Anyone else exclusively pumping?

yellow1daisy

I'm EPing this time around and it would be nice to have someone to compare notes with 

Cynth0104

I am not, but very impressed with you. I don't know if I would be able to EP! Keep it up!

yellow1daisy

Thanks @Cynth0104.
Honestly it's really messing with my head. I'm not naturally someone who makes a ton of milk so I had to work really hard to get to pumping 30 oz a day because I read BF babies eat about a max of that a day. But my 7 week old will only drink 17 or 18 oz a day and that's with me really pushing it. She looks healthy and does plenty of pees. I keep thinking if I could just BF I wouldn't even know how much she was getting and maybe it wouldn't stress me out so much. 

jenwstephens

FTM here. I am EP and totally agree that it is stressful. Did you do anything specific to get your supply up to 30oz/day? 

yellow1daisy

@jenwstephens I pump every 2ish hours during the day and whenever my daughter wakes up at night to eat (which is about every 3 hours..sometimes more because she's a snacker but I typically won't pump at night unless it has been 3 hours).
I did tons of power pumping sessions (pump 20 minutes, rest 10, pump 10, rest 10, pump 10), and took fenugreek and went from about 21 a day to 25 a day. But I really saw a bigger increase when I consistently increased the time I pump for. I was pumping 10-15 minutes every time and now I pump for a minimum of 20 and have been consistently making 30+ oz after a couple days of that. 
It's a pretty strict schedule and very time consuming. But I'm hoping by the time I get to the 3 month mark I will be able to drop a few sessions and still make the same amount of milk. So I'm holding on until then. 

alcrimmins

Right now I'm EP. I'm averaging between 28-30oz a day and can even Free a little here and there. I only pump four times a day; right when I wake up in the morning, noon, late afternoon (5ish), and bedtime. I pump around 20-30 minutes each time. 

jenwstephens

Wow just 4 times a day would be amazing... I'm currently pumping every 3 hours. I'm afraid to drop a pump since my LO is only 5 1/2 weeks (currently averaging 36oz a day.) I have this (somewhat) irrational fear that my body will just decide to stop producing so I don't want to do anything that might affect my supply. 

Cejiml

Me! TTM, second time EP. I did it with my second child as well. I pump at every 2-3 hours during the day then at around 11 pm then again in am. Dropping those MOTN pumps has helped me get a little more sleep  bc the baby doesn't get so worked up at her waking. I multitask by pumping as I feed/change her to save time. I luckily have an over supply so have a pretty good size stash.. tips for more milk I learned were add oatmeal and electrolytes like Gatorade or coconut water. One in the morning and one in afternoon and I can totally see a difference. Also it's best to continue pumping a lot until around 12 weeks so your supply is established then drop. I went to 4-5 times a day at 3 months then made it to 9 when I was just over it my goal this time is just month to month to not stress myself out bc it is so time consuming. Good luck to you ladies! We can do it!!! 

yellow1daisy

Oh man do I wish I could drop those MOTN pumps! You ladies are so lucky.
But I know my body. It really fights this making milk business (supply was a huge struggle with DD1. We had to use formula and I couldn't increase to a full supply no matter what I did.) We also had to supplement with donor milk while DD2 was in the NICU because I was barely making half her feeds when my milk finally came in. 
So now that I'm making enough to actually feed my baby, I am very anal about not missing pumping sessions lest this precious milk stop flowing (so with you there with the fears @jenwstephens). 
@Cejiml do you use a hands free bra every time you pump? I've managed to pump and feed a few times and it really did help on time (precious time when it's MOTN) but it's so awkward to do that I haven't kept up with it. Also, did you gradually drop sessions or did you just go straight to 4-5 sessions?

I think another issue that I have is breast storage capacity. I don't think my breasts can physically hold more than 5.25 oz at a time. So if I pump 4 times a day that would mean making 21 oz a day. I think 5-6 pumps is the most realistic number I'm looking at as far as how many pumps I can drop to. Right now I'm doing 8-10.

MamaRN13

Not an EP but I can speak to increasing supply. I have found that oatmeal and LOTS of fluids to work best. Eating at regular intervals is also key for me. Feeding your LO is so stressful and you ladires rock for EP! 

@yellow1daisy it's so hard but trust yourself and your gut. If your LO is growing well and peeing enough, then they are taking exactly what they need! You are doing great! 

SpongeWorthy

I'm EP!  I'm averaging about 21 oz a day.  DS is eating about 65-70% of what I pump every day.  So at this point I'm not going to push myself to make more.  DS didn't eat very much for the first month so I have about a month's worth of milk saved up already.  I would LOVE to drop some pumping sessions especially the MOTN one.  Right now I'm pumping 7 times a day.

@yellow1daisy I use a hands free pumping bra I found on Amazon and it works really well for me.  It's called the Hofish All-in-one nursing pumping bra.  Unfortunately it's unavailable on Amazon right now so I can't link you to it.  But keep an eye out - I like it a lot more than the simple wishes one.  I also got a Dairy Fairy pumping bra which is nice, but I like the Hofish ones more:

https://www.amazon.com/Dairy-Fairy-Rose-hands-free-pumping/dp/B00P9GA7OE

alcrimmins

Yes to oatmeal and Gatorade daily! Has anyone tried lactation cookies? I'm so curious about them! I use the medala hands free pumping bra from target. It works well for me!

BusyZee

I got the simple wishes hand free pumping bra but wish I got the one The Bump recommended recently. It was three in one so I could've pumped while feeding and had a substantial stash.  

PurplePoppy424

@alcrimmins I'm EBF, but I've tried them and they're great! They've definitely helped with production. I can tell by diapers he's getting more. 

nktrodden826

Yes!! @alcrimmins I use Milkboosters.com for lactation cookies that are delivered straight to your door and they provide gluten free options for me. I used them with DS and now with DD and if I ever needed to pump a bottle last minute I'd eat a few of these and wait a few hours and would be able to pump enough for him!! They really work!

lanie1000

I'm another exclusively pumping lady. I tried breastfeeding at least 2x a day but it just ended up stressing me and baby girl out so I gave into the EP lifestyle a couple weeks ago.

I pump 6 times a day and average about 30oz. Like you @yellow1daisy I'm still pumping once in the middle of the night. I look forward to dropping that one, but I'm too scared I'll see a dip in supply.

friday night I realized I had 3 "meals" in the fridge so I had a few glasses of wine and pumped and dumped. The thought of dumping out precious milk seemed like lighting money on fire a couple weeks ago. It was amazing! 

karissa0307

I'm not EP but my son has 8 lip/tongue/cheek ties so he has a lot of trouble nursing. I feed him on the breast for as long as he can, then I pump. I'm averaging around 60 oz a day. I pump usually every 3 hours, 4-5 hours at night though. His ties are getting clipped tomorrow so hopefully nursing will be better and eventually can cut down pumping when my body regulates the supply 

lanie1000

@cait32 I'm just so paranoid about having a decrease in my supply! I feel like missing one pumping session won't do anything...but I'm too scared to risk it. 

@karissa0307 60oz a day? Wow! I'm so jealous. 

ljd2010

Also EPing here! I try to pump every 3-4 hours and feed my son a bottle while I pump in the middle of the night. 

@BusyZee Can you not pump while feeding with the simple wishes? That's what I do. It's a little awkward, but it helps when I'm in a chair where I can rest my elbows. 

Cejiml

@yellow1daisy hands free bra is a must! No way I could go without. I got used to just doing other things while pumping. Cooking, driving etc. made it easier to use my time wisely with 2 now 3 kiddos. I had one from target then got another from amazon Simple Wishes. Both work great. 

manillabar

Has anyone who is "well-endowed" tried simple wishes? Or are there other possibilities for hands free pumping that might work? 

yellow1daisy

Thanks for the tip @SpongeWorthy. I bought the simple wishes bra back when I had DD1. Tried it once and had issues maneuvering it so I gave up on it. This thread has pushed me to give it another try. Currently wearing it so I can use it next time I pump. If it's still annoying AF to use, I will look into Hofish and the one you linked. 

Wish I could answer you @manillabar but I'm a C cup and don't consider myself well endowed lol. I'll update how simple wishes works for me though. 

ljd2010

@manillabar I'm somewhere around an H/I, and the simple wishes works great for me! I got the bigger size, and it fits great and has enough support and coverage. The band is adjustable with Velcro, and there's also a zipper you can add in if you need extra room. I pumped at work for 9 months working at a computer with it and loved it!

yellow1daisy

I got the bra to work! Huzzah! The last time I tried (albeit a year and a half ago), was a total fail. It took a little more work getting it all lined up than I'd like but I think it's something I can get better at with time. 

What kind of pumps are you guys using? And does anyone know of a belt clip or something I can use to be able to pump on the move? Like cook dinner and clean. I use the spectra pump and it's battery powered and pretty light so I think i could manage carrying it around if I had a way to clip it. I think spectra has also come out with a smaller more portable pump that I might invest in if I can't make the clip and go idea happen. I'd really like to be able to multitask.  

One down one side of hands free pumping that I hadn't considered is that it's hard to breast massage or compressions while pumping. I need to do massage at least the last few minutes of my pumping session to really empty my breasts and avoid clogged ducts. I managed to get my hands in there but it wasn't easy. 

SpongeWorthy

@yellow1daisy I can still do massage with the Hofish and Dairy Fairy bras.  I found it difficult with the simple wishes one, which is why I like the others more.  The massage is a must for me as well.

manillabar

Thanks @ljd2010! I'm the same cup size so I'll give it a try. It really would be a game changer for me if it will work.

BusyZee

@ljd2010 il try, it just seems like it would be hard with only my nipple sticking out the bra.
I am usually so sleepy and clumsy I end up either knocking my pumped milk or putting baby in an uncomfortable position. But I would love to have a good stash to save up for different situations and I've been really lazy about pumping! 

BusyZee

Oooh thankyou so much!! @cait32

karissa0307

cait32 said:

@karissa0307 DD just had her tongue and lip tie released this morning. Hard for mama but she did okay and I'm hoping it means better weight gain in the near future! Good luck!

I hope she has a speedy recovery! My son has been pretty inconsolable since his procedure, especially during the therapy session afterwards so I'm praying it's going to get easier soon or it's gonna be a long night  

optbaby2017

@yellow1daisy What about putting the pump in a bag/backpack? I have the same pump and hadn't considered carrying it around, but it might work? 

carol113

I have the Bravado one that @cait32 mentioned and like it so far. Have only pumped a couple times though when she hasn't done a full feed during the night. 

ljd2010

@BusyZee oops sorry I thought you meant feed with a bottle!!! I don't think I'd be able to breastfeed with a pumping bra on!

BusyZee

The LC told me not to pump more than 20 mins and try to stick to 10-15, but I knew u have to pump till your empty. I haven't pumped till I'm empty I just stop when I start feeling a little sore and when it's just 15-20 mins. How long are you guys pumping for? 

Any recommendations for a portable handfree pump? 

lanie1000

I usually pump for 20-30 minutes 6 times a day. In the beginning I would go a couple minutes past empty which helped boost my supply. Nowadays (I've been pumping for over 6 weeks) 15 minutes wouldn't get me close to empty. 

I didn't even know there was such a thing as a hands-free pump. I've just been using the Simple Wishes bra that folks have already been discussing. 

yellow1daisy

@BusyZee definitely at least 20 minutes for an exclusive pumper but since you're EBF(right?), if it's just to build a stash, then I would say 15 minutes is enough unless you want more milk. 
I think the freemie is the only hands free pump available but I wasn't happy with the reviews. 

@optbaby2017 I actually put the pump in a backpack today and cooked dinner (I had to make dinner at a specific time for 9 people and I was home alone so needed to multitask), and it worked great! Neat idea thanks

@SpongeWorthy I bought a set of hofish nursing/pumping bras they should be here tomorrow! Fingers crossed I love them as much as you do.

SpongeWorthy

@yellow1daisy Woohoo!  I'm using mine right now  Hope you like it!

stokesm21

Can I ask why you guys decided to EP? I'm curious as to how all this might work. I've been having supply issues from the beginning and have had to supplement since week 2. I'm on domperidone. She's getting bigger and I'm still not producing enough and have to give her more bottles than I would like as she grows. I pumped 3 x yesterday, 15m each breast and only got an ounce each time. From both combined. I'm getting frustrated with not being able to see how much she's actually getting from me which is why EP might be an option for me. 

I am trying to boost my pumping sessions, going to make some lactation cookies today or tomorrow. I'm really frustrated that I can't just feed her on my own  

yellow1daisy

I'm sorry breastfeeding hasn't worked out the way you wanted @stokesm21. I remember we had a conversation about it on the eco moms thread early on in our pregnancies and I shared the crap time I had with DD1 and it sounds like you're going through basically exactly what I went through with her. 

I'm EP because I had to in the beginning while she was in the NICU. Then when we tried to nurse once she was discharged, she was gumming my nipples and they hurt like crazy but she wasn't transferring any milk (I could tell because she wasn't swallowing). We had her ties released but I didn't find any improvement in nursing. She also has a high palate and recessed chin and she was just used to sucking a certain way and she would basically have to completely re-learn how to suck. And I just don't have the time to go to appointment after appointment to try and make it work when I have a toddler at home and pumping seemed to be going well so here we are. 

If you're pumping after feeding though, that's a totally normal output. 

jenwstephens

@stokesm21I started pumping some while still in the hospital while still putting my LO to the breast at each feeding. Once we got home I was triple feeding (breast, pumped milk, supplemental breast milk when needed) but then we ended up in the NICU on day 4 due to high bilirubin. I could have continued breastfeeding during our 2 day stay but I was so stressed about making sure he was getting enough that I only pumped while there. He takes a bottle really well so I've just continued to EP. I've thought about trying to go back to breastfeeding but he also has a tongue and lip tie so I kind of feel like it would be more stressful. What we're doing is working well and he's growing so I'll stick with it. 

yellow1daisy

@SpongeWorthy thank you so much for recommending this bra! It's perfect! The fabric is so much softer than the simple wishes. I feel like I can actually keep this bra on because it's so comfortable whereas I had to keep unzipping the Simple wishes bra in between uses. Definitely a win and very happy I took your advice. I might have to buy more because it looks like I'm going to be living in these bras.

lanie1000

@stokesm21 Baby girl and I never quite got the hang of each other. She was suctioned for over 30 minutes immediately after birth (which the LC thought made her sore and slightly traumatized) so we never successfully latched in the hospital. To add to that, my nipples aren't exactly BF-friendly so I had to rely on breast shields. I kept pumping while trying to BF at least a couple times a day. 

Eventually, I realized that baby girl crying on my breast was making me cry and it seemed like unnecessary stress on the both of us since she was getting increasingly frustrated with me. It's a lot more work for me now (I feel like I'm constantly washing or sterilizing stuff on top of the added time of pumping and then bottle-feeding) but it's so much better for us now.