When I was breastfeeding,
- it was taking well over an hour to feed all three babies, even with tandem feeding.
- the babies were eating at least every two hours.
- the babies always fell asleep at the breast and woke up hungry.
- the babies would often choke on my forceful letdown.
- I could never get the babies on any kind of schedule.
- I questioned if they were getting enough milk, and often supplemented with one bottle of formula a day.
- I was solely responsible for the majority of the feedings.
- I still had to pump multiple times a day to maintain supply and get a few ounces of milk for Jesse to help with nighttime feeds.
- I never mastered tandem nursing in public using a cover.
- I know exactly how much milk each baby consumes and never wonder if it's enough.
- family, friends, and church nursery workers can bottle feed the babies.
- feeding in public is easier.
- because the babies stay awake and eat 'til they are full, they are satisfied longer.
- we have been able to space out feedings to every three hours during the day and only twice at night.
- all three babies receive 100% breastmilk (no formula whatsoever).
- I am attached to my Medela Pump in style for 20-30 minutes every 3 hours during the day and twice at night. I have learned how to pump while feeding a baby, loading/unloading the dishwasher, folding clothes, etc. At night I pump while checking Facebook and blogging.
- I can feed all three at the same time during the day by bottle propping one or more babies.
- feedings take 30 minutes or less.
If I choose to bottle prop I am always right beside them the entire time. |
Of course I hate pumping. My back hurts, even though I use a hands-free bra. I get tired of cleaning parts. There hasn't been a single night at 2 a.m. where I haven't wanted to just give the babies a bottle of formula for the next feed rather than pump. I feel silly toting a pump around if I know I'm going to be away from the house for more than four hours. Still, I feel very blessed to still be able to offer each child exclusive breastmilk. Pumping is the best option for our family and I don't intend on stopping as long as I have the supply.
Whatever, it gets the job done. Good work!
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