Pump, Pump, Pump it Up

Exclusive pumping is hard work. 

Ellie never really caught on to nursing.  When she was about three weeks old I gave up (so many tears, from both of us every time she was hungry!), but wanted to continue to give her breast milk.  So, I joined the ranks of exclusive pumpers.  I pump and bottle feed her my expressed breast milk. 

For the first couple of weeks it was a race to make sure I had enough milk for her everyday.  Then, I started taking Fenugreek (an herbal supplement) to help increase my supply.  Within days I had a surplus, so I was able to store some in the freezer for when I go back to work.  That was the plan, at least.  Instead, we found out that one of the reasons my incision wasn't healing was because I had a staph infection (OSA).  I had to go on antibiotics, and the dose was high enough that I had to stop giving her breast milk.  It was a sad day for me.  I was so committed to keeping her off formula for as long as possible.  But, I knew that keeping her on the breast milk while on the antibiotics was too dangerous.

Since I had a decent supply of breast milk (about 90oz) in the freezer, we were able to mix breast milk with formula for the 12 days I had to pump and dump (so sad to watch my milk just go down the drain!).  I've been off the antibiotics for a week now, and Ellie's been back on breast milk since Tuesday.  We're back to the races to make sure I have enough.  I'm taking 3 Fenugreek capsules, 3 times a day (which worked last time), and pumping hourly.  I'm sore and tired!  Since I pump for 15 minutes, I only have a 45 minute break in between sessions.  I've been watching old shows on HBO Go to help me pass the time.  So far I've finished Deadwood, Six Feet Under, How to Make it in America, and am now on season 2 of the Sopranos. 

I'm hoping to go back to work on Tuesday (I see my nurse tomorrow and as long as my wounds are smaller, I'll be going to work -- hurray!!!).  This means that I have to get a surplus again, so Ellie has milk during the day while I'm at work.  Hopefully I'll be able to get at least 10 oz extra over the next day and half so we won't have to supplement with formula.  I think that'll be enough to stay ahead of her.  Wish me luck!

The one bonus of pumping and bottle feeding is that other people are able to feed Ellie.  Here she is with Grandma, right after eating.