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/hands-free-pumping.html

or you can buy something like this (there are other versions out there):

http://comfortfirst.com/pm-34081-2983-mede...or-nursing.aspx

I hope it gets better for you!

PS If I were desperate, then I would go ahead and rent Medela Symphony and/or ask for prescription drugs to increase my milk supply, such as Reglan.

More:

http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/prescr...lactagogue.html

[RussianGirl 0]

Kristi, I agree!!!

To those who are/have breastfed:

What are your thoughts on giving the baby both breastmilk and formula? My initial thought is that I would like to try to solely use breastmilk for the first 6 months or so, but I am wondering if that is realistic. It seems I have talked to many monthers recently who began introducing formula as well because they found it easier to be back at work or take the baby in public and give formula.

YES! It is very realistic!!!! You can definitely do it if you produce enough milk!

I may sound like some crazy breastfeeding lady, but I am not. I see nothing wrong with using formula. If it is easier for you, then it is your decision.

Please visit the LLL and Kellymom forums (I posted the links in my previous posts). Many women there exclusively breastfeed/pump for 6 months+ Many of them are working moms.

I guess it is easy for me, since I am a SAHM (stay at home mom), but if you have to work, you can still do it! Good luck!

[nannygirl82 0]

Well now that Ive freaked out about the baby not moving, he's been super-active. I guess he was just chillin.

And Ace, where are you? If you're going to beat me to the finish line you had better fork over some cutie-pie pics.

that happend to me the other day...some movement but not a lot enough though not to be too worried...then the next day she just would not stop moving....i guess we all have our lazy days....

YAH!!!!my baby chart moved another block

[TracyLuis 0]

My baby has those moments where he's so still, I begin to worry. And just when I think something might be wrong, BAM!, he's all over the place. Then I begin to wonder if he'll ever get tired

[Lyuba 0]

Kristi, Russian girl,

Thank you again. I do have Pump in style Advanced. I hope things will work out better for me. Right now my milk isn't enough for him, after nursing he cries and cries and it breaks my heart. But I still nurse, and then pump and supplement.

I love the idea about hands-free pumping! Thank you again.

[BelwinMills 0]

Well now that Ive freaked out about the baby not moving, he's been super-active. I guess he was just chillin.

And Ace, where are you? If you're going to beat me to the finish line you had better fork over some cutie-pie pics.

Congrats Ace on the water breaking!! Can't wait to hear from u. Also I can't wait to see pictures of your little one soon Yassmine !!!

[BelwinMills 0]

Well now that Ive freaked out about the baby not moving, he's been super-active. I guess he was just chillin.

And Ace, where are you? If you're going to beat me to the finish line you had better fork over some cutie-pie pics.

that happend to me the other day...some movement but not a lot enough though not to be too worried...then the next day she just would not stop moving....i guess we all have our lazy days....

YAH!!!!my baby chart moved another block

Hey Shauna!!! How is everything going? It just seems like yesterday you found out you were pregnant. Have you and Mike put a baby room together? Have you done lots of shopping? I haven't hardly bought anything yet but a crib and sheets. Do you have a baby shower planned?

[BelwinMills 0]

Is there anything better to take than tums for heartburn? Can I take equate or mylanta?