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KatMack -> RE: Got Mommy's Milk, Take 5 (10/18/2007 12:37:06 PM)
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quote:
OK...for the working (even slightly) mom, you want to talk to Kat (who I am sure will post soon)...she has successfully continued to nurse and pump for now two (I believe) babies because she has to work. They got into some debt that they are trying to get out of, so not working is not an option for them. Kudos to her for having the commitment to do that AND still nurse/pump!!!! She has lots of tips I am sure about pumping. I personally find it too hard and haven't done it with the last few kids because it's not worth the effort for me. Thank you for your kind words, Sarah. I can't tell you how much I needed them today. You actually made me tear up. Yep, I work full-time and am pumping for my third baby. If you plan on pumping and nursing, I recommend already having a pump before the baby arrives. Take it out of the box, read all the instructions, practice setting it up and hooking yourself up... but don't turn it on! Be as familiar with it as you can beforehand. This also helps with post-baby stress. I'm large-breasted and flat-nippled... a horrible combination when trying to nurse a newborn. I've ended up pumping the first couple of weeks with all three of my angels because they just couldn't latch on properly. Already knowing how to use a pump and having it all on hand with my last two really relieved a TON of stress for me. I also recommend using wide mouthed bottles. They force the baby to open up wider when taking the bottle, thus keeping their latch correct for nursing. We used the Avent bottles and loved them! Have Dad give the bottles... not you! It's very confusing for them to have "the source" available but being told they need to take a bottle. Pump recommendations... If your going to be working full-time, invest in a double electric pump! My pump sessions last about 20 minutes and it would be almost an hour if I didn't have the double pump. I've used a rented Medela Lactina, a borrowed Medela Pump in Style and my own Lansinoh Double Electric Pump. I recommend ALL of these, depending on your budget. If you will be pumping full-time, no nursing, you'll definitely want to go for the Medela Lactina, ideally, but the Pump in Style at least. If your only going to be working part-time, I'd recommend either the Double Electric Pump or Avent's Isis Manual pump. The Avent Isis is an EXCELLENT manual pump and if you use the Avent bottles, you can pump directly into them with the Isis. If you know you will be going back to work, I'd recommend starting to pump a couple of weeks after birth or a couple of weeks before returning to work. You can freeze what you pump then and have back-up for emergencies. Okay, I think that covers the beginning of my nursing/working mom advice! Feel free to ask any questions you might have. --Kat
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