Intrepid Murmurings

So we are planning to breastfeed, and the process of successfully setting up the human "dairy-bar" has been on my mind a wee bit. We've actually never considered not doing it, as both sides of our families have breastfed with success (which I am beginning to realize may in fact be rather rare, though I'd never given it a second thought before reading up on all of this). So for us it seems a pretty normal thing, and not too anxiety producing at this point. I am not at all worried about getting the support I need, which many folks sadly do not, and I think I know enough to take the early measures needed to get a good start, and when to call in help of the almighty lactation consultant if things are not so peachy.

This is why so far I have not signed up for an actual breastfeeding class, like so many people do. Am I crazy? Should I? Should I attend a La Leche meeting instead? I have read about half of the La Leche book on the subject, and am planning to have phone numbers of a LC and local LLL leader handy from the get go. Over the years I've read a gazillion stories online about breastfeeding difficulties/horror stories, and feel that has actually helped me feel more ready; I know very well it is not always a picnic, so to speak. I've also heard a fair share from people who have not had problems, or at least very few, and am keeping that in mind too.

I do, however, feel a bit of pressure that some may not, in terms of solving those early issues very quickly, if they do arise. If we have problems with latch, or milk coming in, or something of the like, I really really do not want to supplement, as often happens, not even a little bit, because of the allergy thing. My husband has a severe dairy allergy, and we really want to do what we can to prevent the babe from having to deal with that. I have read that there is definitely a genetic link with this kind of thing, and something like a 40% greater risk of a child getting it if there is a family member with one (though a paternal link is slightly less strong than a maternal one). As a teacher, I have seen how difficult it is for families to navigate food allergy issues outside the home in the early years. Not at all easy or fun.

Though I have yet to talk with an allergist or pediatrician (the next "get to know you" appt for the ped we wanted was 4 weeks out....think thats a bad sign???) a lot of the research I've received from Dr. Google points to avoiding all exposure to "family sensitive foods", even in minute amounts, until after one year, breastfeeding as long as possible, and a delayed and very cautious introduction of solids. I've also seen recommendations that the mother avoid the family-sensitive foods (and peanuts, because its such a common allergen) during pregnancy and breastfeeding, to eliminate possible early sensitization. Egads! To late for that! I feel like I have been living on dairy and peanut butter for the past 7 months....I love them both!

Of course, if the babe shows any sensitivities, which I know occurs even without the family link, I will definitely cut those out and it'll probably be easier for me than some, since my husband already eats that way and we know all the tricks of the trade. Supposedly allergies in babies tend go away, too, unlike adult-onset ones like my husband's.

But, back to the breastfeeding! My current question is mainly about pumps and pumping. This seems to be quite a generational thing, as almost everyone I've encountered who is of the one above me thinks they are not at all important or necessary, while most of my own generation seem to be very much in favor of them, even if one does not plan to return to work. I will be in the SAHM catagory, so in some ways it does seem silly to spend a truckload of cash on a fancy pump when I'll be around most of the time.

The pro's of having a pump on hand, I have gathered, is that you never know when you are going to need it, and when you do, you really really do, and Right! Now! For helping with things like thrush and mastisis, excessive engorgement or letdown, stimulating milk production, or keeping a sufficient supply when the baby has problems with latch, sudden nursing strikes, or things of that nature (Kateri had a very informative post on this awhile back!). Not to mention letting Daddio take on a greater role in feeding, which we are definitely interested in, and allowing me to get the heck outta here for more than a few hours (perhaps even a weekend or two?!?) now and then.

So. Pumps. Here is a great chart that lists a lot of the options. It seems many folks think hand expressing is inefficient to damn near impossible, especially if you are trying to store up any kind of frozen supply, though others swear its all they ever need. Hand pumps like this one can work (and is definitely way cheaper!), but take a lot more time and energy and are also not that efficient, so I hear? In my case, do I need something super efficient? From the reviews I've read, this one seems to be the standard for high quality pumps, so that is the one I have my eye on currently. Overkill? Should I go for one of the lower grade electric ones? Especially since I'm not working outside the home and needing to pump every day? We do intend (ha) to have more kids, either by birth or adoption, and I would definitely need a high-grade pump if I were to ever do adoptive breastfeeding. But that seems to be looking rediculously far into the future, at this point...

What do you think, dear readers? Who has advice or experience with this?