Today I started an experiment with pumping breast milk. I am blessed to not have to face returning to work but I would like to have a stash of milk stored that would allow my husband and I to go on the occasional dinner date. I know Captain is also wanting to have the opportunity to feed Wee Bud occasionally. He's even offered to take over the occasional middle-of-the-night feeding. He's a keeper.
Not having any idea what I was doing, I researched various pumps through several review sites. A friend had let me borrow her Medela Free-Style electric double pump but I can't even offer a personal review on it as the entire system stressed me out and I have yet to try to sterilize it and try it. Instead, my research led me to the manual Lansinoh breast pump and so today I gave it a shot. (I actually went to the store on my own, just me and Wee Bud, to pick it up. I was quite pleased with my level of independence and considered the trip a success.)
By the time I had sterilized all of the pieces, let them dry and assembled them, it was time for Wee Bud to eat. I started her on one breast and practiced pumping on the other. I was rewarded with the surreal view of milk flowing into the storage bottle. (Still haven't quite gotten over the fact that I am able to produce sustenance for our child.) After a few minutes though the flow slowed. Wee Bud continued on with her lunch and I paused my efforts to just rest. (It's been a full few days here.) Once she had finished on the one side though I switched her to the other and tried pumping what she had left. Which was very little. All together, I have one ounce of milk in the bottle and I am quite proud of it! Not bad for a first attempt anyway.
Initial thoughts on the Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump: I was impressed with the ease of assembly, the instructions and the design of the pump handle. It was not tiresome on my hands or wrists, which is important with the carpal tunnel still lurking around occasionally. I did find it troublesome to breastfeed on one side and pump on the other as you are supposed to tilt the pump downward to allow the milk to flow away from the nipple but Wee Bud was in the way.
I'm going to keep practicing and playing around with it. Captain's and my wedding anniversary is coming up at the end of November and I would love to surprise him with an evening of just the two of us. (And there are some grandparents who have already expressed their eager willingness to have Wee Bud to themselves for a few hours...)
Oh, and the "glitter kisses" from the title? Yes, that was a lesson I learned this morning after applying a shimmery lip gloss and soon after giving Wee Bud a kiss on the forehead. That sparkle does not come off. Oh well...but it is something to keep in mind. Thankfully, being my daughter, she doesn't seem to mind sparkly things.
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