Prior to having my babies, I had no clue what breastfeeding or pumping would entail. I didn't know what a nursing pad, membrane, or lanolin was and I was kinda scared to find out. Pumping is not as scary as it looks. Yes, at first it is a bit uncomfortable and a very strange feeling but as the weeks and months pass, it becomes a part of your daily routine... kinda like brushing your teeth or washing your hair. Since it has become such a huge part of my life and most people don't know much about it, I've decided to share how I set up my pumping station, my schedule, and what supplies are the most needed.
I tried breast feeding for about 6 weeks and the girls never caught on. You can see my breastfeeding journey HERE. So... I became what they call an "exclusively pumping Momma". Having triplets may have helped me stay on track since I have them on such a strict schedule, which means I have a very strict pumping schedule.
My Evolving Pumping Schedule
My Evolving Pumping Schedule
~Here is what my pumping schedule was like when they first came home...
1. Babies are breastfed.
2. Babies are supplemented with a bottle.
3. I pump.
4. Repeat.
Simple, yet time consuming. It wasn't that complicated at first, but I was lucky to have someone there all the time to watch the babies while they slept so I could go pump. I would pump 7-8 times per day on this schedule.
Simple, yet time consuming. It wasn't that complicated at first, but I was lucky to have someone there all the time to watch the babies while they slept so I could go pump. I would pump 7-8 times per day on this schedule.
~When we got the babies on a 4 hour schedule (about 4 months old)...
6:30 AM: Wake up before the babies to pump.
10 AM: Babies would nap so I would go pump.
2 PM: Same
5 PM: I either bring the babies in the bathroom with me to pump or someone is there to watch them since they don't nap at this time.
8:30 PM: Babies are asleep for the night so I would go pump.
3 AM: Wake up to pump.
~At 6 months old, I decided it was time to drop the middle-of-the-night pump and my schedule became...
Pump at 6:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 2:30 PM, 5 PM, and 10 PM
~And now, at almost 10 months old, I've dropped to 4 times per day and pump the same as above minus the 5 PM.
I'm still able to produce over 2 liters of milk per day allowing my girls to have less than one bottle supplemented with formula per day each. The human body is amazing.
My Pumping Supplies
At first, I rented a hospital grade pump, then eventually got my own through insurance. I'm happy with the Medela Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump. I also purchased 3 extra sets of breast shields and parts in order to not have to clean after every pump (trying to save time here). Once I've finished pumping, I just rinse them off and dump them in a container. Once I've used all of the pieces, I fill up the container with soap and water and clean each piece. I do this while pumping, of course, with the use of my hands free pumping bra.
My Pumping Station
My pumping station is set up in our bathroom. I have a chair next to the sink and my pump + supplies just sitting on the counter. Luckily, I have enough space to spread out a little. While I pump, using my hands free bra, I am able to do my hair and make-up, clean supplies, make phone calls, or just browse facebook/instagram. As I clean the supplies, I let them dry on a washcloth then put them together at the next pump.
So there you have it. How I have survived being an exclusively pumping Mom of triplets. I owe a lot to my husband and everyone that has helped out with our kids while I escape to the bathroom to pump. It has been very important to me to be able to provide my girls with breast milk and I definitely see us making it to one year.
~At 6 months old, I decided it was time to drop the middle-of-the-night pump and my schedule became...
Pump at 6:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 2:30 PM, 5 PM, and 10 PM
~And now, at almost 10 months old, I've dropped to 4 times per day and pump the same as above minus the 5 PM.
I'm still able to produce over 2 liters of milk per day allowing my girls to have less than one bottle supplemented with formula per day each. The human body is amazing.
My Pumping Supplies
- Medela Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump
- 4 total sets of breast shields and parts
- Extra breast milk bottles accumulated from when the girls were in the NICU
- Chair
- Container with lid
- Hands-free pumping bra
- Full glass of water
- Snack
- Washcloth
- Lansinoh or Medela Lanolin
- Lansinoh milk storage bags
- Lansinoh disposable nursing pads
- iPhone (to catch up on email, FaceBook, & Instagram)
At first, I rented a hospital grade pump, then eventually got my own through insurance. I'm happy with the Medela Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump. I also purchased 3 extra sets of breast shields and parts in order to not have to clean after every pump (trying to save time here). Once I've finished pumping, I just rinse them off and dump them in a container. Once I've used all of the pieces, I fill up the container with soap and water and clean each piece. I do this while pumping, of course, with the use of my hands free pumping bra.
My Pumping Station
My pumping station is set up in our bathroom. I have a chair next to the sink and my pump + supplies just sitting on the counter. Luckily, I have enough space to spread out a little. While I pump, using my hands free bra, I am able to do my hair and make-up, clean supplies, make phone calls, or just browse facebook/instagram. As I clean the supplies, I let them dry on a washcloth then put them together at the next pump.
So there you have it. How I have survived being an exclusively pumping Mom of triplets. I owe a lot to my husband and everyone that has helped out with our kids while I escape to the bathroom to pump. It has been very important to me to be able to provide my girls with breast milk and I definitely see us making it to one year.
3 comments:
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for this!!! I have one baby, born 12/2 and I exclusively pump also. This was his decision more or less. My baby decided that he did not want to latch, but sure LOVES Momma's milk! I'm thankful to read that even someone with 3 babies can get through it. I keep telling my husband if I can make it to 6 months, we will see where we go from there. Many blessings to you, Momma!
Just read your breastfeeding story and now this. You are one amazing mama! I don't pump that often but still wish I had invested in a hands-free bra. Although, the thought of standing at the sink washing pump parts while pumping had me laughing but I would be doing the same thing if I had the right bra! :) Your girls are lucky!
This is amazing!! Good job mama! I have been following your story for quite some time. I had twins in April of last year who were both in the NICU for 1 month. Same story as yours--mine never got the hang of breastfeeding, so I pumped for 4 months. I wish I could have gone longer, but it just was not working out for our family.
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