How do you find time to pump with twins?

macchiatto

I ended up meeting with an LC and working out a part-time pumping schedule (and yes I know that means my supply will probably dwindle). Problem is, even pumping 4-5 times a day (which was the goal we'd set) i pretty much impossible some days; sometimes it'll be 7 or 8 hours (esp when DH is at work during the day) before I can  find the 20 minutes or so to pump uninterrupted. Or I might have two times but they're so close together (e.g. the boys might sleep for 2 full hours at a time during the day and I'll pump at the beginning but it seems too close to pump again at the end considering I'm only pumping 4-5 times a day) ... just wondering how on earth the rest of you find time to do it while taking care of two babies, esp those of you who EP. (My boys aren't really on the same schedule yet; I'm sure that would make a huge difference.)

hollyoid7

It was to hard for me. I just couldn't find the time either.?

MNheidi

I had help w/ the babies for the first 6 weeks which was great for pumping and when my folks left, my dh helped.  If I recall my 4-5X a day schedule:

Early a.m. feeding: dh did the actual feeding while I pumped

10sh: boys napped, I pumped

3ish: boys napped, I pumped

Right b/f I went to bed: I pumped.

You're right, you'll find a rythym once the kids are on more of a routine.  Also, you're body will adjust if you want to make a longer sleep stretch at night.   good luck, I lasted 6 mos.

Rose.9.6.03

I EP'd for 3.5 months.  I think the only way you can do it is if you make pumping a priority.  In the end, pumping was taking too much time away from my girls, as well as my sleep and personal time - so I quit.

But for those first few months, I just made myself do it.  My girls ate every three hours and I'd just pump after every feeding in the beginning (I was eventually able to get down to about 5 pumping sessions a day).  I had a hands free pumping bra, which helped.  It allowed me to get some other things done when I was pumping - even hold a baby.  If the girls were awake and I needed to pump, I'd pump on the guestroom bed and put the girls on the bed with me (sometimes hold a crying one in my lap) or pump on the floor with the girls in front on me in their bouncy seats and I'd sing songs or play with them. 

Also make sure to pump at night/early morning.  Your supply is the best between 1-5 am, so make sure to take advantage of that.  As tempting as it is to use that time for sleeping, make sure to get at least one decent pumping session in then b/c you should make a ton of milk at that point, which means you can pump less during the day.

EPing is HARD.  There are women on this board that have successfully EP'd for the first year - which I am in awe of.  Hopefully, they can serve as role models to you.  Best of luck.

mnj917

I don't pump.  Even now that the boys are over 4 months old and don't eat quite as often, I just don't have the time, especially with trying to spend some time with DD.  My supply just isn't as plentiful.  If I am not home, they get formula (which isn't that often).  I just couldn't seem to produce enough to feed them and then also pump for any sort of reserve, so although I know the formula isn't the best, I know it's not going to 'hurt' them.  It's just what I have to do at this point to keep everyone happy. 

Good luck!  I hope things work out for you! : )

ncsubride

It has been really hard for me but I usually do it after I feed them because they typcially are drowsy and are easier to handle while pumping.  Good luck. 

Kerri

Babyroni

I pumped for a year and believe me it wasn't easy.  I bought a hands free pumping bra and would pump while I would feed them.  I would prop them in boppy pillows sit in between them, feed them and pump at the same time.  It was the best use of my time.  At night I would pump right after I fed them because they would go back to sleep. 

kblindgren

I EP and pump after they are done eating.  They eat every 3 hours and not at the same time yet. (tried it, it was a disaster!) My whole routine takes about an hour, so I don't get much sleep, but I get cat naps throughout the day. 

Kalki

I'm still EP'ing for my twins. I pump whenever I can. Mostly I pump after I've fed them and they are happy to play on their mat or nap. I pump every 3-4 hours except at night. I sleep from 2am-8am without pumping. It's the one place I refuse to give up my time.

 Try putting them on the boppys while you pump in front of them. it'll give you a chance to pump without a baby crying and multitask. I highly recommend a hands free pumping bra.

 It's hard work for sure, but it's so worth it when I see how well my babies do with EBM. (We have to supplement with formula b/c I don't make enough)

Good luck!!!

ES-6-26

I EP and have tapered my schedule recently.

At first I was pumping every 3 hours from 6am to midnight.

Then every 4 hours. ?Now every 4.5-5, still 7ish-11pm-ish.

Now, I'm fortunate enough (in a sick way) to have an unemployed husband AND an Au Pair (who we decided to keep for our sanity despite the cost) - but there are times that they are both busy with Rowan (our 17 month old), with other things, etc. ?During those times I simply bring the babies to my bed (where my pumping station is) and set aside the macbook for a change and pay attention to them (if they require it). ?

So - if I were EPing on my own, yes, it would be hard. ?But doable. ?Keep pacifiers, burp cloths, and a blanket by your "pump station". ?Always bring food and water for yourself and keep it there throughout the day. ?Keep a few things to occupy the babies and yourself. ?And commit to being stationary with the babies for those 20 minutes, 7-8x a day. ?If the babies are fussy - and they will be - be as attentive as you can, hold them (it's awkward), talk to them, etc.?