Author Topic: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please  (Read 4711 times)

GreenQueen

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De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« on: August 10, 2016, 12:34:47 PM »
I'm expecting my first baby to arrive in late October and I have questions. I read other posts about breast pumps already and they were helpful.

A little about me...I work from home and hope to breast-feed for at least 6 months, probably longer. I will be out of the house away from baby for outings and meetings a few times a week, with the occasional overnight away about twice a month. My SO also works from home and is very supportive of me pumping so I can be free to move about. In addition, the whole family will be traveling distances by car and plane sometimes, as well.

1. How many nursing bras and/or tops should I buy?
2. Can I make my own nursing pads out of old sweatshirt or some other material? Do I need some disposable ones as well?
3. When did you start pumping and how often once you started?
4. What pump did you use? Buy or rent? (I'm in Canada so insurance doesn't provide it.)
5. Other first-hand advice is welcome. I already have a Brest Friend nursing pillow (a gift).

Thank you!

hunniebun

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2016, 12:45:25 PM »
Congrats Green Queen!!  Such an exciting time! I think that what you want to get will depend on your personal situation and it is a bit difficult to plan to much about your breastfeeding experience ahead of time.   I had two and wasn't able to breastfeed my first for a variety of reasons, so after 6 weeks of pain and frustration for both of us, I rented a pump from the pharmacy for 3 months. It was worth it because I needed to do it 6 times a day to get 100% of baby's food.  The second time, I was able to successfully breastfeed off the hop, so invested in 4 nursing bra's and a simple hand pump (which worked great for the odd time). For the bra's you need a few because they do get milk/spit up on them and I didn't want to have to wash them every day!  I didn't use pads because I never leaked, so maybe hold off and see if you even need to?  The difficulty with baby 2 was that when I tried to introduce a bottle after 6 weeks (as was recommended) my monkey refused and I was her only source of milk until she was 16 months and could drink from a cup (and believe me, I tried EVERYTHING...literally everything!) Needless to say, I could never be away for more than 3-4 hours at a time and by the end it was very draining/frustrating.  So my biggest tip is ignore your nurse's advice on this and give your baby a bottle from the very first week (unless baby is having a hard tip latching) so he/she gets used to both...otherwise you will lose any hope of freedom! LOL! 

Kitsune

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2016, 12:49:28 PM »
Congrats! I'm pregnant with my second now. :)

In order:
1) 3-4 bras, minimum. Assume you're going to be getting milk and spit-up on them at LEAST once a day, and that they take a day to dry after hand-washing (never put them in the dryer EVER - it wrecks the underwire and elastic). I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend the Anita nursing bras - they were the only ones I tried that actually acted like a BRA (shaping, holding up, looking excellent under shirts, etc) in addition to folding down when needed. They're not cheap, but buying cheap ones that are uncomfortable and look like everything is sagging under a t-shirt isn't great, either. For nursing tanks, I honestly really liked the cheap Target ones - if you have access, they're like 15$ and work fine.
2) You can make your own nursing pads, but it had better be out of an uber-absorband material if you get really leaky. I had some that were 3 layers of flannel. Warning: homemade pads are thicker than disposable ones and WILL show under thin shirts - not likely a problem in winter, but once you get to summer, IF you are still leaky (I wasn't), you may need to experiment.
3-4) I tried pumping when my kid was 6 weeks. Honest advice: see if you can rent a pump from a breastfeeding supply store (Melon et Clementine in Montreal has rentals, as do some hospitals, talk to your nurse). It's more expensive in the long run, but for me and for 2 of my friends, pumping didn't produce much, it hurt like hell, and I HATED it. Worth spending $ on a 1-month rental before paying hundreds on a pump that you might use a few times otherwise. 

Also, DO NOT buy this until you figure out if you are capable of nursing productively - I had assumed there'd be no problem, turns out I don't produce enough milk, tried EVERYTHING (seriously, everything, omg - lactation consultants and Drs who are very pro-breastfeeding will 100% help you drive yourself off the edge of reason) until I said 'eff it' and re-gained my sanity and started supplementing with formula. I breast-fed a few times a day until my daughter was 18 months, with a few bottles of formula on top of that (IMO, anything people say about how introducing bottles makes kids not want the boob is nonsense. She wanted both. All the time.) Given the production issues, I'm really thankful I didn't spend the $ on a pump I wouldn't have been able to use.



PharmaStache

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2016, 12:58:46 PM »
I'm expecting my first baby to arrive in late October and I have questions. I read other posts about breast pumps already and they were helpful.

A little about me...I work from home and hope to breast-feed for at least 6 months, probably longer. I will be out of the house away from baby for outings and meetings a few times a week, with the occasional overnight away about twice a month. My SO also works from home and is very supportive of me pumping so I can be free to move about. In addition, the whole family will be traveling distances by car and plane sometimes, as well.

1. How many nursing bras and/or tops should I buy?
2. Can I make my own nursing pads out of old sweatshirt or some other material? Do I need some disposable ones as well?
3. When did you start pumping and how often once you started?
4. What pump did you use? Buy or rent? (I'm in Canada so insurance doesn't provide it.)
5. Other first-hand advice is welcome. I already have a Brest Friend nursing pillow (a gift).

Thank you!

1. Hard to say, I would start out with a couple of soft "sleep" bras that work for a variety of sizes (since you won't know what size you will need beforehand). 
2. Depends on how much milk is leaking!  For the first 6 months or so, I definitely needed disposable ones that could hold a lot of milk.  After that I used some cloth ones I bought online.  Get some disposable ones to start.
3. Hated pumping, can't comment. 
4. I would not buy anything until you are sure breastfeeding is going to work.  You'll want a double pump if pumping often.  Apparently some insurance in Canada does cover breast pumps so double check!
5. Drink tons of water, eat lots of snacks (that you can eat with one hand), know what to do if you need help (lactation consultant, mine was free with public health), nipple ointment, I'm buying those fancy nipple soothing pads this time for next time lol.

CNM

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2016, 12:59:13 PM »
I don't recall buying any specialty bras, other than a thing with holes in it for the breast pump nozzles. 

As for breast pads, I did use these even before the baby was born because the breasts would just suddenly leak!  I had both disposable and reusable.  Disposables are probably what I'd recommend as a whole box of them are very inexpensive and some days you might go through quite a few.

As it turned out, I was unable to do a lot of direct baby to breast breastfeeding. My son was a preemie and didn't have the strength when he was first born.  I pumped a lot and fed it to him though a bottle and he also got supplemental formula.  If I do get pregnant again, I will seriously reconsider doing any breast feeding at all.  It was very unpleasant for me- it hurt A LOT, it was very time consuming between the pumping/feeding/washing up and then doing it all again!, the demands of pumping/feeding made any long term sleep (meaning more than 2 or 3 hours at a time) impossible. 

So, you might want to only get the bare minimum: breast pump, some nursing tops, maybe 1 bra and see where that gets you.  You might need more, or you might need something different, or you might need none at all.


mm1970

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2016, 01:58:06 PM »
I probably had about 3 nursing bras and 2 nursing camisoles.  The camisoles were much more comfortable. 

Personally, I had to sleep in a bra or camisole while nursing - for comfort.
I used both disposable and reusable  nursing pads.  The reusable ones were fine during the day, but some nights I needed the disposable ones - they were more absorbent.

Pumping -
I worked FT outside the home with #1 and I pumped 1x a day.  That was not enough, though I didn't realize it at the time.  Eventually I became plagued with plugged ducts, and once had mastitis.  (After a business trip.)  I also pumped in the morning, after nursing (would nurse and then pump both sides before going to work).

I worked 32 hrs/ week outside the home with #2 (6.5 hrs a day) and I pumped 2x a day.  Still I had plugged ducts, so maybe it was a thing with me.  I never seemed to have an issue when on vacation (nursing only) or weekends (same).

I used a Medela Pump-in-style.  Both times they were loaners from friends.  I bought new tubing.  You aren't supposed to reuse certain pumps.  These were my friends' so I didn't care.


Fast forward to weaning...
Baby #1 I pumped for the last time the day before his first birthday.  My plan was to start weaning then, from 4x a day down, over the space of a month or two.  He weaned at 13.5 months.

Baby #2 I'd planned to go longer.  Enter the plugged ducts.  They were pretty horrible.  At 8.5 months I said "fuck it" (after trying to get help from the doc, they didn't call back until 8 hours later and said "maybe we can see you on Monday" when it was Friday).  I started using formula during the day and stopped pumping (well, first cut back from 2x a day to 1x a day, then quit a few days later).  Kiddo weaned himself 6 weeks later.  So both boys weaned at 6 weeks after I stopped pumping, or I might have continued with #2 anyway.

KCM5

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #6 on: August 10, 2016, 02:10:49 PM »
As others have said, it really all depends.

I am not large chested and I did have a nursing bra but I also just used sports bras or regular bras. Just pull them up/down. I did always want to wear a bra at the time for comfort - things were just painful there for a while! But get a couple of soft bras and then figure out what size you're going to need after things settle in.

I worked full time but nursed my child directly by taking two breaks a day and going to her daycare. She took a bottle fine, I just didn't particularly like pumping and it only took about 5 minutes longer to go and nurse her. And I liked seeing my baby. She wasn't in daycare until 6 months, though, so this probably wouldn't work with a younger child. I had a Hygeia double pump, which was great because it had a filter so could be used by someone else after I was done - just replace the filter.

I didn't really need pads. In the early days I did stuff a burp cloth on the unused side as I would leak while nursing.

I started pumping pretty quickly - maybe two weeks? And I found the best time to pump milk was in the morning. My kid would only nurse on one side in the morning so I would pump on the other side afterwards. This helped build up a stash that made going back to work/leaving the baby for a couple of hours more comfortable. For a few weeks/months my spouse would give a bottle of pumped milk in the evening. In my sleep deprivation, I had a theory that she slept better after a bottle, but really I have no idea. It did make her comfortable taking a bottle though.

alme

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #7 on: August 10, 2016, 02:15:28 PM »
Congratulations! All of this is highly personal, and I'm sure you'll find very inconsistent opinions across the internet, but here's mine...

1. I bought 1-2 nursing bras and 1-2 nursing tanks. I also bought 2 bras that help you pump hands-free (1 for home, 1 for work).  Those are amaizng.

2. Not everyone needs nursing pads. I never leaked and didn't end up using mine. But I'd recommend disposable. I wore mine a few times before concluding that I wasn't going to leak, and I'm not sure how comfortable it would be to place thick material in your bra, especially since your breasts will likely be larger than you're used to. I also don't know what you would do with the wet reusable pads if you leaked while you were out at meetings etc.

3. My son was born 4 weeks premature and had a difficult time nursing at first. So I started with a very expensive pump rented from the hospital; those are better to establish supply. After the one-month rental was up, I switched to my regular pump. In "normal" situations, I think you can start pumping when the baby is nursing well and your supply is well established--which of course is highly variable. Since you plan to be out of the house on overnights a couple times per month, I would start early so you can build a freezer stash for these trips. Definitely speak with a lactation consultant or your pediatrician about the specifics of this though--pumping too much too early can lead to oversupply issues, which cause an imbalance of the liquid/fat ratio in the breastmilk.

4. I rented the Symphony for the first month, then used the Medela pump in style, which my insurance provided. I really liked the pump in style--it worked well, it was reasonably portable, and its popularity made it really easy to find parts for. (The Symphony is huge and heavy and not at all portable.) The pump in style and other models like it are technically not certified for use by multiple women because there is some risk of cross-contamination. I don't know how big of a risk this actually is, and I would probably use a hand-me-down from a relative or close friend but might not buy one from a stranger. It might be difficult to find a pump in style for rent though.

5. Lactation/nursing consultants can be so, so helpful. Our son would not eat (nursing or bottle) at first, and they gave helpful advice and encouragement. I am typically a very independent person and don't like asking for help. But spending an hour (and like $80 out of pocket) with them was the best time/money spent on DS in the first year. You may not need one, but know that they can be a good resource.

okits

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2016, 04:16:17 PM »
1.  Bras - I mostly used sports bras at home (just hike up).  Depending on how much you'll be out of the house, 2-4 nursing bras (but wait to buy most of them after you've given birth, as you don't know what cup size you'll need.  Some women get a LOT bigger while breastfeeding.) Tops - to save money I looked for tops that would pull down or unbutton low enough to breastfeed (regular clothes, to avoid expensive nursing-specific clothes.  Other moms I knew wore a regular shirt with a stretchy tank top underneath - just pull the outside shirt up and the tank top down to uncover the minimum needed).  Quantity again depends on how much you'll be out of the home with baby.  At home I just wore a regular t-shirt or just the sports bra (didn't care if DH saw me dressed casually or not at all.)

2.  You may not leak much (or at all).  I used disposables (60/$10) and they're nice because they're super absorbent (like maxi pads) and wick the moisture away so your nipples don't get irritated.

I also used plastic breast shields (wear one on the side you're not feeding baby from to collect the leaked milk) which helped me build up a freezer stash of milk.

If you buy a pump from a store, wait until as close to the birth as possible (the warranty period starts the day you buy it), and don't open it until you're sure you need it (the store probably won't accept an opened box as a return).  You may not need a pump.  I went through months where collected milk from breast shells and hand expressing to reduce engorgement yielded an extra ~150ml a day.  With no dishwasher it's nicer to avoid having to wash pumping parts. 

+1 to seeking help from a lactation consultant if you are struggling. Just because breastfeeding is natural doesn't mean it comes naturally to every mother or baby.

Congratulations on your upcoming bundle of joy!


ysette9

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #9 on: August 10, 2016, 04:51:13 PM »
Your experience will surely be different because all of us had different experiences. For what it is worth, here was my experience:

My baby was preemie so she didn't nurse for 6 long, hard weeks. I was told to pump every 3 hours for 15 minutes each. A double electric pump is absolutely the only way to go in my opinion. I had a hospital grade one (big, heavy, noisy) and the free portable one I got through insurance. They both worked fine for me though many other people complained about the portable one. My work also has a very nice one in the mothers' rooms (Madela Symphony) which was fantastic because it was almost silent. That was really key for me as I worked through my pumping breaks, going so far as to call into telecons and even interview candidates on the phone while pumping!

If you pump you absolutely MUST get a pumping bra. I used this one and it worked well. https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Wishes-Hands-Free-Breastpump-X-Small-Large/dp/B00295MQLU That will be the best $20 you spend as it will save you from carpel tunnel and allow you to multitask while pumping.

As for introducing the bottle, I don't recommend doing that right away. From everything I read and was told (lactation consultants and support groups) it hinders the learning process of how to nurse for real. My preemie fed from a bottle fr the first six weeks and it was damn tough to get her to nurse initially. When she finally got it, it was a dream come true and made life much easier for me (no dishes! no warming the milk! no chilling the milk! no dishes!). We were supposed to keep doing two bottle/formula feeds a day on the foolish presumption that it would help her gain weight faster. Once she figured out the boob she slowly decided that she didn't want that bottle at all, and in fact would rather starve than take it. When it came time to go to daycare it was a very stressful couple of days getting her to take the bottle, even though she refused the boob early on in her life. The point of my story is that introducing the bottle early is no panacea that she will take it later when it is convenient for you.

Good luck and congrats! I can't stress enough how beneficial it is to seek out a breastfeeding support group and go regularly. I got a lot of help and more importantly, formed a lot of wonderful friendships with people who kept me sane while navigating the early babyhood nightmare/challenge/adventure. :)

Landlady

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #10 on: August 10, 2016, 04:57:55 PM »
Congrats!
If you want to go super inexpensive on a pump you should get the Medela Harmony. I used this thing more often than my gigantic, expensive pump and it's fantastic. I buy it for all my nursing friends now because you can carry this thing in your purse and pump anywhere you want because it's so discrete. I once pumped while at an NFL game underneath my coat - no one knew. I didn't want to fight the crowds for the bathroom! The pump pressure in my experience was better than the electric versions, just make sure you change the membranes often so you don't lose suction.


bogart

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #11 on: August 10, 2016, 08:17:38 PM »
Congratulations.

I used a Medela pump-n-style that was handed down from a friend.  I had a few nursing bras that were also hand-me-downs but mostly relied on a few sports bras I bought after baby arrived.  I'm not much of a bra-wearer (I did wear some while pregnant/nursing but generally go without), though, so probably not a typical "user" in that regard.  I threw mine in the regular laundry without worrying about it (and steered entirely clear of underwire).

Honestly, everyone's experience(s) in this area seem to be really different, and yet many, many people hold really strong opinions about what works well (for them).  And we live in a day and age when it's easy to get stuff pretty quickly via e.g. Amazon.  I do know lots of people (myself included) who were glad to have the pump available from the get-go; many, many, many new moms seem to experience either undersupply (me) or oversupply, and a pump can help with either situation.  But the other stuff (pads, bras, etc.) you can get later and it's not a huge deal -- I mean, it's likely a good idea to have a few on hand, but your body will change with the baby's arrival (so bras that had fit, may not) and you'll develop opinions about what works for you that you didn't hold until you were in the thick of things. 

Long story short, have the basics (likely a pump, a couple of bras, and one pack of some kind of commercial pads), plus an Amazon account.  And tons of food that you can access and eat easily, ditto beverages (tap water works fine) because you will likely be famished and thirsty -- and there will be this tiny, helpless human relying on you startlingly often.

JLR

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #12 on: August 10, 2016, 09:14:20 PM »
1. How many nursing bras and/or tops should I buy?

Depends on how often you wash/change. Have a think about your current routine, then maybe add one or two for leaks/baby spit!


2. Can I make my own nursing pads out of old sweatshirt or some other material? Do I need some disposable ones as well?

You can make your own. You want something absorbent, with perhaps a water resistant backing. You don't have to buy disposables (anyway, I found them scratchy!)

I bought pre-made cloth ones. I don't know if the Tommee Tippee brand is available in North America, but I absolutely loved their shaped cloth breastpads. (The unshaped ones were noticeable under a shirt). They were amazingly leak-resistant, but still breathable and didn't leave me with soggy nipples (prone to damage). I can remember one day when I had returned to study (with nowhere to pump) I was driving home that afternoon and managed to leak all down on the stomach area of my shirt. The breast pads were full, but didn't leak out the front of the chest area - gravity took over! :)

3. When did you start pumping and how often once you started?

I first pumped when my first baby was one week old. It takes some time to get the hang of it and to get used to letting your milk down for the pump. Some people like to take a picture of their baby away with them. They find looking at it while they pump helps their let down. Other like to take an article of their baby's clothing to smell it. You will find what works for you, but don't be worried if you don't get much out at first, and don't think that the amount you are getting out with a pump is what your baby can get out - your baby is much better at extracting milk than a pump.


4. What pump did you use? Buy or rent? (I'm in Canada so insurance doesn't provide it.)

I didn't have a need for long-term or full-time pumping, so I just had a hand pump. You might like to consider a double electric pump if you will be pumping a lot. There are hands-free version so you can pump while you work (if you are in a private space).

mm1970

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #13 on: August 11, 2016, 09:12:02 AM »
Quote
If you pump you absolutely MUST get a pumping bra. I used this one and it worked well. https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Wishes-Hands-Free-Breastpump-X-Small-Large/dp/B00295MQLU That will be the best $20 you spend as it will save you from carpel tunnel and allow you to multitask while pumping.

I knew I forgot something!

I did not buy a pumping bra.  I used a nursing bra and the rubber band method.  It was glorious!  I was able to work at my computer while pumping.

http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/hands-free-pumping/

I can't believe I used the words "glorious", "pumping" and "work" all in the same paragraph.  Oy.
« Last Edit: August 11, 2016, 09:14:07 AM by mm1970 »

GreenQueen

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #14 on: August 11, 2016, 10:13:45 AM »
Thank you for all the well wishes and fantastic advice. I have a much better sense of options and possibilities now. Much appreciated and I'm very curious for my own experience!

CNM

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #15 on: August 11, 2016, 01:27:44 PM »
Oh yes, I had forgotten about nursing tank tops/camisoles!  Those were great and I used them a lot.

okits

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #16 on: August 11, 2016, 01:30:45 PM »
Quote
If you pump you absolutely MUST get a pumping bra. I used this one and it worked well. https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Wishes-Hands-Free-Breastpump-X-Small-Large/dp/B00295MQLU That will be the best $20 you spend as it will save you from carpel tunnel and allow you to multitask while pumping.

I knew I forgot something!

I did not buy a pumping bra.  I used a nursing bra and the rubber band method.  It was glorious!  I was able to work at my computer while pumping.

http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/hands-free-pumping/

I can't believe I used the words "glorious", "pumping" and "work" all in the same paragraph.  Oy.

LOL. 

A lactation consultant I worked with suggested buying a cheap sports bra and cutting out holes in the front to stick the pump flanges through.  I went with the ultimate low-cost option: I balanced the milk-collecting bottles on my thighs and with both free hands futzed around on my iPad to my heart's content (acknowledge that this approach is probably height/anatomy dependent).

Edit: fixed quote tag.
« Last Edit: August 11, 2016, 10:48:18 PM by okits »

meerkat

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #17 on: August 11, 2016, 02:02:24 PM »
A lactation consultant I worked with suggested buying a cheap sports bra and cutting out holes in the front to stick the pump flanges through.  I went with the ultimate low-cost option: I balanced the milk-collecting bottles on my thighs and with both free hands futzed around on my iPad to my heart's content (acknowledge that this approach is probably height/anatomy dependent).

I tried this option at first and felt like it was way too easy to accidentally jar the horn (the part on your boob) and break the suction. Once I got a proper pumping bra that solved the problem. Getting two pumping bras (one for free from a friend who was done with hers) solved the problem of occasionally forgetting mine at home, since I was trying to do an evening pump before I went to bed (I also had low supply issues and supplemented with formula, the extra pumping session was an attempt to reduce the amount of formula we went through).

The nursing tanks I got from Target are still my favorite sleeping tops. I also bought several new-to-me tops with the necklines in mind - even if they weren't specifically maternity/nursing tops, depending on how they were cut I could move some fabric around and let my baby nurse.

If you ever have to pump at a hospital, they will provide you with parts which you then get to keep since they can't reuse them. In my case the hospital's pumps were the same brand as the one I had at home (Medela) so I was able to use most of the parts for my pump at home. If your baby ends up in the hospital (heaven forbid), ask the nurses for a pump. They may also provide you with a meal tray since that's indirectly your baby's food.

kimmarg

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #18 on: August 12, 2016, 05:59:46 AM »
I'm expecting my first baby to arrive in late October and I have questions. I read other posts about breast pumps already and they were helpful.

A little about me...I work from home and hope to breast-feed for at least 6 months, probably longer. I will be out of the house away from baby for outings and meetings a few times a week, with the occasional overnight away about twice a month. My SO also works from home and is very supportive of me pumping so I can be free to move about. In addition, the whole family will be traveling distances by car and plane sometimes, as well.

1. How many nursing bras and/or tops should I buy?
about 3 until after baby is born. you'll change sizes again and figure out what you like in about hte first 2 months.
2. Can I make my own nursing pads out of old sweatshirt or some other material? Do I need some disposable ones as well?
I'd get a few. I was told by friends to have tons and bought a whole bunch on super sale.... they are still in the packaging 8 months later.  some people need them some don't. wait and see what type you are.

3. When did you start pumping and how often once you started?
I started at about 8 weeks, just tried it a few times as it takes a while to get the hang of it. Then I pumped maybe once a day to build up a freezer stash until I went back to work at 12 weeks. At work I pump about every 3 hours initially or as often as the baby eats.
4. What pump did you use? Buy or rent? (I'm in Canada so insurance doesn't provide it.)
US, insurance provided Ameda purely yours which worked fine. Most people see to prefer Medela but since that one was free I tried it first and it worked fine.

5. Other first-hand advice is welcome. I already have a Brest Friend nursing pillow (a gift).
Thank you!

Give yourself a few weeks to get used to it! Also it gets much easier as baby gets older and bigger and eats less frequently!

CarrieWillard

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #19 on: August 12, 2016, 06:11:30 AM »
"1. How many nursing bras and/or tops should I buy?
2. Can I make my own nursing pads out of old sweatshirt or some other material? Do I need some disposable ones as well?
3. When did you start pumping and how often once you started?
4. What pump did you use? Buy or rent? (I'm in Canada so insurance doesn't provide it.)
5. Other first-hand advice is welcome. I already have a Brest Friend nursing pillow (a gift)."

Qualifier: I'm a retired La Leche League leader, mom of 7 kids, all breastfed well into toddlerhood, currently nursing a 27-weeker preemie (now almost 2).

1) Depends on how often you change your bra. I don't wash mine until it's smelly or dirty.
2) Yes, Google instructions. Flannel is nice and absorbent and won't show through your shirt as much. Some moms don't need pads after the first few weeks as their bodies adjust. I never did. Just hold your arm over the "other" side when your milk lets down and it prevents leaks.
3) I never pumped until my preemie was born. He spend 3 months in NICU and I pumped for him during that time. But that's not like your situation. Pumping frequency depends on how much milk you need, how often you'll be away from baby and for how long, etc. The BabyCenter pumping forum is GREAT for questions.
4) The Medela hospital grade pump, I rented it for 3 months, then downgraded to a Medela Pump In Style once baby was home. If you're only going to pump occasionally, the hand-held pumps are cheap and easy to use, require no batteries, etc. Around $30 new on Amazon. Get the ones with the silicone, soft inserts that go in the hard plastic flanges. And nurse on one side, pump on the other. Nothing gets milk flowin' like the baby!

Tiger Stache

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #20 on: August 12, 2016, 10:03:46 AM »
My wife and I have three kids. On the first one, her milk came in the middle of the night, and by the time the lactation nurse got there in the morning things were clogged. The clogging ended up causing problems throughout our first kid's first year. Make sure to be attune for when the milk comes in and start pumping/feeding soon after. For the next two, we knew better and were prepared.

We got a Medela pump off craigslist.

Also, for our third, we got a car adapter for the pump. I wish we'd have gotten that a lot sooner.

mm1970

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #21 on: August 12, 2016, 11:36:42 AM »
Also wanted to add about milk coming in and pumping...

Generally, I started pumping at around 1-3 weeks.  I pumped a little after my milk came in for comfort, but waited to pump and start a bottle until 4.5-5 weeks. 

Baby #1: born Monday night, milk came in Saturday morning. (5.5 days)
Baby #2: born Saturday morning.  Shoot, I don't remember when milk came in, but it was shorter.  Maybe only 2-3 days.

Cognitive Miser

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #22 on: August 12, 2016, 01:45:50 PM »
Lots of good advice here!  I agree, breastfeeding and pumping are such individual topics!

I get HUGE boobs during pregnancy and got even HUGER once my milk came in with my first.  I'm 34 weeks with my second.  I'm normally a D or DD cup and was up to J/K cup in the first few months of breastfeeding.  After my supply regulated around 4 months, I was back down to H/I territory, and then after a year maybe down to F/G, which is where I am during pregnancy.   My favorite bras are these, because they are stretchy, comfortable, and can be worn through all stages.  (I wouldn't necessarily say they are the most attractive, but this is just one season of my life so comfort rules for now!)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UIDJAW8/ref=br_it_dp_o_nS_ttl?ie=UTF8&colid=3OSSCZSXP7NOJ&coliid=I29JUJVTKFQRRF&vs=1

Second favorites - straps don't stay up but they are CHEAP and I just use a little bra-converter-thingy to hold them together behind my shoulder blades:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O10LW8E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1  (WOW they are on sale for $6.99!  Maybe I should get another one!!!)

I've heard that you can get a fancy lingerie store or a good seamstress to convert your existing bra into a nursing bra (and vice-versa).  So if you have a bra that you like, but maybe is nearing the end of its life, you could get it converted into a nursing bra or even try a DIY conversion.

Also, I had a vast oversupply with my first, and leaked a lot.  I needed pads for sure.  I used reusable Bamboobies, which were gifted to me, but they weren't the smoothest under my shirts. I might try something different this time and am excited that there are some good suggestions in this thread!

And I work outside the home, so I needed an efficient double-electric pump so I wasn't away from my desk too long, since my pumping breaks are unpaid.  (I had the Ameda Purely Yours, which is Ameda's equivalent to the Medela Pump In Style, I think.  Anyway, my lactation consultant assured me it was just as good as the Medelas that everyone else recommended for working outside the home.)   And I used that Simple Wishes pumping bra that Ysette9 linked to - also a gift.  I remove or unbutton my shirt and put it on over my regular nursing bra, then get to work pumping (I pumped in a really nice bathroom where I didn't have to be near a toilet and could lock the door for privacy.)

My secret weapon was a pair of Lilypadz.  These saved my sanity.  I was leaking so much and had such huge boobs that I *HAD* to wear a bra 24/7, and I was getting sores around my ribcage from bra bands chafing there.  I was desperate to sleep without a bra, but didn't want to change my bedding every night and risk ruining our mattress, so I got these silicone sticky thingies.  They stick directly to your boobs and trap the leaking milk against your skin, when they allow leaking at all.  I have also worn them with a fancy dress when I wasn't nursing but the dress wouldn't easily accommodate a bra (to keep my nipples, um, retracted).  They come in regular and large size.  These were seriously my miracle product.  I would just wash them out each morning and let dry during the day, then wear them again the next night.
https://www.amazon.com/LilyPadz%C2%AE-Reusable-Silicone-Nursing-Single/dp/B005DEVVBU/ref=pd_sim_75_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=41XoYY-IKFL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR118%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=31XZXD2VAKXPJ82H3RVG

I pumped twice during the workday, or on occasion three times.  When my son turned one and started getting whole milk (daycare didn't allow BM after age one), I dropped down to once a day.  It was more for myself than for him (to keep pressure from building up at work), although I did end up needing all 200 spare ounces in my stash when I got the stomach flu and couldn't provide even a drop for him (my supply bounced back to "adequate", but I never had oversupply after that).  He weaned at 15 months.

I started pumping maybe week 2 or 3?  I can't remember.  But I wanted to build up a good stash for daycare and get him accustomed to the bottle.  I think we introduced the bottle around 6 weeks.  My family members loved having a chance to feed him and I didn't mind a chance to get away for some privacy - I would pump while my mom fed him, and read a book or something fun.

Good luck!
« Last Edit: August 12, 2016, 01:58:53 PM by Cognitive Miser »

historienne

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #23 on: August 12, 2016, 03:07:22 PM »
Lots of good advice here.  I just want to enthusiastically recommend the Spectra S2 pump, which is a newer brand.  I've used the Spectra, a Medela Symphony, and a Medela PISA.  The Symphony's the best, but your insurance is very unlikely to cover it; mine covered a rental only while my son (premature) was still in the hospital.  The Spectra is light-years better than the PISA, however.  Much more comfortable, highly adjustable, and very good suction.

Secret Agent Mom

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #24 on: August 14, 2016, 10:35:43 PM »
I have 5 kids, all breastfed- including a set of twins.  I agree that everyone's experience is different- as are every baby!

1.  I would start out w/ 1 nursing bra in the next size up, and those nursing tanks from Target for the first few weeks as your supply adjusts.  Wait until 5-6 weeks to go out and buy the right size.  It might not look great those first few weeks, but there is no way to determine the right fit/size beforehand, and those nursing tanks are great!

2.  I bought ONE package of disposable ones and they lasted me all through my kids... but I  was always a nurse-on-demand mama.  When it's time to nurse, I would unlatch both sides of my bra and put a cloth diaper over the opposite one b/c that always lead to leaks- this is the perfect way to start your pumping stash, put the pump on the opposite side.  I also slept on those flannel-type waterproof things in the night b/c I would tend to leak then, too.  Maybe I am picky, but I'd rather do that than sleep in a bra w/ a pad in it.  Otherwise I only used them if I knew I wouldn't be around baby for a while and my supply might build up.  I did like the Target nursing tanks to sleep in, but often just put a prefold in there- I'm sure I Looked glamorous!

3.  I don't like pumping, so I'm probably not the best person to ask b/c I MUCH prefer just nursing.  It was nice to have a hand pump when my milk first came in- pump to comfort and do not overpump until you get a good supply and demand going.  Pumping too much, too soon can send the signal to your body to make more milk.  You want to make the right amount, not too much.  Otherwise I would tend to pump a few oz at a time to store when I had to leave baby for a few hours.  A pump is also nice if you get clogged ducts or mastitis.  Like I said before, the best time to pump for me was when baby was nursing on the opposite side and your milk lets down anyway.  If you plan to work from home and things are flexible, I would pump a few oz at a time starting around 4-5 weeks, then use the pump when you are gone as needed.

4.  I used a hand pump, but in your case I would get a good one!  Ask around for a used one and buy new lines.

5.  Congrats!  Relax and  enjoy your baby those first few weeks, leave worrying about the future milk supply until you are ready.  If it works out, great.  If not, you are not a failure :)  Nursing is great, and I think it's best for mom and baby- but your sanity is the most important thing!  I know with my first I worried and worried and worried- my milk took about 4 or 5 days to come in, baby was starved and got about 4oz of formula- and when it did finally come in, it seemed baby couldn't keep up.  It HURT!  I used the pump to relieve pressure.  With all future babies, I never had that happen- I was much better at determining when my milk came in, and made sure to nurse every hour or so for a few days- even if they weren't hungry ;)  Baby may be asleep, but I would still wake to nurse if I felt I was getting full.  I consider those few days when your milk comes in as a test- your body asking how much milk to make.  Don't let it get ahead of itself, but don't pump either unless you need to release the pressure.  By around 4-6 weeks- the time most moms are getting ready to go back to work, your supply should be much more evened out.  Go by a new bra that fits (the pumping one looks great!)

Cognitive Miser

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #25 on: August 15, 2016, 01:25:10 PM »
I thought of something else - I think part of the reason I had oversupply was because my son was a prolific eater.  My milk came in quickly (2 days?) and he was back up over his birth weight BEFORE we left the hospital after 4 days.  Which is REALLY fast.  So the suggestion to pump one side when he was eating on the other didn't work for us - he always needed to eat on both sides.  Sometimes he would eat three times before he was done (I would switch him back to the original side and hope there was something more there for him).  He was 15th percentile weight at birth and more like 65th within a few weeks.  He grew SO fast.

When I started pumping I would just do a little first thing in the morning on both sides before I let him eat.  Sometimes the pressure of my letdown was too much for him and he would gag.  So I would just relieve the pressure for him by taking about 1 oz off of each side.  I know from going to breastfeeding support group that some moms struggle to get even one ounce TOTAL, but I could get five on each side when I was pumping at work, easy.  I haven't seen a lot of discussion on oversupply here (other than how to avoid it) so I just thought I'd put in a few more cents.  It may not be as common as undersupply, but it has its own unique problems.  I saw it as a blessing though!  For a type A planner like myself, I was super-excited to have a big stash.

Also, this may not be obvious, but even if you have a double-electric pump, you don't have to pump both sides.  Mine came with a little plug so you could disconnect one of the hoses and the suction only went to one side.  When I was pumping off my foremilk ("letdown milk") I actually just used one side and then switched it to the other side so both deposits went into the same bottle, and there was less clean-up afterwards.

If you are curious, you might look at the Kellymom website to learn about foremilk and hindmilk.  That site is amazing and has so much useful info!

And if you are going to be pumping while on travel, you will want to learn about transporting milk back in dry ice on the airplane.  That may require some additional gear that you hadn't considered.  I never had to do it but remember reading about it.

Oh and more breastfeeding trivia:  massaging your milk ducts really works to generate milk.  I was on crutches (occasionally two, usually just one) for most of my third trimester, and there is a milk duct in your armpit.  Well, when my milk came in, I woke up to a painful chicken-egg size lump in my armpit.  I'm so glad I was still in the hospital because I had no idea what was going on.  I'd been "massaging" that duct for weeks before birth, and it responded in kind.  Now that I am pregnant again that one milk duct has again become more swollen more than the one in the other armpit, and I haven't been using crutches this time around!  Come to think of it, that may have contributed to my oversupply as well.
« Last Edit: August 15, 2016, 01:32:00 PM by Cognitive Miser »

esq

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Re: De-mystify nursing bras and breast pumping please
« Reply #26 on: August 15, 2016, 03:54:15 PM »
Congratulations!  Lots of good advice here.  Here's some breastfeeding advice I would like to add that I wish I would have known with my first, who was a very fussy, high need baby who responded to comforting by screaming harder:  Some babies do NOT take to schedules, no matter how hard you try, and some babies will not do what the book says they'll do.  For example, my book (20 yrs ago), said that the baby should nurse 5 - 15 minutes on one side, and then go 5 - 15 minutes on the other side. What actually happened was he nursed for two minutes on one side, cried and fussed, slept for 15 minutes, then nursed for two minutes on the other side, slept for 30 minutes, back to boob #1, lather rinse, repeat, except never the same thing twice.  (I had plenty of milk and he gained weight normally.) I remember once, saying in a daze to no one in particular, "Hey, I haven't put my boobs away in 17 hours."  He basically cried for the first three months of his life.  It just happens, and it's not your fault.  He weaned himself at 1 year.  He's a physics major now and we dig him a lot. :-)

My second basically cried once a day at 7pm and was easy as pie!  I let her wean herself at 3 yrs old, although she would never even take a binky, much less a bottle.  I was ok with that.

 

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