Is it my arrogance, or am I just far too determined?

When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I was going to breastfeed. I had a mantra "its not optional." I was met with the familiar "oh, just wait and see" and "its hard, that's why I quit" and one mom even looked me dead in the eye and said "good luck!" So, nobody believed in me, I had to prove them wrong. It almost became a game to me. I talked it over with one of my best friends who has twin boys and she said "its hard, but you can do it" and that was all I needed.

I am about to do a huge pat on the back for myself here, but I have been breastfeeding/pumping 100% for my daughter for 18 weeks straight. Seems like its been forever, but I have been lugging that stupid pump to work for almost 3 months. I have to talk myself in to taking a break to pump every day, but I have enticed myself with a book that has drawn me in so much that I actually welcome my pumping breaks.

Breastfeeding did hurt... for about a week or two. It hurt bad. I remember crying at one point because I was bleeding. I have very soft and fair skin, and man, it didn't love being chewed and sucked on. Once I mastered the "push your whole areola in the mouth" thing, I was doing much much better.  Get help! If you're struggling, get help!

I was blessed with a pretty decent supply of milk. I have ever had a problem producing enough for my kid, or even enough to give some away to a friend who wasn't blessed with enough. I am a lazy pumper though, let me tell you. I see what Becky does for her son, and it floors me the amount of work she puts into feeding her child. Did you see her schedule?

Mine looks something like this:

6am- nurse and fall back to sleep.
6:40ish- wake up and get ready.
7:20 pump- I usually get at least 6oz, sometimes up to 10, sometimes as little as 3. Depends on how hungry the chompasaurus is the night before.
10-11am- pump at work. I usually get 5-6 oz.
1pm come home and nurse.
4:15 pm come home and nurse and if  I need to pump, I do.
7pm nurse
8:30 pm- nurse E to sleep
9pm- Pump, if I need to.
Between 12-3 she wakes up hungry, generally. I put boob in mouth and go back to sleep.

All in all, its pretty damn easy. I wish I could give Becky half of my supply... I wish it was this easy for everyone!

A Day in the Life

Today, I was so exhausted, my head was on the table, my hands on my boobs and my pump kept saying “wake up, wake up, wake up!”

It isn’t a wonder that I hear my pump saying that considering the schedule I keep. Here is a day in the life of me.

5am: wake up to Ardun rousing; put him in bed with my husband and me. I nurse him until he is happy or falls back asleep.

6am: pump for 15-20 minutes, depends on how long it takes for the milk to stop flowing, and sometimes give Ardun a bottle if he is still hungry, David helps with this.

7am: leave for the babysitter’s house

8am: get to work

9-10am: I try to pump sometime between 9 and 10am at work each day, this is 15-20 minutes I do not get paid for

1-2pm: lunch and pump

5:30pm: leave work, get Ardun at 5:50pm

6-6:15pm: get home, nurse Ardun

7pm: pump, make dinner, do laundry and whatever wife/mommy duties I have which generally involves me not sitting down until 9pm, just in time to…

9pm: nurse and pump

9-10pm: get Ardun to calm down and go to sleep

11pm-12am: I pump again between 11pm and 12am

2am: pump while sleeping

5am: start all over

This schedule has been intensified the past three nights due to a sick baby so I have gotten about 6 hours total in three days. Needless to say I’m running on empty! Here’s to a weekend with some rest!

Nursing in public.... without a cover!

I have been trying to wrap my brain around the idea of nursing in public with no cover. Its far too hot to nurse with a cover right now, and frankly, I don't see why I should have to.The problem is me, I am innately modest. I have never been the type of female who likes to show skin. I wear pretty conservative attire and I have never worn so much as a bikini. The idea that I have to pull a bare breast out of my shirt and let my baby nurse frightens the hell out of me. What is worse, the idea that some nasty man or woman might approach me and scold me for doing what my body was made to do, nourish my child.

The picture is from: http://www.the-ergo-lady.com/ergo-baby-carrier/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=62&products_id=27


We have been shamed into thinking that breasts belong to men, and are on our bodies for sexual purposes, but that is not true. Our breasts, though serving a sexual purpose, are on our bodies for one reason, nursing.

The feminist in me wants to whip out a boob and feed my child the way god intended, but the American in me, wants to shield everyone from the sight. I hate feeling conflicted because I think nursing is beautiful and I am always excited when I notice a mother nursing in public.

When I hear comments like "ugh, I don't want to see her boobs" I cringe... chances are she doesn't want you to see her boobs either, so stop looking you creepy ass weirdo!

I think we need to have a sort of don't ask, don't tell policy about nursing in public. How about us mothers nurse discretely and we don't ask for attention and you naysayers just mind your own f*****g business? Deal?

The Simplicity of Kids

I was nursing Ardun not too long ago while my 5 year old nephew was running around the living room. I decided to cover myself and Ardun so that I could avoid answering questions of the 5 year old variety. Ardun was kicking around and trying to take the cover off and Henry said "Aunt B, take that blanket off, Ardun isn't tired." I told him it was okay and he said "No, take it off." He pulled the blanket off of us and said "what are you doing." I just responded that Ardun is eating. Henry looked at me and said "See, I told you he wasn't tired."

Babies need breastmilk....

There is a terrific article in the Kansas City Star today about the gift of breast milk from one woman's deceased infant to another woman's premie. Its a heart wrenching story that made me tear up.

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/08/17/2157602/from-one-familys-tragedy-another.html

The picture says a thousand words. The story should be telling women how important breast milk is for children. I understand that many women, like the woman above, cannot breastfeed, but so many who can choose not to.

All the myths have be negated-

Breastfeeding doesn't make your breasts sag: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/86982.php
Breastfeeding is not the same as formula: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/t021600.asp
There is no help for women:

Okay, that last one is true. It is hard to breastfeed with no support. I struggled the first week to get used to it, and it did hurt. After a week of trying and getting bloody nipples, things just clicked. It hurt for the first two weeks, and then nothing. It doesn't hurt now.

I am an exception to the rule though- I got help. I had a very supportive mother who walked me through getting a good latch, I went to a breastfeeding support group and met with the lactation consultant, I went to the La Leche League meetings. Seek help!!!!!!!!!

I won't get preachy, but I think my natural birth had a lot to do with our breastfeeding relationship. My baby was born fully alert, ready to take in the world and latched immediately. She began suckling instantly and we never struggled to get a good latch.

Cardinal Rules of Pumping

Today I found myself in a bind. All because I failed to follow the Cardinal Rules of Pumping, again.

One: Find a comfortable place, make sure you have a book, a TV, a radio, something, you and this space are going to get really familliar as you are going to be spending a lot of time sitting there pumping. Make sure you have something to look at so you don't focus on the milk going into the bottles or that crack running up your wall, the cobwebs in the corner or even the fact that you haven't changed your sheets, when you should have changed them a week ago.

Two: Never turn your pump higher than what your ladies will tolerate, seriously, unless you like purple bruised nipples this will not benefit you. I promise you will not get more milk if you abuse the lovely ladies in fact, they will retaliate and make you aware each time you pump subsequently that you were too gung how the last time.

Three: Establish a routine, always clean your parts in the same manner, keep them where you can find them, set a routine on how you operate your pump and hold your bottles, this all helps and saves time. Plus, it helps make sure you follow rule number four, and most likely one of the most important ones.

Four: NEVER EVER forget parts of your pump. If you open your pump bag and start to pull out your parts, sit down, get ready for the pumping session to only find you have forgotten the damn white membranes again, you will be REALLY mad at yourself. Trust me, I have done this at least 5 times now. I know the Medela crap tells you to take these off and wash them individually but screw that, be realistic, keep them on, this will keep you sane and safe from cursing like a sailor at your pump in front of coworkers. I promise, they will look at you funny.

Five: Don't be too hard on yourself. Being a working mom is hard, none of us are perfect and be proud of any little bit you get while pumping, it is always better than nothing. And when all else fails, and you have to make an emergency run to buy more pump parts, get a yogurt or sorbet or do something for yourself, we all need it and deserve it!

Where was Becky Pumping

This week flew by and time escaped me and I didn't get to this post until now. This past Friday I was out and about and had to pump in the back of a Culver's Restaurant parking lot. Just so you know, Culver's is a really popular lunch destination for the blue collar man so be prepared to have some looks while pumping there. I didn't receive any negative glances however, but I did give the grounds crew a good view and the guy didn't even flinch. I'm guessing he has a wife who had pumped.

I also wanted to add, I too supplement, I take my prenatal vitamin, about 9-12 fenugreek pills a day (my lactation consultant said once my pee and sweat smell like maple syrup I'm taking enough) and I also take two alfalfa pills a day and recently I started eating malt. I have no idea if it's going to help or not, but what could it hurt? I feel like I carry a medicine cabinet with me and being a person who never took pills to start taking all of these seems nuts, but at the same time to not breastfeed my child seems even more nuts.

Supplements.... and keeping a good supply!

I take a lot of supplements... okay not a lot, but enough.

I take two alfalfa pills a day

http://www.amazon.com/Solaray-Organic-Alfalfa-100-capsules/dp/B000154TKQ

I take 4 fenugreek pills a day

http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Fenugreek-Capsules-180ea/dp/B0009ETA6W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1281640159&sr=1-1

I take my prenatal vitamin and I drink at least 5-6 liters of water a day. Sounds like a lot? It is... I pee a lot, but I also have a huge oversupply of milk. 

Pumping Sucks!

Pumping sucks, literally.

My week at a glance:

Weekends are generally spent breastfeeding. I pump to keep my supply and to stock up for Monday. I only pump in the mornings if I have to, and I generally don't pump before bed. Sundays are a different story.

Sunday:  I nurse all day. When the baby is sleeping for an extended amount of time, I will pump to get some milk for the next day at daycare. I also pump again at night before bed.

Monday through Friday: Wake up and nurse, pump. Around 10am I pump at work. Again at work I pump at around 2 (if I can, sometimes I skip this pumping session). I come home, nurse. I pump again at night before bed.

Saturday: Sometimes I pump first thing in the morning, and again mid-day if I am over full. Depending on how I feel, sometimes I don't want to pump, so I don't!

My supply is a little wonky, but I generally get at least 5 oz. every time I pump. This morning I got 8 because E didn't wake up to eat.

Where is Becky Pumping Today?

Answer:
Parking lot in Merriam, KS with a lovely view of the China Garden Buffet.


The girl washed the front door for the entire 15 minutes I pumped, and despite the continuous traffic, not one dirty look today! Perhaps I'm not the only mom who has sat under that tree to pump, or, I did a really good job of not flashing the girls soliciting too much attention. Not that I would have cared, I would have just yelled "PERVERT" as Rachel suggested.

Hi!

I am Rachel



We're a couple of moms who met in Bradley birthing class. Our kids we're born 8 days apart in April with entirely different birth stories. We're here to put some humor in to the life of working motherhood, natural birth expectations and a woman who will pump in public in all sorts of crazy locations.


We both cloth diaper, selectively vax, breast feed, and work full time. Once the kiddos get to be 6 months, we'll make their food too. 

We wanted to make a blog that celebrates breastfeeding, mothering and all of the work that goes into it in an honest and lighthearted fashion. There are a lot of really negative sites out there talking about pumping and working, etc... We know our lifestyles aren't for everyone, but we wanted to be a real voice for those who are going through this with us, or plan to do the same things.

If you need help or support with breastfeeding, feel free ask... we've been through a lot in our first 4 months of motherhood. Low supply, bad latch, bleeding nipples, mastitis, pumping all freakin' night long, supplements, a baby who won't sleep without a boob in her mouth, and various other things! We'll try to answer everything but we're big fans of La Leche League and the lactation consultants at local hospitals. The more support you have, the easier it will be!

How it Began for Ardun and Me

Hi, I am Becky, the other half here at the Pumping Station. When I got pregnant w i th Ardun I knew that I was that mom who was going to have a natural childbirth, breastfeed in public and all around be proud of what I had accomplished with my natural pregnancy, midwife birth etc…that sooo didn’t happen.

My pregnancy was awesome, I was healthy, Ardun was healthy and we seemed to be on track for our perfect Bradley Birth. Hmph. I ended up with an emergency C-Section. I was able to have Ardun to my breast at 45 minutes old and we breastfed the entire time I was in the hospital but once we got home, life changed. Ardun started to get dehydrated and, as a new mom, I freaked. I called the lactation consultant who told me he needed to be supplemented; I called the pediatrician who told me the same thing. So, we got some formula. I hate that it happened his second week of life. I was instructed to nurse, feed the pumped milk and then supplement with formula. This went on for about 4 weeks, then, I started to get tired and discouraged. I got to the point where I decided I was better at pumping then he was at nursing and something had to give or I would lose my sanity.

And now, I have love/hate relationship with a machine.

I was rocking the pump, feeling good then, Ardun decided that eating only 2-3oz wasn’t going to cut it and I couldn’t keep up. We had to supplement again, and I had more mommy guilt. Then, our breastmilk angel swooped in and offered her oversupply of milk, so Ardun has been getting my milk and her milk since he was about 8 weeks old. The most amazing gift ever, no joke about it.

So that is my story how I became a Milking Mamacita! We nurse once or twice a day and I rock that pump the rest of the day, and at night, and I mean the MIDDLE of the night.