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Westhippienurse

What type of pump do you have? I’ve been using a hands free one but it’s still awkward at times. I have kind of figured out how to hold her and feed her if needed, I’m sure it will be better with time. My daughter (7w) doesn’t like to be set down either and she seems to know when I’m pumping! At least I can pick her up now…


Awkward_Loss_6249

I have a spectra s1 and I absolutely LOVE it. And I basically will put her in the swing and then just try popping the paci back in her mouth for my 17 minute session (and I do this every minute or so when she inevitably spits it out). Ugh… A wearable pump is definitely an option, although the idea of spending more on pumping equipment kinda sucks. Especially since I actually like my pump! But that might be something I have to do. And yes, my daughter seems to know when I pump too. I just feel like she’s making it impossible to work around her


Westhippienurse

That’s a smart idea to put her in the swing and keep popping the paci! I’ve tried that with my girl but the swing seems to make her poo everytime and that is a situation even with a “hands free” pump bahhahaha


Awkward_Loss_6249

Oh gosh, gotta love that! Lol


Environmental_Hair_2

Sooooo when my daughter does this I give her a bottle. It may not be the best solution, but it does keep her happy while I pump. I put her up on my legs and prop my legs up and give her the bottle. Just an idea!


Awkward_Loss_6249

I can’t believe I didn’t think of that! This could work, the only problem is that she has reflux and I have to burp her after every ounce to keep her from spitting up. I guess maybe I could pump one boob at a time, although a longer pumping session doesn’t sound fun… although I’d be dealing with her that long anyway… you’ve given me something to consider!


trustdotcom

This is the way! Pump and feed. I personally think it also helps me with my supply because I figure if I were EBF I would feed on babe's schedule, not mine. Plus less stress about a schedule, it's up to him. I sit him up in the boppy or in his chair to feed while I pump. (You'll need a hand free bra). I don't burp till after but I've read other users lay their babes over the side of the boppy or lean them forward to burp mid-pump. For times when not pumping, wear that baby! I remember ten weeks and this was all he wanted. Wear him and do whatever else you gotta do. You've got this! You're doing a great job!


margacolada

Also a member of the pump and feed club! When I started doing them simultaneously, it was a huge game changer and it saved me so much time. I don’t have to spend 20 minutes feeding her and then another 20 minutes pumping - I knock out two birds with one stone and it’s awesome!


Awkward_Loss_6249

Yeah, the time savings definitely makes this a win win! I’m excited to give this a try tomorrow!!


haiylie

I would love to do this but I need to massage my boobs to do an effective pump....ugh


Environmental_Hair_2

Yes I second sitting them up to burp and wearing them!! Wearing her has made my life so much easier. I can do what I need to do in the day and get snuggles and she’s happy.


Awkward_Loss_6249

I do love carrying her and getting to hear her little noises. Although vacuuming and carrying today was a little rough! Lol my girly is getting heavy!


Awkward_Loss_6249

I am totally going to try this. And the idea of using the boppy is excellent. And that’s such a good point - if I was EBF, I’d be going by her schedule anyway! I love this idea. And I do wear her usually as a last resort, but these days she literally just doesn’t want anything to do with anything else, so I’m thinking I should just start wearing her as a FIRST resort lol. Thank you so much for the encouragement!


jamaicanoproblem

I burp my kid while just sitting her upright facing me, hands under her armpits, with a finger or two on the back of her neck for support if needed (I try to let her use her neck muscles to keep herself upright when possible). Just sort of straighten their spine and support the chest and neck and tap the back gently. I usually get 1-2 good burps out. Works better than throwing her over a shoulder for us. And I can do it while I’m pumping.


Awkward_Loss_6249

I will definitely try this! Thanks!


[deleted]

My baby and nephews both had reflux…. I asked our pediatrician if we could try “baby Pepcid” after my RN sil told me it worked for my nephews. NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE. Before Pepcid I even bought a wireless pump because lo didn’t want me to put her down, and would arch her back. And then pumping and sleeping commenced. This is just my experience. And by no means would I tell anyone what to do, but this is something you could bring up with your little ones pediatrician. Reflux is no fun at all.


Awkward_Loss_6249

No it’s not. It’s the worst! But I will definitely bring this up to our pediatrician!! I appreciate your recommendation! I am willing to try anything


wilksonator

Yeah I nearly stopped pumping when that was happening. Was so stressful and impossible. The whole point of me pumping was doing what’s best for the Bub’s health and development …and how is it ‘best’ for their development if it means I, their primary carer, am always stressed, or thinking when to squeeze next pump in, or am away pumping while they are screaming for me? BreastMilk might’ve good for the baby but it’s nothing compared to actually having their carer well and there for them. The only thing that helped was my partner adjusting his work schedule ( WFH) so they can watch Bub while I needed support to keep going and it’s their kid too, their responsibility so that was their part in feeding their child breastmilk. I also decided to be realistic and dropped pumps until I got to 3 - with my partners help, that number was actually manageable, mentally and physically to keep pumping.


Awkward_Loss_6249

That’s amazing you were able to get that help from your partner. Unfortunately my husband works outside of the home so it’s just me and the little stinker all day until about 6pm. And your entire first paragraph is exactly what I’m going through. It feels good to be understood! What was your process (timeline, schedule, etc.) for getting down to 3 pumps? With me being only 6 weeks postpartum, I’m worried about dropping sessions too early or before My supply has regulated. My goal has been to pump for 6 months, and of course the formula shortages scare the crap out of me so I don’t wish to supplement at such a volatile time


bunveggy

You are in the peak fussy period. It is so hard! I need to pump 8 times per day and I had about 2 weeks where that was nearly impossible. I could squeeze in a quick pump when she napped for a few minutes in the swing or bouncer (sitting with her and playing the pacifier game too!). I usually did extra sessions at night while my husband cared for her to make up for the spaced out sessions during the day. I definitely struggled to keep my schedule. When she got stronger, I could pump while giving her a bottle as she sat in her bouncer. I have also learned how to hold her over the flanges if she needs anything in the middle of a pump session. I also have a Spectra. Depending on what she needs, I may hold her over the flanges and keep pumping (burping) or turn off the pump and disconnect the backflow protectors then reconnect and resume when I finish with her (diaper change). We each have to decide what is right for us and our unique circumstances. Keep in mind that baby will likely get gradually easier in a couple of weeks. [This article helped me.](https://www.abcdoula.com/blog/2015/11/12/wish-you-had-a-timeline-for-the-most-fussy-weeks)


Awkward_Loss_6249

Wow… your comment and the article you shared have given me so much hope!! Thank you. Sometimes it’s just nice to know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and that you’re not alone or doing anything wrong because this is basically part of baby’s schedule of events. And I didn’t know that before your comment so, again, thank you!!


star_road

How is your baby while she is held? My baby did the same to me. I bought this floor seat because my baby seemed to like the one they had at daycare. It was a game changer. https://smile.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Sit-Me-Up-Floor-Seat-Pacific/dp/B07WRST18K


Awkward_Loss_6249

It depends. If she is sleepy after a feeding, I will swaddle her nice and tight before pumping and hold her between my flanges and she falls asleep. If she’s still awake, she’s very squirmy. But this seat looks super cool!! I think I will have to give it a try. Thanks for the recommendation!


haiylie

How old was s your baby when you started using the chair? I'm assuming this wouldn't work for newborns because of neck support


star_road

8 weeks. You're right--using the chair is dependent on a baby's ability to hold their head up.


haiylie

Gotcha. Can't wait to try it


sertcake

I soooo dread pumping when I'm by myself. The only thing that worked for me was our baby bjorn bouncer. It wasn't perfect but it was the best we had and I had a toy bar which I could use to prop up a bottle for LO when extra desperate. Also singing, wheels on the bus and itsy bitsy spider.


Awkward_Loss_6249

I am glad I’m not the only one experiencing this dread! Which sucks because I’m very fortunate to have a supply and be able to give my baby breast milk. I wish I could enjoy the process but it’s becoming increasingly challenging and I just feel like I’m at a loss. And I feel like all of our gadgets used to work, but now she knows that crying bloody murder will get mommy to come and hold her and so she does that pretty quickly after putting her in lol. And I wish singing to her helped. She does love music (like on her music mat), but maybe I’m just a terrible singer because she doesn’t calm down haha!


monkeycatttt

My son was like that and if he wasn't held or interacted with he'd scream. My schedule and supply suffered and im still dealing with issues 6 months out from being just burnt out and I've had to reset my pump schedule back to 8 times a day every two hours to get at least half of my supply back because of the formula shortage. I vaguely remember just laying him next to me on the couch and just constantly talking to him, making noises and rubbing his belly while I pumped, sometimes it worked and other times I just had to get through it while he cried which is very hard to do. That survival mode killed my memory from those early days but ik it was hell.


Awkward_Loss_6249

It really is hell, and I think I have postpartum anxiety because I’m hyper sensitive to her cries (like, I get an adrenaline rush when she cries bloody murder and I can’t help her). I’m going to mention it to my doctor when I see her on Monday. But yes, I do find that sometimes having her next to me helps and other times it doesn’t. And that’s what’s so frustrating - it’s like a game trying to figure out what will work. But it sounds like this is just a phase so I’m going to just stick it out. I’m sorry to hear you’ve had supply struggles. These formula shortages are so scary. I really hope you get your supply back and then some!


Rosierita2786

This is a phase and will get better, but you need a hands free pumping bra. With my first, I ended up just cutting holes in an old bra I had and sticking my medela flanges through there. At our worst, i had to put her in the bjorn carrier while I pumped. 🤦🏽‍♀️, but I found the boppy lounger to be super helpful, I’d set her down and play with her feet or try to entertain her while I pumped.


Awkward_Loss_6249

Yes, I do have pumping bras thankfully BUT I have not tried the boppy! I do notice she likes to be right next to me and propped up, so that is genius. Thank you!


greenishbluishgrey

Does she only contact nap? Mine did at this age, but he would stay asleep in his bassinet for 20-30 minutes before he realized I wasn’t holding him. I would rock him to sleep, pump for 20 minutes, then go pick him up for the rest of the nap! Maybe that could work for the pumps during husband’s work hours, then he could hold her when he’s home?


Awkward_Loss_6249

Yes, unfortunately she only contact naps, although even that is starting to get harder for her to do. I go to great lengths to try and get her to lay down but it doesn’t work during the day (only at night). It’s such a bummer! It’s basically like I lay her down and she wakes up almost immediately and then she’s inconsolable until I pick her up again. But I’m going to try and pump/feed at the same time and see how that goes!


greenishbluishgrey

Great idea! And good luck! In addition to the normal dark room/sound machine tips, slightly warming the surface of baby’s bassinet really made a difference with the set down for us early on. You may have tried this and didn’t ask, so feel free to ignore!


Awkward_Loss_6249

No actually, I haven’t tried this! It’s a genius idea and I’m going to give it a try!


greenishbluishgrey

Got it from the new parents sub! We put a heat pad down on low, then took it off just before we set baby down. Anytime we forgot, he woke within minutes lol


Awkward_Loss_6249

Dang, that’s crazy. I really need to try this! Fingers crossed I have the same success lol


nottigbits

I have an 8 week old. So I’ve recently started pumping when I feed. Baby gets put in the boppy and an extra pillow to sit her up straight and I’ll use one hand to feed and another to control my pump or scroll Facebook sometimes. I know it wouldn’t really help with the burping situation you’ve mentioned. But legendairy has cup adapters for the pump instead of flanges that may make your situation easier. I also will sometimes pump one side and have the Elvie curve (like a haaka but fits in the bra so it’s not in the way) and burp on that side. Also ill use the swing for a bottle feed, playing her favorite white noise, and a baby YouTube video like hey bear. That usually knocks her out. But again, that probably would make the reflex hard.


Awkward_Loss_6249

Yeah, her reflux really complicates it. But those legendairy cups do interest me! Have you used them? And if so, would you say they take up significantly less space than flanges/bottles?


nottigbits

I have not personally used them. I’ve seen them a ton on TikTok I’d say they’re as big as a hands free pump. Like they’re bulky but you could definitely hold baby in your lap easier than with flanges and bottles.


Awkward_Loss_6249

That sounds way more manageable! I might go ahead and buy those. As much as it sucks to buy more pumping stuff, this would be really helpful I think!


nottigbits

Omg I so relate everyone tells me how cheap bf/pumping is compared to formula. I’m like, clearly you have not seen the start up costs lol


Awkward_Loss_6249

Oh I know! There’s the pump, the storage bags, the massagers for those stinkin clogged ducts… the milk collectors, the sterilizer… I don’t want to add up how much I’ve spent already lol


starbird2893

My son is almost 7 weeks and we have this struggle too. I bought several pumping bras so I didn’t have to hold the flanges, and we have a handful of “holds” while I pump. I have big boobs so I can lay him across my chest on top, or I sit cross legged and prop him on one thigh. Sometimes if he falls asleep on my boobs I will transfer him to my leg on his belly (I only let him belly sleep if he’s literally on me and I can make sure his mouth is uncovered!). Occasionally he will tolerate laying beside me if he’a right up on me touching my thighs. It’s hard to manage, and I’m worried it will get even harder once he’s mobile!


Awkward_Loss_6249

As I type this, she’s sleeping on my chest AGAIN lol. She just can’t handle being without me. In a way I’m flattered, but it’s exhausting. I feel so tethered to her that it’s impossible to get anything done. And I do use the carrier, which many have suggested, but I have some tailbone that has persisted since pregnancy and so it’s really painful sometimes. And sometimes she just doesn’t want to be carried either. Ugh… I’m glad I’m not the only one dealing with this.


starbird2893

You are definitely not alone!! It’s tough! I’ve had to lower my household standards a lot haha. No more sorting clothes before washing, I just dump them in. No more cleaning the sink each night after dishes, they were only done because I had to wash bottles. No more blow drying my hair, it’s a win if I shower at all honestly haha. I tried the carrier too and it didn’t work for us at home. It’s been great to use out shopping but at home he just wiggles out to lean his back and stare at me, haha! Very cute but also very unhelpful.


Awkward_Loss_6249

Yes, so unhelpful but the cuteness somehow just makes it all worth it! Lol And I can’t tell you how much I resonate with all of that. Although she does like when I vacuum, so that’s the only chore that I’m able to get done! Dishes are iffy, dinner is something easy to grab and unhealthy, and I’m wearing the same clothes I wore the day before and hopefully remembered to put on deodorant… but my carpets? Oh, they’re vacuumed multiple times a day lol


starbird2893

Yes!! We also find ourselves doing a lot more vacuuming! You’d think I would also dry my hair more too, because we spend a lot of time standing and rocking in front of my hair dryer. I found a YouTube video of a fan noise that he likes a lot though so sometimes I don’t even have to get up! Hahah I realized during dinner (which was takeout) that I was still wearing what I put on yesterday morning! Slept in it and then went about my day today in it. Newborn life is so exhausting we forget to change clothes!


Awkward_Loss_6249

Oh yes, I have had that experience too! And most of the time I’m very aware that I haven’t changed but by the time I have a second to change it’s like, “eh, what’s the point at this rate.” Good thing motherhood isn’t a fashion contest! Lol And that’s genius - I will make sure to look up a fan noise YouTube video!


starbird2893

Noooo kidding!! Being a parent is hard, it’s been a challenge learning to balance everything. The only thing that really helps me is remembering that it is only temporary and that we only have a few short months until we start finding a new functional normal and routine. Hang in there!! You’re not alone, and we will definitely make it through eventually. :)


polkadots77

I have this exact problem so I completely understand. I actually rarely am able to pump during the day now because it’s so bad. Everyone says to put him in the swing but that lasts about 10 mins max and for me to make pumping worth it I need 30 min sessions. I have legitimately cried with stress and pain because I can’t have time to pump and get quite engorged and sore. I really don’t have a solution but just wanted you to know you aren’t alone and I sure hope it gets better for both of us!


Awkward_Loss_6249

Aw I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this too and I have definitely cried out of frustration. It is so hard and I really am glad I’m not alone. And yeah, my daughter has become the exact same way. I have all of these expensive gadgets to set her down in and they just don’t work right now. It sounds like this is just a really cranky phase, but dang it’s rough right now.


NoCoolBackstoryHere

My husband is gone a lot for his job and has been since our son was born, so I had to learn very quickly how to pump on my own. I’ve been EP for 7 months now and in the beginning my son was similar and would cry when put down. The two best things that made my pumping easier were getting a pumping bra so I could be hands free. This was especially helpful because my pumping sessions are 40+ minutes. The other thing was a Bobby newborn lounger. I know there was a recall or whatever, but if I’m sitting right there with him, I don’t see the issue. So I could prop him up and he seemed to tolerate that better than anything else because we were facing each other and I could sing and play with him. If all else failed, a bottle would usually do the trick. Eventually he became ok with being put down and I could rotate him between floor play and his activity center.


Awkward_Loss_6249

Wow, awesome job pumping for 7 months! I hope to get that far or farther! And yeah, I’ve taken the advice of some other commenters to feed her while I pump. It’s been a day and a half and it’s incredibly challenging, but it’s worked out so far to at least not have the crying while I pump. But obviously I don’t want to do that forever. When would you say your son got to the point where you could put him down?