Stopping the pump

I've decided to stop pumping and pass the pump to my cousin who has just given birth.

It would be crazy to pump, work, take care of Coco and Baby at the same time.

Besides, pumping leaves me feeling weak. I keep getting numb feet and painful kneecaps. I suspect it's the pumping. I think it's because I've a weak constitution to begin with and so, breastfeeding takes a toll on me although I really haven't heard of anyone feeling giddy and weak after breastfeeding or pumping. Tried searching on the net for such symptoms and wasn't successful.

I still experience a little hardness on the boobs after more than 24 hours. I got my Avent Manual Pump on standby just in case I really really need to pump the milk out.

As a product review, I would strongly recommend Pump-in-Style if anyone needs a pump. Pumping was a breeze with it, and true to its claim, it does increase milk supply - my supply went up to 70 ml every 3 hourly. Best of all, it doesn't give you mastitis or sore nipples. It's really worth the money spent. Really regret not heeding the advice of those forummers who gave good review on it.

Milk Pumping

After diligently pumping for 2 weeks, my milk supply has increased from 5 - 10 ml to 40 ml. :) It's very encouraging indeed. Although the nipples are no longer squirting like crazy, as per when I first started pumping, I'm quite happy with the amount and I believe it'll continue to increase.

On fully pumping

I chanced upon this thread which led me to Ameda's website for mummies who pump exclusively. Very useful I must say:
http://www.ameda.com/breastpumping/moms/fully_pumping.aspx

It states how to bring in and maintain full milk supply with pumping, and how to wean from pumping gradually instead of abruptly which might cause mastitis and infections. Impressive.

I get abit worried when I read about the part on getting a good flange fit. I wonder if my right breastshield is ill-fitting 'cos it does feel like there's some rubbing. Could this be the reason that cause me recurrence of infections - due to breakage of skin?

Breast pumping

I finally decided to make my purchase of Medela Pump In Style Advance, after looking at how my little one suffered while she pooed. She pushed so hard she had perspiration beads on her forehead and philtrum (the vertical lines between the nose and the upper lip). And I think she was scared. She cried and looked panicky when the stool was stuck in her anus. Poor baby!

But after close to 10 days of not pumping, due to the recurrence of mastitis, the milk supply was running really low. It couldn't even cover the base of the pumping bottles - about 5 to 10 ml each time. It's a good thing I bought a bottle of Greenlife fenugreek seeds from the pharmacy. I kept at pumping between 2.5 h to 3 h until I fell asleep last night. Then I woke up to pump at 6.45 am this morning again. It seems to have increased a little bit, maybe by about 5 ml. I'm praying that the milk supply will up again.

Medela Pump-In-Style Advance is really good. I actually look forward to pumping now. If only someone told me that pumping is not supposed to be painful. With my previous pump, I always retrieved the pump with trepidation. Perhaps it's only me because I know of quite a few others (colleagues and friends) who use Mini Electric Plus, but none of them complain of pain. And it's my nipples which took turn to be painful.