Breastfeeding Resources

Isn’t it interesting how everything’s worse on Fridays? By Friday my defenses are all used up and the stress and raw emotion of everything hits me much harder. Last Friday I was so down about my pumping supply. It obsessed me all day long. Maybe I should just buy some formula and give myself a break. Is all the stress really worth it? How long could I keep up under constant worry?

I might still have to answer that question, but I feel better this week. Over the weekend I pumped once or twice after Aaron went to bed and got a few ounces to stock the freezer. Not much, but at least the shelf reserved for milk isn’t bare now. Plus Monday I started using a different pump at work. I usually use a Medela Pump In Style, and I switched to a rental, a Medela Symphony. I’m told it has a different “profile”, a different way it cycles. So may as well try it. In two days I’ve gotten one ounce more each day than typical--10 ounces instead of 9. And it seems quicker by 5 or 10 minutes, although I haven’t timed it.

I also got some advice on the breastfeeding & working forum on Yahoo groups. The suggestion was to feed Aaron immediately before leaving him at daycare and immediately after picking him up. I’ve read this before, but this is the first time it clicked. Maybe the reason I’ve been running out of milk is the difference between three 3-ounce feedings a day and four 3-ounce feedings a day. If I feed him right before driving to day care or at day care, even if I just fed him one hour ago, I’ll reduce the chance he eats four times while I’m gone. And even if I don’t, the added demand of a short extra feeding will be good for increasing supply.

So that's this week's plan.