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Original poster

Positive stories of mams expressing day 1

149 replies

Cowlover89 · 21/10/2023 14:23

Posting on here for traffic and can't find where chat is on topics.

Feeling like 💩 lots of pain with my PGP so would like some positive breastfeeding stories of mamas who pumped from day 1. I did post in pregnancy but only got a few commenting which I appreciate but want to know more 😊

I know the risks and willing to still do it. Dad wants to do nights and will be pumping once between 2am and 4am as that's when you produce the most milk. I'll still be breastfeeding during the day and pump on the other boob.

Tia

OP posts:
Original poster
Cowlover89 · 21/10/2023 19:40

mollyfolk · 21/10/2023 19:29

I would leave it for the first 3 weeks. It’s a lot to take on the pumping and it’s better if breastfeeding is established. Definitely don’t pump till your milk comes in on day 3. Good luck to you / people figure out ways that work for them. After a difficult birth my DH picked up the baby and settled her after feeding and I found this an enormous help to get back on my feet.

I'm gonna see how it goes once milk is in. Rather not wait.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cowlover89 · 21/10/2023 19:41

Crunchingleaf · 21/10/2023 19:31

I gave up on pumping. I was exhausted from it. Instead of getting a rest when baby was resting I was pumping. They feed so often in early days plus cluster feeding. My DH would have loved to help with nights but it was more work for me. I worked so hard with getting supply established that I didn’t want to resort to formula either.

Unfortunately for some it can be like that. But not for all. And pumping is not for everyone. I personally love it and don't find it stressful

OP posts:
Siameasy · 21/10/2023 19:41

My experience was first few days I could hand express only. I ended up doing this because my DD had jaundice and couldn’t latch until day 9 approx.
When we got home I used to stay up until 11 and DH on paternity leave would take the 11-5 shift with a bottle of EBM. I would sleep.
i used to get a decent amount of milk expressing in the morning. Basically my experience was before midday was plentiful but harder after that. Plus baby and I tended to be in a better mood in the morning.
1600 onwards a lot of babies are stuck to the boob and cluster feed

Original poster
Cowlover89 · 21/10/2023 19:43

Siameasy · 21/10/2023 19:41

My experience was first few days I could hand express only. I ended up doing this because my DD had jaundice and couldn’t latch until day 9 approx.
When we got home I used to stay up until 11 and DH on paternity leave would take the 11-5 shift with a bottle of EBM. I would sleep.
i used to get a decent amount of milk expressing in the morning. Basically my experience was before midday was plentiful but harder after that. Plus baby and I tended to be in a better mood in the morning.
1600 onwards a lot of babies are stuck to the boob and cluster feed

Glad it went okay for you. I got a lot of milk on a morning. Helped with the fact my son started to sleep through at 11 weeks. My son did cluster feed but but wasn't stuck to the boob constantly

OP posts:
Original poster
Cowlover89 · 21/10/2023 20:00

Tesoroxx · 21/10/2023 19:34

Posted to soon I exclusivly pumped for all 3 of my children with no issues for 8 weeks twice and 4 weeks once due to allergy

See it can work. Some on here are adamant it won't.

OP posts:
fedupandstuck · 21/10/2023 20:04

I don't think people are saying that it won't work, rather that it will be much harder and more complex than just directly feeding. And that it isn't the best (or only) way to maximise your sleep.

lemonyfox · 21/10/2023 20:07

I exclusively pumped for 7 months as I found breastfeeding too difficult (stupid awkward nipples, lazy baby, I'm shit with pain). I also donated my surplus milk to a milk bank regularly so I'd like to think I had a pretty good routine down. My tips:

Spectra double pump, the portable one. Lifesaver.

A pumping bra for hands free. The Medela one is great.

A spare set or two of pumping bottles.

I used to take a freezer lunch bag (you know the one with foil inside?) and frozen ice packs up to bed with me at bedtime. I'd pump before bed, and that feed would be the baby's next feed around 1am. I'd then pump again, store in the ice bag and that would be the 4am feed. I'd pump again and store that amount in the freezer bag (hence the spare bottles) and that would either be the next feed or go into the fridge when I got out of bed. It helped that my baby wasn't fussy with warm v cold milk. Also meant I didn't have to faff getting out of bed and down to the fridge (townhouse).

Multiple night pumps if you want to establish a good supply is non negotiable unfortunately.

I ate a shit ton of oats! Porridge and flapjacks.

Store your breastmilk in the rear of the fridge, not the door compartments. It doesn't keep it cold enough.

Original poster
Cowlover89 · 21/10/2023 20:12

fedupandstuck · 21/10/2023 20:04

I don't think people are saying that it won't work, rather that it will be much harder and more complex than just directly feeding. And that it isn't the best (or only) way to maximise your sleep.

Well it's the vibes I'm getting. Yes I'm aware it'll be hard in the beginning but after time it will get easier. We'll figure it out along the way. My partner is determined I get well rested. He's a great dad

OP posts:
Original poster
Cowlover89 · 21/10/2023 20:13

lemonyfox · 21/10/2023 20:07

I exclusively pumped for 7 months as I found breastfeeding too difficult (stupid awkward nipples, lazy baby, I'm shit with pain). I also donated my surplus milk to a milk bank regularly so I'd like to think I had a pretty good routine down. My tips:

Spectra double pump, the portable one. Lifesaver.

A pumping bra for hands free. The Medela one is great.

A spare set or two of pumping bottles.

I used to take a freezer lunch bag (you know the one with foil inside?) and frozen ice packs up to bed with me at bedtime. I'd pump before bed, and that feed would be the baby's next feed around 1am. I'd then pump again, store in the ice bag and that would be the 4am feed. I'd pump again and store that amount in the freezer bag (hence the spare bottles) and that would either be the next feed or go into the fridge when I got out of bed. It helped that my baby wasn't fussy with warm v cold milk. Also meant I didn't have to faff getting out of bed and down to the fridge (townhouse).

Multiple night pumps if you want to establish a good supply is non negotiable unfortunately.

I ate a shit ton of oats! Porridge and flapjacks.

Store your breastmilk in the rear of the fridge, not the door compartments. It doesn't keep it cold enough.

Thank for this. Much appreciated 😊 yeah I've got a freezer bag! I honestly cant wait for my baby girl to be here

OP posts:
Original poster
Cowlover89 · 21/10/2023 20:14

And partner*

OP posts:
ZellyFitzgerald · 21/10/2023 20:33

I pumped from day 1 with my daughter as she was born with a cleft lip and palate and couldn't suck.

It's hard and time consuming. You need good support and a good pump (I used Medela swing, though this was 8 years ago so there might be better ones now).

I would get extra attachments so you can have a set sterilised and ready to use at all times.

I got to a year pumping 5-6 times a day, it's doable but also a massive sacrifice.

Also, strangely I ended up with a let down that happened with mechanical noises like the boiler switching on or the washing machine going which was weird!

Good luck x

Original poster
Cowlover89 · 21/10/2023 20:34

Thank you for all the positive stories, advice and tips 😊

And to the negative ones you have made me just want to try harder and be more determined so thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Cowlover89 · 21/10/2023 20:36

ZellyFitzgerald · 21/10/2023 20:33

I pumped from day 1 with my daughter as she was born with a cleft lip and palate and couldn't suck.

It's hard and time consuming. You need good support and a good pump (I used Medela swing, though this was 8 years ago so there might be better ones now).

I would get extra attachments so you can have a set sterilised and ready to use at all times.

I got to a year pumping 5-6 times a day, it's doable but also a massive sacrifice.

Also, strangely I ended up with a let down that happened with mechanical noises like the boiler switching on or the washing machine going which was weird!

Good luck x

Thank you. Glad it worked for you 😊 I've got a decent pump. Going to get a hands free one. I think the sacrifice will definitely be worth it. That is weird haha! Thank you x

OP posts:
ZellyFitzgerald · 21/10/2023 20:43

Also OP, don't be afraid to pump out and about. Exclusive pumping didn't mean I was chained to the house.

I got a good cool pack and pumped in loads of places, at soft play, baby groups, cafes, even on the bus!

You can be discreet and most people don't even notice. Any comments I got were usually positive.

Original poster
Cowlover89 · 21/10/2023 20:55

ZellyFitzgerald · 21/10/2023 20:43

Also OP, don't be afraid to pump out and about. Exclusive pumping didn't mean I was chained to the house.

I got a good cool pack and pumped in loads of places, at soft play, baby groups, cafes, even on the bus!

You can be discreet and most people don't even notice. Any comments I got were usually positive.

It's good to know 😌 some seem to think you are. I've found a hands free pump online so will be getting it. X

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 21/10/2023 21:34

I found pumping strangely satisfying too, especially the non electric when you got a good squirt going! Just a few facts you might already know; I found it painful when my baby was crying and I wasn’t breastfeeding as dad was feeding via bottle. That natural body letting you know baby is ready to be fed. I also swapped between breast and bottle easily; starting with bottle. It was harder work pumping though, I was glad when he finally latched on ok at 4wks and I then just pumped to get a supply for when DP fed him, which wasn’t often.

Original poster
Cowlover89 · 21/10/2023 21:46

Zanatdy · 21/10/2023 21:34

I found pumping strangely satisfying too, especially the non electric when you got a good squirt going! Just a few facts you might already know; I found it painful when my baby was crying and I wasn’t breastfeeding as dad was feeding via bottle. That natural body letting you know baby is ready to be fed. I also swapped between breast and bottle easily; starting with bottle. It was harder work pumping though, I was glad when he finally latched on ok at 4wks and I then just pumped to get a supply for when DP fed him, which wasn’t often.

I just loved the let down and how much milk came out. It's proper fascinating. Yeah it hurt when I got engorged but either hand expressed or I used the electric pump.
Going to get a hands free one. I'm glad he latched on for you. And thank you for your experience x

OP posts:
Itsalongstoryy · 21/10/2023 21:49

ZellyFitzgerald · 21/10/2023 20:43

Also OP, don't be afraid to pump out and about. Exclusive pumping didn't mean I was chained to the house.

I got a good cool pack and pumped in loads of places, at soft play, baby groups, cafes, even on the bus!

You can be discreet and most people don't even notice. Any comments I got were usually positive.

I said to my husband I think in the next 10 years pumping will become way more ‘normal’ and pump technology will hugely improve. I think it’s more popular in America as women often return to work earlier. I have the Elvie but there’s so many similar ones now and the fact you can do it out and about and no one can even tell is such a huge step forward compared to the massive ones you have to hold. I feel like breastfeeding in public is now so accepted and if you see a woman going to breastfeed you know what she’s doing automatically but with pumping I’m always a bit embarrassed trying to get it out. I was in a shopping centre baby change room last week where there were loads of stations and feeding areas but I was finding it so hard to get it out without feeling like I was stripping off in public when there were dads about 🙈 It just felt like breastfeeding would have been more acceptable than what I was doing 😂

Betty407 · 21/10/2023 21:55

I exclusively pumped for my twins as they were in nicu.
Day 1 I was too sick.
Day 2 I started hand expressing every 2 hours.
Day 3 nicu gave me a hospital grade medela pump, found hand expressing got more but kept trying the pump.
Day 4 milk came in and got small amounts.
Day 5 bought my own medela double electric hands free pump. Life changed, got more milk more discreetly, felt much better not being chained to to big pump.
By 2 weeks I was getting 1l a day, I pumped every 2 to 3 hours during the day, last one at 10pm, then 3am, then 6am. Got the most at 3 & 6am.
Twins left nicu at 6w old, found it much more difficult at home as i felt I couldn't hold them or spend time with them while i was pumping. Was easier when sat next to incubators and helped me feel I was doing something. I stopped completely by 9w, but had a HUGE freezer stash so they were fed expressed milk until 12w.

It isn't for the faint hearted, I felt a lot of guilt when I switched to formula but for us, it was 100% the best choice.

Good luck with your journey! You may be able to pump less if you're also breastfeeding directly so may not be as difficult and you have that bonding connection through breastfeeding that I didn't feel through pumping, for me there was a disconnect and I really struggled.

Original poster
Cowlover89 · 21/10/2023 22:20

Betty407 · 21/10/2023 21:55

I exclusively pumped for my twins as they were in nicu.
Day 1 I was too sick.
Day 2 I started hand expressing every 2 hours.
Day 3 nicu gave me a hospital grade medela pump, found hand expressing got more but kept trying the pump.
Day 4 milk came in and got small amounts.
Day 5 bought my own medela double electric hands free pump. Life changed, got more milk more discreetly, felt much better not being chained to to big pump.
By 2 weeks I was getting 1l a day, I pumped every 2 to 3 hours during the day, last one at 10pm, then 3am, then 6am. Got the most at 3 & 6am.
Twins left nicu at 6w old, found it much more difficult at home as i felt I couldn't hold them or spend time with them while i was pumping. Was easier when sat next to incubators and helped me feel I was doing something. I stopped completely by 9w, but had a HUGE freezer stash so they were fed expressed milk until 12w.

It isn't for the faint hearted, I felt a lot of guilt when I switched to formula but for us, it was 100% the best choice.

Good luck with your journey! You may be able to pump less if you're also breastfeeding directly so may not be as difficult and you have that bonding connection through breastfeeding that I didn't feel through pumping, for me there was a disconnect and I really struggled.

Thank you for your experience. I'm sorry you struggled and don't feel guilty! You did an amazing job ❤️

OP posts:
PigeonPigPie · 22/10/2023 06:21

A hands free pump won't be strong enough to induce lactation

Original poster
Cowlover89 · 22/10/2023 09:11

PigeonPigPie · 22/10/2023 06:21

A hands free pump won't be strong enough to induce lactation

Actually it is and if you've read the messages other women have managed 😊

OP posts:
Original poster
Cowlover89 · 22/10/2023 09:36

Bumping to see if there's anymore positive successful stories 😊

OP posts:
cdhmum · 22/10/2023 10:21

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
Cowlover89 · 22/10/2023 10:28

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I've done nothing wrong. Getting attacked for no reason. If you've got nothing nice to say. Don't say anything at all.

OP posts: