EPing Weekly Check-In

jerseygirl81

This is a weekly check-in for women who Exclusively Pump for their babies, whether by choice or by chance. Posts will be every Monday.

No one claims that it?s easy to breastfeed, but women who EP face unique challenges and obstacles. It's nice to know that there are other women dealing with the same situation, and we can learn from and support each other.

** Iris was nice enough to create an EP badge for us! **

** Wear it proudly! **

 

Congrats to:

gymrat - 10 months!
Stacyc625 - 9 months!
Me! 7 months!
Kel716, Lucky41010, and Linzpinz14 - 6 months!
octoberpunkin, travelbug, katie110505, and BabyDavison - 5 months!
MrsDiamonds - 4 months!
Betsnup and mich11680 - 3 months!

(tried to make up for everyone I missed last week, hope I caught most of them!)

Calves (EPing 0 to 3 months)
DansLuckyGirl ? EPing for Cooper
sdailey01 ? EPing for Abby
MaybeABaby? ? EPing for Jack
sdailey01 ? EPing for Abby
mich11680 ? EPing for Hailey
MaybeABaby ? EPing for Jack
luckystarz ? EPing for Landon
KMR816 ? EPing for Connor
Buckets of Moonbeams ? EPing for Kate
Andrea11 ? EPing for Jackson
can_can ? EPing for Benjamin
gbtc01 ? EPing for Bethany
beebe929 ? EPing for Lilah
Kelly&Dave ? EPing for Ashley
babykk ? EPing for Kayla
KMB7 ? EPing for Rebekah and William
Tune_Baby ? EPing for Mikey
sandipluschris ? EPing for Christian
jesse sunday ? EPing for Ryan
brauchtm ? EPing for Nicholas
charlaNIKol ? EPing for Brady
courtjensen ? EPing for Cooper
tanny05 - EPing for Mason
Sobachka ? EPing for Andrew
BecauseICan ? EPing for Avery
LBI*love ? EPing for Chase
cdg23 ? EPing for Paige and Emma
CyndelGrace ? EPing for Cannon
MonkeyButtWhat
Daniel's Mama ? EPing for Daniel
kristiembechtel ? EPing for Maddie
zach'swife ? EPing for Julian
saralena ? EPing for Avery
CandyM
Shan_te_xas ? EPing for Sheridan
Sueball1 ? EPing for Leo

Cows (EPing 3 to 6 months)
Mrs.AMB07 ? EPing for Owen
mich11680 ? EPing for Hailey
BabyDavison ? EPing for Jack and George
betsnup ? EPing for Dawson
LucyPevensie ? EPing for Jack
stacylu ? EPing for Julia
purplepuggles ? EPing for Jack
star173 ? EPing for Kadence
mrsfootball ? EPing for Meredith
mrsdiamonds ? EPing for Andrew
littlelamb99 - EPing for Lauren
bluestar0527 ? EPing for Audrey
Carrann82 ? EPing for Emily
katie110505 ? EPing for Danica
Octoberpunkin ? EPing for Jacob
travelbug ? EPing for Siobhan
fiasco ? EPing for Benjamin
maggs116 ? EPing for Eddie
mrsfrenchy ? EPing for Alissa
Nic&Steve ? EPing for Giana
auburnbride2be ? EPing for Avery
jenhum ? EPing for Madeline
tanny05 - EPing for Mason
RubyRed7 ? EPing for Ruby
MadCity_WI ? EPing for Alexa
chach916 ? EPing for Ben
Kalki ? EPing for Max & Sadie

Heifers (EPing 6 months or more)
Jesse Sunday
LUCKY41010 ? EPing for Cooper
linzpinz14 ? EPing for Cecelia
Kel716 ? EPing for Brandon
JT41275 ? EPing for Gabriella
JerseyGirl81 ? EPing for Charlie
SweetMelissa ? EPing for Bella
AB&TB ? EPing for Lincoln
EastCoastFamily ? EPing for Alyssa
JBC1011 ? expert EPer (11 months with twins!), now EPing for Tyler
Stacyc625 ? EPing for Gisele
RubyEggi ? Eping for Elisabeth
softballgirl24 ? EPing for Hunter
Punky0528 ? EPing for Melanie
GymRat ? EPing for Marshall and Cecelia
HappyThoughts1 ? EPing for Maya
bostonfingerlakes07 ? EPing for Nolan
flamencogal ? EPing for Scott
LumLisa ? EPing for Sam
aras3k ? EPing for Leili

Heading out to Pasture
Prolixity ? EPing for Jaxson
saraheg77 ? EPing for Anna

Any exciting news to share?

QOTW: Because we've all been there, what got you the closest to hanging up the horns and giving up? How did you make it through?

 

jerseygirl81

For whatever reason, my supply took a hit this weekend. I'm down 3.5oz on the day so far

I know I have extra, but I like to have too much so I know I can afford to lose some. Silly, I know.

Baby C has gotten over his ear infection and we're a happy household once again! I also donated another 600oz, which makes me so happy. I'm so thankful to be able to help out others.

sapphirebride06

I've never done an EP post - didn't even know this existed!  I've been EP'ing from the start - ds was a lazy sucker and wasn't getting anything so I've been pumping since day 3 with him.  I'm so glad I've never had to supplement - not that there is a problem with him but I'm so excited he's been on my milk!  I've got some frozen but maybe a week's worth - give or take so I will keep pumping until DS is a year if possible.  I'm lucky that I am SAHM (S = stay and study) so I have the flexibility to pump as needed.  And I forgot the Q lol sorry!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sapphirebride06

okay as for the QOTW - I've been really counting the days until DS is a year so I don't have to pump anymore - I'm so ready to be done!  I have never really done much more than just think about quitting because I immediately think of how bad I think formula smells and how expensive it is!  So I just keep on keeping on.  And I'm Type A big time so the second I doubt myself I go pump and remind myself how lucky I am to be able to do so!  I know how easy it is though to want to be done - DS is 9 months tomorrow and I am really tired of scheduling my day around pump times!

Now a question - I'm moving Friday and have frozen milk - how do I make the 4 hour drive without it defrosting at all?  Dry ice - help me out! 

Stacyc625

congrats on another week pumping.

Hanging up the horns frustration for me i guess really had nothing to do with pumping- it was just the added stress of tax season and a very mobile baby.  I am still going through the frustration however i am getting through day by day. I wanted to give her the antibodies through the winter- and i met that goal. I have plenty of milk in the freezer and still donating milk.

I am trying to hold on to the one year mark- only another two and half months. hopefully i can make it. I was pretty much at the end of my rope last week- but this week is a little better.

 

Buckets of Moonbeams

I've been EPing for exactly 3 months today.  I can't believe K's surgery was 3 months ago and that I've been EPing half as long as I had the pleasure of EBF. 

My supply took a nosedive for no dicsernable reason last week and so far More Milk Plus hasn't helped.  I'm still freezing about 5-7 oz a day, but I used to freeze 12-15 oz a day.  The more I freeze each day the sooner I can be done pumping!  RIght now, it looks like I should be done in about 6 weeks and still get K through on BM only until 12 months.  I think this sudden drop in milk supply has gotten me the most discouraged with pumping.

I can't wait until I can just pour her a sippy cup of organic whole milk.  It will be too easy.

stacylu

QOTW: Because we've all been there, what got you the closest to hanging up the horns and giving up? How did you make it through?

Supply issues have always been my problem and still are. I was about to give up last week because I was down to 3oz at a time, almost half of what I pump and half of what she needs. I'm back on Reglan and that has helped tremendously. I also give myself goals - right now it's 6 months and we'll see what happens then. I have a feeling I will start weaning around then

can_can

I made it 3 months today!! However, my domperidone supply ran out on Saturday, and the refill I ordered is delayed and won't get here til probably Wed So my supply has tanked (I posted a ? on 0-6 about it)... I'm hoping I didn't do irreparable harm Not after I just made it so far!!! My next goal is to make it to 6 months... but it's gonna be tough if I'm only pumping an ounce per session, where I was getting 2-3oz/session before!

tmp-581032062508552

Hi guys! We haven't been around - DS got RSV, I got a sinus infection.....

Ironic QOTW, because I'm throwing in the towel. Bascially, a QOTW really stuck with me - "do you fee like you are wishing away your LO's first year to meet your goal?" (or something along those lines)....and yes, I am wishing away his first year. Last week he turned 6 months old. HALF A YEAR. And you know what? The only thing I could this was "Where has time gone???" I know every mom probably thinks that, but every mom doesn't have the memories of being on the damn horns all the f*ing time. Last week, in an effort to save my sanity, I moved to 2 pumps/day. It was going well, my supply took a hit but I was still able to give him all fresh, all day just not add to my freezer supply. But after lots and lots of thought....I'm done. I made it this far, and I will still be able to give DS the freezer stash, hopefully for another month. I am just pumping to relieve some of the engoregement and gave him his last fresh milk this morning. I cried. I feel like I've failed, I feel like I've given up. But I NEED to be done. I know it....but that still doesn't make me feel any less guilty. I feel selfish. I feel like a bad mom - because giving him BM, no matter what we've been through, made me feel superior. It made me feel so damn good about myself. It impressed people. I always got "oh my gosh, you're so strong, I could never do that".....now what? Just another formula feeder, I guess.

 Sorry for the word vomit. I needed to get it out.

 I have to say, I appreciate this check in more than any of you know. Maybe it was missing the check in for a couple weeks that got to me....this is such an amazing support and I know that people before me have felt this and that people after me will feel this. Thanks girls, you were a huge, huge help. Lots and lots of (((((hugs))))) and strength to all of you to keep going!!

gymrat

I dream of the day when I don't have to pump anymore but at the same time it's going to be very hard for me to quit. Recently I went to 4/5 pumps a day and my supply took a hit, we're out of freezer milk and we've had to add formula to my son's diet. All of these things made me feel hopeless.

But, I just couldn't give up, I went back to 5/6 pumps and regained 6 oz a day. My babies were so small at birth that it has been my goal to give them as many antibodies as I could. We're through the winter but now they are going to be exposed to more germs when we start taking them places for the first time. So quitting has not been an option for me.

My son will most likely get to go to whole milk in May (when he's a year) but my daughter probably won't until her adjusted birthday in August.  

I think in a couple of months when it's nice outside I'll feel the worse and want to quit.

manda429

Hi, I'm new here, can you please add me?  DS is Jacob.

I had to wear shields from the first hour and had to pump after every feeding.  I have the flattest do-nothing nipples and they haven't gotten better.  Now that my milk is in, and I'm getting milk with every pump, DS Jacob is not really interested in BF when he can eat from a bottle.  So, I'm an EP for now. I'm working on getting my supply up to what it needs to be so I don't have to supplement.  That's what I am working on this week.

As long as I am not working, I think I can swing 8 pumps a day.  In 3 months when I go back to work, that is going to be the challenge.

FaithRocks

Hi there, I'm mom to Trig and I've been EPing for 3 weeks now - Trig is in the NICU.

I know, I haven't even been doing it that long but I think about quitting sometimes. I'm still in the early stages where I have to pump every 2 hours - doing it at night is really hard and I really could use some extra sleep. When I'm not pumping, I'm at the NICU, and it's tough. Still, I am feeding my baby boy, and that truly warms my heart

Alli321

Can I be added too please?  I have been EP for 3 weeks for my daughter Teresa.  I started BF with the shield in the hospital and had to pump after every feeding.  When I got home she wouldn't latch on, and while I am still working to hopefully get her to latch, I am pumping every few hours to bottle feed her and keep my supply up.

I haven't been at this long at all, but I find it so hard finding the time to pump when I also have to feed and calm DD. Also, I have such a hard time waking up in the night to pump when I am so tired.  I feel like giving up at times, but do not want to formula feed if possible.  Plus it is still early and I am hoping after 6-12 weeks once my supply is up it may not be as bad. 

mrsdiamonds

My exciting news is that I am dropping to 4 pumps.  I was going to wait until 5 months, but he's close enough to me .  Oh and thanks ladies for all the help and advice in my post about dropping to 4 pumps!

The closest to hanging up the horns was when I got mastitis for the second time.  My supply went to 20 ounces a day.  What I did get looked like pure water.  I had 104 degree temperature, my antibiotics weren't working, and I did not get out of bed for 4 days.  I ended up in the ER.  I actually prayed that I would never get my milk back so I could just be done. (ETA: The only thing that kept me from quitting was that I HAD to pump to get the clogs out.  I'm glad that I kept going though.)

Luckily, I ended up getting better and my milk went back up so I was okay for another 2 months on 5 pumps/day.  But I'm so excited to go to 4 now!!

GL this week everyone and HP!

MrsMSG

I'm not regular -- In fact, I've never visited the BF board because I was an EPer...how ironic.

Anyways, I EPed for our preemie/no suck reflex Seth from day one, for about 10 months, when my supply suddenly disappeared.  As it turned out, I was, at that point, about 8w pregnant with twins.  By the time I m/c the twins, Seth had adjusted to cow milk, and my EPing days were over.

Anyways, I just wanted to tell you all "well done."  EPing is HARD!  I had very little support when I was doing it with Seth, and I'm glad you all have eachother and this check in.

Keep up all the good work!

Tikat

Hey- another thing...I also EP and am down to 3 Domperidone Pills a day (from 12 or sooooo) and I have recently started taking a Vitamin B complex which suddenly has me bursting with Breastmilk. Just wanted to share...maybe that can help you increase your supply too!

Once my supply went back up I have to say that I'm just to ecstatic to think about hanging up the horns...I like sneaking away from my desk and sit in my supply closet for 15 minutes ...and just relax...

Tikat

Hi Alli- I suggest you try breastfeeding DD at night, For whichever reason that was the only time my daughter would happily have the breast...and it saved me from hocking on the horns...in a daze...

Oh- also Please could you add me to the list pumping for daughter Hayden.

miko2224

Hi! Congrats on making it another week! I know each Monday I'm happy that I survived another week...I am on week 14 (DD Camden) and thinking of beginning the process to wean in a couple weeks. I am pretty sure I want to take it slow on the weaning, so that may make me stick around another month or so...I'm looking forward to dropping from 5 to 4 very soon.

QOTW: Because we've all been there, what got you the closest to hanging up the horns and giving up? How did you make it through?

The toughest times for me are when the baby is crying and I need to pump. Sometimes it is just so hard! The other day she was crying and I had to stop pumping which resulted in me leaking all over the both of us. It was such a mess. Times like that really make me ready to quit. I was very close to quitting a few weeks ago, but got great support on here. I really appreciate it. Another thing that helps me is to set goals for myself. Everytime I reach a goal I feel so proud! And I know that even though it is hard, I am able to do what's best for my child.

miko2224

Oh, and I have a very supportive family which helps SO much. In fact, my husband likes to show off my freezer stash when people come over to visit. Geesh!

travelbug

I am in the process of weaning because I need to work on TTC #2.  I'll be 37 in June and we need the help of an RE.  He insists that I am completely done before he will treat me again plus I need to get AF back.  I am really bummed and quitting is harder than I thought, but I only planned to make it to 3 months and now I will make it to 6 so I am slightly pleased.

 Before now, the closest I was to quitting was in the beginning, the every 2 hours was tough.