When I was pregnant with my first baby I had no idea how difficult breastfeeding could be. I just thought you popped the baby on and off you went! This time around I knew a lot more about it and was prepared for some challenges until breastfeeding was established.
I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and was asked to hand express colostrum into syringes and bring them to the hospital. It was during this time that I realised that my supply wasn't fantastic. I started eating lactation cookies which helped but I still didn't get a huge amount. However, it did help bring my milk in faster than with my previous baby.
Breastfeeding at home
Everything went really well in the hospital and I was sent home the next day. The midwives from the hospital visited me every second day. It was on one of these visits that my little bub, Trixie, was weighed and it was discovered she had lost 10% of her body weight. The midwife put me on a strict routine of waking to feed every three hours, top up with 30 mL of formula and express for 10 minutes after each feed. I was also prescribed Motilium to boost my supply. This was obviously a gruelling feeding schedule and my old manual pump from my first baby wasn't going to cut it.
I immediately did some research to find the best breast pump on the market and found the Medela Swing Maxi Double Electric Breastpump but wanted to double check it was a good product. I rang a mummy friend to talk to her about all things breast pumps. She told me that she had purchased this very pump as it was top of the line and had won numerous awards. She also has two children and she said that it was very fast and easy to use. She raced around to my place that evening to set me up with her pump until I could get my own one.
Breastfeeding and pumping
Over the next two weeks, I had a lot of pumping to do! As you can imagine, this being my second baby, I certainly didn't have all the time in the world to sit on the couch feeding and expressing all day. I had an active and inquisitive 3.5 year old to give attention to. I was so glad that I had the Medela Swing Maxi Double Electric Breastpump as I was getting the required amount of milk after 5-10 minutes of pumping.
After only two days I no longer needed to supplement with formula and was pumping enough to give Trixie a 30 mL top up after every feed. After two weeks she had reached her birth weight and I no longer needed to pump after every feed. I started pumping once in the morning and once in the evening. I get about 100 mL each pumping session. My husband gives Trixie a dream feed with an expressed bottle each night so that I can get some extra sleep. I then store the extra milk in the freezer. My bub is now 8 weeks old and I have a whole draw of frozen breast milk! I will have no problems if I need to be away from her for any reason.
Medela not only provides the leading breastfeeding products they also conduct ongoing research and education to support the breastfeeding journey. They provide a useful free app called MyMedela. Not only can you use to track feeds, pumping, bottles, sleeps, weight, height and nappy changes it also has a wealth of information and relevant articles in the 'Problem Solver' section.
Medela also provides personalised emails during your pregnancy and breastfeeding journey. Relevant information and articles tailored to your journey will be emailed to you each week. You can sign up for Take 5 at www.mymedela.com.au I www.Medela.com.au | www.medelabreastfeedingblog.com.au
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