I have so much to share in my seven weeks postpartum recap. I want to talk about everything from work I had done on my c-section incision to my 6-week postpartum doctor’s visit to my first run and more. I won’t write a lengthy intro and we’ll just get right to it.
THE FOURTH TRIMESTER: SEVEN WEEKS POSTPARTUM
Six Week Postpartum Appointment: my first order of business upon arriving back in Charlotte was to see my doctor for my six week postpartum visit. I was there with Finn bright and early on Monday morning. I was eager to get my doctor’s opinion on how my c-section was healing and to catch up with him. I mentioned this in my birth story but my doctor is seriously amazing. If you are in the Charlotte area and looking for an OBGYN, I can’t recommend Dr. Danner enough as well as his practice, Mintview OBGYN. I really loved the whole practice throughout my pregnancy. They were so efficient and thorough. I never waited longer than 5 minutes to be seen, I had very consistent care and they were fully available and responsive any time I needed extra assistance.
Dr. Danner is such an attentive and caring doctor. He was aware of my situation at home and truly took an interest in my emotional well-being as well as the physical care of the pregnancy. I never felt like he was rushed when I came in for visits and he talked to me about the holistic picture of what was going on with the pregnancy and not just the baby. At my postpartum appointment he spent so much time with me making sure I was okay from a mental health perspective along with checking my healing from the c-section.
I was thrilled when he told me that everything was healing as it should. He also told me that I probably didn’t remember it in the moment during the surgery (there was kind of a lot going on!) but he pulled my lower abs together when he was sewing me up so that helped a lot with any potential diastasis issues I might have had. He also said that was why I was extra sore in my abdominals after the surgery.
I’m sure you’re all wondering about workout clearance. I got the green light for everything except for intense abdominal exercise and really intense exercise in general. I tentatively asked him about running thinking he’d tell me to hold off for a few more weeks but he said it was absolutely fine. I was shocked!
C-section Incision Healing: this is a great segue into some work I had done on my c-section incision. Sorry for the slightly graphic photos but I wanted you to see what the incision looks like realistically post-surgery. Can you believe how low it is?
On Friday I saw Tom Archer, a local clinical bodyworker, for my c-section incision. He does a lot of work on people post-surgery and sees a ton of postpartum women. During our session Tom spent about 30 minutes focusing on my incision. One thing I never knew about c-sections is that it’s common to have a “flap” over the incision. He is going to help me avoid that by working with the tissue around it to encourage it to heal smoothly and properly. This also helps prevent adhesions from forming which are bands of internal scar tissue that can cause chronic pelvic pain, painful intercourse, female infertility and bowel obstructions.
I could not believe the difference what Tom did made in just one session! The top is the before picture and the bottom is the after. Incredible, right? I am so looking forward to working with him.
If you’re in the area, Tom can help you with basically anything funky you have going on with your body. Check out his website!
Breastfeeding: thank y’all so much for validating and alleviating my fears about my supply last week. It made me feel so much better. We are still going strong with our breastfeeding relationship but I’m going to start pumping soon.
I am nervous about introducing pumping and bottles and scared it might throw us off. We have done so well with exclusive breastfeeding and I’ve loved doing it. I know in the long run that it’s a positive to have him take a bottle so that I have a little flexibility and freedom.
We are still having a lot of issues with spit up and gas pain. I took Finn to see a pediatric chiropractor last week and she looked him over and said all things considered he is all good but she has me journaling my food intake as well as Finn’s gassy episodes and bowel movements and their appearance (motherhood is glamorous y’all!). She also showed me how to do acupressure on points that will help with Finn’s digestion.
Tom also does pediatric work and took a few minutes at the end of our session to check Finn out. He was so calm while Tom was working with him!
Emotional Well-Being: well, now that the news is out about my relationship status, I can tell you with more detail that things have been hard. My trip to Florida to visit my family was an amazing escape that helped me get back on solid ground but the adjustment back to life in Charlotte and the reality of dealing with things like custody and the fact that I’m going to have to surrender some control and spend time away from Finn has been hard as shit. There’s just no way to sugarcoat it. I don’t want to miss a second of my baby boy’s life.
I am holding it together because Finn is a constant reminder that I have to. I’m leaning on the support of my friends and family, which has been mind-blowingly incredible. I am so grateful. My grandmother called me today and told me that she read my post and all of your comments. She told me how proud she was of me and how lucky I was to have such amazing female support. Thank y’all from the bottom of my heart.
Workouts/activity: I’m sure you expect that since I got cleared on Monday that I would have gone crazy on the workouts this week. A 3-mile run was the first thing I wanted to do after getting cleared but other than that, I kept it pretty low-key for the remainder of the week. I tried the run and it honestly felt completely fine but the day after, I just felt like I wasn’t done taking it easy. I’m going to keep sprinkling runs and moderate gym sessions in as it feels RIGHT but for the most part I’m just going to keep walking and doing some yoga.
So my first week postpartum being cleared for exercise looked like this:
Monday: 3 mile run + short dog walk
Tuesday: 2 mile walk
Wednesday: 16 minute incline walking treadmill workout + 9 minute rowing interval workout + upper body dumbbell workout. The dumbbell workout was three rounds of…
10 incline chest flys
10 single arm rows (each arm)
10 bicep curls
10 upright rows
10 shoulder presses
10 tricep extensions
This whole workout took 35 minutes! (treadmill, rowing and weights).
Thursday: REST
Friday: 3 mile walk
Saturday: 3 mile walk
And that wraps up my seven week postpartum recap. Thank you all for following along and for all of your support, input and encouragement.
Talk to me about pumping. Any tips? Anyone else sad to do it?
How did you ease back into postpartum workouts?
Did you have any post-op work done after your c-section?
You are such a good mom!! Pumping is not my favorite either. My best advice is to pick up a comfy pumping bra (if you don’t already have one)- it’s way better than sitting there holding them on. Also, something I didn’t learn right away is that the pump parts come in different sizes, so if it’s uncomfortable, you might need a different size. You are very brave to be navigating all of this and putting it out there so publicly. I admire you and am grateful that you are honest because I think it is so helpful to women!! <3
I agree. A good pumping bra is crucial!
You got it mama!!
Definitely agree! I feel like I get so much more
Milk out by being able to massage the breasts while I pump!
The Medela bandeau style bra is super comfy!
I am so happy your doctor is so invested in your emotional well being. My doctor never once asked me how I was doing emotionally, and as a result I stayed quiet for way too long about the overwhelming anxiety and PPD I was feeling. I was confused and ashamed about how I was feeling, and even now (6 years later) I get teary eyed over all that I feel like i missed in my daughter’s first months of life, all because I was an emotional basketcase. I’m so glad you have such an amazing support system ❤️
Pumping is really not bad. It helps to be able to take a break from always breastfeeding. I enjoy pumping a lot. It actually makes you feel more in control, which helps when nothing is in your control during the first months with a new baby. Hope it goes well! Sending best wishes!
Pumping was NOT fun, but absolutely necessary!! I went back to work at 7.5 weeks and we just weren’t doing well breastfeeding anyway. We supplemented with formula. Breastfeeding was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I felt so much more comfortable with formula, but I did it as long as I could. All in all, it only lasted about 4 months. It’s ok. I never had breast and I am fine. You just gotta do what you gotta do. Same with relationship. He needs daddy time and everyone will be better for it!! I have zero doubt of that. ?
I forgot to add. HEY GRANDMA!!!!??????
I am exclusively pumping for my daughter who is 8 mos. it isn’t bad at all! Get a hands free pump bra and you are good to go! Pump wise I love my spectra. It is incredibly efficient.
I started introducing some pumping when my baby was around 6 weeks. I was SO overwhelmed with figuring out how the pump worked at first, but I promise, it’s easy once you get the hang of it. Start off slow, trying to pump maybe just once a day at first. Morning is the best time when your supply is higher. I would always nurse when my baby woke up, and then pumped an hour later while he played in the swing. It gets easier! And it will feel awesome to have a little more freedom for someone else give Finn a bottle from time to time!
Just want to throw it out there that while most people have the highest supply in the morning, some people do differ. When i started pumping, I wasn’t getting much in the mornings and got really worried/discouraged (the comparison trap!). Turns out my supply is highest in the early evening – everyone is diffeeebr! So don’t get discouraged if you’re finding you don’t get much in the AM.
Also, keep in mind that the first few weeks of pumping can be SLOW in terms of overall volume. Just keep pumping…it’ll build over time!
I have a week and a half year old and I just started pumping because she is not a sleepy eater and it’s so hard for her to completely feed at night and being my second I have so much milk! I found a hand help pump to be super easy, especially in the beginning. I don’t plan on doing bottles quite yet but have been freezing the milk.
With my first I didn’t pump and waited way too long to introduce bottles and he wouldn’t take a bottle at all! And it was frustrating because I couldn’t go anywhere alone.
Jen, I really admire you putting this all out there for the world to read. My sister went through a similar situation about five years ago and your blog would have been so comforting for her to read. Just know your blog is probably really helping someone else out there in your situation to not feel so alone right now.
Geeze, motherhood is hard as hell with no other factors other than freaking keeping the kids alive, I can imagine the added anxiety you are feeling concerning factors such as sharing custody and more – you are in my thoughts and my heart and I send you my virtual support and a trillion virtual hugs!!
I’m exclusively pumping and it sucks – but he’s getting my breastmilk and that’s important to me.
Pumping tips: Your parts can go in the fridge for the day and then wash and steralize in the morning. Test out a few different sizes – the wrong size can mess up production. Larger isn’t better. Your milk can stay out for 8-10 hours so that’ll be easier to give out since it doesn’t need to be cooled or heated.
You got this mama. You will bawl the first few times you leave him and it honestly feels like part of you is being left. I hate it. But it does get easier. Which in itself sucks.
Hugs:)
Breast milk can only stay at room temp for 4 hours! Maaaaybe 6… (I’m a neonatal nurse practitioner.)
Pumping is the WORST. But I did get used to it and got very effectient and was able to empty both breasts with only five minutes of pumping eventually. But it took some time to get to that spot. Check what size flange you need: the standard size is 25 mm but that may not be the right size for you.
That is amazing what your PT was able to do with your c section incision, and it does look awesome! I definitely got in better shape than ever after my c section since I needed to start from the ground up again with fitness. Thanks so much for showing a healthy model of self-care and recovery.
Like most others, I had to pump to go back to work. I found that it was easiest to pump every 3 hours on schedule when the baby wasn’t with me, and also to pump once a day in addition to get a freezer supply going. For me, it worked best to feed on one side in the morning and pump the other breast simultaneously- that would usually give me 4-5 oz and the ability to store up extra, which is nice if you have to skip a pumping session or if you pump less than you can nurse each time.
You’ll do great. I’m sad to hear about what life has thrown at you, but it’s inspiring to see you grasp and be real about the hard things without giving up hope for the beauty that lies ahead.
What exactly did the dr to help the flap over your incision scar? I have a foot long scar high on my abdomen and the flap is terrible!
My little boy turned 4 weeks yesterday. We have had a hell of a time with feeding. He lost too much weight and wasn’t gaining it back. I had to do the whole triple feeding thing (breastfeed first, pump, then feed what I pumped back to him) it was primarily a latching/transfer issue which seems to be mostly solved.
After having to do that whole mess for a couple of weeks, we are back to breastfeeding mostly. I pump once or twice a day. I am so thankful that I don’t have to triple feed anymore. I use the expressed milk for night time feedings. That has been nice because it takes him less time to eat, so I can get more sleep. We can put his vitamin D in one of the bottles so that it isn’t a struggle to give it to him.
One of the biggest things that I’ve done to help ease the whole pumping ordeal – I got a suction on milk saver/manual pump (NatureBond $15 on Amazon). While I am breastfeeding in the morning and my supply is highest, I leak like a faucet from the other side. Now I suction that milk saver on there and I can get an about 3-4oz total just while I am already nursing my baby. It completely takes place of a pumping session for me.
I didn’t start pumping until I went back to work at 12 weeks but it was so much better than I expected! I was really dreading it for some reason, but it’s been completely fine. It’s less painful than nursing (my baby’s a biter) and because I can pump both breasts at the same time it’s also a lot more efficient. I recommend a hands free pumping bra – that lets me read my Kindle or watch Netflix while pumping, so it’s almost kind of fun. My ped says 6-8 weeks is the optimal time to introduce a bottle, fwiw. We waited until 12 weeks and had some issues with her rejecting it but I understand that’s much less likely if you do it a little earlier.
Im only 3 weeks post partum, so no incision work yet… but i may look into it. Regarding pumping, they had me start on day in the hospital! A lactation consultant came in and said pumping every 2 to 3 hours would help the milk supply come in and stay strong. Didnt make sense as baby breastfed every 2 hours… How could there be enough milk to go around? I dont pump every 2 hours, I breastfeed every to hours. If the boobs feel full, then I pump. Thats usually 2 to times a day. There wasnt too much of an issue going from boob to bottle and back. I mean, he is a little messy with the bottle, but he takes it just as easily. Good luck!
I just want to say I am so proud of you! Also, I highly recommend a hands free pumping bra. So helpful to do other things while pumping like laundry. I also became really good at pumping on my commute. ? Take care!
I pumped for several days when my LO was just 5 days old! He had a tongue tie and had trouble getting enough/my milk didn’t come in (c-section) and we had to wait over the weekend for an appointment to get his frenulum fixed. I was very fortunate to be working with a wonderful postpartum doula who helped me get everything sorted – if you’re concerned I really recommend working with someone through this process. They often have hourly rates and the peace of mind is priceless.
She also had us use preemie bottles – it really restricts milk flow so baby still has to work for the milk and apparently cuts down on “nipple confusion/refusal.”
I’m starting to pump again to build up a store in anticipation of returning to work part time, and I’m looking forward to some of the freedom. I have been surprised by how difficult I have found the constant needs of newborns to be – I was expecting it, and thought I could take it in stride, but it’s been physically and emotionally taxing.
I love the Spectra2, make sure you have different sized flanges, get a hands free pumping bra, and test out different times of day for pumping (know that PM milk encourages sleep, so label your store milk! Ha!). Keep yourself extra well hydrated and take it easy on the exercise when you’re getting started. And treat yourself to a good book, podcast, or show while doing it.
Pumping is challenging, but it’s also very rewarding. I was able to exclusively pump for a year with my first, but I will need to give myself grace with a future baby. It’s hard work, so do what works for you! A few of my tips: Get a pump that is battery powered – I used it everywhere; Get a hands free bra so you can multitask – I used Simple Wishes at Target (also just started putting the pump right in my bra as I got more comfortable); The morning feeding produced the most for me so I’d pump after the morning feeding as long as possible; Remember your body will adjust to the pumping schedule you set but it’s not easy. Best of luck! You are doing an amazing job as a new mama!!
I did not know about post-op work after a c-section, but wish I had. About a year after my daughter was born by c-section, we started TTC again. After about six months, I went to my ob to ask about Clomid because of my age at the time (38), and I wanted to do whatever I could to improve my odds. He suggested running some tests first because of potential adhesions from my previous c-section. I didn’t have any pain or problems, so I didn’t think that would be an issue, but I went ahead with the testing. Long story short, I had bands of scar tissue in my uterus and my left fallopian tube had become attached and adhered to my uterus by strong bands of scar tissue which prevented ovulation from that tube and fertilization, Fortunately I was able to have a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy to remove the scar tissue and adhesions and to free the tube. Possibly a coincidence, but my son was conceived the next month. Mine was not a typical case and I know many moms who have had multiple pregnancies and c-sections with no issues. Just always good to be aware and proactive when healing from any type of surgical procedure.
Pumping and building a freezer supply actually made me feel like I had a safety net. It made me feel like even if something went wrong, we had some back up. In hindsight, I wish I had let my husband give my son a bottle every now and then before we had to when I went back to work because 1) it was a tough transition to bottles for my son, 2) I sometimes felt very constrained by his feeding schedule and was afraid to leave him at all, and 3) I think it would’ve helped my husband and son bond more. I’m not a single mom but a military wife so my husband is gone a lot and we should’ve made sure my husband and son got more one on one time together and bottles could’ve helped facilitate that. And as a bonus I would’ve gotten some time to myself. That’s certainly not the same as being a single mom but ultimately I think fostering a good father son relationship will be beneficial for all of you. Back to breastfeeding… I breast fed for 16 months btw. I usually only pumped one side (except at work) so that I could feed him from the other if he needed to. For awhile that was during his longest nap and then when he slept thru the night it was in the morning. Kellymom.com is the best breastfeeding resource online if you haven’t found it yet. Sorry this was all over the place but it turns out that the breastfeeding relationship is more than just Mom and baby. It affects your relationship with yourself and your co-parent in ways you can’t anticipate. I’m sure you’ll find a way forward that supports all three of you. Good luck!
I was apprehensive about pumping and bottlefeeding too. I really enjoy breast-feeding my babe and spending that time with him! I wanted to be sure that he would take a bottle because I’m going to be in a wedding this coming weekend, so I pumped and my husband gave him a bottle when he was three weeks. I almost cried when my husband gave him the bottle because he took it so easily, but my friends assured me that it was great that he would take a bottle, and it would make everyone’s life easier in the long run. I would recommend burping him halfway through the bottle because my little guy spits up a lot too, and he spit up more after sucking down a bottle so quickly. I think you will get used to it and enjoy a little more freedom. ? I hope it goes well for you!
Fellow postpartun mama here, 4th pregnancy, 1st C-section! I’m definitely having a difficult time adjusting to the recovery period, the 1st two weeks was such a bummer, more mentally than physically. But I have been feeling on the up and up and reading your posts helps, it is nice to be able to relate to someone. As far as pumping, it isn’t my favorite, but I’ve recently discovered the haakaa milksaver/pump and it is the best 13.99 I’ve ever spent as far as baby items go! I’ve kept it minimal as far as buying things since I have most of what I need with kids 2, 4, and 6. This is something I wish I had from the beginning!
Pumping isn’t the worst but the other comments are spot on. I’d add, because messing up the nursing flow was always a big concern of mine, we have never moved beyond a slow flow nipple as baby grows. I figure it keeps them working just like they’re at the breast, even at 11 months old (to each their own, of course) and has worked for us so far!
I second this comment for using a slow flow nipple on the bottles long term so he has to work for it. I think it makes him less likely to prefer the bottle to breastfeeding. My 2nd son will turn 1 next week and we’ve done it both times and been able to successfully breastfeed when he’s with me. But of course do whatever works best for you! You’re doing an amazing job new mama!
I was not the best pumper! my son nursed so much that pumping was not an easy thing to squeeze in but for some, like my best friend, she was a pumping champ and really balanced it well! only thing I can say is that for some babies, getting the pumped bottle into their routine at around this point is sort of important before missing the window where they won’t accept it. that happened for me but all babies are different and some are more complacent and won’t care. I’m sure this is useless advice lol. just my experience. Wishing you the best always. I know this is not an easy time at all on so many levels — im always here if you need me!
Hey there – as far as pumping goes I always got the most milk immediately after my first feeding session and unfortunately in the middle of the night once my babies started sleeping more. I tried the medela hands free bra and it’s ok. I ended up cutting 2 holes in an old sports bra and making a makeshift hands free bra and that worked better for me. I have issues with my milk letting down while I’m pumping and find that looking at pictures or videos of baby while I start pumping and that usually does the trick.
I also second a couple of the comments above and recommend just rinsing and storing your pumping accessories in the fridge for the day. Much easier than washing and fully sterilizing every time you pump.
Lastly – thank you for sharing your life with us. You are a beautiful person inside and out and your vulnerability is admirable, relatable and real. It’s what keeps me coming back to your blog again and again. Hope you have a great week Jen!
Pumping is just annoying haha. It is good to be able to leave the baby if you have to or like if you are out and expect to come home to feed and run into traffic and aren’t back on time or something… but I basically pumped as little as humanly possible. I did do extra pumping to build supply though. My daughter would feed like 8 times a day and I would pump two more extra to try to build the freezer stash.
Washing all the parts is annoying but I was super picky about sanitization. I recommend those Medela sanitize bags. You add water to the bag and microwave the parts in the bag. So fast!
Make sure you look up “pace feeding” to understand the best way to offer the baby a bottle and mimic breastfeeding. This was very important for my husband to understand and our daycare provider. There is a video on youtube that pops up and it’s very helpful! We were also very cautious about not overfeeding. Bottles can be a slippery slope which is why the pace feeding is important to a breastfeeding relationship.
Jenn, I’ve been reading your blog for almost 4 years and have loved following your life! I’m a mom to a 3 year old boy and a 15 month old girl. While I’m not a single mom, I was raised by one. I had sisters that were 11 and 13 years younger so I had to help my mom a lot!! I can’t imagine what your going through and I know it seems like the worst thing in the world to have to share the time, but God works all things out for the good. And one good thing that came out of a single mom is just how close my sisters and I are to each other and our mom. That’s not to say it isn’t that way with a “normal” family, but we only had each other for the most part. I hope this makes sense…your time with Finn will be SO special!! And NOTHING can ever take the place of a momma! You seem to be doing amazing so far and Finn is blessed to have you.
I had to work part time the last 3 years and pumping was fine for us! I may have lucked up because both of my babies just took to a bottle well but were still excellent (if not obsessed!) nursers! You can do this. It’s in our nature to just do what needs to be done. You’ll find your rhythm. And one day, you’ll enjoy those breaks when he’s hanging out with Daddy;)
Someone mentioned this above, but the BEST pumping hack I wish I had with my first is using the manual silicone pumps you just suction on to your other breast while you nurse. I catch 2-4 ounces easily with it in the mornings when I’m most full. I’ve built up a great freezer stash without having to hassle with the electric pump and washing so many parts. The name brand is called Haaka I think and they are cheap on amazon. Pumping is annoying but SO liberating as you will be able to go out on a girls night or work without worrying about your little man. Having a feeezer stash gives me peace of mind about my supply too, since I will randomly have days where my supply dips due to dehydration, etc.
My experience with pumping is just fine! And also I have remained baby’s favorite food source despite the bottle being a faster flow ? I think pumping has increased my supply a bit actually! We introduced a bottle early and even used some formula in the first couple weeks due to some issues with weight gain and it all has turned out fine. I go back to work in two weeks though and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t going to miss the closeness and comfort of breastfeeding. Motherhood seems to be about adapting to a new reality as soon as you think you have a handle on things. Thank you for being so open with your own experiences, it’s been so helpful to me and I’m sure many others!
I have a 6 week old, so no expert over here! But I started pumping at 2 weeks, she’s taken the bottle 4 times since, but has been on the boob otherwise. I just pump once a day in the morning. For me, it’s when my supply is highest and also it’s a relief since I’m so full from going so long throughout the night. I freeze most of my milk and if I don’t have enough to freeze, I keep it in the fridge til the next day and add more to it from that pumping session (after it’s been in the fridge so that both bottles are the same temp). It is kind of a hassle, but the hands free bras do help. And it’s nice to know I have a freezer stash built up for when I need it. I’m not going back to work til october, so I’m not in too much of a rush, but I think it also helps to keep my supply up. I’d also recommend in getting a haaka or something similar (I have an off brand one from Amazon and it works the same) it’s nice to use since it uses suction to pull the milk so you don’t have to constantly hold it. It’s good for when you are leaking to catch all that milk or to relieve some of the pressure if your little one goes to sleep. I have the Spectra S2 and S9 and it’s been working great for me!
Good luck as you navigate through this new chapter, your words are beautifully written and I pray for your little family to work through co-parenting smoothly. So
I’m currently 3 weeks postpartum and your blog has helped me a ton! It’s my 2nd Kid but my first was 7 years ago and it’s crazy how much you forget.
I have just started pumping as well and one of my friends gave me a great tip. I had been trying to pump and was getting nowhere, so she told me to start pumping on the lowest suction setting possible, then once your breasts get used to pumping, slowly increase the suction (if needed). It made all the difference and I pumped 4 oz on my next go!
Good luck!
Oh thank you so much for following along! Congrats on the new babe!
Thank you so much for the pumping tip! 🙂
Hi Jen,
I’ve been following your updates since my baby girl is just a few days younger than Finn and now I know we have even more in common- I’m getting divorced too. I’m glad your family and friends have been as supportive as mine have, and it’s overwhelming to read all the kind advice and well wishes in the comments.
My baby girl was a bit early and a lazy eater so I was doing the nurse-pump-bottle routine for the first few weeks. I did not like pumping and it did not go well. Looking back I think I was having trouble with the let down due to stress. I was relieved when she got better at nursing and I could quit and hopefully it will go better when I have to pump at work in a few weeks. A few people have already mentioned the haakaa type pump. I’ve been using it the last several weeks and I highly recommend it. I didn’t even intend to make a freezer stash but it’s piling up with no extra effort.
These days she is nursing great but we also have “baby happy hour” on the evenings her dad visits. He gives her a bottle of “baby cocktail” with 2 ounces of expressed milk and her vitamins and probiotics right after the last time she nurses before bed. The idea is that she stays used to the bottle so others can feed her once I go back to work, she’s nice and full so hopefully she sleeps longer, and she gets to have that bonding time with him.
Good luck!