https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:11:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/5#post-2726116 Wed, 19 Apr 2017 08:19:05 +0000 snowjewelz 2726116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: That's great how it worked out! </p> <p>@MrsSCB: Boo! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/5#post-2726080 Wed, 19 Apr 2017 07:10:13 +0000 MrsSCB 2726080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: I tried duckbill valves and didn't notice much of a difference in output :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/5#post-2726059 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 23:10:52 +0000 Miss Ariel 2726059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marley: Ds goes through 18 ounces while I'm at work. 4.5 ounce bottles at 8:30, 11, 1:30, and 3:30. But he's in the 0%ile and just over 11 lbs at 6 months, so we're trying to get Anything he'll eat into him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/5#post-2726046 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 21:33:10 +0000 meadow 2726046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just had spring break home with LOs and my last 2 days over pumping were pretty decent. The week before I was hitting 50% of my needed output. Was sooooooooooooo good to nurse exclusively for a week and build my supply back!!! Yay! I was beginning to worry that I'd have to wean to formula not on my own terms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/5#post-2726045 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 21:31:01 +0000 meadow 2726045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: @DesertDreams88: I've always wondered about the duck bill valves but couldn't find anyone to say they had done it and it was safe. I called a LC and I think I posted on here a few months ago and even emailed medela directly. Would love to know if any pumping mommas have tried it themselves!!!</p> <p>Early on in didn't try it because I was afraid the suction would get messed up and my nipple might rip off....haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/5#post-2725825 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 13:43:02 +0000 Smurfette 2725825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marley: She is 15 weeks tomorrow and she gets 3 5ozs bottles. Some times she only drinks 4oz from one bottle, mostly when they feed early. She is a little peanut, only 10.8lbs (last week's weight check, 6.13lbs at birth) so I want to get her to eat as much during the day as we can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/5#post-2725755 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 12:08:43 +0000 MrsSCB 2725755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marley: I think that's the same issue with a lot of daycares -- feeding the babies is the first strategy they think of when babies are fussy. But I agree that there could be many reasons babies are fussy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/5#post-2725751 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 12:04:55 +0000 marley 2725751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kes18: @MrsSCB: @josina: Thanks for your replies! My DS is 16 weeks and he weighs about 12.5 pounds. I think the problem is that my husband thinks he's hungry whenever he's fussy. I really had to lecture him that sometimes he wants other things - entertainment, etc. I'm pumping around 14 ounces a day, 16 if I'm lucky, so I'm kind of keeping up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/5#post-2725741 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 11:56:55 +0000 MrsSCB 2725741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marley: My son eats 15-16 oz. I started out sending 12, and daycare kept asking for more. I got tired of fighting that battle, so I started doing 15 or 16, whatever I pumped, but put my foot down there. Daycare would probably take more than that, but I asked the pedi and she said it wasn't necessary.</p> <p>What she said was, "Could he eat more? Probably. Does he NEED to? I don't think so. Keep doing what you're doing, and when you start to send food they can occupy themselves with that." :-) This was when I asked before solids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2725739 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 11:56:08 +0000 snowjewelz 2725739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: I pump for 20 and get like 2 let downs. Some days I do better, some days I do worse... I've been taking supplements too! I think maybe I'm just not sleeping well sometimes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2725735 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 11:52:37 +0000 josina 2725735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: This is what I got all with DS too I think, but DD isn't drinking as much right now - I think that'll change but at least I can get ahead for a bit!<br /> Sucks your not getting as much! How long do you pump for? I'm pumping about 15 minutes now and get 3 let downs.</p> <p>@marley: I nurse her around 6 am, then she takes a bottle around 10 and 2, and I nurse her when I get home at 5:30.<br /> So yes, about 8 ounces. She is 8 weeks old, and a chunky little girl. I assume she'll go up another bottle as she gets a bit older.<br /> How old is your DS? I'd say that's a lot (maybe just by one bottle) but sounds like he's a little peanut yet. Are you able to keep up with him? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2725732 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 11:49:35 +0000 kes18 2725732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marley: It is supposed to be 1-1.5oz per hour that you are gone from baby (so include commute times). 22oz is probably too much, yes. Can he pace feed and see how it goes? Mine started at about 12oz at 3mo and I increased it to 15oz a couple weeks ago since he kept dropping in his weight %iles the ped wanted to see if I could get him an extra feeding. I am also gone 9 hours. </p> <p>But then again, some babies really do like to eat and it is also about how many other times baby is fed. If you look at 24-36oz over 24 hours and figure out how often baby eats that should give you a guess of how many ozs they should get at each feeding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2725729 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 11:37:38 +0000 marley 2725729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: so your DD drinks 7-8 oz while you're at work? I wonder if my DS is overeating. He eats around 16 ounces while I'm at work. I'm only gone for 8-9 hours. He's not overweight - he's in the 5th percentile in weight and 65th in height.</p> <p>Ladies - how much does your DC eat during the day? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2725722 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 11:29:06 +0000 snowjewelz 2725722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: Nice output!! I was getting a lot the first few weeks but not lately! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2725718 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 11:20:23 +0000 josina 2725718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: Glad your supply recovered / he's sleeping better again!<br /> Regarding throwing milk away, daycare will refrigerate/reuse a bottle from one feeding to the next and I'm good with that (even more so after reading the link posted above). Luckily she's been finishing her bottles this week so a non-issue.</p> <p>DD is drinking 2- 3.5 to 4 oz bottles while I work, and I pump 4 bottles, so I'm getting a good stash built. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2725708 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 11:10:38 +0000 kes18 2725708@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I have with my first. I just put my pump in the passenger seat. Set up before you go anywhere. Seatbelt on first and then connect lol. And yes, I usually either put a nursing cover over me or if my cardigan was long enough I just used that. The only downside is I can't massage/pressure but it still works when I needed to do it. Then I would unattach at lights since my commute was about 25min I would finish a little before I got there. Otherwise you could leave it on until you get to your destination. Not ideal but if I had to, I had to </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2725705 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 11:09:29 +0000 snowjewelz 2725705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: Interesting. I have an old hand me down Ameda that has duck bill ones... I'm gonna see if they fit on Medela! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2725690 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 10:49:56 +0000 catlady 2725690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: Just saw this but the reason I was throwing away milk last week was that daycare would heat it up, DS would refuse it, I'd bring it home and try again, he'd still refuse, and then eventually he'd just want to nurse and I'd let him. So the milk had been warmed and then sat out for like 3 or 4 hours, and then he'd nurse and go to bed and I'd throw it away once I knew there was no way he'd eat it that day.</p> <p>In better news, he's been drinking all his bottles again and sleeping better at night (i.e. not waking to eat as often), plus my supply seems to have recovered after a weekend with him. Whew. Seems like I always have the most milk on a Monday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2725684 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 10:40:14 +0000 DesertDreams88 2725684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: that's what I've heard. I never tried them because I had already had a ton of valves and membranes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2725623 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 08:55:17 +0000 snowjewelz 2725623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: Eh, it's not like I set a timer out for leftover milk either... With DD1 I was probably over careful and threw out a ton of milk, but with DD2 now I have probably given her "old" milk! </p> <p>@marley: Haha ahh I'd be so mad too! I like your attitude! I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to outdo last time, but I agree that it's just gotta be what it is.... </p> <p>@DesertDreams88: Wait, so the duck bill ones get more milk then the standard ones with the flap? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2725620 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 08:51:36 +0000 snowjewelz 2725620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I've done it with DD1~ I think the pump is either on the console between seats or in the passenger seat. I've never had to brake so hard that it went flying or anything.... I get in the car, set everything up, put the bra on, turn on, and drive. When I get to my destination, I stop, put everything away including the bra. I do everything super slowly to make sure I don't spill! I think maybe the first time I wore a cover, but after that I was like whatever haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2725531 Tue, 18 Apr 2017 00:22:56 +0000 DesertDreams88 2725531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi Ladies! I'm not pumping anymore, but I almost-EPed for most of Aug-Dec last year so I still reminisce a bit here and there by checking on these threads. I know, I'm crazy :silly: </p> <p>Anyway, I thought maybe I'd pipe in about re-using half-drank milk. I always figured that if formula lasted an hour, fresh breastmilk could go for at least a bit longer because it has antibodies while formula does not. Something to consider. </p> <p>As LO got older, I'd let half-drank breastmilk AND half-drank formula go up to 4 hours after being drank, if I kept it in the fridge during that time. I had no qualms about re-heating. Everyone has to do what they feel comfy with and that might change as LOs get older and bigger but, it is what it is. Hate dumping any drops of that liquid gold! </p> <p>I also hear that duckbill valves are better than standard ones with the Medela parts. I learned tips like that form an Exclusively Pumping Facebook group that was SO helpful. I highly recommend.</p> <p>As for the car pumping comments ... if you ever stay out longer than anticipated and get worried about keeping the milk cold, order a big styrofoam cup of ice from a fast food place, or better yet, get free ice from the soda machines at gas stations!</p> <p>All the more power to all you pumping ladies! It is so worth it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2725385 Mon, 17 Apr 2017 18:14:24 +0000 Pumuckl 2725385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I used to pump in the car because I didn't really have a place at work at first where I could pump. I didn't pump while driving but when the car was stationary. Used the backseat and set everything up there. I just put the handsfree pumping bra one once in the car if I felt like it I used a cardigan etc to kind of conceal what I was doing. I didn't need to plug my pump in since I used a Medela freestyle. I used their little coolpack to store my milk. Worked pretty well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2725319 Mon, 17 Apr 2017 15:54:13 +0000 marley 2725319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Logging on after a hiatus during maternity leave - what a great thread!</p> <p>How long have you been pumping? about 14 weeks</p> <p>For LO #... 2</p> <p>EP-er or WOH? WOH. I return to work 2 weeks ago. </p> <p>What pump do you use? Medela PISA</p> <p>How's pumping going? Ok, I guess? Definitely better than pumping for LO#1. I pump about 12-16 ounces in 3-4 sessions. My husband works from home and my first day back he fed DS 22 ounces in 8 hours. I wanted to kill him! I had about 70 ounces in the freezer when I went back to work and I have about 20 ounces now. :sad: Now he tries to cap it at 16 ounces when I'm at work. </p> <p>What's your goal? One year! But if I dry up I'll be ok. I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing until I run out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2725228 Mon, 17 Apr 2017 13:26:48 +0000 agold 2725228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anonysquire: I hope all the feeding works out for you and your baby. Nothing is worse than pumping when you really don't want to be pumping. </p> <p>@Smurfette: Thank you for sharing that! My mom keeps the bottle out if my baby falls asleep while eating it and she gives it to the baby when the baby wakes up. So it gets left out for upwards of two hours. :shocked: I'll think about reconsidering this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2724786 Sun, 16 Apr 2017 06:49:01 +0000 Smurfette 2724786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: technically you shouldn't offer milk after it has been in a bottle they have drank from after an hour. Just like formula. So day care will try for that hour but then I told them to toss it.</p> <p><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/reusing-expressedmilk/" rel="nofollow">http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/reusing-expressedmilk/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2724779 Sun, 16 Apr 2017 04:59:54 +0000 anonysquire 2724779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: yes I've mostly quit!!! I still randomly get engorged because my little bird has a teeny appetite. Knock on wood I can stay away from the pump haha. My son isn't the greatest eater and we might have to explore a feeding tube at some point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2724775 Sun, 16 Apr 2017 00:02:03 +0000 agold 2724775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Why are you girls throwing away left over bottle milk? Can't you keep it out for a little bit and give to your babies a little while later? </p> <p>@Mrs. Pen: I did pump while I was on maternity leave. I was obsessed with building up a freezer stash. However, I haven't even hardly touched the freezer bottles. Omg if I have to throw any out. I think I pumped for 5 minutes starting out. Then went to 8 and then 10 I think once I went to work. Now I don't keep track of time. I pumped only a little at first. More as time went on. Let me know if you have any specific questions. </p> <p>I also pump in the car occasionally. I have a dairy fairy bra. The lace one for pumping. I'm happy with it. I don't use a cover because apparently I'm no longer modest in that regard. I just lift up my shirt or unbutton it. I try to get the pump parts as ready as possible. I leave the pump on the center console. It's awkwar but it can be done. Try not to crash! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2724506 Fri, 14 Apr 2017 18:06:18 +0000 meadow 2724506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I did it twice....so I'm no pro, but I put it on the passenger seat and wore a nursing cover. I personally wouldn't use simple wishes as my bra because I don't feel support or coverage like a real bra.</p> <p>Good luck!!! It can't be easy using the car as a primary pumping zone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-moms-chat/page/4#post-2724480 Fri, 14 Apr 2017 16:39:49 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2724480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Okay so my big question is: does anyone pump while driving? </p> <p>I'm so nervous about pumping when going back to work because I'll only be able to pump while driving. I don't work in an office. I need to buy a plug adaptor for the lighter, and I have the simple wishes bra (love!!), but not sure on the logistics of it.<br /> Where do you set the pump? I feel like it'll have to go on the middle console area because of the short length of the tubes- but I feel like it'll go flying when I brake/turn..<br /> do you wear a nursing cover? Do you wear the simple wishes bra just every day so that you don't have to snap down your bra, put on simple wishes and then hook up? </p> <p>I'm just confused on how this will work! I'll definitely do a practice run before I actually go back to work. Also, my birth center has a pump talk class I signed up for in May for tips on going back to work. </p>