It has been a while since I have posted - mostly because this platform is blocked by the firewall at work.  But, now that I am working full-time again I am finding myself pumping all over town. I have to say I am very impressed by the openness of all of the workplaces I have emailed about my need to pump.  They have all had private pumping spaces (some nicer than others).  I have had to miss some discussions but everyone has been very accommodating.

As I prepare for more work trips I find myself emailing other folks in charge of venues to see if they have private spaces set aside for this.  What I learn is that what they think of as private I do not.  For example, a convention room with piping and a curtain is fine for nursing a baby but not fine for pumping.  Pumping involves more exposure and is less socially acceptable to do in front of others. It means I need a chair, a table, and a fridge. How do I go back and advocate for myself without getting stuck in a bathroom?

Read more...

Back in the Game

Today began my second week back in the office.  Therefore, my pumping adventures are in full swing.  I have been using a new pump, but also my old one as a back up.  Pumping for twins is VERY different than pumping for one.  First off, I have a lot more milk now (hurray!).  Secondly, I have two mouths and bellies to keep up with (boo!).  I learned last week that while we are apart I need to make 22 oz to keep with the twins' two feedings while we are apart.  That's a lot of milk.  When I was at work I pumped only 6-8 oz each time, coming up a bit short.  So, now my body needs to be on a 3-hour feeding schedule to the pump while the babies are on a 4-hour schedule.  And, after speaking to my amazing lactation consultant here are some other tricks:

1) get lots of rest.  (Ok, is this some sort of joke? How is that even possible with a 2.5 yr old and twins?)
2) drink a lot of water (check)
3) rent a hospital grade pump and leave it at work (will do this week)
4) pump 3 times at work, once in the morning before I nurse and two times at night, at bedtime for babes and bedtime for me.

In terms of #4, I don't anticipate anyone being happy, including me, than an hour and a half per work day I will be pumping and cleaning parts.  At least I can take conference calls and type emails.  Also, pumping 6 times a day?!?  This is nuts.  Looking forward to 6 weeks from now when we start solids. Thoughts and suggestions of how to get through this are welcomed!

Read more...

Welcome Back

Welcome back.  That is what my pump said after being put away in a cabinet for the past year and a half.  Actually it said "whrrr."  To be honest, I was impressed it still worked!  Since I am now a momma of twins I rented a hospital grade pump assuming I would be nursing and pumping 24/7.  It's been ten weeks and I was right.  The good news is that supply is not an issue for this second time mom.

To date my pumping adventures have been few and far between - but there have been some doozies.  For example, being rushed to the emergency room with one twin and needing to pump there for the other at home on a BEAST of a pump that made me almost cringe when I put it on.  Or, going out of town for two days and needing to pump on an airplane, first in the bathroom (disgusting) and then in just my seat (awkward - not for me really but for the girl next to me).

I am becoming a pumping pro in preparation for my return to work and have received a free double electric pump to try and represent at events for expectant moms.  More later on my tips for successful pumping.

Read more...

My what big teeth you have!

At four months of age Ari sprouted his first two teeth.  I have been told this is quite young.  We nicknamed him "Mr. Two Teeth" because his funny grin showed these two little nubs poking out of his bottom gum.  However, while nursing they became evil fangs.  Razor sharp those little suckers (literally) were causing me great pain.  And Ari started to treat me like one of his teething toys.

Now, at 10 months Ari has 8 teeth.  Each time a new one sprouts he presses down on me to alleviate his pain and causing me a whole heck of a lot.  When I say, "No biting mommy" he giggles.  When I scream out he cries.  There is no winning at this. 

In the past few days I developed a blister thanks to my little vampire.  It is a cross between a bite and a hickey and IT HURTS.  Pumping does not help the situation and I am concerned how I am supposed to let it heal when I need to use it several times a day.  I actually considered using a band-aid but logistically I don't think it will work.  One of my friends warned me I would get callouses from his teeth.  I thought, ok, I have those on my fingertips from playing guitar, that's not too bad.  But,  now I have been reminded of how painful it was to develop them!  Callouses on feet if you are a runner, or on fingers if you play an instrument - these are things I get.  I am not aiming to be a professional nursing mom and would prefer to keep myself callous free!

Read more...

What to do while pumping...

In my past six months of pumping I have seen and talked to many pumping mamas who do many things while pumping.  In the beginning I did many of these things.  They involved:

1. Staring at a photo of my baby
2. Reading a magazine or book - a mini-break
3. Closing my eyes and imaging my milk flowing as I nursed Ari.  

You may laugh at these three but they really helped me transition from nursing at home to pumping at work.  Then, I got busy....Now I do the following:

1. Talk on conference calls or with the boss
2. Write work emails
3. Eat lunch and snacks
4. Do 1-3 all at the same time AND PUMP

I have always been told I am a good multi-tasker, but I feel like I am taking it to a whole new level.  I am one step away of video chatting.  For those pumping mamas out there you may wonder if I suddenly grew 6 more arms, really giving new meaning to the word "Octomom."  No.  Here is how one multi-tasks successfully:
1. Cordless, rechargeable pump.  I strap it to my hip so I can walk around.
2. Hands free pumping bra.  I love Simple Wishes and have one at home and one at work.
3. A private office (I realize I am lucky).  The windows are covered with cardboard.
4. A speaker phone or headset.
5. The ability to not get stressed while doing work so as to not affect the milk flow.
6. A sense of humor - because inevitably with all of these variables something goes awry often (mostly dropping food in my lap).

In fact...I am pumping right now.

Read more...

Come on Irene

Tomorrow Hurricane Irene is to make landfall in the Northeast and we have prepared accordingly. Five gallons of bottled water (left over from a party in May 2010), charged rechargeable batteries, movies downloaded to laptops and mp3 players, diapers, and plenty of baby food. So, what is there to fear? I think it is one of the ultimate fears of a pumping mama - a power outage when there is milk in the freezer. WHAT TO DO? Options:
1. Fill ice trays and ice packs and seal the freezer door tightly (check)
2. Use up the milk in 24-48 hours after outage (not ideal, but could be done)
3. Hope there is no power outage (check)

Once my freezer went on the fritz. After my panic attack I determined the milk hadn't thawed and I relocated it. But, now that Ari is 10 months old and gets formula as well I am less likely to panic. However, I will feel a loss. I worked hard to make that milk!

I have also charged my pump. It gets 6 hours on a charge, but I typically pump for 25 minutes at a time. However, I have stopped pumping when Ari and I are together so if I needed to I am set.

So - how are you preparing for the hurricane mamas? What will you do if your freezer loses power or your double pump can't be plugged in?

Read more...

Nothing lasts forever...Including electric double pumps

A few days ago I called the breast pump manufacturer to tell them that my breast pump was acting strangely after owning it for only 3 months.  During the "expression phrase" it would whirr its hypnotic pattern and then suddenly speed up, increasing its vacuum pressure as well.  I was told that a certain amount of cycles per minute (with a range of about 20) was normal.  Um, ok.  I don't think so, but if you say so....

I also asked why it was cutting off after 30 minutes of pumping.  Did it have some timer?  I was told, no.  It is a safety mechanism so it doesn't overheat.  I thought, "like a hair dryer?  strange..."  

Then, today it happened.  My fancy dancy overpriced double electric hands free pump died.  It pumped for 3 minutes and cut off, never to return to the "on" position again.  Panic struck!  "ARGH! I don't need this now! I have a million things to do!!"  Thankfully I have 2 back up pumps.  That's right.  You heard me.  Two.  One from my generous friend Robin and one from my cousin Elise.  Yes - I know you aren't supposed to share them.  I have my own tubing and Ari seems just fine.

I finished my morning pumping session on the borrowed Pump in Style and fished around for the service plan I bought when buying this new pump.  I found it and quickly called BRU.  They were great - said to go buy a new one and they would reimburse me for the original one.  So, off I went.  But - I didn't have as many coupons this go around and the new one cost me $10 more.  I know you are thinking that is nothing, but it is THE POINT.  I spoke to the manager and she would not honor the original price.  I spoke to the service people and they would not reimburse the new price.  UNACCEPTABLE.

So, I did what any consumer would do with no time on her hands and a lot of rage against pumping as well as a panache for finding a bargain...I called the manufacturer.  I explain the problem.  She asks if it is fully-charged (as it is a hand free system).  Really?  Does she think that my boobs have sucked out that much of my brain?  "Yes, it's charged."  She asks me to plug it in.  I do so and voila! It turns on.  It then proceeds to smell and smoke.  "Please unplug it and remove the battery" she says as I describe what is happening.  I think, "wow, thanks for the instructions there."  Long story short - she is sending me a new one overnight (p.s. took 3 days to arrive).  She asks, "Do you need a new pump immediately?"  "Yes" I answer while my inner dialogue says, "No, I love sitting half-naked locked in my office twice a day with this torture device strapped to my chest."  She tells me to buy a new one, save the receipt, and return the new one she sends me.  She also wants the original pump back.  

Hmmm...so what to do???  2 pumps now and the opportunity to collect on the service plan.  Now you know why I don't use the proper names of these companies.  Thoughts?  

Read more...