Any new mothers out there?

Love-A-Nurse · Aug 7, 2002

hello and welcome to the board! congratulations on the birth of your new baby! my baby is 13, so it has been some years. at of my children, i only breast fed my oldest child and was home with him while breast feeding. i do wish you all the best in your endeavors!

hcnursesoon · Aug 7, 2002

Thanks, I just hope I can stick with it and go to clinicals, and classes at the same time. It could turn out to be a real stress reliever though

OBNURSEHEATHER · Aug 7, 2002

Congrats on the birth of your son! There is no reason you have to quit breastfeeding! Do you have a breast pump so that you can maintain milk supply when you're away from home? I would also check into the hospitals you're doing clinical at. My hospital has an area where mom's can pump. It has 3 little cubicles off the LC's office. Nurses, doctors, and students from all over the hospital come there to pump. The electric pump is there, you just have to bring your set up.

Then, you could pump some milk on Tuesday while at clinical, and your baby's caregiver could use it Wednesday while you're at class, etc.

I hope it all works out for you! And good luck!

Heather

Mkue · Aug 7, 2002

welcome, my baby will be 13. i used to work with a radiology tech that pumped her breasts and then would somehow get the nourishment to her baby.

not sure if someone picked it up or she was storing it for future use. she was very busy and found time to do that, i thought that was really neat !!

good luck, i hope it works out for you.

:)

Maura · Aug 8, 2002

You can definitely keep breastfeeding. My son will be 15 months old in a few days, and I still nurse him. I work full time, and for most of the first year of his life, I pumped twice a day at work. I stored the milk in the freezer or fridge. He never has once had any formula...but I have had a very good milk supply. As Heather said, there should be a place available for you to pump. I always found it to be a great break in the day (and it allowed me time to study!). If you have never pumped for storage or are unsure of how to begin, contact a lactation consultant. There should be some on staff at the hospital or you can find one through La Leche League.

Good luck!

Maura

kimtab · Aug 8, 2002

I pumped at work for 5 months. It is difficult but with determination it can be done. What helps is if you have a decent place to pump and don't have to resort to using the ladies restroom. Look into the location, and rent a hospital quality electric pump.

Good luck!

Kim

pkmom · Aug 8, 2002

I planned my classes so that I wouldn't be away from home for very long at a time while my son was nursing. I pumped a bottle every night after he went to sleep and it was enough to keep him wellfed without formula while I was away.

Congratulations on the baby. I hope you enjoy every minute you have with him.

peaceful2100, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2002

Congratulations on your new baby. Like everyone else said there is no reason why you can't still breastfeed. Get a breast pump and pump out what you think will be sufficient enough. You may want to consider also supplementing too. Have a formula for EMERGENCY only meaning if the breastmilk runs out then they will have an alternative. When you are around your baby of course you can breastfeed him.

hcnursesoon · Aug 8, 2002

I am going to give it my best shot... my schedule is not bad at all. I live only a few minutes off campus so maybe it won't be so bad. I am sure that the faculty will help provide a comfortable place. Even an empty office or class room would suit me. Thank you all for the encouragement. You've been a real help.