https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 04 May 2026 08:00:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484988 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 19:28:10 +0000 artsyfartsy 1484988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all for the encouragement!! ^_^</p> <p>Feeling a little better now. It was just a rough day!<br /> LO took the bottle extremely well by the way! I was glad and sad. Haha. He still needed to nurse for quite a bit afterwards to get full so I'm not sure exactly how much he needs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484944 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 19:12:42 +0000 Adira 1484944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: It sounds like you got a lot of good advice and had some luck pumping! I just wanted to pop in and say that I also had to go down to the 21mm flanges and still feel like a decent amount of my aerola is sucked in. But I've gotten used to it so it doesn't really hurt anymore. Good luck to you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484840 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 18:31:58 +0000 babypugs 1484840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A lot of pumping really is just experimentation. I have TINY nipples, but the regular and small flanges hurt really badly and on a whim I tried the large. Basically, it looked the opposite of the"ideal"picture and sucked in my ENTIRE areola, but I found that it was by far the most comfortable and how I got the most milk. Totally crazy, but maybe worth a shot? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484813 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 18:16:02 +0000 lawbee11 1484813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: 3 oz is awesome!! It took weeks for me to feel comfortable pumping and like I knew what I was doing. But the more you do it, the easier it'll get. I got way less than 3oz the first time I pumped! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484775 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 17:57:46 +0000 artsyfartsy 1484775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tysonja: I figured I would want to try the manual so I would have more control since it was my first time. The thought of the electric was scary. Lol. Little did I know! It was much better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484771 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 17:56:21 +0000 tysonja 1484771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>keep using the electric! :) you're doing a great job, mama! :)</p> <p>for some women the manual vs. electric is like day and night :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484763 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 17:53:19 +0000 artsyfartsy 1484763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got exactly 3oz from my right side! I tried pumping both but I had just nursed on my left and hardly anything came out and then it stopped so I turned that side off. I also did not press the let down button at the right time and didn't realize it until I did some googling when I was done. Whomp whomp. Noob alert. Lol</p> <p>But I'm feeling pretty good about it. DH's going to try and give LO the bottle at his next feeding, which is as soon as he wakes up. I'm nervous. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484760 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 17:50:25 +0000 singingbee 1484760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: hang in there! I know it's all so overwhelming when you are dealing with all this new stuff. One thing I'd recommend is a my Brest friend nursing pillow. I have large breasts and have to support one in order to feed lo. However with that pillow it's so much easier and I don't have to worry about it. It definitely makes feeding a lot easier for me. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484747 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 17:40:00 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 1484747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: I'm glad that the electric felt better. I just wanted you to know that everything you're feeling (nervous, scared, etc) is SUPER TYPICAL! Try not to put too much pressure on yourself. I think I pumped 3x on my 3 month maternity leave and I was able to pump at work until F was 12 months old. </p> <p>It'll all be okay. Does your hospital or some place have a nursing support group? My hospital had one weekly for free. I didn't have "issues" but I went for the reassurance and it made me much more confident! Keep on keeping on, girl. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484734 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 17:32:32 +0000 artsyfartsy 1484734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tried the electric and it was much better. No pain. Need some practice. I'm just afraid of doing something to screw up my supply. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484696 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 17:08:16 +0000 Emsmems 1484696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try it with the electric for sure. Usually your nipples get bigger after a few minutes of pumping, so my flanges seemed big at first but are actually good (I use 24s) after a few minutes. I also suggest seeing an LC to help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484656 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 16:51:46 +0000 BabyMats 1484656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: I use the 21s with a double electric medala pump. It was so confusing and overwhelming that I waited till G was a month. It will get easier. I don't even know how to explain any better than anyone else here has. Just sending a hug and support </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484569 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 16:04:19 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1484569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: The electric may be a better place to start because it may have a pulse to start stimulation and then after 2 minutes go down to a more regular pace. Start at a slow level (my medela was 1-10 and I started around a 3/4). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484567 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 16:03:18 +0000 artsyfartsy 1484567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will keep trying it. I'm pretty sure I need the 21s. If not, I still have the 24s. It's hard to start doing something as daunting as pumping when you have no idea where or how to start. Lol. </p> <p>I may try my electric pump later just to see how it goes too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484501 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:37:04 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1484501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: FYI, I thought mine looked like the last picture, but I had a LC check it and she said it was fine. She said like 90% of people are fine with the normal size and the rest of people are fine with going a bit up or down. </p> <p>Pumping isn't comfortable. Like BFing it will take a while to get used. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484471 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:21:32 +0000 kiddosc 1484471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: I think seeing the LC will be great, if only to give you a little peace of mind. I just wanted to let you know that I went back to work at 8 wks pp, so I only got to BF a few times a day and pumped the rest of the time... and it wasn't until E was like 6 months old that I felt comfortable not using the boppy. You're only 2.5 weeks in, I wouldn't worry too much about not being a pro, you and LO are still figuring it all out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484443 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:09:52 +0000 MrsF 1484443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: oh hon. I promise you I had so many days like that. Everyone expects you to be so happy and I'm sure you are but it is SO hard. Things will get better but those newborn days are tough. Call the nurse when you're having a good moment and if you cry, you cry. They've heard it ALL. I think getting some help from an LC would really help, even if taking the first step isn't easy. </p> <p>Hugs :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484412 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:01:52 +0000 artsyfartsy 1484412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsF: Not yet. Our nurse that saw us everytime at all of my OB check ups is a LC. DH wants me to call and see if I can set up an appointment with her. I'll probably call tomorrow. I've kind of had a tough mommy day today and I will probably burst into tears over the phone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484407 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:00:58 +0000 pelikila 1484407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always had to put a little EMAB nipple butter or Motherlove nipple cream on prior to pumping or the pump would pull my skin and it would hurt. I've also heard of others using just regular EVOO to help if you don't have any EMAB or Motherlove creams. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484406 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:00:52 +0000 Cara M. 17 1484406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@junebugmama: Yes, I didn't think of it that way :) I had the opposite problem! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484402 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:59:56 +0000 avivoca 1484402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: My nips always hurt worse when I use the manual pump. Always. I also have small nipples, and the standard (25 mm flange) or the M flange (30 mm with a 28.5 mm insert) fit me the best. Some areola is normal. Starting pumping early is good I think, especially for building a freezer stash. What I did that early was pump whichever side she wasn't feeding on. I'm so glad I have my stash now, because I'm able to continue to EBF despite being on a medication where I can't feed for two sessions and have to pump and dump. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484401 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:59:22 +0000 MrsF 1484401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: Have you seen an LC? It really was SO helpful for me with nursing, pumping and generally having some support. I went to a BF support group run by an LC at the hospital that I delivered at. I know that LC also takes appointments at the hospital, but there are lots who work privately as well. I had so many questions at this stage and that was a great resource. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484400 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:58:34 +0000 junebugmama 1484400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I could see why it's laughable. I've seen so many breasts it's bananas! </p> <p>@Danizaur: I would really suggest that you get fitted by a LC. The size of the nipple and areola are certainly not always in line with breast size, but having a size 21 shield on a large breast just doesn't seem logical. You may need a soft flange rather than a hard flange in order to give you some flex if your breast is large and nipple super small. </p> <p>@Cara M. 17: if you rub against the side it could mean that it's too large as well, because it's pulling in too much of your breast. So it can go either way </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484398 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:57:43 +0000 Foodnerd81 1484398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: I wonder if the double electric would be easier, actually. Maybe try starting with just one (put the little stopper in the other side) so you can adjust the suction and the flange placement? </p> <p>As far as supply, it's not fun but the cluster nursing in the evening is supposed to really help establish your supply, so you have that going for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484380 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:50:00 +0000 artsyfartsy 1484380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I'm not sure of the specifics but I have a manual Medela pump which is what I tried first and a double electric pump which I haven't tried yet. </p> <p>I really don't want to be starting pumping this early. I want to just nurse my LO for forever but I will be relying on mostly pumping when I go back to work so I really want to make sure I've got it down. I'm terrified of losing my supply. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484378 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:49:16 +0000 Cara M. 17 1484378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: like others have said, some areola is normal. Is your nipple itself rubbing against the sides? If so, I would say you should actually go up a size. Are you using lanolin? I have found that putting some on before pumping makes it so much more comfortable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484377 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:48:44 +0000 mrskc 1484377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is any of your nipple dragging on the side? Because some areola pulling into the flange is ok. You should have space all around your nipple so it isn't dragging. </p> <p>Does it hurt the whole time? Can you turn down the suction? Mine would hurt a little bit at first but once it got going the pain went away. Even then the pain was minimal. </p> <p>Also you can use some nipple cream to see if that helps. I used to slather on Earth mama angel baby nipple cream on before pumping. Maybe try seeing a LC consultant if it continues to hurt. </p> <p>As an aside. I had the absolute hardest time with positioning my baby at first. For the first few weeks I had to sit in the glider with the boppy on my lap. I couldn't figure it out any other way. The more head control they get, the easier it will get and with more practice too. I don't think I got comfortable with positioning until he was like 3 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484374 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:47:32 +0000 Foodnerd81 1484374@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: What pump do you have? Most of the Medela ones are adjustable so I would turn the suction down to start. Like others said, it's normal to not get a lot out at first. </p> <p>I don't pump often so I don't have a lot of advice. But, I think 2 1/2 weeks is still really early and you are still getting the hang of breastfeeding. If pumping is causing you a lot of stress, maybe you could wait another week and try again? I just know at 2 1/2 weeks EVERYTHING overwhelmed me, my boobs were so sore, I felt so tapped out, literally, and trying to fit pumping in too just made it worse. But I wasn't going back to work, so I do understand you want to have a stash ahead of time.</p> <p>@junebugmama: I've seen lots of sets of breasts at this point, and have never had anyone need a 21.<br /> I had to laugh at that comment, even though it makes sense :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484355 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:41:03 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 1484355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: I had to use the 21mm shields, but pumping still hurt for the first couple of months. I think part of it was that I was using the nipple shields when nursing DD, so they never got used to abuse (so to speak ;-) ). I found I had to put the pump on the absolute lowest speed for the first few min, and then *slowly* increase the speed in order to not hurt. I also found that putting some lanolin on the nipples before pumping made a big difference. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing#post-1484348 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:38:36 +0000 mamimami 1484348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First of all I LOVE the picture hahaha, have to figure out when I can reuse it.</p> <p>Second of all I think I will say go ahead and try and make it work with what you have. I think I probably didn't have the absolutely correct size flange and I pumped for TWO YEARS like that (one year each for two kids, 3 times a day every weekday at work!) and it was really fine.</p> <p>It shouldn't be painful but uncomfortable yes, like @Mamaof2: said. Maybe turn down the suction until it's minimally tolerable? And don't freak out if you don't get much at first. You have time to perfect your setup. </p>