I talk a lot about pumping. It's hard not to, I'm hooked up to the machine 1-2 hours a day. I've learned that's less than many pumping moms. Luckily I have lots of milk and a patient baby.
It wasn't always that way. When I was pregnant I read a ton of books about being pregnant, giving birth and having a newborn. However, I skipped the chapters on bottle feeding every time. Obviously I'd breastfeed. Bubbe had other ideas. Braxton had high muscle tone which allowed him to hold his head up immediately, but also resulted in him back arching away from me every time he latched. He was first introduced to formula in the hospital and that's where I met my frienemy the pump. For the first month I rented a hospital grade pump and pumped every 2-3 hours, basically every time baby was hungry I pumped him a bottle first while he waited. I still tried to breastfeed and saw lactation consultants but Bubbe was learning to prefer the bottle, and so I became what is known as an "exclusive pumper." I bought my own pump, started to make enough for a fridge then freezer stash, and pumped everywhere.
I hadn't known this option existed, and apparently most people don't know about it either. How many times is a new mom asked boob or formula? Seeing me feed Bubbe a bottle got me lecture from a lady waiting in a doctor's office. I was told that without medication I would loose my milk in weeks.
We'll here I am six months later, still pumping, and still talking about pumping. In these six months I was a bridesmaid in two weddings in which I pumped in bathrooms in my outfits between ceremonies and pictures (a pain for me and the brides). I've pumped as a passanger cruising down the highway. I've pumped in emergency as a neurologist told me about my babies brain. I've pumped while playing cards with my husbands grandmother.
I admit it has been stressful at times.Many nights I'd rather go to bed than do one more pump while Bubbe sleeps. I hate washing pump parts and bottles. I can't drink caffeine or alcohol while making milk, and many days a coffee or vodka would make the day a lot more bearable. On the other hand I'm thankful that I have been able to pump while Braxton has been admitted to hospitals or spending time with his dad. Pumping has allowed us to continue our crazy life in a way that is best for Bubbe.
It wasn't always that way. When I was pregnant I read a ton of books about being pregnant, giving birth and having a newborn. However, I skipped the chapters on bottle feeding every time. Obviously I'd breastfeed. Bubbe had other ideas. Braxton had high muscle tone which allowed him to hold his head up immediately, but also resulted in him back arching away from me every time he latched. He was first introduced to formula in the hospital and that's where I met my frienemy the pump. For the first month I rented a hospital grade pump and pumped every 2-3 hours, basically every time baby was hungry I pumped him a bottle first while he waited. I still tried to breastfeed and saw lactation consultants but Bubbe was learning to prefer the bottle, and so I became what is known as an "exclusive pumper." I bought my own pump, started to make enough for a fridge then freezer stash, and pumped everywhere.
I hadn't known this option existed, and apparently most people don't know about it either. How many times is a new mom asked boob or formula? Seeing me feed Bubbe a bottle got me lecture from a lady waiting in a doctor's office. I was told that without medication I would loose my milk in weeks.
We'll here I am six months later, still pumping, and still talking about pumping. In these six months I was a bridesmaid in two weddings in which I pumped in bathrooms in my outfits between ceremonies and pictures (a pain for me and the brides). I've pumped as a passanger cruising down the highway. I've pumped in emergency as a neurologist told me about my babies brain. I've pumped while playing cards with my husbands grandmother.
I admit it has been stressful at times.Many nights I'd rather go to bed than do one more pump while Bubbe sleeps. I hate washing pump parts and bottles. I can't drink caffeine or alcohol while making milk, and many days a coffee or vodka would make the day a lot more bearable. On the other hand I'm thankful that I have been able to pump while Braxton has been admitted to hospitals or spending time with his dad. Pumping has allowed us to continue our crazy life in a way that is best for Bubbe.