Exclusive pumping with both kids!

This whole post is about my journey to feed my babies, and how I decided that exclusively pumping breast milk was the best option for us. So if you are uncomfortable talking about the details of breastfeeding then I suggest you stop now! (Maybe read another post of mine! Haha)

Boobs. They are not only an attractive feature that we all gaze upon, but they are quite literally the life line for our babies once they are born. Now I understand that not every mama out there had or has the option to breastfeed. And if I lived in a world without pumps I wouldn’t be able to either. BUT, thankfully I am and I couldn’t be any more grateful for that! (I’ve been watching the tv show Call the Midwife and they didn’t have anything like that for a long time, women had it rough…)

My breastfeeding story began with my son (who is now 3). He nursed fine in the hospital but was having a tiny bit of an issue latching, so we were kept an extra day. Well we went home and all was well until that night, and he was crying hungry. I went to nurse him and he wouldn’t take, he would try and then he would scream. (I have later realized it was partially my fault, my right breast doesn’t produce as much and it’s slower to let down, so baby doesn’t want to wait to eat and they get mad.) I was trying to stay calm and keep trying on the other side, but at this point my son was too upset and no amount of coaxing was going to help. (My boyfriend in the background of the whole thing was only making things harder for me)

I gave in, I made a bottle of formula, and I cried. I never wanted to have to give him that. But I had no choice, he was hungry. Thankfully my cousin had given me a medela breast pump that she had. I was determined to give my boy what he needed, and what was best for him. So I hooked up the pump to the wall and for 30mins every 2 hours I pumped. But I didn’t make much. (The first days of milk production are very important, and I waited too long to have my body make enough, and let me tell you, trying to up production is a struggle.)

I hated pumping. I was isolated to a spot in the kitchen with an outlet and space to put the pump. It was bulky and I felt embarrassed at how silly it all looked, but I had to. My baby needed it, and eventually I didn’t have to supplement formula anymore! But let me tell you, when you’re at work and you have to sit down to take your pump break, and the break room has no lock, people walk in. And when you have a traditional breast pump on, it’s quite the shock to say the least.

So I looked for a different option. I had seen ads on my instagram feed about cordless pumps that you could wear under your shirt! Under my shirt! That meant no more hiking my clothes up and taking my bra off to put on a pump friendly one. (I actually made a pumping bra by cutting holes in an old push up, worked great for the time being) No more hiding in a different room, or being unable to pick up my baby when he was crying. I was willing to pay whatever I needed to for that. And pay a small fortune I did, but I paid for peace of mind and freedom.

I ended up buying the Elvie pumps which came to just about $500, including a different sized nipple shield because the ones they came with were too big or too small. These pumps have been the biggest life saver for me, I can pump anywhere anytime, and no one would even notice, they are quiet and just make it seem like you grew a couple cup sizes haha! I can pump on the go, or while doing chores. Most importantly though, I can pick up and hold my baby, that means no more crying because they are crying and I can’t hold them with tubes and plastic pieces sticking a foot off my chest! These pumps are the BEST thing you could buy. I’m now on my second baby using the same pumps I used with my son, and I exclusively pumped for a full year with him, I plan to do the same for my daughter. (She became a very aggressive eater and I had bloodied and butchered nipples because she was biting not sucking, that’s why I’m pumping again!)

Since I had these right away I have not had to give my daughter formula at all and have over 60 freezer bags of breast milk stocked up! Amazing right? And she’s only 3 months. You won’t regret buying cordless pumps.

Now enjoy the rest of your day my friend! And thank you for reading!

~A