Milk Donation And Pumping At BlogHer
Published August 9, 2011 |
With so much going on at the BlogHer conference, it was easy to forget to make time to pump.
Luckily, I planned ahead and was able to keep up my pumping schedule between conference sessions and private events. In fact, I even had time to host a little get together with the Pumping Posse (other breastfeeding and pumping moms at the conference).
My “pumping while” videos aside, I’m actually a little shy when it comes to breastfeeding and pumping. Sure, I’ve pumped in front of my husband, and one time I pumped while a friend was sleeping in the same room, but I’ve never really pumped or breastfed with other women around. This was a totally new experience for me.
The thought of pumping in front of real live people was a little nerve-wracking for me, but it was surprisingly easy.
I brought extra power strips so everyone could plug-in. I had PumpEase hands-free pumping supports on hand, plus milk storage bags, nursing pads, and extra accessory kits Hygeia provided. I also had snacks and water for everyone.
If you just looked around the room without glancing down, it was similar to any other fun get-together. We shared stories about our kids, we talked about breastfeeding, and chatted about the conference. The only difference is that we were all pumping at the same time.
Kim from DirtyDiaperLaundry.com
Elizabeth from measamommy.com
The best part? We were able to donate our milk to a local mom through the Eats On Feets milk sharing organization.
The first bag we filled with milk to donate.
The second bag full of donated milk.
All in all, we donated nearly 300 ounces of breast milk!!
I think it’s really cool that I got to hang out and spend time with so many amazing women and bond over our shared breastfeeding connection.
Thanks so much to PumpEase for sponsoring my trip to BlogHer and helping me pump while doing just about anything!
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Jen is the busy MN mom behind this site. When she's not busy at work or at school, she's either chasing her son Levi around the playground with her husband Jason or hiding in the bathtub with a book & a glass of wine.
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28 Responses to Milk Donation And Pumping At BlogHer
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I had no idea you could donate breast milk!
Kristin_OPC recently posted..Post It Note Tuesday ~ Not Another BlogHer Post
Yup. MN actually has a milk bank where you can donate (it's a for-profit research center, so I don't use it personally, but it's available for those that like that option)
You are amazing. That is all I have to say about that.
{blush} Thank you. I think it's awesome that all of us were able to get together to do something so great.
Yay! I am so excited/amazed/happy we could do this and donate that much!!! It was fun, after I got past my nervousness also. Thank you Jen!
Laura recently posted..My Life List
So glad you were able to join us!
What an amazing thing you did! Good for you, Momma
Mama G recently posted..Mommas who Inspire me – Our Growing Garden
Thank you!
Thanks once again for organizing this. It was so much fun… and of course winning a PumpEase is pretty cool too!! My husband is fascinated and amazed that all of us were willing to pump with each other, and even more amazed that we donated our milk
Beth @ Me as a Mommy recently posted..The second time I cried at BlogHer
My husband thought I was nuts for being nervous, but I totally was. Once I was hanging out with you gals, though, it was easy and no big deal. I'm so happy we were able to help out another mom!
Congrats on the donation! That is absolutely amazing to have been able to donate so much!
Marta recently posted..Chicago Recap
Thanks Marta. I'm always amazed at what women can do when we all work together.
How wonderful is that?! 300 ounces is fantastic! I have tears in my eyes just thinking about that mama you will be able to help with that donated milk. You’re wonderful!
mama marchand recently posted..birthdays start early around here. {apparently}
Thank you. I'm hoping to post a photo of the little boy the milk went to. He has an intolerance to formula, so the mom that received our milk was super appreciative.
That’s awesome! What a great way to get women together – and donate all that milk!
Side note: Elizabeth and I have the same PumpEase.
I just went to a wedding over the weekend, and had a “pumping party” in my car with another nursing mom. It definitely beats sitting, bored, and playing on my phone.
Crystal
http://www.SoooBig.com
Crystal recently posted..Nursing in Public
lol, that's awesome! I do the same thing when I pump – that's why all my tweets are in 20 minute bursts throughout the day.
I don’t pump because I have flat nipples and my kids never take bottles
I don’t even own a pump anymore. I wonder if Georgia has a bank I could donate to, though. I make ridiculous amounts of milk.
Summer recently posted..NIP’ing – Do You Do It?
I bet they do. You can also check with your local hospital or do peer milk sharing through Eats on Feets. I think they have a FB page for every state.
I first heard about this great pumping event from Julia (The Cloth Diaper Geek). This was a really cool and amazing thing for you pumping mamas to do!!
Just stopping by from the Breastfeeding Blog Hop!
Kellie recently posted..I am now “that lady”
Thanks Kellie!
Nice job ladies! Really, super awesome. They should have this set up at conferences across the globe.
The Slacker Mom recently posted..A Smile Goes a Long Way
Agree! Wouldn't it be cool if there were?
seriously cool.
Thank you. It felt great to do it.
What you ladies did is simply amazing. I got the opportunity to stop by the suite at the end of the gathering and it was so nice to see what you had set up for everyone! If I had still been nursing at the time (and not so freaking pregnant) I would have been pumping right along with you! Next year…! If you need any help, let me know, I’d love to!
Nikki recently posted..In search of boobs at Wisconsin State Fair
Nikki – I know Kim is already talking about planning for next year. I'll make sure she knows you're available to help. Even if I'm not pumping next year, I'm hoping to help too.
Wouldn’t it be cool if there were? If I had still been nursing at the time (and not so freaking pregnant) I would have been pumping right along with you!
Guadalupe Pruitt recently posted..Cancer Tips
Awesome!!