http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/hands-free-pumping.html

And to think that I spent over 35 bucks on a hands-free pumping bra that is totally uncomfortable.

Well, today is the day.  The official start day of our 2 month marathon.  Earlier in the week I got out the pump, the nursing clothes, the hands-free pumping bras, the lanolin, etc.  I wanted to make sure everything was in good working order and hooked myself up to try out the supplies.

 I had just spoken with the IBCLC and she stressed the importance of being in a comfortable/relaxed state to help with the let down process.  She said that there must be oxytocin in the brain for it to work.  With that in mind I’m trying to ignore the cold hard plastic pump, trying to push away the mental images of myself as a dairy cow and picture a beautiful, warm, snuggly baby.

 As soon as I flip the switch Silly rushes into the office. 

 “What are you doing mama?”  She asks.

 “Pumping,” I say.  “To help me make milk for the baby.”

 She runs back out and announces to her dad, “I’m going to watch Mommy!!!!!!” (note the multiple exclamation points, she was very excited)

 She then pulls her kid-size over-stuffed chair into the office and plants it down directly across from me and watches silently, for the next 10 minutes. 

 What a show it must have been. 

 If that doesn’t relax me and help increase the oxytocin flow I don’t know what will. :-P

Seeing as I'm going to have to fit at least 4 hours a day into my schedule for pumping (see post from a couple of days ago) I decided to sit down and write up a daily schedule.  I am the type that loves to make plans and schedules, but since we rarely follow through I'd given up trying a long time ago.

It seems a little crazy scheduling out our daily routine but it really does help with figuring out the whole pumping thing.  Our day-to-day lives have almost no structure and I've been craving some routine anyway.  Since the spouse works retail hours and I drive him to and from work most days, it's hard to keep a regular schedule. 

So, here it is.  I'm hoping that by writing it out, I'll be more likely to follow through with it.  I've intentionally left times out of it and tried to be as flexible as possible so that it'll be easier to follow.  One thing's for sure, we'll have to cut out some of our outings and activities and really slow down.

Up and at 'em (out of bed)
Pump & Check email
Breakfast, exercise, shower
Pump
AM Chores, outing, hs activity, errand, etc.
Pump
Lunch & HS activity/story, etc.
Pump
Outing, hs activity, errand, etc.
Pump
Dinner
PM chores
Pump
Family time, bath
Pump & read bedtime story
Bedtime for Silly, Mommy/Daddy time
Pump & check email
Bedtime for me
Pump 1-2x during the night

This just occoured to me:  If it take roughly 30 minutes to pump (including set up and clean up) and I have to pump 10x each day that is 5 hours of each day. 

It's going to take some time to figure out how to work that one into my life.  It's like a freaking part-time job!