When do you find time?

RetromamaJess · 01-03-2008, 10:47 PM

Ok, I need some help. We are going on a trip in March, and leaving the kiddos behind (i'm not very happy about that) I have not one oz of BM pumped....I really need to get on that. I also would love to get out of the house and have a break, but I can't find the time to pump. Here is my typical day...can you find me 20 minutes or so to pump? How dose everyone else do it? I feel my supply dwindiling(He isn't "satisfied" anymore) and I know pumping will help increase my supply...

Here's my day:

Wake up between 4-6am to nurse(i nurse in my sleep around then)
Back to sleep until 7:30 or 8, depending on the day
up and coffee, check my email for 5 minutes while i'm cooking breakfast
eat breakfast while unloading the dishwasher, talking to mike
start cleaning what i'm going to be cleaning for the day
sit down to feed dean again around 10
try to put Dean down for a nap when he's asleep from nurseing
Dean usually wakes up around 10-20 minutes after I lay him down
try to keep Dean entertained while i start lunch, and the prep work for my dinner
Lunch is served, feed Dean as soon as I'm done
play with Mike, clean up from lunch
Go outside on days we can and play for 30-45 minutes
Come in and put Mike down for a nap, listening to Dean scream
pick up Dean, take him to bed with me, nurse him, and lay with him while he sleeps
Everyone up from naps around 3:30
get Mike a snack
start dinner
feed Dean
eat dinner, clean up, check email again
have family time playing
start bathes, and getting everyone ready for bed.
Everyone in bed asleep by 10(it takes mike almost a full hour to go to sleep)
me in bed, everything done between 11-12

Did I mention Dean is a high needs baby? He will scream and cry when he's put down, and he dosen't nap. It kills my day....i hold him all day, do everything one handed, and as soon as i think he's asleep, i put him down, only to have him wake up 10 minutes later....it's very frustrating. I've tried to let him cry a little, but he just screams until he can't breath anymore, and then he wants to nurse...it's extreamly frustrateing. When I finally get him down for a nap while Mike is sleeping, he reaches over in his sleep to feel me, and make sure i'm still there. If i try to sneak away for anything, he wakes up screaming until I lay back down with him....

how in the world am i going to get pumping in too???

When i check my email, it's usually only about 5 minutes before someone needs something....

Emma · 01-03-2008, 11:04 PM

Have you tried pumping on one side while nursing the other side? Do you have a sling that works for you and pump while he sleeps in it ( might be a little tricky to work it out, but worth a try). You could try pumping right before bed. I used to have the pump plugged in right beside the bed and would pump just before going to sleep. You could try pumping while reading a book to Mike too. It's tough to find the time.

Koloe · 01-03-2008, 11:27 PM

I would pump while nursing. Pump on one side, nurse on the other. The morning is when you produce the most milk, so that's a good time to add a pump session in. Just set it all up before you go to sleep so it's right there next to the bed so you don't have to move far. Then you can cap it and go back to sleep for a bit. Unless it's really hot in the house - the milk will be fine for a hour or 2 without refrigeration.

I second the sling or other baby carrier for a high needs kid. If you have a couple different types, you can rotate them so the weight is shifted to different parts of your body. I had to strap Liriel on my back a couple nights ago so I could make supper. And she is NOT light.

Stacy · 01-03-2008, 11:41 PM

I would always pump right when I got up and then right before I went to bed. I've pumped many of times while putting my makeup on and drying and doing my hair in the mornings. Also while eating my breakfast. I know, its a funny sight.

belinda · 01-04-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stacy

I would always pump right when I got up and then right before I went to bed. I've pumped many of times while putting my makeup on and drying and doing my hair in the mornings. Also while eating my breakfast. I know, its a funny sight.

I've done this too!

Although, I pump while doing all kinds of things in order to work it in.

Donna · 01-04-2008, 11:16 AM

I know how you feel Jess, JJ is super needy as well and must be held almost the entire time he is awake (although he is slowly getting better about that). I definitely second the sling, it takes a while to get used to carrying him and getting stuff done but once you "figure" it out it will be a blessing!

I'd try and get up atleast 30 minutes before the boys, that way you can add a pump in there. For me to be able to pump during the day when the kids are awake I have to pump on the floor in the kids room, I put JJ next to me in the bouncy (floor mat, bumbo, boppy, whatever) so I can still tend to him and I'm on the floor so I can still play with the kids. They usually cook me stuff in their kitchen and we play dinner parties. Reading to them doesn't work so much anymore cuz they both want to be right on top of the book

. Sometimes we play cars, build blocks, play babies, etc. I can usually get a good long session in this way. I try and do this twice... once in the am and once in the afternoon after nap. I finally have them all napping together most days, but I try not to pump then unless I missed the earlier session. I take this time for me, to do whatever I want. Normally I'd be cleaning, dishes or something but then I was quickly realizing that left absolutely no time for me during the day so I decided that was more important than a clean house

. Try and get another session in when hubby gets home whether its before dinner or after and have him tend to the kids... lock yourself in your bedroom and tell everyone not to interupt unless its life threatening. They will quickly realize things will run much smoother when they don't bother you during this time! Then you can pump once again right before you go to bed.

It takes a while to get things running smoothly but it will happen, just be consistant. Also remember that even if you add a quick 5 minute session in when you can that will help.

Pautzie · 01-04-2008, 11:44 AM

I also have my pump set up right next to my bed (that is what the co-sleeper is being used for right now). I pump first thing in the morning before the kids get up and sometimes right before bed if Addie has totally drained me.