So it looks like I can get the Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breast Pump Backpack
, which is very nice, since it turns out that my FSA does not cover breastfeeding equipment after all. I keep procrastinating, though, in part because I worry that she will backslide again, and in part because the baby fund is getting pretty low (more on that in another post) and I hate to deplete it. The second reason is completely irrational, as I need a breast pump, and it's not as though one is going to fall out of the sky and land on me for free if I procrastinate long enough. |
| I'm not sure what's "stylish" about this, actually. |
on the less favored breast. They aren't wild about it, and it's messy as all get out, but we're slowly getting the hang of this nursing thing over here.Now if I could just get my breasts under control. They have a tendency to ache all the time, and I leak like there is no tomorrow. When I get up in the morning, I leak so much that my breast milk literally splashes on my feet. Hopefully my hormones will get this stuff regulated out soon.
My mom thinks the problem may be over-pumping and over-feeding; I generally pump 10-12 oz a 15 min session, 3-5 times a day, in addition to nursing when I am awake. However, it's not as though this gives me a stash - Monkey and Football eat it ALL. They will sometimes eat as much as 8 oz each in one bottle session, and they usually nurse for at least 30 mins each. I am lucky if I have 20 oz in the fridge at any one time. We've never had breast milk last even 24 hours in the fridge at this point.
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
says that you should let your babies nurse whenever they like, for as long as they like. My mother says that I should think about putting them on a schedule so that (a) they won't make me totally crazy and (b) they won't overeat. They're my first babies so I haven't any real clue. Anyone have any experience with this?
I have 4 kids, and breasted 3 of them till they were anywhere from 1-2 yrs. Personally I absolutely cringe at the thought of putting a young breasted baby on a schedule... :( They know when they're hungry & breast milk is NOT like formula... It's easily digestible so it doesn't sit heavy in their little tummies. In & out, as you may be noticing. ;) I firmly believe that a breasted baby will not overeat, especially in the early months! They need to eat often because their stomachs are SOO small. You can't compare our hunger to a newborn baby. I *KNOW* breast feeding is a lot of work, it's tiring and you barely have time to pee, I can't imagine twins, but you're giving them an excellent start to life & this precious time will go much faster than you think, so enjoy it while it lasts. :)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Carla. (also 4 kids and long time nursing) It does get easier! Your body settles down and the baby (babies) will get it figured out too. In fact it was always a shock to me with a new one that we both had to learn over again, since as they grow they get stronger so that in the end you just stick your nipple in the right direction and they eat. I bet you'll get to the point where you'll be able to nurse both at the same time. Hopefully, you are also learning to nurse while lying down (pillow at the back is essential).
ReplyDeleteMama Martin
...So, I'm not a mom and should keep my mouth shut, but I have done a lot of free newborn babysitting for both a breast-milk baby and a formula baby. The first every week from one month old to a year old, the second every week from a month old to eight months, and I still care for him every Monday.
ReplyDeleteBoth sets of parents had VERY strong feelings about scheduling, and I try and respect that as much as possible. However, both sets of parents have had a horrible time with "teething." Both sets were driven to give their babies gum numbing goos, miniscule herbal sugar pills, and baby Tylenol to deal. The parents of the breast fed baby were absolutely amazed that I never resorted to these tactics. The only thing I did that they didn't was feed their babies off schedule and encourage fussy babies to sleep (another scheduled activity). Maybe I've planted the seeds of obesity in doing so, and I have witnessed first hand the benefits of scheduling...but I maintain that a sleepy fat baby is better than a screaming or medicated baby.