Newbie EP'er with questions

jgb2000

Hi ladies,

My baby is 6 weeks and during the first 10 days of BFing she really tore me up so we took a break. I've been trying to get her back on using nipple shields but it just hurts a ton. I think I might stick to pumping but here are my issues.

DD takes about 1 hr to feed--yes, this is with bottles! She doesn't fall asleep but she definitely slows down at times. Doctors says she must be a snacker. So with the 1 hr feedings and then pumping for 10-15 minutes and then washing everything, it takes forever. She's finally going about 4 hours b/w feedings at night so that's helped. Also, I skip the 11pm (or so) pumping in order to get sleep--not sure how bad that is for supply.  I pump @ 8 or 9 pm then @ 2 & 6am  after she eats. She eats b/w 3 and 5 1/2 oz each feeding but I'm only getting 3-4 oz. We give her formula if she's still hungry after she finishes my BM.

DD also has slight acid reflux but she's gaining plenty of weight!

So-- tips to getting on a pumping schedule & increasing supply? I've also read that some add fomula to the BM--is that better than what I'm doing? Any other advice is appreciated!

 Jen

Stacyc625

you just need to pump more often and longer. you should be pumping AT LEAST 10x a day. going no longer than 2-3hours between pumps.

https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html

do compressions as shown in the video.

as for washing everything- if you just throw everything in a ziplock bag and put in the fridge you won't have to wash everything each time.

 

I have never needed to add formula- don't see the point if you can get your supply up.

Honestly- i would keep working at BFing because EPing is really more than twice the work. especially in the beginning when it is just a never ending cycle of feeding and pumping.

the first 12 weeks are the most important to establishing your supply so pump pump pump. because it is RIDICULOUSLY hard to increase your supply after 12 weeks. my DD was eating around 45oz from month four to seven. i have always been a religious pumper (esp in the beginning) and i have always had the supply to meet her demand.

good luck.

there is also a EPing check in on Mondays if you want to join.

Tikat

See my message below...the bump won;t let me delete this post...

Tikat

Ditto PP! See a Lactation Consultant, I was on a similar

Tikat

Ditto PP! See a Lactation Consultant, I was on a similar pumping

Tikat

Ditto PP! See a Lactation Consultant, I was on a similar pumping schedule and my

Tikat

Ditto PP! See a Lactation Consultant, I was on a similar pumping schedule and my milk

Tikat

Ditto PP! See a Lactation Consultant, I was on a similar pumping schedule and my milk dried

Tikat

Ditto PP! See a Lactation Consultant, I was on a similar pumping schedule and my milk dried up

Tikat

Ditto PP! See a Lactation Consultant, I was on a similar pumping schedule and my milk dried up by

Tikat

Ditto PP! See a Lactation Consultant, I was on a similar pumping schedule and my milk dried up by 8

Tikat

Ditto PP! See a Lactation Consultant, I was on a similar pumping schedule and my milk dried up by 8 weeks

Tikat

Ditto PP! See a Lactation Consultant, I was on a similar pumping schedule and my milk dried up by 8 weeks ...I

Tikat

Ditto PP! See a Lactation Consultant, I was on a similar pumping schedule and my milk dried up by 8 weeks ...I had

Tikat

Ditto PP! See a Lactation Consultant, I was on a similar pumping schedule and my milk dried up by 8 weeks ...I had to

Tikat

Ditto PP! See a Lactation Consultant, I was on a similar pumping schedule and my milk dried up by 8 weeks ...I had to use

Tikat

Ditto PP! See a Lactation Consultant, I was on a similar pumping schedule and my milk dried up by 8 weeks ...I had to use medicine

Tikat

Ditto PP! See a Lactation Consultant, I was on a similar pumping schedule and my milk dried up by 8 weeks ...I had to use medicine to

Tikat

Ditto previous post! See a Lactation Consultant to correct DD's latch (that seems to be the problem) I was on a similar pumping schedule (due to lack of knowledge on the matter ) and my milk dried up by about 8 weeks. At that point it was too late to get my DD to the breast, as I went back to work and was only able to get my supply back with medication...which ideally you shouldn't want...but at that point I was desperate and seeing my child for 2 hours every day...

MrsAHoffman

Breastfeeding does hurt, but it will get better. You've got to give it longer than 10 days :-)?

EPing is double the work - I would really encourage you to stick with BFing. Plus it's a wonderful bonding experience. However, if you are going to EP, I would say you need to pump more often. A lot of moms struggle with supply issues b/c of not pumping often enough. ?

lolakat2

I agree with the PP that you should do all you can to get back to BF directly. EP is a TON of work (I did it for 17 months so I know). If you are having a lot of pain your baby's latch may not be right. Have you seen a LC?If not I would set up  a visit with one ASAP.

All that being said I was "forced" to EP b/c I could not get DD to latch even after 2 months working with a LC. It is very difficult for the fist 2-3 months becuase you will litterally always be feeding, pumping or fiddleing with cleaning the pump and storing BM.  Try to get your DH to help you. ie he feeds while you pump. It gets easier as time goes on b/c DC will eat less frequently and you will have to pump less freqently. 

 If you want to successfully EP you will need to pump every 3 hour around the clock at least for the first 2-3 months or so.  I think it's critical to establish your supply during that time. Get a hospital grade double pump and pump for at least 15-20 min each time. I cut our the middle of the night pumping at around 3 months and my supply was OK. 

During the fist 6 weeks my schedule pumping schedule was: 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm, 12am, 3am.  When I went back to work at 7 weeks my schedule was 4am, 7am, noon, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm, 12am. At three months I cut out the 12am pumping. (DD was also sleeping through the night) I kept that schedule until around 6 months then I dropped one pumping while at work so I did 4am, 9am, noon, 6:30pm, 10pm.  At one year I went to three times a day.

Each time droped the number of pumping sessions my supply did also drop but it was OK b/c DD needs were also dropping.

Anyway this is a long winded answer to you post but I wish someone would have given me some advice/encouragement when I was trying to get started. It can be done! 

Good luck and enjoy your little one.

LucyPevensie

Quick note about adding formula to breastmilk ... it's FINE .. BUT .. it must be mixed first. You always add the proper amount of water to the proper amount of formula - THEN you can add it to breastmilk.  Never add plain powder to breastmilk - that is actually a very unhealthy and potentially dangerous thing to do as the moisture content will be totally off.  Always mix first - THEN add. 

On a related note - some people prefer to feed breastmilk without formula - and then feed formula if baby is still hungry.  If baby does not finish a bottle of only breastmilk (no formula added) - you can refrigerate it and offer it one more time.  If it is not finished at the second feeding - it's time to toss it.  But if you've mixed formula into it and baby does not finish it - you have to toss it after that first feeding, you cannot refrigerate and offer it again.  So sometimes you can end up wasting breastmilk if you mix it with formula.  And if you give a plain formula bottle and baby does not finish it - you need to toss as well, you can't re-feed formula - only plain breastmilk - and only one more time. 

Best of luck to you, you've gotten some good advice, I hope it all works out!