Pumping

I started pumping breastmilk this passed week after waiting for almost 5 weeks post-delivery. I have been trying to pump at least once a day for four days now. This is a different approach than I took with P because Baby E is such a different nurser. With Peyton I had to pump after every feeding the day she was born, and once more to help boost my milk supply because she didn't latch on and was a tiny baby. She was born on her due date and still only weighed in at 5 pounds 15 ounces. When we left the hospital she was down to 5 pounds even. It was important, as guided by my pediatrician who I adore, to supplement her feedings to get her weight up. We combined EBM with the Similac we were giving her to be sure she got the good mommy milk nutrients. It worked and we had to only supplement for about 6 weeks. I kind of wish I would have continued everyday with a bottle because at 3 months old she wouldn't take a bottle and became a breast-only baby.

Now, breast-only babies are very convenient...but only as long as you don't have to leave them. They will fight tooth and nail to not take a bottle, or they will hold out until mommy comes home. Eventually, though, they will take a bottle. But, why put your baby and your babysitter through that mess? P's first 13 months were spent only with mommy with small exceptions. I had a few one to two hour excursions, but that was it. Needless to say, by the time she weaned herself I pretty much didn't know what to do with myself. I mean, I had a TON of extra time, and I could even go see a movie if I wanted! But, by that point I was so close to her I didn't want to leave her.

Since E was born it is a different story. I want to be sure he takes a bottle consistently so I can free myself up a bit. I will need to have some times when I can use a bottle so that I can tend to P. For instance, I was at a playgroup on Friday and had to nurse E. P also needed my attention, and because she can run off I HAD to be there for her...and I wasn't. I had E on the boob and she was crying for snacks and starting to have a meltdown. I was totally frenzied because I had the newborn needing fed and P needing my attention and crying. Of course in public, too. It was a good experience for me because I need to learn to deal with those situations and be in control. I think part of feeling out of control is lack of sleep on my part.

Anyhow, I am giving E a bottle everyday. It was nice today. I left E with hubby so I could run a few errands. When I got home hubby was giving him a bottle and the baby was just fine. I got some one on one with my darling P and hubby got some one on one with Baby E. To me, it worked out perfectly.

Right now E only takes 2 - 4 ounces per bottle. That means I really need to boost up my supply because I am only pumping 2 ounces once a day and am barely getting ahead.

I can't believe I am at this point - with P I felt like a bottle was the devil. I was such a BF nazi. But, with the second one I realize that flexibility is more important than nursing your child straight from the boob everytime. It is more important your child gets fed. And, on that note, I am very lucky I can breastfeed. Hopefully E will go the 13 months P did - and longer if I have my way.