The mother of all entries
So I am so lazy about updating. I think of things to post and I forget them 10 seconds later. This is my attempt to document the “little things” that have gone on in the past month or so.
Pump, Pump, Pump it up…P U M P
My life revolves around the little motor in a bag. Starting with the new year, I decided to start pumping around every 2 hours at work. I never yield a lot at one pumping but it seemed like more often was better than the idea that it “stocked up” over time. I get maybe 2 ounces per pump…if I am lucky. I have tried everything I can read/hear/think of and it is what it is. My goal each day is to get at least 8 ounces. Also with this new shift, I changed to nursing LT right when he gets to school at 8. This added in a crucial BF session and limited me to only having to make 2 bottles per day! Hooray! On top of it all, I joined this awesome Yahoo group I heard about on a podcast one day(I know I am so techy someone should shoot me). This is a GIANT group of pumping moms. Hardcore pumping moms. There are people still pumping after 3 years! Holy moly you crazy people. Anyway, I had to provide an intro just to get in the group and I got all kinds of tidbits within the first day! First thing I realized is I needed to change my plan of attack at each session. This is also where accepting what I can do and moving on came into play. (WARNING: I am going to go into detail about this because no one ever talked about this aspect of feeding with detail and it is one thing I regret not knowing sooner). When I get a let down, the milk comes out incredibly hard and fast(that’s what she said) for about 2 minutes tops…on a good day. Then it dribbles and then nothing. People told me to keep pumping longer but it didn’t matter. I got nothing. But then I started reading people’s posts and different things that worked. So I now get that first burst and then turn the pump back down to stimulation and I usually get another let down in a few minutes. One a good session I can do this maybe 4 times. Then I can sometimes just turn it off for 10 minutes or so and start up again and get another. Now I am still not getting massives quanities but I know I will ALWAYS get 2 ounces at least each time. So with all the pumps I do, it works out. Here is my schedule if anyone cares:
8:00 – Feed LT at school
9:00 – Pump what was left from that feeding
11:00 – Pump
1:30 – Pump
3:30 – Pump (sometimes) – sometimes i call daycare and see what his afternoon is like and make the call
5:00 – get home and nurse
6:45 – Pump(sometimes)- Heck I am doing it now! Thanks Jodi!
8:230-9: Pump
So with all that, it seems like my supply is finally increasing. I can get about 10 ounces or more a day now. So is meaning only 4 ounces of formula for the day! Note: LT nurses fine on the weekends and doesn’t need extra feedings. So I think A) I don’t respond great to the pump and B)He loves bottles and overeats(more on that later).
Landon to join the cast of Ax-men
…because man does he do some “logging” now. The solid food is in full effect. Gone are the days of running baby poop…he is a big boy now. I will say it is easier to clean up even if it is stinky š
Sleepland
So about 2 weeks ago, something magical happened. All of a sudden, LT started sleeping 6:30-4:30, waking to eat, and back to sleep until we got him up for school at 7-7:15. It was the first consistent sleeping schedule we have ever seen. This went on for almost 2 weeks. MAGICAL. We were getting at least 6 hour stretches of sleep. Then that ended…and it wasn’t because we talked about it. We were keeping that shit on the down low. O well. It isn’t horrible…we are trudging forward.
Loving some Jack Jack
Landon sees Jack now….and he LOVES him. He watches him like a hawk and if he comes over to see him, he gets the biggest grin and sometimes squeals. Now we just have to get Jack to slow down and come around more.
Leaning tower of baby
We are working hard on sitting up. He can stay up pretty well but then starts slumping over in half.
Well that is all for now. There is probably more but I am too ditzy and sleep deprived to remember more than that.
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Sounds like you are finding a way that works for you. It's so true – no two experiences are the same – even for the same mum! Good on you for sticking with this…
Thanks for the support!