Exclusively pumping again

If you've followed me from my daughter you know I expressed for my daughter for about 9 months .

I'm doing it again for Cody and couldn't be happier . I was lucky enough to be told after my c section I could use a breast pump so this helped a lot bring in my milk and I was even able to express before ( hand for colostrum ) my section so was getting my body ready.

This time around Cody was allowed to feed from me whilst I was in recovery room and I'm so glad the did . Even though he had to go to neonatal due to low blood sugars because he wasn't relying on me. He was fed high calorie formula to boost him and did for a couple of days. I do wish they had give him a chance on my milk sooner but he's healthy and thriving now.

So near enough once I was able to sit up a started to express . I was only getting small amounts to start but the pump helped so much . I probably pumped every 3-4 hrs and pumped when I woke in the night. 

This was my setup in the hospital 😃

Luckily the hospitals pump fitted into thier bottles. I would then pump for about 20 mins ish in total listening to music hoping no one would disturb me as I always felt conscious of myself even though they've seem it all before .

I would take the milk from the bottle then put into the syringe then label it up ready for neonatal . During the night I left it in the bottle in the fridge as he wasn't having my milk just yet .

Luckily because if doing it with esmae I felt more confident doing it and when asked why I did it I didn't feel pressured to feel bad because it was my choice.

I felt good taking my milk for Cody .

I think once he was with me on the Friday I was allowed to just get on with it and feed him my milk. I was worried he wouldn't get enough as he needed 60ml every 3 hrs at this stage and the first 2 feeds he needed his sugars checking to make sure he wasn't stopping and my milk was doing it's job. Luckily they were fine and I was left to it. 

I made the most of being in hospital so I could get my routine and it helped so much.

5 weeks on we are still going strong . It took upto week 4 to get to birth weight and just over 9 days later he had out on 1lb . He's now 10lb 4.

I was starting to worry as because it's not out if a tin I panic I'm not giving him enough plus I do bf in the night due to being rubbish at expressing in night and it's a win win situation .

Maybe I should breastfeed all the time but with the other 2 at home exoressing works for us.

So what's my routine .

We normally breastfeed at early hours .

12,4 and maybe 6, he settles and is happy.

Then I express at 9am , 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm 7pm and 9pm. The early hour feeds keep my supply up to.

I've just worked out I express about 25ozs a day which he has throughout the day and I've been able to freeze 300ml for extra supply. 

It is hard work and if your determined you just stick to it. It's just part of my usual day now and get on with it.

It helps me control my diabetes to as I don't need as much insulin and the weightloss is great. After 2 weeks I had lost my pregnancy weight and now lost a few extra pounds.

Just remember no matter how you feed your baby , breast , expressing it formula your baby will benefit no matter what.

Please feel free to ask any questions .

Faye xx

Super mom

So since having Cody my friends say I must be super mom with 3 .

I must say having an extra child doesn't seem any different. I won't lie and say it's easy , going out can be tough when caleb doesn't want to walk or esmae won't go in seat in push chair but you just have to get on with it.

I definately wouldnt change having 3 or them bieng close together .its scary to think I have 3 under 5 but the age difference is just right . Caleb goes to school full time this year and esmae gets free nursery from next and the time goes too quick .

Everyone asks how I manage to be organised and I think it's just a case of doing everything the night before and having a plan. Also my husband likes to be organised and I think Bits had brushed on to me, plus  it's easier with a routine .Everyday has a to do list but it keeps me on track and it makes  me happy once it's all done .

I even went out and bought a book for all my to do's. Also everyday of the week in the calendar has what im doing on it so I'm on track especially with baby brain.

So no matter if it's 1, 2 or even 3 kids I think it's just a case of planning and you'll get there .

Each day is pretty busy especially with expressing for Cody but the sense of achievement knowing I'm feeding him makes it more worth while . Even cal and esmae aren't bothered by it and just carry on with playing. I think doing it with esmae and succeeding prepared me . Let's hope I can go a yr for Cody as I did 10 months for esmae . My freezer stash is coming on nicely and getting a good daily supply to .

I love my kids and my life that comes with it . Let's just hope this year isn't to bad for health appointments as I'm sure it will be hectic but we will get there .

Just remember every one is a super mom and you should felt proud :-) .

1 month on

So Cody was 1 month yesterday and still doing well .

He was born 9lb 3 and after a month of mommies milk he's finally pasted his birthweight and weighing 10lb 4. His last weight check was about 10 days and he gained a lb. it makes me happy that I'm still able to express and he's gaining nicely . The freezer is start to fill up with milk I've freezed and he's having fresh milk daily . We do bottles in day and I breastfeeding at night to save expressing and keep up supply plus he's getting fed so we all win.

I do find myself wanting to breastfeed more but expressing in the day works best and if I'm and don't want to take the  pump I will just take 1 bottle and then breastfeed him .

I'm happy with the way it's worked out and glad he can latch to.

Cody did suffer from tongue tie and we had that sorted after about 2 weeks . The  lady at the hospital was lovely and doubled checked to see if he needed it doing and explained it all. It only took a cut of the string but under tongue and it was all done . He had a bit of a cry but was soon back to sleep. So I definately recommend it when they are younger .

In the first month I was lucky to have my husband at home and he's only just gone back to work and the week has gone pretty quick .

We've had the usual checks with health visitors and also a check up for his jaundice which came back high but after 4 weeks he's looking a normal colour . 

At the moment he's just got a heart murmur check in September then the usual hv checks and injections when the time comes .

I wouldn't change having the 3 children close together at all. Days can be long but they keep me smiling and we just get on with it.

Caleb is going full time school in September and I think it will help him so much. He's come on a lot since nursery. Will do a separate post for caleb.

Here's some photos of Cody through the past month 😍