Pumping & Airports

Breastfeeding is going very well for us so I continue to pump while at work and if I'm out of town so Graham can remain on breastmilk for as long as possible.  Less than a week after I returned to work from maternity leave in November, I had to travel to Wisconsin for work.  This meant my trusty pump was coming along for a getaway.  I was nervous, I'd never had to travel when Addie was nursing so I never had to experience it.  This was a first.

My flight from Columbus to Wisconsin wasn't a direct flight.  No, it was a flight that would connect through Chicago O'Hare.  One of the busiest and largest airports in the US and somehow I had to not only navigate the airport with enough time to catch a connecting flight but to also somehow pump.  I was overwhelmed.  I don't really enjoy nursing in public so pumping in public is basically not an option (of course I'd do it if I absolutely had to).  So here are some tips:

1 - Bring your nursing cover.  In the event you have no option but to pump in the middle of the busiest airport in the US, be prepared with a cover.

2 - Ask employees, the ones who look like they have answers, if they know where a mother's room or family restroom are.  If they don't have a mother's room, the family restrooms have outlets.  The one in Chicago even had a bottle warmer!

3 - Pack a large ziploc bag.  I used this on my way back to put all my milk in it then inside my pump bag so that in the event one of the bags leaked, I didn't have milk on everything.

4 - Ice.  You're going to need ice or an ice pack.  I've heard some people say TSA doesn't allow ice packs but I've read they're okay with it.  In the event you don't want to risk it, just ask a restaurant for a cup of ice after you've passed through security.  You may have to empty at your connection as it'll melt fast but you can get another cup at your next destination.

5 - TSA.  When we traveled with Addie a couple years ago, we had milk with us for her to drink on the flights. TSA has no issue with that but will test the milk to make sure it's not any crazy substance.  Be prepared for TSA to do the same to your breast milk.  Surprisingly, when I passed through security in Milkwaukee, no one tested it.  They just asked if it was breast milk and I assume because I also had the pump, they were fine with that.

Pumping in the airport wasn't as bad as I'd thought it would be.  Like I mentioned before, the most difficult thing for me was if I would have enough time to pump during my connection.  For me, even if that was a 5 min pump it was something so do what you can and don't stress over it.

Anyone have any great pumping stories while traveling?

Breastfeeding: Round Two

Breastfeeding was never not an option for me.  I always knew I wanted to try it out for the health of my babies so we didn't have bottles or formula in the house.  It would have been to tempting at times to back out when breastfeeding got difficult and boy did it ever get difficult.

With Addie, it was painful and exhausting and after two weeks I got such a bad infection from my c-section that I had to go on antibiotics. The antibiotics I was on were ones that's I was unable to breastfeed on.  So for nearly 2 weeks I pumped and dumped.  If you've ever nursed before you know two things.  First, pumping at 2 weeks old and introducing formula can have a devastating impact to your supply and/or your babies ability to switch back to nursing.  Secondly, pumping and dumping for 2 weeks is a really difficult thing to do.  Whoever made that saying, "there's no use crying over spilled milk" never nursed.  That stuff is liquid gold!

I was able to get back at nursing with no issues.  Addie didn't have any nipple confusion and she nursed until she was 13 months old.  I can't believe I made it to 13 months.  It was exhausting and the pumping at work got old, but I kept at it and I enjoyed being able to feed her for such a long period of time.

When Graham was born, again, no questions, I was going to attempt nursing.  I was lucky enough to have zero issues nursing him.  In fact, he came out with his tongue jutting out of his mouth ready to nurse.  He latched quickly with no issues and has to this day enjoyed nursing, almost too much.  At 12 weeks old, he nurses every 2 hours during the day.  He's gaining weight like a tank.

I've been very lucky to have had two successful attempts at breastfeeding because I know not everyone has a path like mine.  My advice to any new moms is always to attempt to breastfeed.  You have to make the attempt for 4 solid weeks before you decide if it's not for you.  It can be a really stressful time and a you'll probably want to give up quickly but I've heard several instances where it seems nursing was given up pretty quickly.  Not everyone does, I realize, and sometimes there are issues with milk production.  I highly recommend speaking with a lactation consultant multiple times if needed before switching to formula.  If at that point you feel like you've given it all you can and used all your resources, then make the transition.  What's most important is that your baby is receiving proper nutrition and gaining weight but the one thing you don't want to do is regret ever trying.

It really can be the most beautiful thing.  I love when Graham pops off and looks up at me with milk running from his mouth and smiles a full smile at me.  It's amazing!

-stephanie

"He's 48 Months"

It’s about to get real.  Like really real so this is your warning.  I’m about to talk about breastfeeding and I’m going to be as open and honest as I possibly can be.  This is why I’m giving you a warning.  Alright, this is your final warning to step away if need be.

So let me start where all good stories start, at the beginning.  J 

Before I was pregnant I knew I was going to breastfeed.  I didn’t know a lot about it except for its great health benefits for your baby.   That’s it.  I also knew I was down with nursing in public, or as us breastfeeding moms call it, NIP.  It just made me uncomfortable to see a woman feeding her child in public.  Not that she didn’t have every right to do it, but because I was embarrassed.  Embarrassed because how can you see a nursing woman and not stare for a few seconds.  I also thought, how will I, one day, tell my child what she’s doing.  Now, don’t get fired up just yet, stay with me here.

After I got pregnant I knew I had to sign up for a breastfeeding class if for nothing else because I literally knew one thing about it, which is what most of the rest of us know about.  I contacted my OB’s office since they have a lactation consultant on site who offers classes for women to learn more about it.  I asked them the basic question, like when is the class offered, how long should I expect to feel really uncomfortable talking about boobs and the milk they produce.  I also asked, ‘Should my husband come to this class with me?’.  The lady on the other end says, ‘Absolutely, it’d be great for him to learn how he can help when you’re nursing.’  Great.  So I sign us up.

Several weeks later, at 29 weeks, Rick and I show up for the class.  As we round the corner, I immediately notice the other 3 women in the room with the lactation consultant.  Missing from the room are the 3 men who knocked up these women.  My first thought, ‘S#*t, Rick is going to kill me’.  I turn to Rick and sure enough, he’s giving me some serious evil eyes.  He’s the only guy in the class, talk about awkward.  Fortunately for him, the LC and the other ladies were mighty impressed he was there to support me.  Haha!

During this class we learned a lot.  We learned about milk, mastitis, massaging the boob, letdown, positions to nurse, how often to nurse, pumping, storage of milk, drinking while nursing, etc.  The list goes on and on.  There are a lot of things to learn which can feel overwhelming.  I walked out of the class still unclear of what to do.  I think breastfeeding is just one of those things you just have to try to learn how to do it.  You pick it up as you go and the more often you do it.

When Adalyn was born that Friday morning in January, the last thing I was thinking about was breastfeeding.  Once I was moved from the operating room to recovery, the nurse immediately asked me if I was breastfeeding.  Without hesitation I said yes and she quickly picked up Adds, told me whip it out (not in those exact words) and start trying.  The sooner the better she said.  Luckily, Adds knew what she was doing.  You see, this is one of those things I didn’t know about breastfeeding.  Some babies have a terribly hard time latching and mothers often feel overwhelmed and give up.  Obviously I cannot speak from experience since my little one was a leech, but this is where I will tell you to contact a LC immediately.  They are very helpful and have helped hundreds of mothers through the process.

Those first few days in the hospital were rough.  After going 36 hours without sleep, 18 of those hours in labor, to suddenly being woken up every 3 hours to nurse is exhausting.  I had lovely blisters on the nips, bleeding, followed quickly by very full breasts and constant leaking.  Nothing at all could have prepared me for those first several days.  What I didn’t know was that the next several weeks would be harder than those first few days.  Attempting to keep a sleepy baby awake long enough to eat when I myself couldn’t stay awake while nursing her was draining.

I had read, prior to delivering, that nursing develops a special bond between mother and child.  I can tell you this is 100% true.  Those first few days when Addie was nursing I stared at her completely mesmerized.  It’s an intense feeling I cannot describe.  It’s also nice when have visitors holding your little one to use as an excuse to get some quiet time to yourself when you’re having some baby withdraws!  It doesn’t hurt that Aunt Flo hasn’t visited in nearly 2 years or that nursing burns a lot of calories so I have some freedom to eat what I want without worrying about gaining weight.

Nursing isn’t for everyone.  From what I’ve read, a lot of people have a lot of latching issues, supply issues, mastitis issues, etc.  I’ve been really very lucky that I have not had any of those problems to deal with along the way.  It has been a great experience for Addie and me.  I plan to breastfeed until she turns 1 and I’m already preparing myself for a meltdown when the last nursing session comes because of how much I’ve grown to love that special bonding time.  I don’t have much advice to offer you but I would offer this, give it a shot.  It is absolutely worth trying.  If you have trouble, contact a lactation consultant.  They’re there to help and know what to do to help you.  Stick through those first several weeks at home.  After that, it’s smooth sailing.  Who knows, you may enjoy it so much you find yourself breastfeeding your 48 month old son like Maria Bello’s character, Sally Lamonsoff, did in Grown Ups.