Exclusively pumping help!

Lpegirl2013

I switched over from feeding baby to breast, to exclusively pumping due to latch issues. I am wondering what you mommas are doing to not go completely crazy by being a slave to the pump!
I am a single mom so while I'm pumping I have to be hands free so I can take care of LO, and my biggest problem I'm facing is my boobs are HUGE! I cannot find a big enough pumping bra so I'm having to make a ghetto homemade version that just does not seem to work as well as id like. I have an ameda pump and am wondering if I should be putting my suction/speed settings to a certain level and or pattern to help get the most milk I can. Also, I pump every 2 hours during the day, and about every 2-3 hours at night but during the night I am SO tired I'll be falling asleep and spilling breast milk everywhere! I realize this first month is known to be difficult but if you ladies have any advice to make things easier or more enjoyable I would GREATLY appreciate it!

Edit- I forgot to mention, a lot of the times I feel like I'm not getting my breasts completely empty no matter how long I pump!

aundrea1225

I have a medela double pump so I get two feedings worth. Which usually gives her a period of rest in that time where I can pump again without being out of milk. I usually take that as a time to relax. I pump right before bed and pump again when she's up at 2 or 3 and I'm awake dealing with her so I'm not still half asleep.

gcama85

Hey there - I have the Ameda Purely Yours - if yours is similar, start it at the highest suction you're comfortable with (go far enough that it hurts a little then turn it back a touch) and at the highest speed. Once your milk starts dripping into the bottles, turn the speed down - I usually turn it back a quarter of a turn - that makes it flow in larger amounts. Hope that helps!

thesportsgal

Have you tried the simple wishes hands free pumping bra? Some of the reviews said it still works great for bigger boobs and there's straps to help too. I love mine, it definitely helps when pumping!

alanna7777

The simple wishes bra is awesome. And I have huge boobs too...it is adjustable with Velcro. Well worth the money. They are offering their tie bra for shipping costs only until 1/7 with code hfhdec. I ordered that one yesterday after getting the Velcro one. I am exclusively pumping so need to be hands free. My husband goes back to work next week so I have just been sleeping when I can but still have nodded off pumping too so no advice there either. The LC I spoke with this week said you can go 4 hours at night. I won't lie I have gone 5 or so hours as I just need a break and sleep! Take care of yourself too.

frantastic12

I ordered the Simple Wishes bra and it came today....holy shit, it's awesome. SO MUCH more convenient. I was worried that it wouldn't stay up but it's fine. I'm exclusively pumping, and the bra will allow me to pump while feeding LO once my husband goes back to work.

Lyzza350

thesportsgal said:

Have you tried the simple wishes hands free pumping bra? Some of the reviews said it still works great for bigger boobs and there's straps to help too. I love mine, it definitely helps when pumping!

This. My boobs are huge and this bra works great. I've been epumping for almost five weeks. The only advice I have is don't skip pumps. Pump every three hours faithfully. Accept that you will be chained to the pump.

thesportsgal

XP from October try SIMPLE50 code as well if you order a simple wishes bra. Supposed to be for 50% off but I'm not sure for which bra exactly.

[Deleted User]

Try hand expressing after your done at the pump. I was pumping when DS was in the nicu before he knew how to eat. I was amazed at the amount I could get by hand expressing after it appeared the (hospital grade) pump was done!

NurseKMM

I have a homemade version, but didn't use a sports bra. I had a false labor and took one if the belly bands from the hospital home with me since it helped hold up my scrubs at work my last weeks of labor. Well, afterwords I cut slits in that and have sort of a tube top with nip holes situation going on and it works great for me. Maybe one of your old belly bands would work, instead of using a sports bra.

dollypardon

alanna7777 said:

The simple wishes bra is awesome. And I have huge boobs too...it is adjustable with Velcro. Well worth the money. They are offering their tie bra for shipping costs only until 1/7 with code hfhdec. I ordered that one yesterday after getting the Velcro one. I am exclusively pumping so need to be hands free. My husband goes back to work next week so I have just been sleeping when I can but still have nodded off pumping too so no advice there either. The LC I spoke with this week said you can go 4 hours at night. I won't lie I have gone 5 or so hours as I just need a break and sleep! Take care of yourself too.

Thanks for the heads up! I just bought one and the code totally works.

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RockiesNugget

KyleRules said:

I EP'd for 11 months with DS1 , and I am now EP'ing with DS2. I pump every 4 hours during the day and go 8 hours at night without pumping. So my pumping times are 5am, 9am, 1pm, 5pm, 9pm. I pump about 7 ounces with each pump and my morning pump I have been getting 10-11 ounces. With DS1 I dealt with engorgement and a variety of other issues for the first 3 months and then everything was much easier. I am not single but my husband works very long hours and I am home alone with my kids for a long time and I would put my little one in a swing, give him some sort of entertainment or he would be napping while I pumped. It was easy in the beginning but he did fuss at me as he got older and 10 minutes could not go by fast enough! As far as dishes go, I used a free and clear dish soap as the other dish soaps would make the dishes taste funny. I wash dishes 2x's a day, I reuse a pump set x1- just put the pump set in the fridge in a zip lock bag until next use. This helps cut down on dishes.

When you put the pump parts in the fridge between pumping do you rinse them first, just a quick wipe down, or just put them straight into the ziplock bag?

ETA...Sorry for the tread hijack.

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lollipoppoop

Cashingn2 said:

AmyG* said:

Some women do really well at exclusively pumping and may be able to pump large amounts with less pumps per day.  most moms aren't like that and pump 2-3 oz every time they pump and may need to pump 8-10 times a day to get enough milk.  Often the really successful pumpers have a really high prolactin level for various reasons.  If low prolactin is the issue, you can increae prolactin level with Domperidone.

 

I have PCOS. That could be the problem, correct?

I only get 2-3 oz total as well, I don't have pcos but don't get much when I pump

lollipoppoop

AmyG* said:

most moms when pumping to replace a feeding only get 2.5-3 oz, because honestly that is the amount their baby takes in at the breast, on average 8-10 times a day.  A breastfed baby at the breast only takes in 25 oz a day on average, with the range being 19-30 oz.  and that is regardless of age of baby or size or anything.  the makeup of your milk changes to meet their needs.  Its a combo of milk storage capacity of your breasts, but also stimulation and frequency of emptying of the breast.

I EP and can only get that amount sometimes less it's so frustrating.

readyornot12345

I can only get usually a little less then 2 ounces which is not enough to feed lo. It stinks! I wish my supply would go up.

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readyornot12345

My pumping supply keeps going down. What gives. I am so depressed about it. My supply was only about 2 ounces per pump total and now it's even less then that. We have to supplement with formula. Lo doesn't breast feed because she won't latch. I don't know what to do. I am so sad about it and was hoping to at least be able to give her some breast milk until she reaches 3 months old. Why isn't my supply picking up at 3 weeks even with me pumping every 2 hrs etc?