exclusively pumping

ama7165

Does anyone have any experience with exclusively pumping? With having a preemie, he has been bottle feeding and getting him to latch on and breast feed has not been going well. It looks like I may be exclusively pumping. Anyone have any tips? I am worried about not producing enough. I have been pumping every 2-3 hours, sometimes little longer. Is a hospital grade pump worth renting? Thanks.

Xath

I think the hospital grade pump is absolutely worth it. I EPed to donate for several months after my daughter died, and was able to get 50+ oz/day with the hospital pump versus 32ish with my PISA. I used the Symphony which was especially great for preemies because it has a preemie setting that will help you let down early on.

IBackBevo

I did it with ds. I can't say I recommend it, but I didn't have a choice and it sounds like you don't either. The hospital grade pump is definitely the way to go!

mrspopsicle

I EPd for 9 months as well. Get several sets of pump parts so you aren't constantly washing them. Also, if you don't want to wash them between pumping sessions throw your pump parts in a Tupperware in the fridge until you need them again. Hands free pumping bras are essential. At home I wore cheap sports bras that I cut little holes in at the nipple so that I didn't have to mess with putting on the hands free bra all the time (especially in the middle of the night).

If you need help getting your supply up, you can try power pumping. Google it, but essentially I would do an hour long pump session each night - 10 minutes pumping, 10 mins off. That seemed to help a lot whenever my supply dropped. Also, fenugreek and eating oatmeal help.

Good luck. EPing is hard, but if it's important to you, it can absolutely be done! That said, I've also given myself permission not to do it again. If BFing doesn't work for us, I will transition to formula much sooner.

AnnieA75

@ kitchencolors and mrspopsicle -- 9 months of exclusive pumping??? You are both seriously amazing!

I exclusively pumped for the first 7-8 weeks after DD was born. I had trouble getting DD to latch, and honestly I just had no idea what I was doing, so that didn't help the situation. DD wasn't gaining weight and I had to supplement with formula at first. It was very stressful for me, especially as a FTM. I really had my heart set on BF though. I watched numerous you tube videos, got advice from friends, and even tried the Le Leche League (absolutely bizarre/crazy experience I'll have to share another time). I tried power pumping, tried varying how long I'd pump, and tried varying how long I'd go in between pumping. At first, I had a low supply too, so I took Fenugreek religiously, ate oatmeal -- followed all of the tips I could find on the Kelly Mom website. Check it out.

For me, around the 8 week mark, I met with a Lactation Consultant after realizing my hospital offered it for free. The woman was amazing, and suddenly things clicked. Later that week, I was EBF and life became so much easier. I felt like it was a miracle after having EP'd for what seemed like so long.

I won't lie to you -- I found it exhausting and it takes serious commitment. It was difficult being tied to that pump and I was so frustrated with myself that I couldn't get her to latch. BUT, if you're committed to it, you can absolutely do it!  It's such a personal decision and you have to do what makes the most sense for you and baby. Even after having gone through that, if I find myself in the same situation this time with DS, I'd do it all over again because that's what is personally important to me. PPs had excellent suggestions -- get a hands free nursing bra, and put your pump parts all together in the fridge instead of washing them in between every pumping. Good luck!

Hrhodes78

Yep. I EP'd for three months due to latching issues but everything they said previously is great advice.

Must haves

Hands free bra
Multiple flanges, different sizes if needed
Hospital grade medela pump
AND a few tubes of lanolin
Fenugreek pills are good too.

It's a tough road no doubt but if you are committed to breast milk then go for it!

ABColeslaw

yes you want the hospital pump.

JACKIE_RS88

I did it for seven months with DS1 until I got knocked up again.  I'd definitely recommend the hospital grade pump at least for the first few months to establish supply.  Once I returned to work I switched to an Ameda pump.  I did a lot to keep up with his intake and still had to supplement the bedtime bottle with formula.  Regardless it was important to me to give him as much BM as possible.  

I'd pump while driving to save some time and I'd pump twice at work.  That was 4 pumps a day.  I'd also pump before bed and saved myself a MOTN pump session by giving him formula.  Formula wasn't going to hurt him and he had plenty of BM in his diet.  I also froze as much as possible early on.  

I'll do it again with this kid if necessary...but I'll try to get help much earlier on this time than last time.  Formula seemed easier but I was equally annoyed with running out of formula and how expensive it is.  So long as I can produce I'll nurse or pump.

IBackBevo

I will also add that I am with @kitchencolors.  If I can't get LO to latch this time within the first couple of weeks, I will not be killing myself pumping.  I felt like it took too much time away from bonding with LO in those first couple of months and caused too much stress.

ama7165

Thanks for the advice. Putting my parts in the fridge has really help cut down on washing, I never would have thought of that! I think I will rent the hospital pump next week. I have been trying breast feeding one feeding a day per ny doctors recommendations. I think a lactation consultant would help because I feel like I don't quite know what I am doing. I have been able to pump about 12-18oz day and my 2 am old has been eating less than 16 oz per day. I just am not sure if I will start producing more as he needs more. Obviously I am new at all of this

whitehousem

All good advice. I pumped for four months for DD. I always let the pump go a few min after I seemed dry to stimulate more milk. I also massaged the heck out of my boobs while pumping bc I had mastitis twice in the beginning. I was able to get up to about 32 oz a day. We used formula once per day and I was able to stockpile a ton of BM. I pumped 5x per day (6 in the beginning). The morning pump is the best, so take all the time you need and get it all. Pumping was no fun. I felt like a slave to the pump, but I tried to do the best I could for DD. I know that drive/desire is even stronger with a premie. Best if luck to you!