The Adventures of a Pumping Mama
I love breastfeeding, but it is certainly not for everyone! I, for one, pass zero judgement as a fed baby is a happy baby! It did take this third time Mama some time to grow to like/appreciate pumping. With my first two, I viewed it as a tether…almost like jail. The sounds, the exposure, the upright position I had to be in…nothing spelled F-U-N!
This time around I have a whole new perspective, with much of that thanks to my incredible cord free Willow pump. When my mom got me the Willow pump for my babyshower, I had no idea what a gamechanger it would be! One of the best things is that you are fully covered and with no cords can walk around and be present with your family while pumping. The reality for me, however, is that I am usually pumping while everyone is asleep. The best part of the Willow is that you can lay down while you pump (my favorite thing to do at 3:00 am.) I use to sit on the edge of my bath tub as my old pump would spill milk everywhere if you were not straight up and down. This was extremely liberating for me!
My “formula” that has worked quite well, is to start pumping around the 1-2 week mark in the evenings usually after feeding and continuing at night even once my baby starts doing longer stretches. That schedule would look something like pumping around 10:00 pm before I would go to sleep and then waking again between 2:00-4:00 am to pump and build a freezer supply to allow me flexibility. That flexibility allows me to work, go on date nights and volunteer at my boys school…it is extremely important to me to build that stash in the first six months.
I am extremely passionate about this mainly due to my severe dairy allergy that prompted warning against all formula for all three of our children. I am allergic to the protein in milk and I was terrified to risk one of our children having the same allergy. Therefore, I decided early on that I would try to exclusively breastfeed or bottle feed pumped milk for one year with all three children. It is a BIG commitment, but one that I have grown to love and treasure! I have two more months left for my third baby, and trust me when I say I am savoring every moment!
Now I am the first to admit that every baby is different and you have to do what works for you and your little one! All three of my babies have varied with the most different being my little caboose! She is the only one that does not like the bottle! I have an entire freezer full of milk and she does not like it in bottle format. We had to be adaptable and as she has gotten older we add it daily to her food (which she loves)!
I will tell you that I have pumped in some pretty funny places! On a golf course during a round of 18, on the freeway headed to Disneyland, in a powder room at a wedding, in a fitting room at Neiman Marcus and most recently in the bathroom at halftime during the 49ers Playoff game. The one thing I have realized is to never be embarrassed or apologize! You have to do what is best for you and your baby! Most places, even with strict regulations for entry like a football stadium, are very flexible when it comes to nursing mothers and if you show them your breast pump you shouldn’t have any problems getting in, even if it requires a larger clear bag :) Most people are compassionate and have empathy towards a nursing mother, and if they don’t they might one day and look back and feel differently. What matters most is you and your baby!
I do have a few favorite products that I attribute to my positive view towards pumping. I am not a doctor and these are solely products that I purchased on my own accord that I really love. This list has changed over the course of three different babies, and I feel as though the products are just getting better and better.
Wishing you all the best on your journey!
- Love List -
Hands Free Pump, Willow 2. New Mom Smoothie Blend, Seedlyfe 3. Organic Nipple Butter, Earth Mama 4. French Terry Racerback Nursing and Sleep Bra, Kindred Bravely. 5. Travel Pump Case, Milue 6. Marvella Classic Maternity & Nursing T-Shirt Bra, Kindred Bravely 7. Post Natal Lactation Plus, The Honest Company 8. Vegan and Gluten Free Lactation Bites, Majka
