https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 18:11:52 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1113881 Thu, 26 Sep 2013 13:31:57 +0000 Adira 1113881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cheert16: You may have - I didn't check. Here's the link:</p> <p><a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boston-meetup-nov-24th" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/boston-meetup-nov-24th</a></p> <p>ETA: I know the old Boston Meetup thread was having issues with subscribers getting e-mails, so we made a new thread! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1113874 Thu, 26 Sep 2013 13:30:30 +0000 cheert16 1113874@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Ahhh- I don't even know about it! I thought I subscribed to the board!! off to find it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1113746 Thu, 26 Sep 2013 13:06:55 +0000 Adira 1113746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cheert16: YAY!!!!! I'm so happy to hear things are already better!!! It's sooooooo hard to go back to work and stress about how much milk you need each day, so I'm glad to hear things are getting better! I know for me, as soon as I have one good day of good production after not having great production, I'm able to actually RELAX and not stress as much about it and then the following days seem good too. I hope that your production continues to improve! :)</p> <p>And yes! Do you think you're going to go to the Meetup in November? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1113694 Thu, 26 Sep 2013 12:57:57 +0000 cheert16 1113694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: So I thought I would update you... I think things are getting better! The cookies and tea are helping. Making sure I relax while pumping, hitting the letdown button, and looking at pictures of LO are making it better as well. Also I think not stressing myself out about it is helping. Yesterday and today my pumping totals have been way higher. Already from my first pump today I have gotten over 7oz compared to only getting 3oz last week.<br /> Also I think my little mans growth spurt has been signaling my body to produce more milk too- I am hoping this will help him to go back to STTN!<br /> Just wanted to THANK YOU so much for all your help- I know that yesterday and today are only 2 days outta this journey of pumping at work- but I am feeling much better about it! You encouragement means a lot!! (also lets get together for a playdate/ coffee- I am in MA too!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1107895 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 13:32:02 +0000 Adira 1107895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cheert16: Phew! Hungry baby!!</p> <p>Okay, so I use kellymom for all my BFing issues. She has a calculator to determine how much milk your baby should need (assuming no growth spurt at the moment):</p> <p><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/" rel="nofollow">http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/</a></p> <p>Assuming that your baby eats about 8 times a day, the average per bottle that he would need is about 3.125oz per bottle. The high end is 3.75oz, so your 4oz really should be more than plenty.</p> <p>The 10-12 minutes per bottle sounds decent (certainly better than the 5 minutes it was taking my guy to suck down a bottle). Do you know if he's finishing it every time?</p> <p>As far as your night time goes, it's possible he just wants to eat a lot but doesn't actually need that much milk. Could your husband try giving him multiple bottles with only an ounce or two? That could stretch your evening bottles out so you may not need as much milk. If he was nursing from you, he wouldn't be able to get 4 oz per session if he nursed that often (I wouldn't think).</p> <p>Also, could you try doing 3.5 oz bottles for daycare instead? Maybe he doesn't really need 4 oz and that might help stretch out your supply a little bit. Maybe you could send smaller bottles (with extra, just in case) to experiment and if he seems happy with the smaller amount, continue doing that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1107742 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 12:51:10 +0000 cheert16 1107742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Not at all! I appreciate you taking interest to help me!!</p> <p>So, I am send 4 oz bottles to day care- he is there from 10am- 5/6 pm. I am sending 12 oz right now- 4, 4oz bottles. He normally drinks 3 of the 4. He eats around 11/11:30- 1:30/2- then around 4ish- if DH runs late- she gives him the 4th around 5:45/6ish. LO has a witching hour (he has had it since he was a newborn) from 5:30-7:00 where he eats a couple bottles- he is just super hungry then- even when I am home BFing- he eats about every 20 minutes during that time. Then DH gives him a bottle at 7ish, then 9pm. He has been trying to move his bedtime up - unsuccessfully.<br /> Also for the last week or two- LO has been up a couple times a night to eat as well. </p> <p>I have them burping him after every oz - and making him root for the bottle. He normally drink s it in about 10-12 minutes. </p> <p>On days that we nurse- I would say about 8-10 nursing sessions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1107626 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 12:18:58 +0000 Adira 1107626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cheert16: 24 ounces seems like a lot. How much is your LO drinking and how often? I realize you have longer days than most, so that might be where the difference is, but the general rule of thumb is that your baby needs 1-1.5 oz per hour, so in a 24-hour period, that's 24-36 oz TOTAL, so I'm wondering if maybe you are sending more than your LO actually needs? I would love some more details - how often, how much, how did you determine that amount, is your daycare/husband/whoever doing paced feedings, how long does it take your LO to finish a bottle, how many bottles + nursing sessions does your LO get a day?</p> <p>ETA: Feel free to ignore me, as well! I realize I ask a ton of questions and can be pushy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1107558 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 11:55:42 +0000 cheert16 1107558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I need about 24 ounces a day for daycare, then at night with my husband (that's not including the bag of frozen milk I have been taking out each day 3-4oz) I have been pumping about 15 ounces for the whole day- I normally pump at 12, 3, 6ish, 9 (in the car on the way home) and then I get up at 1amish and pump then too. I drop LO off at daycare at 9:30/10- but feed him the last time in the am at 8:30/9ish. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1107443 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 11:07:29 +0000 Adira 1107443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cheert16: How much did you end up pumping each day (average) and how much do you send to daycare? Could you possibly pump after each nursing session in the evening/weekends to make up the difference (if you want to try to avoid having to send formula)? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1107437 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 11:03:15 +0000 cheert16 1107437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I will start hitting the letdown button more- I will do that today. I am lucky in the fact that I only work 3 super long days and the rest are half days- so at least I have 2 half days of BFing and 2 full days a week. then pumping the other 3- hopefully my supply doesn't go down anymore! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1106835 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 07:17:26 +0000 Smurfette 1106835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cheert16: Don't feel let down. Formula isn't the devil. Have you tried Fenugreek, Mother Milk Tea? hang in there!! Pumping is tough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1106810 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 06:40:55 +0000 Adira 1106810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cheert16: I definitely agree with the suggestion to try to relax. I know some ladies need to look at pictures of their baby to get a letdown, so maybe try that. You could also try doing something distracting and see if that works. I usually read a book or watch TV while pumping - it helps pass the time and I get so relaxed that my body just does it's thing.</p> <p>Also, when the milk stops flowing, do you hit the letdown button on your PISA to help stimulate more milk? When I pump for 30 minutes, I usually have to hit that button 2-3 times to get everything out!</p> <p>The other thing you can try is pumping a little bit BEFORE you nurse when you're at home. Your baby will be better at getting the milk out of you than a pump is, so pumping some beforehand will allow you to add more to your stash. When I'm running low for the next day, I try to pump about an hour before I nurse Xander, but I limit it to about 10 minutes or so so that I don't empty myself.</p> <p>I'm sorry that pumping isn't going well for you, but try not worry! Even if you do end up supplementing, giving your a couple servings of BM (whether from bottle or nursing) gives almost the same benefits of EBF and he'll still be getting all those antibodies! Good luck to you!! &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1106667 Mon, 23 Sep 2013 22:32:45 +0000 cheert16 1106667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I am pumping for about 30 minutes (try to wait for a second let down) I have a Pisa. I just changed my membranes- so that shouldn't be it! I am not hand expressing at the end- I will add that. I am not sure when I would add a session.... I made lactation cookies today, eat oatmeal everyday for breakfast. I am not sure what supplements to take.</p> <p>@Ms.SK: thanks for the kind words. My LO is 5 months- I think my supply had regulated as I don't ever feel full and enforced anymore (even if its been awhile since I fed him or pumped) I am junking of calling my lc. I either think my supply is really getting low- or my LO is going through a growth spurt- he is up a few times a night to 1am, 3am,5am when he was previously sttn. I do have lots of pictures and videos I my phone, but always try to work when I pump- I am going to try and cut that out so I can just relax and think if my baby.<br /> @locavore_mama: I hope so. Last week was so disheartening.... </p> <p>I had to supplement with formula today.... I feel pretty down on myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1094059 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 07:15:48 +0000 regberadaisy 1094059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cheert16: It does take a while for your body to get use to pumping! Output will be better soon, I promise. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1094056 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 07:14:36 +0000 Ms.SK 1094056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The same thing happened to me on my first day back. I called my LC from my desk 3 hours into my day. She told me to call her in a week and to give myself a break. It was the best advice and I didn't need to call her back. You are not doing anything wrong! How old is your little one? Your supply could be regulating to what your baby needs and not relying so much on hormones. It is normal. I like to give the advice to make your mantra "I will make it to 6 months" you won't believe how a few words can change the outlook of the situation. All us HB ladies are here to help you make it work!<br /> A few things you can do to see if it helps you while pumping. First, don't pump so much! I am still nursing (EBF) my twins at 14 months. I pumped for 15 minutes every 3 hours. Second, have pictures of your baby around and look at them. Third, record some videos and watch them. Fourth, before you pump sit down, relax and close your eyes and visualize your baby.<br /> I used my pump time to do things baby related. I told my husband that everyone was wrong, breastfeeding was not free and I let loose on the Zulily app every day shopping for cute clothes for my kids. I looked at it like I was being "paid" for the dedication to BF. I also joined the kellymom facebook group. The women there are incredible.<br /> Good luck on Day 2 and let us know how you are doing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1094023 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 06:57:08 +0000 Adira 1094023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How long are you pumping for? What kind of pump do you have? Is it possible there might be something wrong with your pump? Do you hand express after you finish pumping to make sure that you're empty? Do you massage while pumping? Have you thought about adding a pumping session (I know, you're already pumping a ton, but adding a session can boost your supply) or taking supplements?</p> <p>But I agree with the others - the first day back and having to pump to provide for your baby can be stressful! Try to relax and not pay attention to how much you're pumping. I always read a book or watch TV while pumping and that really helps me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1094018 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 06:47:38 +0000 Smurfette 1094018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would give it more time. I know easier said then done, but try and not stress!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1094004 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 06:29:22 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1094004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think step 1 is to not stress because it was your first day back. You never know </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-1-not-so-good#post-1093925 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 02:45:10 +0000 cheert16 1093925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first day back to work was overall pretty good- except for the fact that I only pumped HALF of what I need for LO.... Not sure what I am doing wrong. Luckily I have a good freezer stash but at this rate that will be gone in 39 days.... </p> <p>I work 3 full days (10a-9p) and 2 half days (4p-8p and 8a- 12p)<br /> I pumped 5x yesterday (a long day) but only got a couple ounces during a couple sessions. I have been noticing my supply dropping a bit, I pump every night at 2am, and lately it's been getting less and less.</p> <p>My goal was I bf till 6 months then reevaluate - I would make it this way- but I kinda wanted to extend that goal! I thought I would hate BFing and I actually really enjoy it and that time with my LO. </p> <p>Any suggestions ladies? </p>