I'm almost 9 months in as an exclusive pumper, & about 6 months in pumping while at work. It gets easier as you go and certainly becomes a lifestyle. While I know I'm providing so many benefits for my little one, plus saving money, I'd be lying If I said I love it. I'm actually looking forward to my first day of no pumping, my first day of freedom, the first day my life isn't in increments of 4 hours.
Because I'm not actually breastfeeding, there isn't as much of a bond as with babies and mothers that are nursing. Sometimes, it actually gives me the opposite feeling, especially when Nicolina was a newborn. She'd be laying there (sometimes crying) as I sat tethered to the machine pumping milk for her next feeding. This broke my heart every time! I couldn't hold her and pump at the same time efficiently, and sometimes I realize I'm rushing through bedtime because I have to pump. I do however get a feeling of being able to provide for my daughter, that something I am doing is impacting her in such a healthy way. That makes me feel good & keeps me going on those days "I just don't feel like it." So while I can't wait for that first day of no pumping, I'm out here trying to master this pumping lifestyle.
I have multiple sets of parts, I recommend 2-3. Before bed I pump then wash my parts. I use the buckets from the hospital to collect my clean or dirty parts in. I'll let them soak in hot soapy water while I brush my teeth, apply moisturizer etc. then I wash with a brush & rinse. I use a bottle rack for all of my bottles and flanges and a grass drying rack for the connectors, lids, bottle nipples, & other smaller parts. I use a paper towel to set the valves and membranes on to fully dry out before use.
After I wash my parts, before hitting the hay, I gather my parts for the morning as well as my second set to take to work. I put my parts for the morning in my plastic bucket then set as many parts that are available for work on a paper towel. This way I can grab them quickly, and asses which pieces I still need in the morning. The milk I pump at night sits out on my dresser (freshly pumped milk can sit out for 6-8 hours) in case Nicolina wakes up during the night for a bottle or first thing in the morning.
Pumping is the first thing I do when I wake up. When Nicolina was a newborn, I used my hand pump in the mornings because she would typically wake up during a pumping session. This way I wasn't tethered and was able to get her a bottle while still pumping. When she started sleeping through the night I used my electric pump while sitting in bed and watching the news. Lately (I'm not sure why I JUST STARTED this, should have all along) I wake up, wash my face and moisturize then pump while I'm doing my makeup using my pumping bra. Total time saver!
I use a cute Vera bag for my pump, bottles & parts. I also use milk bags (typically the Target up&up brand). I keep a small swaddle blanket in my bag in case I'm out somewhere & need covered, extra membranes & valves, pads, & Medela Quick Clean wipes. I also use a Skip Hop cooler bag for my bags of milk.
I bring my laptop or iPad to use while I pump...(typing this as I pump). A pump session can last 20-45 minutes depending on my output, and how high I can turn my pump up based off of how sore my nipples are.
I started pumping 3 times at work but quickly transitioned to 2 times. The first being around 10, but if I'm in the middle of something or finishing up, it may be closer to 11, and my second is around 3-4. I store my first session of milk in my cooler and leave my second session of milk in their bottles, out of the cooler for her to have when I get home from work!
This is by no means easy, but like our bodies, we adapt to what we need to do to get things done. It's a learning process, learning from experience, trial & error-ing what works and what doesn't. There have been many tears, especially in the beginning, but mamas gotta do what mamas gotta do for her baby, right?
So here's to the mamas, working or stay-at home, that have pumped or breastfed for a day, a week, a year... I see you, & I know it isn't easy! Our mornings are hectic, our brains are fried from trying to remember everything, but our breast are filled with liquid gold, & better yet, lots of love.
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