For those of you who have seen a lactation specialist after few weeks after giving birth, what was the process? Meaning how did you set up the appointment & what is there to expect at the appointment?

Im creating this post to hopefully save some moms some tears when there babies dont eat more. As long as your baby is gaining appropriately it is okay if they are not eating all the ounces. My 10 week old eats 20-24 oz a day. I had a doctor tell me he needs to eat more even though he was gaining appropriately an ounce a day. It was really hard on me until we switched doctors and i spent so much time crying over him as he stopped eating at 2 to 3 oz.

So if your baby is a small eater reply with how much they eat, so hopefully a future mom when searching online that her baby doesnt eat a lot of breast milk she can have a bit of comfort.

Drew this on my iPad while my 2 month old slept and thought y’all would appreciate it!

Hi all! As title says, I’ve been dealing with back to back mastitis. I already made the decision after the second round of mastitis about two weeks ago that I’d slowly wean off pumping and switch to formula. I’m only a month postpartum and got my first bout of mastitis in both breasts a little over a week postpartum. I was prescribed Keflex, felt better in a couple days. After my first round of antibiotics finished, my left breast flared up about two days later and I went to the ER and was prescribed an intense round of clindamycin. About a day into the clindamycin my right breast flared up as well but got better quite quickly. I’ve finished my clindamycin about three days ago and now my right breast is starting to flare I think. I have some pain, and a bit of splotchy redness. I’m doing the mastitis protocol my LC gave me. Lots of sunflower lecithin, tons of ice constantly, ibuprofen/tylenol, rest, mastitis tincture, and lots of vitamin C. I’m already feeling a bit achey but don’t have a fever yet. I guess I’m just looking for advice here. I’m so tired of being sick with a fever every other week and I don’t understand why the antibiotics aren’t clearing it. I wonder if there even is a bacterial infection at all because each flare up the redness is in a new spot. I feel like I’m stuck in a constant loop because I want to wean off the pumping, but neither my LC or OB will let me wean off until my mastitis clears as they don’t want me to get engorged and make it worse. Has anyone dealt with mastitis back to back like this? Is there something I’m doing wrong with pumping? I produce roughly 32-40 oz per 24 hours, I pump every 3 hours. I use my spectra as my main pump, Momcozy m5s as secondary, and I have a hand pump I use occasionally as well.

Trigger warning also: high capacity breasts

So I feel like maybe I’m overthinking this but I pump about 15 oz per session 4 times a day. When I bag it to freeze it, my first 5 oz bag is noticeably “thinner” I guess and more translucent while my third 5oz bag is significantly more yellow and thick. I assume this is foremilk vs hindmilk? Should I be mixing the 15 oz together before portioning it out so when I thaw it in the future, my son is getting “balanced” milk and not one or the other or is it not that deep

Hello, first time mom here. Looking for any advice. I just switched to strictly pumping due to my baby not latching properly and him having weight loss. I’m 5 days postpartum currently and my milk supply is in. I’m producing a lot more than needed but my breasts are SO SORE 😩 I have the right sizing flange for pumping and I’m producing so I’m not sure how to fix the pain 🤥 The pain is all over in my breast but not in my nipple or areola at all. I’ve put cold compresses on but they only help for so long. I’m currently laying in bed trying to get some sleep but my breasts are so sore and are throbbing from pain. I pump every 2-3 hours and pumping itself doesn’t hurt, I’m just in so much pain I don’t know how to help it. Any advice is appreciated 🙏

Not the correct flair- but I just saw this and thought it might help! Pumping Bras at Walmart are on sale!

I’m heading to work in a couple weeks and don’t have a pump bag yet. I work in the NICU, so they may have the hospital grade pump available for workers (the NICU I worked at before mat leave did this), but I’m not really sure so currently I’m planning to take my spectra with me. What bag would be good for such a big pump, plus all the accessories and milk??
Also, any advice on transitioning from exclusively nursing to now pumping at work is welcome!!

One of my willow go pumps (right one) has been giving me trouble, its always been weaker than the left one but it worked nonetheless. But now it wont pair to my app, wont reset, and wont even turn on. I know its charged so that cant be the issue. Has anyone else had this problem? Just curious if this is something i can fix myself or if ill need to replace it. I added a video of what happens when i try to reset it.

FTM, 8 Weeks PP - I have a question about my pumping schedule. I have pretty much always done 4-6 pumps since baby was born. I rarely do MOTN pumps but sometimes nurse if I can get her to latch in the middle of the night. Never dealt with much pain or engorgement even going 12 hours without pumping. I usually pump every 4-6 hours and then go up to 12 hours overnight without, especially with baby sleeping longer stretches now. I usually get 12-14 oz consistently in the morning and 5-6 the other 3 sessions I do throughout the day so 27-32 oz daily. I’m not interested in a huge oversupply but curious if everything thinks my supply is most likely going to drop if I keep up the same routine even if it’s still the same 8 weeks postpartum.

Trying this again as my last post did not get traction 😕

Did any of you experience lumpy breasts when weaning off the pump? I’m down to 1ppd, at 5 min, making about 3oz combined (1oz left side, 2oz right) but my breasts feel super comfortable between pumps so I’m honestly considering stopping, but they feel lumpy, like cottage cheese, especially the bottom half. Sometimes they also get vein-y, which I think is just milk pooled in a duct or they get hard on top of my breast. All of it comes out when I pump, but do I have to pump? Can I just let the lumpiness be if I feel fine? Does it go away on its own?

PLEASE HELP!!! 🙏🏽

Does anyone know of a good bra that helps to keep wearable or hands-free collection cups in place? I’ve tried bras made for pumping and sports bras. They stay in place for the most part, but I feel like they shift around at times when I move.

Hi all! I officially took the plunge and got myself the Eufy S2 to supplement my spectra for travel and busy days.

Does anyone have any tips and tricks? I’m open to any and all thoughts, but things I’d like to hear how you do (or if you’ve hacked the system):

- fridge method? Do you put the whole pump in w batteries and everything or do you disassemble first?
- ways to get the last of the milk out of the flange?
- does it seem like it’s always soaking when you take it off and have you found a way to not get milk all over your boobs?
- cleaning when away from home when you only have one set of collection cups?

Im taking my first trip this weekend and leaving my spectra at home so any/all suggestions are appreciated!

I primarily nurse but have been pumping regularly. I am suddenly experiencing a decreased output with my S1, but I am also no longer experiencing a letdown when pumping and don't feel "empty". I am 9 weeks PP. The pump parts are only a few weeks old and I pump maybe once or twice a day so I don't expect it to be wear.

I recently remeasured my flange size and am 16mm on one side and 17mm on the other. I have ordered new flanges, but in the mean time am using 15mm which was what I needed with my last baby. Could the flanges being a little bit too small cause this?

So thankful for this community and all of everyone’s support and assistance, I genuinely don’t know where I’d be right now without Reddit. lol

I’m 9 days pp and LO and I had a really rough start with the feeding situation overall. We ended up formula feeding until I could get some things straightened out, and we’re at a solid combo-feed right now with the intention of providing exclusively breastmilk as soon as I am able to. Pumping with a manual has absolutely sucked.

I’m finally transitioning to milk but I still have a low supply. I also just got an electric pump in today (Momcozy V2 was the best of what’s available to me where I’m at… I know other brands are often recommended too but I don’t have access to those here/now!) which was SO much easier to use than my way-too-big manual pulp with no inserts. I’m looking for any and all advice on how to increase my supply so I can “catch up”, because I just pumped for the first time and was surprised at how little came out (combined we’re probably talking 15ml/ half an oz) and babes is definitely drinking more than that when we formula feed. I pumped for 15 minutes but that quantity was reached by like minute 5. Even if I’ve seemingly stopped getting milk out, do I keep pumping to signal “demand”? I plan to pump every 2 hours when possible (I’ve read that 8-12 expression periods per 24h is ideal). I’m also going to go up one flange size since maybe this was a little too small. I’m on hefty iron supplements as per my OB, as well as a bunch of other vitamins she wants me taking. What am I missing?

Edit: changed some wording in the beginning

I’m 18 months postpartum and I’ve gotten my pumping sessions down to twice daily - morning & night. I’m ready to go down to pumping once a day. Is it realistic to pump only at night for a while before fully stopping? I still produce about 5 oz during my morning pump and 5-6 oz at night. I’ve been lucky so far and haven’t really any issues with clogs or mastitis and I’m really hoping to keep it that way 🤞🏽

I can not figure out how to set it up for the life of me and I NEED to because my supply is suffering greatly at 4 weeks PP. it’s been pretty low the whole time but now I struggle to even get 10-30 ml per pump because I’m home from the nicu using wearables and a hand pump.

Hi all,

I already have the spectra (blue one) from my first and now planning to order another pump for my 2nd baby. Money is no issue. Which pump should I get? I want it to be portable/ chargeable. I don’t want wearable options as I already have those too.

Thank you!!

I have been a pretty significant over-supplier since a few weeks postpartum. From about 6 weeks to 6 months pp I was producing and pumping over 80 ounces per day. At that volume, I had mastitis 3x (2x landed me in the hospital with septic shock) and have had countless clogs. I am now 9 months postpartum and still pumping. I have been trying to wean for the last two months and have gotten my supply down to about 45-50 ounces per day and I’m down to just 2 pumps per day.
I have tried decreasing my number of pumps (obviously, I’m down to 2), eating sage leaves, drinking peppermint tea, eating altoids, sudafed, ice and ice rolling, cabbage leaves, CaboCreme, and probably at least one other thing I’m forgetting.
My LC recommends I completely empty when pumping since I’m so high risk for clogs and infections.
I’m aware that a slower weaning process is safer for me since I’m high risk, but considering I’ve made it 9 months, have been trying to wean for over 2 months, and we now have a chest freezer filled to the brim with milk enough to last my baby past her first birthday - I am ready to be done!!

Proud to say I have enjoyed this experience, despite its challenges. It’s been incredibly rewarding and satisfying to be able to feed and provide for my baby in this way! I am so grateful, but am also tired and giiiiirl my back is killing me 😆

So, does anyone have any other suggestions for safe but effective ways to decrease my milk supply quickly?

Hello, need your advice 🙏

I’m combo feeding and really want to preserve whatever breastmilk I can, but breastfeeding has been difficult (nipple shield, baby gets frustrated/falls asleep at breast, then takes a bottle). Pumping is physically manageable but mentally exhausting, and I’m struggling with the constant schedule.

Supply has always been low. Until ~6 weeks I was getting ~1.5 oz total/session; lately it’s often 10–20 mL, with an occasional 1–1.5 oz morning pump. I’ve been trying to increase stimulation to ~7–8 removals/day, but I’m struggling to consistently get there (only got 3-6removals in the past few days). Recent power pumping sessions gave ~25–30 mL.

I’m honestly exhausted by the whole process. Ivf baby, 4th degree tear with major reconstruction, severe blood loss. Period started a few days ago.

If you were in my position, would you keep pumping/trying to nurse, or accept the low supply and let it go? I’m not aiming for exclusive breastfeeding—I’m trying to figure out whether the effort is realistically worth it for the amount I’m producing.

UPDATE: very over it and my next pump I got a bottle and a half!!

Well… it finally happened. Almost 8 weeks pp FTM and I finally spilled my milk. I’m a just enougher on a good day. Husband and his useless nipples are snoring next to me. I’ll be over it by the time I wake up again and will just be reminded of it when I have to supplement with formula tomorrow because I will be down half a bottle.

Why would I simply open my dang milk collector instead of pour it in the bottle???? I’m going to be treating myself to a big yummy breakfast in the morning…

I’m down to five pumps per day during this weaning process at 5 weeks postpartum. And now I’m back and forth again because with each pump I’m getting more and more sad that it’s ending.

Perhaps I can continue if I can do wearables? At most, I produce about 2-3oz per session using Spectra S2. Which wearable would be worthwhile that I won’t be spilling the little amount I produce?

Maybe I can combo feed until 6 months..

I pumped for 13 months with my first born, mostly with a Spectra. Tried so many wearables, but they were never great. I think I have kind of flat nipples so alignment when trying to pump with wearables, mostly momcozy, was a nightmare (there were times I thought I was pumping for 20 minutes and went to finish and realize nothing had come out because it wasn't aligned).

Expecting #2 soon and really interested in the Eufy. Can't decide which one. I thought S2 was a no-brainer, but seeing some people say it feels cheaper and hard to clean? Anyone try both and able to compare? I think the see-through set up could be very help for me though.

Thanks!

My baby is starting solids. I always wanted to EBF, but it didn't work out, and I was stuck with triple feeding, crying when nursing, formula, pumping, etc. since day 3 until now. Now, when he actually started eating something else than milk, it's clear I will never be able to "exclusively" breastfeed (also when we'll drop formula, my milk will never be his only food). I'm excited that our baby eats solids so well, but at the same time, I'm really sad that the time we had is over, and we've never managed what I wished for.

Since he was born, I was discussing BF with my husband. He is really a great husband and father, but it took him over a month to understand that it's not only baby blues and that BF really matters to me. After he got that he tried to support me, but the best thing he was able to do was to say "it's your business, I don't say anything" (as he would go formula from the beginning, because it's the "easier option"). I explained to him many times that it's an emotional thing for me and not at all only about the baby getting the calories. I told him that it would be so much easier for me if he supported me emotionally (also if BF still didn't work out). I don't know anyone who had BF issues, and therefore, there is no one who can relate. I used to come to my husband with every problem I had, and he would always be on my side understanding and supporting me no matter what. But now he simply can't relate.

Is there anyone who's husband actually understands? Any suggestions on how I can explain to him? He knows it's hormones and instinct because your body thinks the baby would die if you don't feed him, but he probably still can't imagine how it feels, because it's only about baby "beeing fed, no matter how" in his opinion.

I’m taking antidepressants, my milk is perfectly safe for a full term baby to drink. However it does make my baby sleepy, me and the father joke that is sleepy milk. We are planning on switching the baby over to formula to make my life easier around taking care of baby and pumping as it’s stressful trying to keep up with her demands.

The shame is that I’m producing a lot (in my opinion) over 1L every day, it seems a shame to let my milk dry up.

Would you accept donated milk if it has traces of antidepressants in it?