Hellobee Boards

Login/Register

Pumping Moms Chat

  1. T.H.O.U.

    wonderful clementine / 24134 posts

    Tip that works for me -

    To keep my pump parts together I was using Gallon size zip lock bags. But if you put the stuff in there wet it stayed wet and overtime milk dripped on the bags etc.

    Then I found these reusable vegetable net bags. They are amazing.

    I can put my pump parts in there damp from the dishwasher and they air dry! Then at work I keep that in the fridge. When it gets any milk on them, we rinse the bag itself through some water at the sink and it comes clean!

    http://www.target.com/p/natural-home-veggie-bags/-/A-13509054

  2. agold

    grapefruit / 4045 posts

    @mfa_lady: @meadow: @Smurfette: Thank you for sharing all your thoughts on leaving the pump at work. I love hearing what other girls do. I think I will leave the motor thing, power cord, tubing and some pump wipes at work. And then transport the parts that need to be washed back and forth. I didn't know exactly what to do with the milk bags. I will store them in the work fridge today.

    @mamabolt: I will order one of those sarah wells bags today! How do you transport both of those bags to and from work? Do you put them in your large work tote? The one thing I'm excited about with leaving a pump at work is that i don't need to take the second pump bag. But I'm finding that I still have a little bit of extra stuff I need to transport. I crammed it all into my work tote today but I didn't bring an ice pack. I will put milk bags into the communal fridge.

  3. agold

    grapefruit / 4045 posts

    @snowjewelz: Did you make eye contact with either the son or the custodial worker???? I'm dying laughing and I feel your pain. That's so awkward!

    @kayla0416: it must be amazing to only have to pump once a day!

  4. snowjewelz

    wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts

    @agold: Yes! I mean any time someone walked in it's more awkward for them than for me haha. With the cusdotial worker I just forgot to lock the door so I was like no don't be sorry! With the CEO's wife's son, he asked me in a not very nice tone what I was doing in his mom's office (understandably I guess, I was also eating lunch). And I just said "Oh the front desk said I could use this room" but I'm not sure if he knew I was pumping? He just walked out haha.

  5. Mrs. Toad

    persimmon / 1095 posts

    How long have you been pumping? few weeks, building up a stash.

    For LO #...2

    EP-er or WOH? WOH, still on maternity leave.

    What pump do you use? Freemie Freedom at home. I have a Medela Freestyle for travel. Work has Medela Symphonies which I will use upon return to work.

    How's pumping going? Great, but I have a bit of an oversupply. I have about 60 ozs in the freezer.

    What's your goal? A year, we will see how it goes when I return to work.

  6. Mrs. Toad

    persimmon / 1095 posts

    I leave all pump supplies at work, but the building was designed and built within the past 10 years. There is a dedicated lactation room with sink and refrigerator. It is even opened with an ID card, so only those who need it can open the door. I will only be carrying milk and empty bottles.

  7. snowjewelz

    wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts

    @Mrs. Toad: wow that's awesome!

  8. IRunForFun

    pomelo / 5509 posts

    @Mrs. Toad: Thread crashing. How do you like the Freemie Freedom? I have the Medela PISS but really like the concept of the Freemie one so was considering it.

  9. sauerkraut

    cherry / 196 posts

    How long have you been pumping? 9 months - I started on mat leave to build a supply and have been pumping at work since September

    For LO #... 1

    EP-er or WOH? WOH

    What pump do you use? Medela PISA at home, Medela Lactina (supplied by my employer) at work

    How's pumping going? Sooo tired of it. When I first went back to work, it made me so sad to be away from my LO. Now I just want the work time back.

    What's your goal? Pump until she's 1 year, then nurse only when I'm home and ditch the pumping. My supply is dropping already, though. I just had a 9 month check up, and her doctor isn't concerned, but I may need to supplement a bit with formula if I run through my frozen supply and she's wanting more milk during the day than I'm able to pump.

  10. snowjewelz

    wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts

    @sauerkraut: You are almost there! I was full onto formula at 9 months with DD1.. Totally dried out

  11. sauerkraut

    cherry / 196 posts

    @snowjewelz: I'm gonna stick with it! LO's still nursing at night quite a bit, and I'm thinking if I want to get away from that and get my sleep back I'm going to need to give bigger bottles during the day. I hope I'm able to pump at least a little for the next 3 months, but if that doesn't cut it, a little supplemental formula may be in store. Nursing went really well for me for the first 6 months, so I was surprised when my pumping sessions started to be so much less productive. I'll admit to little pangs of jealousy when I see someone walking out of the pump room at work with 8 or 10 ounces of milk - it takes me all day and multiple sessions to pump that much.

  12. agold

    grapefruit / 4045 posts

    @snowjewelz: @sauerkraut: IT makes me so sad to hear about supply dropping. Did your supplies drop even though you were still pumping and nursing full time?

  13. snowjewelz

    wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts

    @agold: My suppler wasn't great and since I was a FTM and WOH I was too stressed out to pump like crazy to build it up. I know for sure it's because of work messing up some pumps days that did it! Even if I pumped to make it up for it at night it was just tanking! And my let down took longer then too, so I really couldn't be spending 40 min pumping 3x each day!

  14. snowjewelz

    wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts

    @sauerkraut: Yeah towards the end I was debating all the time if the little amount of milk was worth still pumping for. I am surprised your supply is hit if you're still nursing at night! Mine had night weaned herself by then so that didn't help!

  15. agold

    grapefruit / 4045 posts

    @snowjewelz: I worry about my supply going down. I think my let down is starting to take a little longer, too. I'm nursing my baby an embarrassing amount of times during the night, though. So I really hope I keep things going for us as through a year. I really do not want to have to supplement.

  16. Mrs. Toad

    persimmon / 1095 posts

    @IRunForFun: The cups are nice. However, the pump is electric only and I have no idea how to hook it up to a battery if necessary. It is also a big pump. I have no trouble pumping, but it is still the early days when I have a huge supply.

  17. Miss Ariel

    nectarine / 2210 posts

    How long have you been pumping: since I went back to work in January but occasionally while on maternity leave.

    For lo#2

    Who

    What pump do you use: Medela Pisa

    How's pumping going? Ok. Since ds's 4 month appointment when we found out he was in the 0%ile I've been increasing his ounces and I'm normally an ounce-ish short each day. But with pumping on the weekend and what's in the freezer I've been making it work.

    What's your goal: not buy formula and continue to nurse in the morning and night as long as he's willing.

  18. mamabolt

    nectarine / 2797 posts

    How long have you been pumping? 8.5 months with this LO (since I went back to work)
    For LO #...2
    EP-er or WOH? WOH
    What pump do you use? I have two Medela PISA - one from LO1 and free insurance one from LO2
    How's pumping going? great! I'm so ready to be done though, am working to stop in the next few weeks and am down to only one session in the mid-afternoon. LO is 11.5 months and I have plenty in the freezer to use to probably 13-14 months.
    What's your goal? A year pumping and then continue to nurse AM/PM/weekends. LO1 nursed until her 3rd birthday and my supply held up so I am hopeful I can continue similarly with LO2.

  19. mamabolt

    nectarine / 2797 posts

    @agold: I carry a backpack for work with laptop and gym clothes and then an additional tote bag most days with pump stuff, snacks, water bottle, etc. Although some days I just carry the pump stuff around my wrist since both bags have small straps and it's only being toted to/from car. I'm also lucky to WFH 3 days a week so I don't have to pack up anything those days.

  20. snowjewelz

    wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts

    @agold: I'm rooting for you!!

    @Miss Ariel: Working hard for your sweet boy

    @mamabolt: Wow that is awesome that you nursed till 3 with your first! And horray for finishing up soon!

  21. sauerkraut

    cherry / 196 posts

    @snowjewelz: looking back, both she and I got hit with this month long flu/cold thing right after she turned 6 months. Her appetite was down, I was sick, and I think that's when I started to notice my supply dropping, and it never really bounced back. I'd love her to be night weaned, but at this point, I feel like she's getting about 50% of her milk at night, and I'm not producing enough during the day to make up for it, so I'm stuck with the night nursing or supplementing with formula. She has been, and continues to be, great at eating solid food, though. I'm wondering if I can hold out a little longer and be more focused on a balanced and nutritious diet, if she'll be able to transition into getting a good portion of her nutrition from real food over the next few months.

  22. Mrs. Toad

    persimmon / 1095 posts

    @sauerkraut: When we ran out of the frozen supply at 11 months, we switched to whole milk, and only nursed when together. Hopefully, you can get to this point.

  23. sauerkraut

    cherry / 196 posts

    @agold: I was nursing and pumping full time, not sure if I could have done anything differently. My baby is A-ok, though, and I know she'll be just fine if she does end up needing a little formula in the next few months. It definitely wasn't my plan, but what's most important to me is that she stays happy and healthy.

  24. sauerkraut

    cherry / 196 posts

    @mrs. toad: I'd consider that a pretty good outcome in my situation. Glad to hear it worked well for someone else!

  25. snowjewelz

    wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts

    If anyone made it this far... Anyone got a slacker boob? My left is the slacker (I'm pretty sure it was with DD1 also). But it's horrible this morning! 2 oz from left and 5 oz from right... Like... really?!

  26. kayla0416

    apricot / 275 posts

    @snowjewelz: YES. Funny, I call it slacker boob too! Mine is also my left. At best, it's only about a half ounce lower, at worst, lefty puts out less than half of what righty produces.

  27. Pumpkin Pie

    persimmon / 1431 posts

    LO2 just started daycare, so I am pumping during the day and nursing mornings, evenings and overnight.

    I hate pumping. I want to be over it already!
    I'm still on leave, but will be WOH.
    Hoping to make it to 1 year.
    I pump before bed for comfort and for a little extra stash.

  28. Dr. Pepper

    apricot / 461 posts

    How long have you been pumping? 9 months (since June 2016)
    For LO # 2
    EP-er or WOH? EP-er (neither of my boys liked their breastmilk from the source- I blame them both having lip and tounge ties)
    What pump do you use? Spectra S1 (its amazing). I also have a Hygeia Enjoye from my last baby
    How's pumping going? I'm down to pumping only 3 times per day and I have less than 2 months left to go. I can't wait to be done.
    What's your goal? I will pump until 11 months. Then baby will finish out my freezer stash (over 1,000 oz) and convert over to whole milk. We leave for a trip the week he turns one and I want to make sure he is doing good on whole milk by then. I am NOT bringing my pump on this trip.

    My lefty makes twice as much as my righty. Always has. Odd fact- most people make more from their right breast, so I guess I'm strange.

  29. Pumpkin Pie

    persimmon / 1431 posts

    @Dr. Pepper: Where do you store the 1,000 oz?!?!

  30. TapDancer

    cherry / 246 posts

    Great thread!

    How long have you been pumping? I pumped regularly while on maternity leave (have a big stash) and now I'm on my second week back at work....so 4.5 months total.

    For LO: #1

    EP-er or WOH? WOH

    What pump do you use? Work provides hospital-grade Medela Symphony pumps in each Mother's Room (I use a Medela PISA at home). It's really nice and means I don't have to lug much back and forth.

    How's pumping going? I'm pumping 3x a day and so far I'm producing enough for the next day bottles (that said, I live in fear of my supply dropping at any minute!). I actually hated pumping a lot more when I was home on leave. Now that I'm at work, I welcome the short breaks and a chance to do something for my LO from afar. I'm sure that will chance as time slogs on!

    What's your goal? Really want to have enough milk for a year.

  31. snowjewelz

    wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts

    @Dr. Pepper: Almost there!! You make me feel better than 1 side makes waaaay more too! But it's weird; both my girls never seemed dissatisfied with the slacker boob

    @TapDancer: So nice that works puts a nice pump in every room (and the fact that you have multiple rooms!)

  32. Amorini

    persimmon / 1132 posts

    @snowjewelz: About your comment about getting walked in on and making a note for then door, I was visiting one of my company's satellite offices. The admin was one of few women and was subtle about giving me an empty office to pump in. It didn't have a lock but it's all she had for a space. She made a sign for the door that said "private meeting." And then she spaced out I guess and walked in on me! Due to not having a lock, I positioned my back near the door and instinctively rolled my chair back HARD to close the door. She screamed and we both laughed...and things weren't so subtle anymore!

  33. snowjewelz

    wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts

    @Amorini: lol so funny considering she was the one that offered you the space and made the sign!

  34. Dr. Pepper

    apricot / 461 posts

    @Pumpkin Pie: I have an upright deep freeze in my garage. I freeze 4 oz bags flat. Then line them up into sterilite boxes. Each box fits about 25 bags (100 oz). I label the outside of the boxes with the dates of the bags, quantity of bags, and box number. Then just stack them all up. I think I have 10 boxes in my freezer and I have 3 more at my parents house because it turns out my husband actually wanted to use our freezer for food too I guess





  35. avivoca

    watermelon / 14467 posts

    How long have you been pumping? 5.5 months (basically since birth)
    For LO #... 2
    EP-er or WOH? WOH
    What pump do you use? Spectra S2 with Ameda parts
    How's pumping going? Eh. I started with a great oversupply but just like last time, it's starting to dip now that A is 5.5 months old. I anticipate that my period is coming (it returned with a vengance 6 months to the day from giving birth). Trying to drink lots of water and eat lots of food to keep it up. A drinks a lot more than H did so I'm having to send 16 ounces to daycare instead of just 12.
    What's your goal? Pump until a year, day wean, and then nurse until she's done.

  36. catlady

    grapefruit / 4988 posts

    Hi Ladies! I will jump in here.

    How long have you been pumping? 2.5 weeks back at work (pumped a little bit over maternity leave)

    For LO #...2

    EP-er or WOH? WOH

    What pump do you use? Spectra (S2 at work, S1 at home)

    How's pumping going? Great so far. It is MUCH easier the second time around, just in terms of logistics and such. Plus I like my Spectra more than PISA (which is what I started with last time). So far supply has been fine, so hopefully can keep it up awhile.

    What's your goal? My ultimate goal is to get to 12 months but right now my "mini" goal is to get to 6 months (then 9, then 12).

    I also BFed and pumped for LO1 and we made it to 12 months without supplementing but just barely. I had to rent a Symphony for the last 4 months and pump extra at night sometimes. LO1 was a terrible sleeper and nursed at night until 10 months (LO2 has already STTN a couple times). So I don't know if we'll make it to 12 months this time around but I've promised myself to not get so crazy about it and to at least consider supplementing if I have to when my supply drops (last time, it dropped around 7 months and after that, I felt like I was always stressed about it).

    @Dr. Pepper: Your stash (and organization) is amazing!

  37. sauerkraut

    cherry / 196 posts

    @dr. pepper: I'm wildly jealous of you right now. Way to go!!!

  38. ReadItMama

    coffee bean / 44 posts

    How long have you been pumping? 9 mths

    For LO #2

    EP-er or WOH? EP & WOH

    What pump do you use? PISA

    How's pumping going? Good, down to pumping twice/day

    What's your goal? Breast milk till 1 yr. Should be able to wind down pumping beginning of June. Like @Dr. Pepper we have a summer trip at end of June so I will definitely be pump-free by then!! Have a large chest freezer of milk (DH keeps track of inventory-could not do the EP thing without his support:) Because I was so focused on establishing a supply that would get us through one year I had an over-supply, we donated many oz to a local milk bank (donated with our first when I was direct-feeding/pumping at work so we knew the process). Miss some of the conveniences of breastfeeding, but bonding has been great and because I EP DH has been doing a lot of feedings so they developed their own special rapport early on.

  39. snowjewelz

    wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts

    @Dr. Pepper: Amazing~ I really need better organization too... I didn't have much of a stash w/ DD1 but have more this time!

    @avivoca: Ugh that's why I dipped too and had to supplement by 6 months, but period didn't come back till 9 months when I completely dried up. I hope your period will hold off!

    @catlady: I so wish I can try the Spectra! I just got another PISA this time. I was upset that I had to supplement by 6 months last time, but DD1 also wasn't STTN and I was just too tired to stay up extra to pump, etc. I think I am actually harder on myself this time b/c I "know" better!

    @ReadItMama: So great of you to donate your extra milk

  40. Pumpkin Pie

    persimmon / 1431 posts

    @Dr. Pepper: that's ammmmmaaaazing!

    Quick question: has anyone been able to successfully bring their supply up after it went down? Is it just a myth that that can actually be done?

Reply »

You must login / Register to post

© copyright 2011-2014 Hellobee