Hello! I am a first time mom new to hellobee (long time lurker but first time posting). My LO is 5 weeks and I know to build a stash I should pump after feedings. However during the day when my husband is at work it is difficult because my LO needs me after for playtime or just to be held. I feel like its impossible to pump when I'm home alone. How do you do it? I have the hands free bra but it is totally awkward trying to hold my LO with it on!
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I know some people use a hand pump on one side at a time...
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Welcome to HB!
I always put my LO in the swing after nursing and I pumped 15-20 minutes.
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I put her at my feet in her bouncer. That's the best option for us because she has reflux and the bouncer keeps her upright. She's happy to hang out in there... And if she fusses I can bounce her with my foot and that cheers her up until I'm done. Sadly I'm not pumping much right now because I'm in the middle of doing an elimination diet so there is no use building up a stash while I still have the allergens in my system. I already have to throw out all the milk I've frozen so far!
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Welcome! I'll pump while LO naps, but I pump exclusively. Do you have a rock'n'play or bouncer you can put LO in? Also, mine likes to be held while I'm pumping. I have to hold her high and it isn't especially comfy, but I think the sound from the pump is soothing for her.
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@mrs green grass thanks! I have a double electric pump but maybe I will try doing one side at a time while he is nursing
@autumnlove the swing is always hit or miss. Sometimes he loves it sometimes he hates it and screams to get out! Ugh!
@mamamoose I am starting the elimination diet today as well. Not really looking forward to it because i am a vegetarian and dairy/soy is a large part of my diet. I will probably start eating meat again which has been a hard decision for me but willing to do what I can for my LO. Right now I still need to pump enough for this week though because I go back to my job as a dance teacher (3 nights a week for about 4 hrs) and my DH will need to give him a bottle!
@maisymay I think I have a hand me down bouncer but I think it's at our other house as we are in the middle of moving. I will have to swing by there and pick it up and try it!
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I put my LO in the nap nanny ( I know it's recalled but he loves it) right in front of me on my bed while I pump. I bring a few toys and sing and talk to him. He loves it and time flies by.
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I started with pumping the other side first thing in the morning. Or if she got up at 6 cam to feed, I would put her back down (she would sleep till like 8) but I would stay up and pump.
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Welcome!
I pump during nap time or if she's in a happy mood stick her in the swing or bouncer. She likes to look at the spinning mobile on the swing and the vibrate function on the bouncer soothes her.
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I would put my lo in the bouncy seat immediately after feeding and burping. That usually kept her happy for 10 minutes, so I could swing a decent pump session. If she was happy longer (or fell asleep) bonus! Pump for 20 minutes!
Like @andrea said, the vibrate on the bouncer soothes her and so does the bouncing motion of me tapping my foot on it.
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I had a hard time with this too. I had read on here that some people pumped while nursing. I tried that and it was an epic fail. While I was building my stash on maternity leave I only pumped in the morning. I would feed LO on one side and then go pump. I was able to save up about 110 oz starting at 6 weeks through 12 weeks just pumping once a day on one side.
Good luck! -
Are you going back to work or just pumping so you can leave your LO with someone else? I started pumping around 6 weeks, but I didn't pump very often in the beginning. DS had reflux so we were keeping him upright after feedings. He hated the bouncer until he was about 9 weeks old. My current pumping strategy is when I can, I pump. If I can't, at least I'm spending time with my baby (or sleeping).
At first, my pumping was just to make fresh bottles so I could leave DS with my parents. I started on weekends so that DH could hold DS while I pumped. Sometimes DS would wake up an hour or so before DH left for work, so I could pump then as well. Luckily, DS started sleeping longer stretches during the night and tolerating his bouncer. Right now, I'm pumping mostly when I'm feeling full or engorged and don't think DS will wake up soon.
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@MusicaV: same. I had supply issues so at first I was pumping after every feeding (or supposed to) but it was making me so anxious and I couldn't maintain the schedule. Now, I pump when I can. If I have an extra set of hands around, it is easier. If Im alone I don't worry about it unless the stars align and I'm in the mood the pump and the baby is preoccupied
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@musicav: not technically going back to work. I volunteer/ teach dance three nights a week for about 4 hrs. So DH would give him a bottle then. Also I prefer giving him a bottle when we are out as I'm not comfortable BFing in public right now and honestly don't think I ever will be. I would like to have a small freezer stash just in case plus some fresh bottles. I pumped after his 4 am feeding. Just fed him now and all I can think about is going back to sleep. Sleep usually wins!
Like @andrea said, the vibrate on the bouncer soothes her and so does the bouncing motion of me tapping my foot on it.
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