2part? - Pumping & BF in public

[Lovumms333238]

So I plan on going back to school soon and leaving DD with DH for 3-5hours a day Since we exclusively BF I have no idea how much she is taking in, so how much should I pump and leave for her? Should I do it a few days ahead, that day? I have no idea what I'm doing! I will be going to a LLL meeting but until then....

Now the BF in public part, I have NO nursing clothes. Just plain T shirts like you get at wal-mart and one nursing tank that smooshes my boobs. So do I invest in nursing attire? It is worth it? Any free patterns for nursing clothes? I am just not comfortable BF in public with so much showing in my regular clothes... am I missing something?

TIA

[karika]

This page should answer your first questions
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/index.html

I am not real sure about the second one. Are you asking about feeding your baby in public? I do it all the time. I usually don't wear a bra. I wear a tank top with a button down over it. That way when I leak all over when she is nursing one side, the cotton tank soaks it up and the button down (a dark print is good) covers it when I am done. I just unbutton the outer shirt and lift up the tank on the side she is nursing. Se likes to switch breasts and will only nurse if her hand is on the other boob, so I guess people see my nipples and breasts if they are looking. I don't care. I can see their bottles. I can see their fork and the food they eat with it. Breasts are how to feed children. The more people that come to that understanding because of seeing us feeding our children, the better. It is normal and natural. I do not cover so future generations will see it as normal. Some women buy a cover blanket. I do not think my children would have tolerated it anyway to be covered while eating.

[akind1]

kellymom is a great resource!

as far as nursing in public: I wear a bra, I am like a 40G, so don't really feel comfortable out of the house without one. I did buy some nursing shirts at first, but found I do just as well with wearing two layers: a not too snug knit t-shirt, blouse or tank with a camisole underneath. For me, it doesn't need to be a nursing tank (though if you can find one with good support in your size, that would be great! I just don't have much luck in that department) I pull the cami down and the top up. DS helps with modesty in that he usually is trying to pull my shirt over his head.

Depending on where we are, I also use a nursing cover, or muslin blanket, mostly for exposure during latch-on and take-off. That and often in public he gets distracted and is on and off alot.

as far as pumping goes: a good rule of thumb is an ounce per hour you are away. Every babe is different though, you may find he takes very little to none, and just waits for you to come back, or he might eat more than you expect. DS has taken 3.5 - 4 oz bottles from around 4-6 weeks, and at 7 months still takes that amount, every 3-4 hours I'm gone. On a few rare occasions he has done more, and he has also done less.

most women find they get the most output in the mornings, so that might be a good time to pump and start building a freezer stash.

HTH!

[Quinalla]

I really like to do the tank top with a shirt over it, I pull the shirt up, pull the tank top down and open the bra if I have one on. That way my tummy is still covered for comfort more than modesty in my case, but it does make it seem more modest to people who are around too even though I really am not showing any less boob. I do have a nursing cover in case I wanted it, but I haven't felt the need in places where I have NIP. That might be something you could get if you are feeling uncomfortable.

I do have some nursing shirts, but they aren't anymore discreet for me than the tank top + overshirt method and the fasteners in them can be a PITA.

[Artichokie]

i wear a nursing tank every day. Another alternative is to wear a low cut (aka "wifebeater" - sorry idk another name for it) tank under your shirt. The breasts would be above the scoop neck of the tank for easy access but you would be covered.

[kanga1622]

I have not found NIP to be all that difficult because I always wear a nursing tank rather than a nursing bra (can't seem to find one that doesn't end up making it hard to pump). I just wear whatever I want over top of the nursing tank. I do use a cover or blanket when we are out but that's because I'm more modest than most people. Heck, even my husband thinks I'm a prude. If you don't like nursing tanks, they make something similar that ends up being just a band around your tummy (think tank top without the straps) so that when you lift your outer shirt you still have coverage over your stomach. Then it's just a matter of how much shows between your bra flap and the baby's head which probably won't be much.

DS takes a 3 ounce bottle about every 2.5-3 hours while I'm gone. He seemed to sort of pick a schedule within a week or so of me returning to work. I added in an extra pumping session in the morning a couple days before returning to work and keep that session up all the time. You will likely get the most milk pumping in the morning. Every time she gets a bottle while you are gone, you should be pumping in order to keep your supply and have a bottle available for the next time you are going to be gone.

[amydiane]

I personally like having nursing clothes because it gets too hot where I live to have a bunch of layers (I get the kind that just have a double layer on top, not all the way down). But I know lots of mamas are happy with layering a tank, as some PPs have said (and it gives you a much bigger selection since you can pretty much wear regular clothes on top). You could also use something like the Undercover Mama, which is basically a strapless shirt that attaches to your nursing bra and covers your belly. http://www.undercovermama.com/

[mamadelbosque]

I nip all the time, and only in the summer do I have 'nursing shirts' - I have 3 or 4 nursing tanks for when its HOT, but otherwise just wear normal shirts and pull them up to nurse... I have two nursing bras that I cycle through (I only wear them when out). Good luck!!

[rlmueller]

The easiest way I think

Layer tank under a shirt. Pull tank down and shirt up and no exposure happens which I love.

When you wake up you are most full. Wake up, get baby, bring baby to bed, grab manual pump which is at your bedside. Put baby on one boob with baby straddling the opposite thigh, grab pump, pump while baby feeds--be sure to do both sides. Try to do this 2-3 times a day. See youtube for help to pump and feed at the same time.

Of note, at 3 months she at a three oz bottle and at 4 months she eats a four oz bottle. She eats every three hours. Just make this kind of pumping part of your daily routine. Take some lactogenic herbs and eat your oatmeal. DON'T STRESS. And you should be fine.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by rlmueller

Layer tank under a shirt. Pull tank down and shirt up and no exposure happens which I love.

I don't mind exposing my breast, it is my formerly flat stomach, now soft and floppy with massive dark stretch marks that I want covered up!

[liza-s]

I never figured out the layered shirt - I'm somewhere around a 36J so maybe its just my configuration, but I can't pull a tank down over the boob.

What works for me when I want belly coverage is to use a belly band. I used them while pregnant and even bought a new one just for breastfeeding. I also have a nursing tank with access slits - similar to what is the bottom layer of some nursing tops. I had a nursing top from motherwear I really liked with DC1, but I wore it out. I was great for hot weather when I traveled in the summer.

(I'm in AK, even in summer, NIP outside at 50's degrees is chilly on an uncovered belly. I like being covered for warmth.)

[LyndsayMW]

I second Liza-s. I use a belly band all the time - I feel weird without it, even when I am not NIP. I just tuck the loose-ish bits in under my bra so it stays in place.

I have seen a couple places that sell what essentially are belly bands with thin spaghetti straps to hold them up under your bustline. I wish I could remember what they are called! I haven't seen any in my size (plus) - so I sort of ignored it for status quo, but they do exist!

(I don't know about your first question either... sorry!)

[Bellabaz]

For the pumping, I would personally get a pump at least a month before you go back to school. Start using it during the time you would be pumping when you go to school. Use the milk to give your lo a bottle in case she rejects it and you have to work on it. I hope I am explaining this clearly.

Day 1 pump and save milk in the fridge.
Day 2 Give lo pumped mik from day 1 and pump again and store in fridge.
That way you have the milk for the next day. This is what I did when eping for a year and working.

Plus getting the pump early will give you time to work out any kinks and let the babe get used to a bottle, etc.

As for nursing attire, I bought 8 nursing tanks at H&M. I don't know how much they are in US dollars, but they aren't bad here. I like them because the cover my stomach when I nurse. I have them in black and white. The are long so they can be layered and tucked into pants/skirt if you like. I wear one of these and then just a regular shirt/sweater/whatever over them. My chest is not that big though so if you are well endowed I don't know if these will be supportive enough.

I am going back to shcool in the fall too and my youngest will be 1yo. I am hoping that we will have cut back the nursing during my school hours so I don't have to lug a pump around. Otherwise I will be in your shoes too. Good luck!