[Magic_Mikki]

Hello to all in the BF forum! I haven't spent much time in here, but I plan to breastfeed this baby a lot longer and more exclusively than I did with Alex. I only breastfed her for the first six weeks of her life. Doc said something in my milk was what was upsetting her stomach, so we switched to a certain kind of formula. (Turns out there was nothing wrong with my milk! Long story.) Anyway, I felt guilty the first time around, like I didn't give it my all. Sooooo this time, I'm giving it my all!

I feel like if I have all the right stuff at hand right off the bat, then we are more likely to succeed. We are taking breastfeeding classes before baby arrives, and are also have a lactation consultant come to our house about a week after he arrives.

I pumped a lot with Alex (a lot in the first six weeks, at least! And a lot after she stopped BF because my boobs hurt so bad! What a waste of boob milk!). We had used an expensive electric pump that we borrowed from a friend, but she had another babe recently so now we have to get our own! Boo. Did anyone rent one from the hospital?? I heard you can do that, but haven't looked into it yet. I just don't want to purchase a pump because they are so expensive. Any ideas??

Also, does anyone have any other advice that will help me succeed? I'm pretty motivated, but I don't want to get frustrated and give up! I worry that sore boobs will take me down (I CRIED for the first week with Alex!!), and I worry that the pump will be too expensive (I'm sure I'll need it.. I know better than to assume I can do exclusively breast), and I worry that in the middle of the night it will just be easier to tell DH to use formula so I can sleep through a feeding (however I have a strict NO FORMULA in the house policy for at first!)

Sorry for the long post! Hope to get some advice!

[twinzplus3]

Wow dear. Have you seen the breastfeeding index? It's a list of almost everything that's been written on breastfeeding on this site or at least in the baby blog.

I'm not sure why you think you have to pump and 'can't' breastfeed exclusively. If you're going back to work right away then of course you'll pump but I'd strongly and highly recommend not pumping after the birth of your baby. You shouldn't pump at all until your milk is well established. . .generally that's six to eight weeks.

As far as the pain. . .that's your cue that something is wrong. Breastfeeding is not supposed to be painful and if it is. . .then you need to change something. Most pain is caused by improper latch. If you're referring to engorgement. . .the best way to relieve engorgement is to nurse the baby or hand express. I can talk more about why I really recommend you not pump if you have more questions.

But yes, if you absolutely feel like you must pump or you'll simply die. . .rent one from the hospital. That will do the least damage to you and your breastfeeding relationship over all.

If you're paying the LC (as opposed to one that the hospital provides) you need an IBCLC. It makes a big difference.

Regarding Dr.'s advice. . .many doctors I'm sad to say are pretty ignorant when it comes to bfing. My advice to you is to think whenever you get advice from a doctor: "If this were true. . .could the human species survive?" So if there was something wrong with your milk, and this was a common problem--could the human species survive? Of course not. It is extremely, EXTREMELY rare that an infant cannot take his mother's milk bc that's what he was designed to do. In those rare cases, there is so much wrong with the baby. . .that's it's really not a shock. And by the way. . .it's not the mother's milk that has the problem in those cases. . .it's always something that's wrong with the baby. So you can't have a moderately healthy baby who can't take breast milk. Does that make sense?

Hope that has helped some. I know other ladies on here will jump in but if you have any questions feel free to contanct me either through the forums or via pm.

[DK615617]

Good for you!!!!!! Your baby will benefit from your decision.
My only advice is to listen to Val, don't pump right away.
And if you are having pain make sure your little baracuda is latched properly, it is amazing how painfull an improper latch can be!!!!! Yikes-----it hurts just remembering!
I wouldn't supplement at all, but that is just me, you do what you think is right for you. I thought that it was going to be hard to exclusively bf, but honestly it is way way easier. Think about it this way, all of the benefits aside.......
If you exclusivley bf, and don't use any formula....you have no bottles to sterilize!!!! Yeah!!! That is enough for my lazy self to do no formula! I hate dishes, and a million baby bottles is a nightmare to me. Also bm is always with you, always the right temp., and you never have to add water! I am way to lazy to formula feed.
Anyway, I have been reading a lot about allergies, due to my neice and lately they have been saying that exclusively bf babies tend to have less allergies than babies that have had formula. ( I know in the case of cow's milk protein allergy, that introducing formula is "supposed" to increase the risk) I don't know how true that is, but that is what I have read in several different places.
In the end it is your decision.....I am not trying to make it for you. Just pointing out a few reasons other than the typical "bm is better" angle.
( I guess bottom line is I am lazy and formula was going to be too much work)

[KR258]

I agree bf is way easier than formula and its easier to not pump....so I wouldn't pump unless you have to. Pumping in my opinion is twice the work. Good Luck!!!!

[twinzplus3]

It's not only twice the work--when moms do it before the milk is established it frequently decreases their production. I know. . .I know. . .I've said this 10,000 times. I just hate to see moms sitting around wondering why they're not making enough milk. . .so they keep pumping. . .only to see their supply dwindle.

Likewise supplementing can also hurt your supply on several fronts. Anyhow, I second the lazy thing--I seriously don't need any more dishes!

[DK615617]

Val, I know you are right as far as the do not pump for at least 6 weeks, but I am having trouble understanding it........
( I know you are right, I am not questioning that)
In my crazy head, I hear that and I say ok, but then this nagging voice in the back of my head says, well, if you bf on demand and pump in between wouldn't you end up producing more than you need??? Wouldn't you trick your body into thinking that you have twins????
I know, stupid question, I just can't seem to understand.
Is it cuz pumping isn't as effective as the baby?

[twinzplus3]

Well first of all, you're allowed to question whether or not I'm right. It doesn't bother me at all. Second of all, you're right on both counts. And with that I'll leave you wondering because I have to go pick up my older children.

[KR258]

I would think.......its cause your making your body think you have one lazy baby who isn't thirsty so pumping would become more difficult....and eventually you'd be producing less and less if you keep pumping. Not really sure if i make sense but I understand myself

[ruthann8]

I HATE pumping! I do it twice a day 5 days a week when I'm at work. It SUCKS. Then I get home and have to wash and sterilize the bottles and breast pump parts! And Ellamae hates the bottle anyway!

But anyway if you need a pump call your insurance company. At first they said yes than no, so we asked the medical supply company. We had to get a prescription for one from the doctor and then the medical supply company did all the paperwork for us. It didn't cost us a dime, b/c we waited until after the baby was born and we had met our deductible and max out of pocket expense. Renting will probably cost more than purchasing one. They go for 30-40$ a month plus about a 80-120$ startup fee for all the parts.

Good Luck!

[Magic_Mikki]

Thanks for all the advice, ladies!

I don't HAVE to pump. I did pump right away with my first for a couple of reasons (that now I see were NOT worth it! LoL!) It was Christmas time and I didn't want to keep disappearing. Also, if I pumped, then DH could get up with her every now and then, too. I really didn't know all the facts about pumping, like how it can decrease milk supply! I don't know how that would happen, but I totally believe it because, like I said, I started pumping right away (within a few days), and it really seemed like I wasn't making enough milk! The hospital actually gave me a cheapo hand-held pump to use right away to help with engorgement. I really like it because it was a relief when it wasn't feeding time, (and also on the road!), but I wish I would have known the bad things that were going on!

Also, Ruthann, you are so helpful with the pump! I never knew I could contact my insurance company about it. So when I call, I just ask if it would be covered to Purchase a pump, right? Not to rent one from the hospital? (I would MUCH rather purchase, anyway!) I didn't know it would cost so much to rent one! It makes me wonder what the point is of renting one, then! Also, if my insurance company says no, how would I get in contact with the medical supply company? (And this may be a silly question, but who are they, anyway?)

Thanks again for the advice, everyone!