Pregnant pumping...

[Windy]

Once again, not really sure where else to post where anyone will care (or it will be useful).

So I ordered some RRL (red raspbery leaf) tablets and stinging nettle (the first two ingredients in more milk two). The RRL arrived a few days ago, the SN should be here soon. I started pumping a bit last night (I wanted to do it before but I lag ) after D went to bed. I got 10ml last night, then another 5ml this morning when I pumped after she ate. It's a bit frustrating, not a lot comes out with the pump but I can squeeze some out no problem. I'm adding it to the donated milk I'm getting.


And I'd like to add - sometimes people's suggestions get to me. Suggestions from my friend who didn't nurse her child all through her pregnancy (tried, but didn't. From what I know now it doesn't seem she tried as hard as she had let on)... suggestions from the new-mom milk donor who hasn't the slightest clue about anything I'm going through... maybe it's the hormones, maybe it's the stress of the situation (I *DO NOT* want her to fully wean under 1y.), but the suggestions I can't use bother me. Plus I feel like such a B when I have to tell people things like "that isn't ok for use during pregnancy"... after every conventional supply boost suggestion they make.


If anyone would like me to keep updating how pregnancy is affecting things I will, but you gotta let me know

[Smplyme89]

I wish I had some helpful advice mama I have no idea what is/isn't safe while pregnant so I am no help there.

I *do* think you are doing an amazing job though

[Windy]

my best options are staying hydrated (overly so) and eating a lot - A LOT. I'm admittedly not great at these things every day, sometimes I'm busy and can't get as much as I need. which is where the supplements come in to hopefully help.

And thank you I'm trying to keep this one nursing - she likes food way more than the last one did

[froggie83]

http://kellymom.com/category/pregnancy/bf-preg/
might have some helpful information about bfing while pg.
hope everything works out!

[Smplyme89]

**Do not read if you are feeling hormonal, unsolicitated advice to follow **

my best options are staying hydrated (overly so) and eating a lot - A LOT. I'm admittedly not great at these things every day, sometimes I'm busy and can't get as much as I need. which is where the supplements come in to hopefully help.

And thank you I'm trying to keep this one nursing - she likes food way more than the last one did

So, despite never having been in your particular situation. I figured I would throw out some non-supplemental pumping help (that I am sure you are already doing, so don't virtual slap me )

*Heat them babies up!! I always pumped more after a hot shower or if that is not an option just use warm wash cloths on your breasts.
*Massaging while pumping and firm compressions while pumping (or even while nursing as well)
*Make sure that your horns are big enough (I don't know if this is an issue for you). It took me a while to realize that my horns were a bit too small and when I sized up I noticed a bit of an increase in production.
*Lube the horns. I used Morgan's Nipple Butter, kept my nipples from going "numb" during a pumping session.

I have a hard time consuming the amount of calories I needed just for me and nursing I couldn't imagine being pg as well. Lactation Cookies helped me alot. They had the benefits of helping with my supply (oatmeal) and getting some quick/easy calories in me. I don't know if you can use the brewers yeast/flax seed that is normally put in it, but it could be beneficial even if not.

Anyway that was my unsolicitated advice for the day

[Windy]

**Do not read if you are feeling hormonal, unsolicitated advice to follow **




So, despite never having been in your particular situation. I figured I would throw out some non-supplemental pumping help (that I am sure you are already doing, so don't virtual slap me )

*Heat them babies up!! I always pumped more after a hot shower or if that is not an option just use warm wash cloths on your breasts.
*Massaging while pumping and firm compressions while pumping (or even while nursing as well)
*Make sure that your horns are big enough (I don't know if this is an issue for you). It took me a while to realize that my horns were a bit too small and when I sized up I noticed a bit of an increase in production.
*Lube the horns. I used Morgan's Nipple Butter, kept my nipples from going "numb" during a pumping session.

I have a hard time consuming the amount of calories I needed just for me and nursing I couldn't imagine being pg as well. Lactation Cookies helped me alot. They had the benefits of helping with my supply (oatmeal) and getting some quick/easy calories in me. I don't know if you can use the brewers yeast/flax seed that is normally put in it, but it could be beneficial even if not.

Anyway that was my unsolicitated advice for the day

Good warning
My annoying advice comes in the form of 'oh this is what I attribute to my abundant supply...' oooor it could be that it's your first and you're stimulating by pumping extra? My supply was awesome with R, D's latch wasn't great to start so that got us off to a rough start, and a not spectacular supply... now friggin biology and pregnancy, bah.

I haven't tried heat, I just got some smaller horns because the others seemed too large, but maybe I should try the bigger ones again because these don't seem as effective. Massaging isn't helping much, but it gets the extra few drops out. I've never heard of nip lube before now it does get rather sore so I'll see if amazon has it.

Oh, and I've been meaning to make cookies for like the last MONTH.

[Smplyme89]

Good warning
My annoying advice comes in the form of 'oh this is what I attribute to my abundant supply...' oooor it could be that it's your first and you're stimulating by pumping extra? My supply was awesome with R, D's latch wasn't great to start so that got us off to a rough start, and a not spectacular supply... now friggin biology and pregnancy, bah.

I haven't tried heat, I just got some smaller horns because the others seemed too large, but maybe I should try the bigger ones again because these don't seem as effective. Massaging isn't helping much, but it gets the extra few drops out. I've never heard of nip lube before now it does get rather sore so I'll see if amazon has it.

Oh, and I've been meaning to make cookies for like the last MONTH.

Yeah that "advice" isn't really relavent/helpful at all

Any kind of lanolin will work and I have even heard of some mamas using oil (olive oil maybe??) to lube the horns.

And make some cookies woman!! Those were the only upside to having a crappy supply

[Erin1224]

I was in the same boat as you--I got pregnant when DS was 8 months, and definitely didn't want to wean him until 1 year. We did ok until about 9.5 months, when my supply just went into the toilet. I am typically a heavy producer, so it was really a shock. I tried everything--the one thing that helped a little was oatmeal cookies with brewer's yeast. By 11 months I wasn't able to pump more than an ounce per session. We were still nursing 4-6 times in 24 hours but I had to move him to whole milk a little early as well. Some people just dry up in pregnancy!

[CoffeeCat]

I have always had a good supply until I hit 6-7 months pregnant, so no advice here, just encouragement and confirmation of some things you said/are doing. I found that the extra calories and hydration were huge, as you said. You are doing a great job to still be getting so much at a pumping session. And your dd being 7 months you've gotten her through the hardest part, exclusivity for 6+ months. I know that between my 2nd and third, which was my closest spacing of 18 months, I breathed a big sigh of relief when he started eating solids more regularly. I have a friend whose kids are 14 months apart, and her story turned out well. She got pregnant at 5 months postpartum, nursed her son up until delivery and then tandem nursed them both until they were 3 and 4. I hope for the same happy outcome for you!

[runningmomofmany]

I always got that helpful kind of advice about VBAC while pregnant. I always wanted to say, thanks after (4,5) kids I have never heard that, I will try imagining my baby coming out of my vagina, that must be what foiled my first (3,4,5) vbac attempts.

I think you are on the right track, water and calories are your biggest help. Good luck!

[Windy]

I was in the same boat as you--I got pregnant when DS was 8 months, and definitely didn't want to wean him until 1 year. We did ok until about 9.5 months, when my supply just went into the toilet. I am typically a heavy producer, so it was really a shock. I tried everything--the one thing that helped a little was oatmeal cookies with brewer's yeast. By 11 months I wasn't able to pump more than an ounce per session. We were still nursing 4-6 times in 24 hours but I had to move him to whole milk a little early as well. Some people just dry up in pregnancy!

The plus that I feel I have on my side is I had milk/colostrum all through my last pg (weaned 6w into it), so that lets me know i can keep her nursing until there is something. I'm thankful for that, but this girl l.o.v.e.s. her food. it's insane. I'm soooo scared of giving her cow milk, R is dairy allergic, and while D has shown no signs and even likes cheese, I'm still nervous!

I have always had a good supply until I hit 6-7 months pregnant, so no advice here, just encouragement and confirmation of some things you said/are doing. I found that the extra calories and hydration were huge, as you said. You are doing a great job to still be getting so much at a pumping session. And your dd being 7 months you've gotten her through the hardest part, exclusivity for 6+ months. I know that between my 2nd and third, which was my closest spacing of 18 months, I breathed a big sigh of relief when he started eating solids more regularly. I have a friend whose kids are 14 months apart, and her story turned out well. She got pregnant at 5 months postpartum, nursed her son up until delivery and then tandem nursed them both until they were 3 and 4. I hope for the same happy outcome for you!

Thank you!

I always got that helpful kind of advice about VBAC while pregnant. I always wanted to say, thanks after (4,5) kids I have never heard that, I will try imagining my baby coming out of my vagina, that must be what foiled my first (3,4,5) vbac attempts.

I think you are on the right track, water and calories are your biggest help. Good luck!

Thank you The farther I get in this child raising stuff the more I laugh in my head when some people say things. It's a "omg I don't even have the TIME to tell you all the reasons that won't work here..." kind of laugh.


***
Ok, so I was busy and not home today, so I failed in the whole eating enough department. I try to stay hydrated but I still feel so DEhydrated no matter what I haven't even tried pumping, I really should since D will probably be asleep until morning... but at the same time I always have reservations about taking her milk supply in between, like it won't all be there when she wakes up. (semi) It's super late, but maybe I should anyway...

[Irish-Eyes]

The more you pump, the more demand you are creating and you are helping your supply.

[Windy]

The more you pump, the more demand you are creating and you are helping your supply.

I keep trying to tell myself that. I forgot last night because I wasn't feeling well. I usually pump during her first nap too but she just nursed through it (then woke up and is apparently asleep on the other side now). Sooo the last 24hrs have not gone well, lol.

[cheeksy]

Yeah that "advice" isn't really relavent/helpful at all

Any kind of lanolin will work and I have even heard of some mamas using oil (olive oil maybe??) to lube the horns.

And make some cookies woman!! Those were the only upside to having a crappy supply

I used olive oil and while it is good, it isn't as good as lanolin.

The plus that I feel I have on my side is I had milk/colostrum all through my last pg (weaned 6w into it), so that lets me know i can keep her nursing until there is something. I'm thankful for that, but this girl l.o.v.e.s. her food. it's insane. I'm soooo scared of giving her cow milk, R is dairy allergic, and while D has shown no signs and even likes cheese, I'm still nervous!

What about goat's milk? I was actually quite surprised that a lot of my Chinese friends who were breastfeeding went to goat's milk instead of formula or cow milk. They haven't introduced any bit of cow milk based dairy to their kids till like 2 or older - everything is goat's milk based. I never tried it but I heard the transition could be smoother. You could also try rice milk.

[JaysMommy]

Brewers yeast. And hand expressing if the pump just isn't getting what you know is in there. I would get every last drop by hand when I had to. If you need more help, I've done this twice, you know where to find me