This is my 2nd time becoming a cow.
1st Experience
During Faythe’s time, I didn’t read much bout BF to the fact that I didn’t even buy a pump and never thought of engorgement. It’s because I never knew any mommies or joined any forum that discuss about BF. All I knew was a colleague of mine who only BF for 1 month.
So well equipped that I was most of the time lost. Bought a Medela pump after give birth, that didn’t help to empty the breast though. Then I got to know Michelle, where she flew her pump over to my house and I was so so glad that Avent created this pump. It was a wonder. But still at that time I wasn’t very much into breastfeeding since Faythe is on mix feed (formula + BM).
At about 4 months, the BM supply drop to NIL, and since Faythe sleeps thru the night, I also stop BF-ing her. That’s when I stop loosing my extra kilos too.
2nd Experience
This time round, I became smarter after doing more research and asking the MOOs experts (e.g. Zara mama, Chanel, Wai Han). Again I didn’t buy the pump, but borrow from a dear friend of mine. Reason: I’m going to close shop, so better don’t waste the money.
I started expressing when Vyktore was admitted to hosp due to jaundice. When he returned, I still express sometimes but not consistent. Then my CL started nagging me, telling me night should give bottle so that can estimate how much he drinks, bli bla…
With much determination, I started tandem nursing (not sure if that’s the correct term). One side baby suckle, one side Mommy expressing. Whoaaa…it’s not an easy job, imagine both hands are so busy and your eyes keep rolling fr left to right hahaha…
With this started, the stock started to build up, but I still direct @ night, ignoring the CL until the stock level was sufficient enough then Vyktore started to have bottle EBM at night. I can also rest better with this, but I still wake up once or twice during early mornings to express.
I set a target for myself. If every night Vyktore takes 8oz, I will have to express more than he takes, with that my stock will only go higher, not less. Kiasu ehh…
After almost 2 months of giving exclusive BM to Vyktore, today, I’m so happy to announce that my stock level has reached 151oz!!! All in the freezer, be it in ice cream lollies or containers.
I still do tandem nursing now everyday without fail. This is very good especially during the morning, I can get 4oz thru one side while he feeds on the other side. Then during the afternoon if one side gets too engorged and he doesn’t empty the breast, I’ll do another round. The target, at least 4oz a day to add to the stock.
So now I’m pretty ready to start work in a weeks time. Vyktore will be able to enjoy all the EBM once I start work. At least with the amount of stock, in case I’m not able to express, he still has EBM to drink. *Touch wood*
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The photos
1. My stock recording sheet
I kept this because CL was taking BM in and out like nobody’s biz…so I made this sheet to track what went out, what goes in to make sure my stock level is always there. YES!! You can call me freak for that, but this surely is also one of my motivator 😉
2. Pitcher
This I use to pour the milk into the ice cream bags since I don’t have a funnel @ home :).
3. Supplies
Whoaa…I can’t believe I did it. Half my freezer filled with EBM. Hubby starts to worry if Vyktore don’t finish the supply I will put into his drink 😛
4. Pump
Thumbs up for the pump, really can’t live without. I started with dual pumping, one side Avent one side Medela during the jaundice days. Now I just use Avent cause Medela is pretty slow :P. Also a big thank you to my dear friend that loan the pump to me 😀
Must give myself a big clap!!
A big big clap from me! Thumbs up for you, Jazz!
I can consult you next time when I hv 3rd bb!
150oz….wow wow wow….(is a lot man!)
wow-well done to you! I only managed to stock up about 60 ml befor i went back to work. So now, on days when I dont express enough at the office, Rowena has to take some formula.
wow!! 150oz is a lot …. I salute you. I only stocked up to 80oz. But now I am in dilemma that my supply is extremely low for the past two weeks.
Bravo and a big clap to you…All of us is sooo proud of you. Your experience now can motivate others…
A big pat on your back. Way to go.. Your son is lucky to have a determined mum! 🙂
Phew witt!! Clap clap clap…..one hardworking cow. Lol.
150ml oz? Psst.. you can be a milk donor now. I notice you just make use of any container huh? You don’t pre-sterilise them? I only used those bags meant for milk storage or bottles, never anything else. It freaks me out what the other bags are made off, esp if you want to warm it up using the bags or container.
Well done!
Thanks to your post as it gives me very useful idea when comes to my second (though i’m not expecting now). 🙂
it’s not easy being a cow hor? but u r doing a good ‘moo’. 😉 let’s keep it up!
*Clap clap clap* Kudos to another working pumping mama. You moomies have it harder than us SAHMs. BTW, tandem nursing is when you nurse two or more children of different ages at the same time.
I am so so impressed!!! And you are a very organize mother. I bet your CL also freak out. hahaha. 🙂
wow~ CLAP! CLAP!
jesslyn: wah wah 3rd baby hehe….when is that coming?
rina: tq tq…
jessie: hm..they say keep pumping, then supply will sustain??
chanel: hehe also thx for your tips lah :D..not very successful yet, baru 2 months mah..if 2 yrs ok lah
geetha: tq tq 🙂
immomsdaughter: haha yah..this cow very hardworking…
zara’s mama: wah milk donor, got such thing ah? Ohh..container I specially bought for milk, sterilise and can recycle. As for the bag, I don’t sterilise but I trust that it’s clean lah…I don’t warm them directly, I usually put into the lower part of the fridge and defrost, then pour into milk bottle and warm it.
huisia: hehe…cant wait for u to get preggy lah 🙂
ginie: yes..lets keep it up, I’m sure we can 😉
mumsgather: oo..then one side feed one side pump is tandem apa huh?
allyfeel: tq tq hehe..haha yah, I think my CL also freak out when she sees my stock tracking 😛
mom2ashley: tq tq
Wooeeeee! Really going all the way to be a ‘moo moo moomie cow” huh? Vkytore is so lucky and I’m sure dat in his little mind he’s so proud of u!
Wonder when Faythe sees the tube/container of milk, will she think dat it’s ice-cream and request for it? (heeheehee)
Well done… can’t really remember how much I stocked up 😛 I think at one point before my trip to Bangkok for 5 days with Ivan, I managed to stock up 52 containers x 3.5 ounces hahaha… that was the peak man! Now due to laziness my milk supply is less… and have to build up again coz 3d2n annual trip coming end of August!
Wowww…you are really ‘geng’ leh. Next time I must learn from you when I have 2nd kid.
tracy: hehe..so far she never ask lahh..she still very shy when I ask her want nen nen or not 😛
sue: wow..that’s alot!!!
babykhong: hehe now u also still bf Brae rite?
Can give Faythe some bm ice-cream. Hehehehe….
michelle: haha yah..wonder if she likes it or not
wah terror la you! way to go! more moms should learn from you..
laundryamah: hehe..I’m sure there are a lot of moms out there doing better 😉
I got into your blog when researching for what people thinking about Thailand. It’s very useful information for my planing trip in Bangkok. Thank you so much…