Overshare Monday

[nanila]

I want to have words with my ancestors. Why, you ask? Because I suspect one of them of dallying with a dairy cow.

I decided to try expressing breast milk with a hand pump given to me by my sister-out-law. She recommended that I try it before Humuhumu reaches six weeks, so I can have a supply ready to put in bottles if I want or need to spend time away from the baby. I was warned by several people that it might take some practice to get out more than 1 oz (30 mL) in half an hour.

The bloke got out the sterilizer. We cleaned all the bottles and bits that were needed, and fumbled around with them until they were in the correct working order, thus answering the question, "How many PhD scientists does it take to assemble a breast pump?" (At least two, plus a sensible person on standby to phone up.)

I put pump to breast and gave it a couple of tentative squeezes.

Then I spent two minutes laughing until I cried because hello, bouncing nipple. (Yes, I am five.)

I dried my eyes and started using it in earnest. It took me 10 minutes to get 110 mL, and that did not empty my breast. This morning I tried again, and the same amount took me five minutes. As far as I'm aware, Humuhumu's stomach is only capable of taking about 60 mL during a single feed at the moment, so goodness knows why I'm, er, quite this productive. Clearly, building up a reserve supply of milk is not going to be a problem.

In conclusion, have a couple of adorable photos of the bloke bathing Humuhumu.

Comments

[rmc28]

*Fistbumps* from a fellow milk producer.

[nanila]

We could set up an ice cream parlour!

[amalnahurriyeh]

Leigh was also an overproducer. It's better than the alternative, but, yes, huh, it is a thing.

"How many PhD scientists does it take to assemble a breast pump?"

Ah ha ha, we play versions of this game in my family all the time! (Technically it's usually "how many professors" to not point out to my aunt that she still is ABD.)

Tiny squirmy wet thing! <3

[nanila]

The received wisdom is that the baby sets the milk supply to what it needs to be, but clearly there's more to it than that!

She loves being in the bath. Getting out of it, on the other hand, is a less popular activity.

[pbristow]

Well, at least the bloke won't be short of something to go in his morning coffee. =:o>

[nanila]

Nope, not for a good long while. It keeps frozen for up to six months!

[happydork]

Humuhumu is quite possibly too adorable for words. Just so you know.

[nanila]

:D I think so too, but I'm terribly biased.

[xylie]

Congrats on the milk production. The less time spent with breast pumps the better.

You'll get to the point where you can assemble the breast pump in under 15 seconds, just like a rifelman, but far less cool at parties.

[nanila]

Breast pumps are very clinical, no? Also, I still have to suppress giggles when viewing nipplebounce.

I dropped two bottles on the floor today before managing to assemble the thing. Luckily I'd sterilized three. o_O

[pbristow]

You do realise we're all now mad keen to witness this giggle-inducing phenomenon for ourselves. Video, please! =:o}

[ironed_orchid]

TINY HUMAN!!!

Building a reserve sounds like a very good plan.

My sister had to spend a day away from her baby to go to an interview, and while they had enough supplies at home, she had to pump several times during the day to avoid overflow.

[nanila]

Hee!

*nods* Yes, especially when it looks like I'm going to have to make more than one trip to London before the end of the year.

Good point about overflow. I think my boobs would explode if I left them for an entire day. If I do have to spend that long away from Humuhumu, I'll have to bring the pump with me.

[castiron]

Yep, pumping was not an issue for me either, especially during the first couple months I was back at work when spouse brought son #2 by for lunchtime feedings. We'll see how it goes with this one; I'm supposedly reaching the age bracket where milk production gets more challenging, but then I was supposedly reaching the age bracket where conception was less likely too....

[nanila]

I'm glad it's not just me! I'm also supposedly on the declining fertility slope, but that wasn't exactly a problem either. I'd be willing to bet that previous experience likely means more than statistics for individual cases, so you'll probably be fine.

[lark_ascends]

She's so gorgeous.

It's interesting to hear your adventures in parentland. :-)

[nanila]

One of these days I'll have to post a picture of her "hungry angry devil baby" face and everyone will go "ACK!" :P