Preggie Pals

breastmilk

Breastfeeding Support For All!

April 16th, 2013 by Michelle Viquez

My passion for breastfeeding and all things mommy support really began at the tender age of 17. The culture of mommy support really only involved mothers of an “appropriate” age at that time. I’m talking late 90’s and it was probably worse prior to that. I was a young mother and besides my own mother, I was completely alone in any means of parenting or breastfeeding support. The resources just weren’t there. From what I’d learned over the years formula was the thing in my mother’s generation so not many mothers of that era breastfed. Formula was liberating to women and it was more the norm than breastfeeding. In the hospital, at the time of my son’s birth, I don’t recall a visit from any lactation nurse or any offers to try breastfeeding. I got some handouts and I was actually sent home with a few cases of formula. (more…)

Survival Tips for Pumping at Work

February 20th, 2013 by Michelle Viquez

With my recent return to work I found myself a bit over confident with my pumping plans. Luckily, I typically work in a private office so locking my door is sufficient. However, there are times that I am sharing an office space and I have to go hunt down an empty room to get my pump on!

The first couple weeks was a big adjustment. I knew my plan was to feed baby last thing before leaving, get to work, two hours later – pump session 1, pump session 2 (lunch), and pump session 3 (mid afternoon). Simple. After a few days I found myself stretching those minutes longer and longer. Especially since I was getting back in the swing of things with my job role. (more…)

How Do I Increase My Supply When I Hate My Pump?

January 26th, 2013 by Anita Story

I am 8 months into breastfeeding my son.  I work part time.

I also have a 25 month old boy.  I want to provide him at least 8 ounces of breastmilk a day.  In order to achieve that I must increase my supply… but I hate pumping.

What was once a saving grace has become an unbelievable burden.  Pumping makes me feel like I am held hostage.  As awesome as a portable double electric pump is, once I am strapped in and the pump is plugged in, that is it.  I am in one place for the duration.

And I am so over pumping at work.  I used to be so proud.  Look at me, I am a breastfeeding mother.  I love working for you all, but my priority is my baby.  I can do it all !!! (more…)

Overcoming Early Breastfeeding Challenges

November 23rd, 2012 by Anita Story

My youngest son, Stone, was born on April 13, 2012.  Before his birth I read every breastfeeding book in our library system and some of them I read twice!  I was so looking forward to exclusively breastfeeding.  I thought of it every day!

My goal was to say that Stone never had even one drop of formula.

We were skin to skin at breast from the moment he was born.  I was expressing colostrum as much as possible and he would suck the drops off my nipple or finger.  Unfortunately, he didn’t ever latch properly.  I was already frustrated. (more…)

Breastfeeding After Previous Low Milk Supply

Episode 28 | November 9th, 2012

When a mother experiences a chronic low milk supply with one of her babies, she may wonder what she could do the next time around to have a greater milk supply. What are some possible causes of low milk supply? What are some recommended ways to increase supply? And how do you handle the constant worry and possibility of not being able to provide enough milk for your little one? (more…)