My freezer — full of milk and old food that I should probably throw away. Pizza’s from school fundraisers — I can never say no to a kid trying to raise money for something. A cheesecake from Sam’s Club that was bought for Thanksgiving since I didn’t think I would be up for cooking (we didn’t get home from the hospital until late Thanksgiving night…). Popsicles from last summer, pickled herring for Jim, and stuffed potatoes that my mom gave me — I think when we got the freezer! At least the milk is forcing me to re-think my freezer habits!
Inspired by Jill’s post of her freezer full of milk, I decided to take a picture of my own. As you can plainly tell, even with only pumping twice a day and giving two or three breastmilk bottles each day I have a bit of an oversupply issue. It was amassing in heaps in the freezer but luckily I found some trusty ice trays that are the perfect size for the Lansinoh bags and have made organization a bit easier. (And are significantly cheaper than those silly breastmilk storage containers — what a waste! Don’t bother!)
Breastfeeding has not been what I expected it to be. (Really, what ever is?) Honestly, I didn’t think I would be able to breastfeed. I’m not really sure why I felt this way but several of my friends have had problems and I thought that I might too. I went into it prepared with lots of knowledge from books and a few friends who have successfully breastfed. I just told myself that if it didn’t work it wouldn’t be the end of the world. All of my research has pointed to the fact that some breastmilk is better than none and I tried really hard to keep an open mind about the entire process.
I think I told my poor labor nurse that I wanted to breastfeed about a hundred times while I was in labor (okay, more like 3, but still…). After Bo was born and cleaned up we had our first attempt and much to my amazement he latched right on, proving from the start he was a true We.it.l — he loves to eat!!
I hate to be “one of those people” but it really has been fairly easy for both Bo and me. Bo has gained weight well. Besides his cold he has been healthy. He has no trouble switching between the breast and bottle. We’ve been lucky.
Besides the ice cube trays I’ve also found my pump, bustier, Boppy, and Hooter Hider valuable assets to breastfeeding. I use the pump, bustier, and Boppy constantly. The Hooter Hider I only use when we are out and I don’t have a bottle pumped or when we have company. (I’d rather not flash my FIL!) I found both the bustier and Hooter Hider on eBay for really good prices — so make sure to check there first if you are shopping for breastfeeding supplies!* Even with my “breastfeeding tools” and storage we are saving money by not buying formula. That is a nice perk — and heaven knows I have to eat anyway!! 
I really don’t enjoy pumping but I pump after Bo’s morning feeding for a bottle (or two) to take to Grandma’s for while I am at work. I also pump right before I go to bed and I still end up with engorgement in the morning.** Pumping is usually when I get my blog reading time in — I’ve found I produce more when I don’t think about what I’m doing — sometimes so much I overflow the bottles, which can be quite the mess!
As far as the freezer goes, it will soon be taken over by baby products. I am planning to make and freeze Bo’s first solids (yum! pureed sweet potatoes!) so between milk and frozen babyfood our freezer is definitely going to be yielding to capacity!
*Thanks to my friends who recommended these products!
**Any advice as to how to regulate the supply without making it non-existent would be greatly appreciated! He currently eats at 8, 11, 2, 5, 8 and some nights another feeding (lately at 5 am) and I pump at 9 am and 10 pm.
It’s nice to hear a positive breastfeeding story. So many folks out there only want to share their “horror” stories!
I wish I had some advice on regulating but sadly I do not. I do have some advice on space saving though. I tried the trays that you have but they just didn’t work for my freezer (smaller, side-by-side style). Instead I just laid the bags down flat, alternating end to top and stacking them approximatly 5-6 high. Once they are frozen you can stand them upright and they take up SO much less room that way. That’s my tiny bit of advice, whatever it’s good for. Good luck!
Good lord, that’s a lot of milk in your freezer. I do have to wonder if all the pumping is partly to blame for your oversupply. By pumping so much, you’re signaling your body that it needs to make that much milk. Maybe back off the pumping a bit (eg, not zone out until the bottles are overflowing) and see how it goes? That’s my assvice for the day. (From the woman who has one measly 4 oz bag of milk in her freezer, no less.)
wow. I’m so glad to hear that breastfeeding has gone so well for you. I’m such a huge advocate of breastfeeding and never thought I’d be able to breastfeed my triplets and have been amazed that for the most part I’ve been able to. They didn’t receive any formula until they were five months old (they’re only 5 1/2 months old now), when I finally couldn’t keep up anymore. Someday, I swear I’m going to have my SINGLETON and have a freezer full of milk like you!
By the way, the way to regulate your milk downward is to cut out some of the pumping or feeding times… yes, it will lead to a day or two of uncomfortable engorgement (try cabbage leaves to soothe that), but you’ll soon move past that and your body will get the message that it doesn’t have to produce as much. Certainly do not pump for as LONG as you’re pumping. No more than 15 minutes.