Chemical engineer experiences c-sections and embarks on exclusive pumping journeys, talks circumcision, pumping schedules and demand, saving milk, and weaning - Brianna Adkins

Brianna tells her story of having her first c-section after being induced at 39 weeks for blood pressure issues and then electing to have a second c-section for her next child. She references struggles she had with breastfeeding her daughter once home from the hospital due to weight gain issues and then the immediate change in latch and nursing ability that her son experienced post circumcision. Brianna recalls her anxieties and struggles with both of her babies in the early weeks of her breastfeeding journeys and shares the driving force behind her decision to mostly pump for her daughter and then exclusively pump to feed her son. She reflects on the mental and physically taxing part of postpartum healing and the process of exclusively pumping with her first child vs. her second. She then recalls navigating her daughter’s reluctance to accept a new baby while the whole family dealt with a demanding pumping and feeding schedule for a newborn. Brianna goes into detail about exclusive pumping schedules and demand, stocking up and freezing milk, returning to work, and also drying up your supply when pumping when weaning.

Brianna lives in West Virginia with her husband, Luke, and her two children: Lilly and Judson.

Connect with Brianna:

Brianna Adkins | Facebook

Email: briannaadkins23(at)gmail.com

Favorite Resources:

Products:

Spectra S1 PLUS Breast Pump - https://aeroflowbreastpumps.com/spectra-s1plus-breast-pump?fbclid=IwAR214sZL7iXeCOl4MC7k9r1GwDnqh1LiQtpRb4WY5CkNilOVB3pVCFKnyxc

Elvie Pump - https://www.elvie.com/en-us/shop/elvie-pump?fbclid=IwAR1FsTp7jU9NLFiazgYcEURWFG_hRhjaLQj2Jh2a7xJysqLr295x_UAH1B4

Medela Contact Nipple Shield - https://amzn.to/41QioPT

Videos:

Willow Go Pump Vs Willow 3.0  Portable Breastpump - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym-PH9nE5yo

Exclusively Pumping Schedule - When to Start Pumping and how to wean off Pumping - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qO27Zwts9s

*REALISTIC* FULL NIGHT WITH A NEWBORN | 4 WEEKS OLD + EXCLUSIVELY PUMPING - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyCSPzY7Eh0

Extra tips from Brianna for exclusive pumping:

1. Stay hydrated

2. Eat enough calories

3. Don’t freak out if you miss a pumping session. 1 session won’t make or break it. If you need sleep, sleep!

4. If you work, have a pump at home and at work if you can so you don’t have to lug pumps everywhere.

Referenced in the show:

The ARRIVE study - Evidence Based Birth®