More on Milk
So it's a HUGE part of my life right now. As many as 8 times a day - though generally more like 6 - for periods of time ranging from 10 to 40 minutes - I'm expressing milk. So that's why it's on my mind a lot lately.
I managed to get lefty back up to her 50% production level - maybe a smidge more - but I don't think she'll ever produce like righty.
I also had a wake up call today. Literally. I was taking a nap and I woke up suddenly. My husband was talking on the phone and I heard him say "we've got plenty in the freezer...of course...see you soon."
He didn't have to tell me what had just happened. A dear friend who just had her baby is having trouble producing milk. Like over 30% of births in our area her baby was born via emergency c-section. And it's hard for c-section mamas, even those who have gone through some labor, to make milk as quickly as their v-birth counterparts. Her husband was coming by in 10 minutes to pick up both frozen and recently expressed milk.
It wasn't a question in my mind for a second. I was so glad to be able to provide such nutritious food to another little one in the world. I don't think of it as Wade's secret stash. I make more than she needs and so we have a surplus. I've actually been worried about being about to use it all.
On any given day lately Wade generally nurses once or twice and then has about 16-20oz via bottle. On most days I put somewhere between 2-8oz in the freezer. So it's not enough to feed a whole other baby - but it's enough to help a newborn while her mom's milk comes in. It feels awesome to help another child like this.
It also means that I think I will be a little more careful with my milk. I waste a fair amount of it just expressing without collecting to get read of pressure, discomfort, etc. I also dump for several pumps if I've had alcohol or any kind of pain meds. I think I'll be less likely to drink booze or take pain meds. I'll also collect more. It's a pain because I have to wash the pump accessories, etc. but it's worth it to know that I've got a stash to dip into if need be.
Now I only hope that my friend's baby doesn't have a rather common cow-milk-protein-sensitivity as all my stored milk has some in it - I drink/eat/use a lot of cow's milk.
I managed to get lefty back up to her 50% production level - maybe a smidge more - but I don't think she'll ever produce like righty.
I also had a wake up call today. Literally. I was taking a nap and I woke up suddenly. My husband was talking on the phone and I heard him say "we've got plenty in the freezer...of course...see you soon."
He didn't have to tell me what had just happened. A dear friend who just had her baby is having trouble producing milk. Like over 30% of births in our area her baby was born via emergency c-section. And it's hard for c-section mamas, even those who have gone through some labor, to make milk as quickly as their v-birth counterparts. Her husband was coming by in 10 minutes to pick up both frozen and recently expressed milk.
It wasn't a question in my mind for a second. I was so glad to be able to provide such nutritious food to another little one in the world. I don't think of it as Wade's secret stash. I make more than she needs and so we have a surplus. I've actually been worried about being about to use it all.
On any given day lately Wade generally nurses once or twice and then has about 16-20oz via bottle. On most days I put somewhere between 2-8oz in the freezer. So it's not enough to feed a whole other baby - but it's enough to help a newborn while her mom's milk comes in. It feels awesome to help another child like this.
It also means that I think I will be a little more careful with my milk. I waste a fair amount of it just expressing without collecting to get read of pressure, discomfort, etc. I also dump for several pumps if I've had alcohol or any kind of pain meds. I think I'll be less likely to drink booze or take pain meds. I'll also collect more. It's a pain because I have to wash the pump accessories, etc. but it's worth it to know that I've got a stash to dip into if need be.
Now I only hope that my friend's baby doesn't have a rather common cow-milk-protein-sensitivity as all my stored milk has some in it - I drink/eat/use a lot of cow's milk.