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
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