Breastfeeding & Breastpumps

**lilk** · 08-26-2009, 06:01 PM

Anyone have any advice on breastfeeding? Our baby is due Oct. 6th and I was wanting any help, information I can get. I never breastfead my ds's, but don't think I would of had any problem with supply. It just wasn't as well accepted in 1992, and 1996 so I just bottle fead.
Did you purchase a breast pump? If so, what brand, electric or manual? I would be greatful for any information.

Sorry if I offended anyone for asking this queastion?

**AmyBoz** · 08-26-2009, 06:09 PM

Breastfeeding is so personal. You're gonna hear a lot of advice: you gotta do it that way, you gotta do it this way. In the end, you need to do what feels best for you. When I had dd, the lactation specialist came to see me in the hospital and did a whole bunch of "showing" me what to do. None of it worked and I felt awful about myself. I almost gave up. Then, dh told me to do what felt natural. So, I scrapped what she said and did it my own way, which was not her way and never looked back. I breastfed dd, ds1 and ds2 my own way after that.

So, best of luck to you!

**Rosebush3** · 08-26-2009, 06:26 PM

I breastfed both my children as babies. With the second, my daughter, I tried pumping to express milk so that others could share in feeding her. I had only a manual pump - it was miserable. Very tiring and caused cramping in my hands. What I would have given for an electric one. I think you can rent them from the hospital, not sure. I was too broke to even think of that at the time though. I ended up giving up the pumping and just sticking with breastfeeding 'from the source'.
The pump was a Medela, and a freebie from the hospital. I think I used it all of three months. Best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy and your baby to be.

**Telephus44** · 08-26-2009, 09:41 PM

I used a manual one for a few months, and it was difficult to use - it was tough to clean, and it was awkward to hold while using. Mine was a Medela also, but like a $25-$30 low end one. If I had planned on working full-time and exclusively breastfeeding, I would have forked out the $300 for the high end Pump in Style.

Also - Amy is right about the advice - a lot of people will tell you that you have to do it this way or that way, and that "this is the RIGHT way.." but don't listen to that. You're the mom, you know best.

**2ndGenGranola** · 08-26-2009, 11:43 PM

I don't know if you stay at home or work. If you are home, I wouldn't buy one. It is easier to just nurse then try to deal with the pump. If you work, you should probably consider one of the nice ones.

I didn't care much for long term use of the free manual pumps you get in the hospital. They were a life saver for those "over full" times when they were so full the baby couldn't get a good position. I did have a Medela mini that I used if we were going to church or something. It was great for small sessions but I wouldn't want to use one daily.

**lilk** · 08-27-2009, 04:01 AM

I have my real estate license, but have never worked at it full time. I'm not working at the present.
I would like to be able to pump so dh and ds's could enjoy feeding the baby too. And incase I need to start working in the office again. I hate the idea of purchasing a Medela pump, $300, (this is going to be our last child). I know Medela has a single electric breast pump it cost $150. I have heard that Medela pump is what the hospital pushes here. Does it matter if you have a single pump or double? Is there any other reliabe brands that might be cheaper? Too many decisions!!
Thanks for the advice about doing what feels natural, I getting a nervous!

**Siebrie** · 08-27-2009, 08:40 AM

After dd was born I was in hospital for 6 days, and had about 15 midwives/nurses look after me (shifts.....). They all showed me their way of breastfeeding and all of them said 'I show you this way, because it works for me, but just do what feels comfortable to you'. They were aware of the other ways, and would encourage you as soon as you had found a comfortable way to breastfeed. They did not try to persuade you to use THEIR method exclusively.

I've used a Medela handpump (the piston/draw-out type) and was very pleased with it, because it's noiseless compared to the electrical one. You can buy the motor part of the pump second hand, just make sure that the bottles, and everything that comes in touch with the milk, are new.

My nipples are not 'breastfeeding material' and my dd was not a good sucker ;-), yet I fed her on breastmilk for the first 6 months. I used silicone nipplecaps when she was fed from the source twice or three times a day, which was all my nipples could bear, even with the nipplecaps. The rest of the feedings she got from a bottle, with breastmilk I had expressed the day before at work.

**imagine** · 08-27-2009, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by lilk

I have my real estate license, but have never worked at it full time. I'm not working at the present.
I would like to be able to pump so dh and ds's could enjoy feeding the baby too. And incase I need to start working in the office again. I hate the idea of purchasing a Medela pump, $300, (this is going to be our last child). I know Medela has a single electric breast pump it cost $150. I have heard that Medela pump is what the hospital pushes here. Does it matter if you have a single pump or double? Is there any other reliabe brands that might be cheaper? Too many decisions!!
Thanks for the advice about doing what feels natural, I getting a nervous!

Don't be nervous. I found things worked best when I relaxed and didn't stress.

I pumped and froze for feeding while at work.

What I found best was to feed baby on one side and pump the other side with and electric pump at the same time. The lactation nurse told me this would help with let down and make pumping easier. I did this every morning and after work on work days (I was substitute teaching so I couldn't pump at work) I found this method very relaxing and I often forgot that I was pumping. Hubby would quite often walk by and say the bottle is almost full honey.

**spyzvixxen** · 08-27-2009, 11:25 AM

I received so much unsolicited advice and never heard so many people so interested in my boobs. Just take it all in and do what you feel is right. Good luck to you and baby =)

**nuisance26** · 08-27-2009, 12:19 PM

~I was a casual pumper(12-24 ounces a week)so I bought an Aveno hand pump. It worked great. When you learn to pump correctly, you won't need to keep squeezing until you get a hand cramp. It should create a suction similar to a baby's latch and draw the milk after only pumping 5-10 times.
You're going to produce sooo much milk in the beginning so pump it and freeze it. I wish I had saved more in those beginning weeks.
I'm another mom who didn't find my discussions with the hospital's lactation consultant of any help(first baby). Between her and the maternity nurses(who meant well)I also felt like a failure. Ds and I finally got the hang of nursing the day after we got home after much frustration, crying and determination. I actually sat in a chair all day with ds on my lap with dh and my sis keeping me company for support.
You have to find your own rhythm and style of nursing with your baby. I did refer to some breastfeeding books to see actually pictures of mothers nursing their infants. It was helpful for me to see how the baby should latch.
Make sure the hospital gives you lanolin for your nipples. They will be sore for a week or two. I loved Soothies: http://www.walgreens.com/store/produ...&id=prod380209
You'll also need nursing pads since there's usually a fair amount of leakage the first month.
And don't forget nursing bras! I wouldn't buy too many in the size you are now though. I went down almost a half a size in the first month so the bra I'd bought no longer fit. I found that I liked sports bras better anyway.
Congratulations, btw! If you have any questions or concerns after the baby is born feel free to pm me and I'll try to help!~

**Greebo** · 08-27-2009, 01:38 PM

...must...resist...smart...alec....answer...noicantihavetosayit...

My advice on breastfeeding: Ensure sure the correct end of the infant's GI tract is attached to the milk delivery device.

**TigerGirl1226** · 08-27-2009, 01:52 PM

Check and see if you hospital rents breastpumps before you buy the big mamajama one. Ours did and I found that it wasn't for me. I was only out $60 as opposed to $300.

**jas** · 08-27-2009, 02:55 PM

Like everyone here has said you and your baby will get into a rhythm. And the first week or two your nipples will be very sore and may even crack and bleed. Press through it it is so worth it.

In the beginning I was so sore that I would practally be in tears thinking of another feeding but in the end it was the best experience for me and my dd. Since I was a sahm I was able to breastfeed for the full first year.

**joyofsix** · 08-27-2009, 03:30 PM

La Leche League

**lilk** · 08-27-2009, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

...must...resist...smart...alec....answer...noicantihavetosayit...

My advice on breastfeeding: Ensure sure the correct end of the infant's GI tract is attached to the milk delivery device.

Great idea!