Advice for a visitor from 2nd tri.

[Michy]

Thanks for this Michy. Very interesting insight into exclusive pumping and it's now confirmed to me that you are definately one of my number 1 all time breastfeeding heros.....I am in total awe.....x

here, here

awwwwwwwwwwwwww

 

[Mervs Mum]

Think I'm beginning to realise that I need to stop trying to plan what I'm going to do, and instead gather all the information I can about my options, then just trust that when baby arrives I'll know what will be right for me, and that if that doesn't work I'll just change to something else. It's reassuring to know that you were able to combine breast and formula, I know everyone's different but it's good to know that it can be possible to do that x

This is a great way to think! x

 

[caggimedicine]

I tried expressing in the early weeks and found it very difficult.... and that was whilst I was breastfeeding him. I only managed to get very very small amounts expressed, and it took a long time. I think you may also feel as though you're solely responsible for feeding the baby, as you'll still be solely responsible for making sure you express/produce enough milk to feed the baby, and if you don't manage this, you may get even more stressed.

Personally I found breastfeeding very easy and convenient, and now that i'm trying to introduce bottles as i'm going back to work in June, i'm missing that convenience whilst i'm steralising bottles/making up formula/making sure it's at the right temperature etc etc.

Have you considered breastfeeding for the first week/two, and then introducing a bottle or two of formula? You could also mix it with expressed breast milk if you wanted? At least by that point your breast milk will be a little better established and you'll be able to express a bit more.

 

[beancounter]

I was considered high risk for PND too (and mania, actually, since I am bipolar) and I have not had any problems so far with breastfeeding. I catch up on sleep in the day if necessary (not that often) and Finn wakes up about every 3 hours in the night for feeding. I guess it depends on how much sleep you need (i need about 6 hours) and how your baby is but I wouldn't discount boobies yet. Finn is 5 weeks now and I am looking forward to expressing and a whole night sleep but on the whole its been OK and I have been fine. Just take it really easy in the day

Oh, and maybe a positive mental attitude? I keep telling then I wouldnt have a breakdown, they kept sending shrinks over to my house though. Lol.

 

[ryder]

see, I did express for the first few weeks and I found it quite easy. I wasn't able to fully feed bm, but about half her feed was bm and that was with pumping a few times a day. I guess I was lucky in that sense. Unlucky with the bfing.

However, like you said, it is best to go in with an open mind, try what you can and see where it goes.

 

[Brockie]

Thanks for this Michy. Very interesting insight into exclusive pumping and it's now confirmed to me that you are definately one of my number 1 all time breastfeeding heros.....I am in total awe.....x

totally agree you have done an amazing job and must have incredible determination xx sounds like alot alot alot of hard work! xxx

 

[elm]

Hi - it's great you're thinking about breastfeeding

Just wanted to share with you what we do as you might want to consider doing something similar. Elliot had to go into hospital in his second week and I had to express constantly to stop them giving him formula as I couldn't breastfeed because they needed to make sure he was getting the right amount of milk, turned out he had a tongue tie so wasn't feeding properly anyway so we cup fed him expressed milk when we went home and he wasn't being fed by a tube. Cup feeding was messy though and took ages so when he was still learning to feed properly after having his tongue tie sorted we used one of these -

https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21V5zHOtTjL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Express-Yo...f=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=baby&qid=1238693181&sr=8-8

You're supposed to use it by taping the end of the tube to your breast (it's to help people supliment their milk supply / people who've adopted / want to relactate etc) but a breastfeeding midwife (who gave it to me for free ) said you can tape it to your finger and feed that way (it avoids the problem of nipple confusion). It really helped as in the evenings my nipples were sore so I'd express then feed him with this.

Now I express last thing at night and DP feeds Elliot (using the previous nights expressed milk) which means that I can go to bed earlier then Elliot and get more sleep while DP takes over for a bit (which he really enjoys). So my milk supply isn't effected and I get a break.

I highly recommend the Medela Swing pump if you're not planning on solely expressing (which you'd be better having a double pump for). As you don't need it straight away you could keep an eye out on ebay for a bargain (I got one 2nd hand for £30) - they're great

xxx