I wish this group had been around when I started out as a working and pumping mom on active duty in the US Army over six years ago. At least I had my small circle of pumping coworkers to rely on for support. Like my coworkers, I had to deal with the issues of plugged ducts, low milk supply, where to buy a good breastpump and getting time to pump.
I should feel pretty comfortable with pumping and breastfeeding now, right? I am now the mother of three, including a breastfeeding 11-month-old. I've done this before! I wish I could say it is easier, but it's not. I still must deal with the same issues I dealt with while breastfeeding my first. I am happy to say, however, that I have learned so much from the collective wisdom of these pumping moms and they lend me a wealth of support that I didn't have six years ago. And surprise, the number one issue among these moms, like all breastfeeding moms, is milk supply.
Tiffany joined the Pumping Moms List at 10 weeks postpartum and has now served as Co-Listowner for over 10 months. She gave birth at a hospital with an excellent lactation program and attended a breastfeeding class that she found to be extremely helpful. Since she was returning to work full time, she was determined to pump for her baby girl. She sent her husband to the pharmacy where he bought a Medela Pump In Style, which cost between US$249.00 and US$277.00. Tiffany believed that if she was financially committed to pumping, then she would stick with it.
Tiffany began pumping at about four weeks postpartum, using the Avent system, and fortunately, had no problems with bottle or breast rejection. She says she froze milk like a "madwoman," building up a freezer stash of over 300 ounces! But, she lost it due to what she calls "poor storage choices." She built up her stash once again, donated to the Wake Medical Center Human Milk Bank and wrote a Freezer Tips Web Page so others could learn from her mistakes.
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