Blogging for Babies, Breastfeeding and Mothers

Hi Debbie-

Trip 2 this month to DC went better. This time some sort of electronic sensor for explosives of my hands and bag rather than a test strip requiring me to open up my carefully packed bags of milk. Security at the Federal office I visited didn't bat an eye when my bag rolled through the x-ray machine.

Flew into Regan National instead of Dulles. The women's restroom (the one with the 20 or so stalls) had a "nursing lounge" I pumped in there- wishing I didn't. I can't imagine trying to feed a child in there with the lovely sounds and smells all around. It basically was a handicapped sized stall with a small bench and changing table inside.

I was surprised to see that someone was thinking about breastfeeding mothers in an airport. Though not an ideal place to pump, it is a designated place. We're moving up in the world, ladies.

Where have you pumped? On a train, bus or ferry? 

Free Report - Avoid The Top 7 Breastfeeding Mistakes Want to learn how to overcome the most common barriers new mothers face when trying breastfeed successfully?  Download the free report to discover how moms like you are avoiding the painful mistakes associated with improper breastfeeding.

Do You Want to Breastfeed with Confidence and Joy?       Follow me on Facebook & Twitter.

Any of you faced with the difficulties of returning to work, wanting to continue breastfeeding and having to figure the logistics of pumping and transporting your breastmilk? This mother's story was definitely worth blogging about. One mother's desire to breastfeed after return to work saga.

Hi Debbie-

As I traveled to DC this week for client meetings, breast pump and laptop in tow- I thought of this article I read a while back.

I pumped locked in airport bath rooms (the unisex handicapped ones usually have a plug and a little privacy). My pump and breastmilk were flagged at security checks and tested for explosives residues.

At each federal building I checked into, with embarrassed or impatient clients shuffling from foot to foot waiting to sign me in, my breast pump set off flags on the x-ray machine and was taken out and inspected to make sure that those tubes and wires were not a threat to national security.

I ended up with mastitis anyway. I came home to a smiling little boy who seemed happy to see me and I have to wonder -- am I nuts?

With all the breastfeeding advocacy you do, have you met with anyone working for better policies for maternity leave? We have family medical leave- 12 weeks unpaid, but more than that would certainly help many mothers breastfeed longer and at least meet the 6 month AAP goal. I have a flexible job and returned 35 hours a week- and still have trouble getting my work done, pumping and tending to the normal baby related tasks (doctors appointments etc.) I imagine that this must be nearly impossible for mothers at less flexible workplaces.

Anyway- just a brain dump after a long week. Maybe you can blog about it (but not me).

Anyone have similar battles or roadblocks with trying to pump? Ever feel that traveling through the airport with pump and freshly expressed milk is akin to a spy? I'd love to hear your stories.

Do You Want to Breastfeed with Confidence and Joy?       Follow me on Facebook & Twitter.

A great breastfeeding story from a mother of two boys: 

This is our extra stand up freezer; well, our first one. We've had to remove all the food and recently, had to get another freezer in anticipation of the growing over flow - thank goodness for craigslist.

December 15th 2009 Phineas Marcus was born, our second son. Shortly after he was born it became apparent he was caught in a bit of a vicious circle: he wasn't sleeping long enough to have the energy to feed for long enough, which kept him from staying asleep long enough, which meant he did not have the energy to eat. He hadn't pooped in two days-- He was a grumpy little dude.

Having had great difficulties with breastfeeding our first born gave me an idea - I decided to pump and bottle feed him just to get enough into him to satisfy him and allow him to sleep and hopefully poop. My older son had latching difficulties and my lactation consultant had broken the myth for me that a baby who is fed with a bottle will never go to the breast again. The other thing she taught me was to trust myself - listen to others; sure - but ultimately trust that I would know what to do for my child.

So I carried through with my plans, despite one of the doctor's objections. The doctor kept insisting that perhaps I should supplement with formula; oddly enough she kept saying that she wanted me to do that so that I didn't waste the milk I had pumped. At any rate, my plan worked, he ate an ounce and a half; slept; pooped . . . and repeat.

I had planned on pumping at least by the time I went back to work, maybe sooner. I had overproduced the last time and I had found that pumping could add a certain convenience to my life. So, after pumping in the hospital, I just kept going. Last time someone had given us a 5 foot standup freezer to deal with the overflow and that was sufficient.

My son generally feeds from a bottle during the day and then breastfeeds late evening to late morning. And the bottle definitely has not turned him from the breast. Despite the frequency of bottle feeds - he will not accept anything but the breast at night.

A few weeks ago it became apparent the standup freezer would not be enough. Thank goodness for craigslist.org we found someone giving away a standup freezer; this one is monstrous, 6 feet tall and maybe twice as deep. I've come just shy of filling the 5 foot freezer. I'll let you know if I manage to fill the larger one too. :)

The picture you see is just shy of 400 storage bags - 6 ounces a piece. My son generally eats 4 - 5 bags a day in addition to breastfeeds. I put away somewhere between 8 and 12 bags a day.

I use the Lansinoh breast milk bags and I'm plugging them here - they are definitely the best out there in my opinion and they have excellent customer service. Each bag has six ounces and I have just shy of 400 bags in storage. 

• What's your storage story? 
• How much milk do you pump?

Do You Want to Breastfeed with Confidence and Joy?       Follow me on Facebook & Twitter.

Isn't this a great picture? Imaging getting three babies ready for the snow.

After the last story, comments have been pouring in. Everyone seems to love reading stories about other women's trials and successes with breastfeeding. This mother of triplets updated me on how things are going for her. She is happy to share this with you.

Hi Debbie,

 

I just wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed reading your stories. I love the perseverance of all the women you worked with, and how hard you work to help your clients meet their goals. It makes me so wish that the feeding at the breast had worked out for us. But I am still so happy and proud to still be pumping and giving them each about 6 ounces per day, I just wish it could be more and at the breast. Thank-you so much for helping me get where I am, I am not sure I'd still be pumping without your help in that rocky beginning. The boys have only had one mild cold this winter so I think the antibodies are helping them.

What commitment. What belief in the power of breastmilk. She deserves a gold medal. Her boys are now eight months old. Aren't they gorgeous?

Every ounce of breastmilk is like money in the bank for your child's health. Give as much as you can for as long as you can.

Never underestimate the power of breastmilk!

Did you nurse twins? Triplets?

Let us hear from you.

Debbie

And as always, our mothers are amazing and our babies are awesome.

Do You Want to Breastfeed with Confidence and Joy?       Follow me on Facebook & Twitter.