Finding the time to pump :(

[OTTMummA]

How do I do this? I have one breast that works, DD is 3 weeks old and is good, but has lots of wind, is feed on demand with expressed milk and formula, and takes ages to get off for a nap, but sleeps well at night. DH has gone back to work today and have only managed to pump twice! And I've been up since 5.40am! I knew this would happen so I have been pumping every 2-3 hours for the last few days, but now feel it has been a waste of time since I can't pump regularly enough now he isn't here :( . I try to keep putting here to the breast, but we have to use a shield because she can't latch on, this is gradually getting worse now, probably because she is used to bottles now, but can't do that as much as I want to either because I need another pair of hands to cope :( I feel do down, teary everytime I miss a pumping session, am typing on iPhone whilst fitting in a pump now, so sorry for the grammar.

Have you tried calling the NCT helpline? They are open every day from about 8am. I think. I've called them twice and they were amazing help when I had some problems and worries. I found the best times to express were late morning and early afternoon. Try having a hot shower or even just warm flannels on your breast beforehand. Have you tried pumping the other breast? Hope things get better for you soon.

Are you using an electric pump OTT? Have you tried just leaving it on the other breast for a time to see if the milk lets down.

I used to express for my DS as I didn't like feeding him in public due to my chest size.

I used to wake an hour before DS and was leaking everywhere, so I would sit up in bed (and it's nice if DH gets up with you, makes you a cup of tea) with the Medela pump on relaxing and watching a bit of tv.

I did the same in the evening - watched a dvd for half an hour with my feet up and just put the pump on.

As soon as DC is asleep make this your first job. Don't worry about housework etc. This is the priority. DH can help with that stuff when he gets home.

There used to be a special bottle and teat that replicated breast feeding and allowed baby to switch I think? However it is hard to get DC to latch on to both without confusion. I did it with my DS but it took two weeks of determination and a bit of grizzling.

Why are you using a shield - do you have an inverted nipple - if so they are more difficult to get used to. Also remember that the use of formula will make the demand for breast milk less. Not what you want to hear I know, but it means you will produce less if feeds are being supplemented.

My DS who is now 2 1/2 never latched (undiagnosed TT and other "starting off" issues) and I pumped for 9 weeks and like you mixed EBM and FF on demand.

What I can say,in retrospect, for me, pumping robbed me of that precious time post feed sitting on the couch for a cuddle. I became so obssessed with the ratio of FF to EBM and trying to get my volume up so that all his feed could be EBM. I would feed him and then will him to sleep so that i could pump and mimic his demand. I am a huge believer in BF and was devastated that it didn't work,so felt pumping redeemed this.Now I wish I had come to terms with being unable to BF and just enjoyed my baby.

I am not telling you don't pump but wanted to share my perspective.I'm still very pro BF and am happy that i am currently EBF my 8 week old DD very successfully.What I did say to myself this time was that if BF didn't work out for any reason that I would not exhaust myself with pumping.

Good luck

Yes nipple is inverted on bad side, flat on other and doesn't stay out for longer than few secs after pumping, ive had a BfN lady here 3 times and even she has said I have very 'shy' nipples and told mr to use the shield as after 2 hours of trying to get DD on the breast it was the only thing that helped, although I do keep trying without, but she just licks the nipple and gets angry when I try to 'hamburger'' it into her mouth :(. I can only get a small amount of breast mill from the bad breast, but can often get on average 4-5oz at each pump from the other, although I sometimes get up to 8oz in the morning from the good breast. I'm using a manual pump, as I thought whilst pregnant I would only use the pump occasionally later on, or to help draw the nipple out, it takes about 20-30 mins each pump, I do alternate, massage and compress as well. The BfN lady us coming again on Friday, although I doubt it will do much good, DD just gets so angry and upset. I'm worried that if I can only pump 2-3 times a day I will end up not being able to give her any of my milk eventually.

I know you can buy a device to try and draw out the nipple but these take a few weeks to work. I had one inverted (especially when full of milk!).

The midwife was very helpful and showed me how to open the baby's jaw around the breast. (taking the nipple is a lazy form of feeding by the baby that leads to painful nipples and reduces milk flow if I remember) sometimes I expressed for a few minutes and then fed? Babies get a bit lazy after the bottle when they have to do all the work!

I would recommend an electric pump if you want to stick with it. I used one for six months and it meant I could switch off and let the pump do the work, and the milk definitely came in stronger with the method.

I hired one at the time but I think they are fairly reasonable to buy?

If you decide to move to formula don't get hung up about it, you've tried your best and you dd has had the best of your milk from birth.

Is your dh supporting you through this?

PS I used to enjoy a bit of quiet time upstairs with a box set DVD having a pump!

8oz is a lot in one go, well done you.

Can you borrow an electric pump from the NCT or BFN to see if you get on any better with it? It is so much easier.

Agree with others, you need an electric pump, I reckon. Medela swing is good and costs about eighty pounds.

A battery-operated baby swing might be good for short-term use in respect of keeping your baby happy so you can pump, and also getting her off to sleep.

Please do get her checked for tongue tie - a combination of that and flat nipples, arggggh, been there, done that. If it is a tie, getting it fixed would be straightforward and might just be enough to get baby back to breast. Have you seen an ICBLC qualified lactation consultant? They are brilliant and the bees' knees when it comes to breastfeeding support. Usually cost money but might be worth it if BF means a lot to you and you can come by the cash. I don't mean in any way to bash BfN supporters - I am sure they are generally excellent too, including the one you have seen.

Mixed-feeding and pumping is really hard going. There never seems to be enough time. I think a lactation consultant might have advice for you that would make things easier.

Iam having to express milk for all my 11wk old son's feeds. I have a hospital grade pump on loan from my local hospital free of charge and for as long as /i need it because he has a medical condition which prevented him latching on properly. It takes me 10-15minutes and 'i get between 2 & 5ozs 8x per day. This is not an easy task when ds is awake especially since it is a double pump. I always get up before him to pump, pump 3x through the night and 3-4hourly in the day. If he is awake i struggle when on my own and alternate between lying him across my lap, feeding him one handed from a bouncer chair, singing to him in his bouncer chair and sometimes by accepting he is going to cry and it is more important I provide him with enough milk. When others are around it is much easier. I like being able to see how much he is taking from a bottle and his rapid weight gain is reward enough to make it worthwhile for me. I would definitely enquire about hiring a hospital grade machine to save time.

These are the things I got to make life easier:

Medela double pump (off ebay) & pumping bras that way I could wear a robe and still walk around/do washing/play with baby while expressing.
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001HMU86Q/ref=asc_df_B001HMU86Q9123952?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B001HMU86Q

www.expressyourselfmums.co.uk/Expressing-Bra/easy-expression-halterneck.htm

Loads of spare pump parts - you don't need to wash & sterilise every time, just rince & pop them in the fridge.

There are loads of useful things at:
www.expressyourselfmums.co.uk/

Good luck