14-08-2010, 11:43
Ladies if you are not using a GENEROUS amount of lotion or oil on your breasts before pumping, you will have issues pumping! Without that moisture there the seal will be hard to achieve and you will not swell as far inside the domes! Also a lotion or oil will help keep your skin moisturized while it's stretching, prevent stretch marks, etc. This is why I use cocoa butter lotion while pumping.
As far as the whole bra thing to hold the domes, that wasn't my idea, someone on the NB forum came up with that. I never personally tried it but what she did was she bought one of those granny bras that come in a box, got it in her band size but say a B or C cup for the medium domes I'd say should be fine. You then cut some slits in the cups of the bra, put the domes on your chest and put the bra over the domes and fasten it behind your back, should keep the domes on you this way.
Now I'm petite, 27-28" underbust measurement. When I first started I started with the medium domes, I was a size 32B so the same size as a 34A! When I first started the domes would leak air, I found laying on my back didn't help that, the more lotion I used did help, but also slouching a bit and leaning forward helps. I would pump until they sealed on then I had to sit completely still (I'd watch TV during the time to pass time) because if I moved at all I would lose suction. Now this only happened for the first few weeks!!
As Bibi said.... PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE!!! I can't stress that enough!! After a few weeks I could put the domes on and pump, not have to hold them, not have to stay still, etc. Also I only pumped 30 min per session my first month!!! I didn't move to an hour per session till my second month. You don't want to jump the gun too early ladies. Patience wins the race here. After you start swelling good and growing a bit it will get easier!
Hope all this helps and good luck!
By the way I have a 5 year old, I did breastfeed also.
As far as the whole bra thing to hold the domes, that wasn't my idea, someone on the NB forum came up with that. I never personally tried it but what she did was she bought one of those granny bras that come in a box, got it in her band size but say a B or C cup for the medium domes I'd say should be fine. You then cut some slits in the cups of the bra, put the domes on your chest and put the bra over the domes and fasten it behind your back, should keep the domes on you this way.
Now I'm petite, 27-28" underbust measurement. When I first started I started with the medium domes, I was a size 32B so the same size as a 34A! When I first started the domes would leak air, I found laying on my back didn't help that, the more lotion I used did help, but also slouching a bit and leaning forward helps. I would pump until they sealed on then I had to sit completely still (I'd watch TV during the time to pass time) because if I moved at all I would lose suction. Now this only happened for the first few weeks!!
As Bibi said.... PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE!!! I can't stress that enough!! After a few weeks I could put the domes on and pump, not have to hold them, not have to stay still, etc. Also I only pumped 30 min per session my first month!!! I didn't move to an hour per session till my second month. You don't want to jump the gun too early ladies. Patience wins the race here. After you start swelling good and growing a bit it will get easier!
Hope all this helps and good luck!
By the way I have a 5 year old, I did breastfeed also.