392 days of Pumping

Or I could just say 13 months before I HUTH. Yes, I had to chuckle yesterday when I read that there is even an acronym for ending pumping "Hanging Up The Horns" - don't ask me who made this up!

But before I go into my story of EPer (being an exclusive pumper), I want to share a list of everything that I believe helped me to be able to continue that long, especially in the early weeks when I was  practically living in the NICU and trying to increase my milk supply production which was a struggle at first.

1. Start pumping ASAP after birth

2. Don't be discouraged when you only get 2 drops of colostrum (and yes, our NICU was amazing because they gave these 2 drops to Eleonora - even sending a nurse up to my floor to get it for her believing it to be so important!)

3. Pump literally every 3 hours around the clock (from the beginning of 1 pumping to the beginning of the next)

4. Use a hospital grade pump and have a lactation consultant make sure you have the right size shields

5. Drink lots and lots of water and eat 3 good meals a day (easier said then done)

6. Buy a pumping bra so you can have your hands free - this was essential for me

7. Look into taking Fenugreek capsules

8. After 6 weeks contemplate going one 5 hour stretch at night to get at least 4 1/2 hrs of sleep straight.

9. Call and see how your baby is doing during those lonely night pumping sessions

10. Pump for at least 15 minutes each session- but up to 20 or more, making sure you get every last drop

11. Talk to other NICU Moms to know you are not the only one doing this

I was blessed to have incredible support from my husband, encouraging me in moments when I really thought I could not keep doing this and to have his understanding when everything we did centered around my next pumping session really kept me going.

Be encouraged that it should get easier as the weeks go on and know that you are doing an amazing thing for your baby/babies!

What tips and suggestions have helped you in your pumping journey? I would love to compile a longer list to share at some point.

blessings,
Louisa

The Homemade Formula pt. 1

Believe me, it was a real commitment to make my daughter's homemade formula.

Every day for 18 months I made a fresh batch (unless I had enough bags in the freezer to pull out and thaw), measuring, warming, mixing and blending then filling 8 bottles. Cleaning up with the realization that I would do the same thing again in the morning!

Why did I choose to go this route?

First, I knew that breastmilk was the best food for my micro-preemie, and was able to pump until she was 13 months old. For the first 9 months she was exclusively g-tube fed (a feeding tube surgically placed in her stomach) with only breastmilk, and when my milk supply began to dwindle I wanted to feed her with the best nutrient rich option I could find.  I knew that many babies have thrived on raw goats milk and I had also read about a homemade infant formula that some were making. Reading about why certain ingredients were used to make it as close to human milk as possible and the testimonials from other parents who had made it convinced me that this is what I wanted to do. (I did and still do have many reservations about ready made formula powder but will save this topic for another post).

I am convinced that the nutrition Eleonora received through this formula has been a large part why she is so strong, healthy and happy now at 2 1/2 years old.  Her weight gain has always been consistent and never a cause for concern for her many specialists, which other parents of preemies will know can be a hurdle.

There have been bumps in the road and changes made with the recipe but now looking back after just transitioning to plain whole raw milk (with 2 extra ingredients)  I am so glad I made the commitment to make the formula and am happy to share my journey with others.

The recipe with directions will be coming soon!

Blessings,

Louisa