Kimbosue's Blog has MOOOOOVED!

**As of November 9, 2009, please find me at my new home below.**

Some posts are pw protected, so for the super secret decoder pen....ahem... code, please email me at kimbosue2 AT hotmail DOT com.

This blog will remain open. The link is still tied to lots of IF blogs, groups, and websites. I hope someone can read through my journey and find hope and strength and know that there is a light at the end of the IF tunnel. Prayer is the key! I love all my IF girlies I met along the way, and I hope to keep your friendships going forward during this next chapter of Mommyhood. I hope to see you there!

Monday, July 13, 2009

The.Damn.Pump

**Not sure if you commentors click to get follow up comments so I'll answer here again:

Nikki - No more swaddling required. I can do warmer pj’s and nix the blanket TONIGHT!

Beautiful Mess – Bought the maroon lampshades - need pics. Now the problem seems to be the art niche which is painted RED is clashing with the maroon lampshades....maybe we'll have to paint.

PJ – ottoman does store stuff. I LOVE IT!

On to the posting...

Had a good weekend. I spent most of the day Friday baking and decorating cupcakes for my brother in law's 30th bday party. It was a luau so I made flowers - hibiscus'ish with leaves - out of fondant for the toppers. I also crushed graham crackers and used that as "sand" under the flowers. Turned out pretty cute - damn that camera is always at home when I need to post a pic from it! The party was fun. We went early to help setup, back home for a 2.5 hour nap with Miles, then back for party time. Needless to say we were homebodies yesterday. Nothing but channel surfing and napping!

So about that pumping question I asked last week. I am starting to get nervous about my volume. I mean, I know that it is known to fluctuate throughout the day - more in the morning and tapering off...but as Miles is growing and needing more, I am afraid my supply isn't going to be enough for him. I mean, some mornings I crank out 9 oz and leave for Deano to feed him when they wake up...and usually he takes all or most of that! Then my 8:00 pump gives me about 6 and the 11 and 2 usually only around 4, sometimes only 3. I don't think a baby who takes 9 in the morning will be satisfied with only 3 in the afternoon.

So then the sitter usually feeds him around 4 and I pick him up around 5:15. But I last pumped at 2 so I immediately have to go home and pump since it's my time and he's not hungry yet. I get 6ish at this time too.

So total that's 4 bags to send the next day with the sitter ranging from 3.5 - 6 oz. It just doesn't seem like enough to me. I gave her my supply I had stored up for backup/emergencies/need to combine with a smaller bag to make a big bottle. So right now I only have 1 emergency at home (in the event I'm tied up at work or the vanpool is) and Dean has to feed him. If I continue giving her my 4 pumps every day, how will I ever store any up for myself?

I don't think I can pump anymore after work than I am already - which is only once. Because I feed him around 7 then again at 9 and then its beddy-bye for us. If I pumped between those 2 feedings, I wouldn't even have any time to spend with Miles. Do you see my problem here?

Also, given the storage/pumping situation, how can I successfully go out of town - even for a 2-3 day trip without having anything to give the sitter/grammy while we are gone?

My only solution is to pump all weekend long in prepration for upcoming trip to get some storage for me. But if I do that guess what? I'm chained to that damn pump all weekend and don't even really have a weekend to do anything with Dean or Miles. UGH.

So.frustrating. The Damn Pump!


Got Mamas Milk Blinkie
Working Mom Blinkie

5 nice things to say...:

Beautiful Mess said...

Oh I didn't even think about the red clashing with the maroon! How bad does it clash? Stupid question, i know because I'm sure it clashes a SUPER whole lot, but I'm Mary Frickin Sunshine, so I always hope it won't be as bad as it is...lol

I couldn't use the pump that much. I only used it to boost up my supply and it didn't work for me. But every time I was attached to that damn thing, I felt like I was "missing" out on the real time with the REAL baby! I totally can feel your pain. Sadly, I have no advice for you, just a sympathetic ear.
*HUGS*

AJsMom said...

Unfortunately, you may find that as Miles gets bigger (with a bigger appetite) you may have to start supplementing with formula for those times when your supply just doesn't satisfy him. I think I would consider sending formula to the sitter and keeping the bonding personal time with him at home. What you pump at work could be stored for emergencies, etc.

Just a thought...

KimboSue said...

Yes AJ's Mom, that is the other concern I have about not having enough when he needs more. Maybe I could get the sitter to mix half formula half BM? Would that be too much of a PITA to ask her to do?

And yes Beautiful Mess...pumping at home REALLY sucks because I feel like that's 30 minutes I am missing of Miles Time!

Anonymous said...

Steph said......

You can do it! Think of what a wonderful gift it is for that boy!

It gets harder before it gets easier. You are half way to your goal!

Maybe just supplement 1 bottle at the sitter until you can build up a stash! We had to supplement when Drew was 3 months old, too.

A weekend away, pumping - storage- lots of work but you have to find time for you & D!

Stacey Queen said...

Sorry, I dont have any advice here. I had to start supplementing at 4 weeks and started drying up, so not much experience. But, I've heard if you just hang in there it will get better. Good luck!

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