I have had such different experiences with each of my children and I think third time around I have finally found a balance that works for me. As a first time mum I was too shy to breastfeed in public and so stayed home or made very short trips out, ensuring I was always home for feeds. I did that for 5 months and never even thought to express anything to allow myself some me time.
Second time around I wasn’t able to breastfeed anyway so it was bottles all the way. I couldn’t believe how free I felt, being able to leave the house and leave someone else do the feed! It just never occurred to me to have done that sooner!
So third time around I am able to breastfeed again as Wills hasn’t got tongue tie like his sister, thank goodness. I had been slightly anxious about it though as I couldn’t face being housebound all over again – no time for that with 2 other children to look after is there? I don’t know if I am just that bit more confident this time or I simply don’t care, but I have fed him in public so often now it is second nature.
Still, as much as I have that freedom compared to last time, I am still restricted with any sort of me time I should want or need. That is where a breast pump comes in! 🙂 I am working with Nûby to test out their products and they very kindly sent me everything I needed to start expressing. I have used it all a few times now and made great use of the time on my own!
The Natural Touch Digital Breast Pump has been an absolute godsend, allowing me to go out with mum friends in town and I even went into London on my own a few nights ago! It has done me the world of good and helped me to feel me again.
It is a great little unit, really easy to set up and simply plugs into the mains (although you can buy a battery pack too which is handy!). It is not the most glamorous of activities to do and the girls did give me a strange look when I first did it, but it is quiet and does exactly what you need it to do.
So how does it work?
The pump has two settings – stimulation and expression. The first gives a tingling sensation and stimulates milk production. Once milk starts to flow you can switch to expression mode and keep going until you have enough. I always express after Wills has finished feeding so it doesn’t take much to stimulate before the milk flows steadily.
What I really like is the fact it has different speeds and suction strengths. Wills is a very efficient feeder so I am able to recreate that with a powerful suction and quick speed with the machine. I was so impressed with how much I could produce – made me realise that even though sometimes I feel like he isn’t getting much, he is actually getting a fair bit per feed! Greedy monkey!!
I was also sent some of their Natural Touch bottles and he took to them straight away. They have an easy latch teat which allows air to flow back into the bottle – great for a continuous suck and makes combi-feeding easier. They are super cute too with the lovely design on each bottle, I love them! What’s more I love the freedom they have given me.
I am loving breastfeeding again but I am so glad that I have found a pump that allows me to get out of the house every now and then. I am off out with a mum friend in a few weeks for a Christmas shopping event and I will be able to switch off from mummy mode and focus on being me. Meanwhile daddy will be able to bond with Wills back home with his bottle. Win!
