I'm curious- why EP?

ctrfrei1

I have been seeing that some people are exclusive pumpers, and I was wondering why? I have never heard of that before, so enlighten me I'm not a hater, just curious.

Big J

DD was early and never latched.

kimilane

I did it because Frankie was little and a lazy sucker when she was born.

If our next one is just as small (my OB says it probably will be) then I plan to EP from the beginning.

NastyAnnie

Some moms do not enjoy breastfeeding, for whatever reason, but still want to give their LO breastmilk. A lot of them are working moms, who have to give their babies bottles, and don't want to deal with nipple confusion. It's just another way to feed the baby.

AggieGrl

A few reasons for us.  My son was a HUNGRY baby (still is...he started out 54 percentile at birth and jumped to 95% by his 1 month and has been there ever since).  He was dropping weight so fast his first week that we had to supplement.

He was also very frustrated on the boob from the beginning.  It took almost 2 weeks for my milk to come in (had tiny amounts of colostrum until then, no real milk).

He has a crappy latch.  He STILL doesn't latch onto a bottle correctly himself...he tucks his upper lip in.  This pinched my nipples and was incredibly painful.

We tried to go back to the boob, but I have such a slow let down that he just continued to be frustrated (plus that aweful latch).  I tried to do everything right with supplementing, including using the breastflow bottles...it just didn't work for us.

It got to the point that it was faster and easier to pump and give it to him in a bottle than try and breastfeed. 

allie482

My DD was also early and we had pretty bad latch issues.  Pumping just worked out better for us.

NiniJ55

I EPed for 6 weeks becuase DS just would not latch properly.  One day I tried a nipple sheild and have been nursing ever since (without the sheild).  Now I pump and nurse.

I was determined to breastfeed and did not want latch issues to stop me from providing my milk to my LO.

smilelari

DS started refusing the boob after I went back to work.  I am currently experimenting with trying to get him to latch again.  EPing sucks.

soko987

I hated breastfeeding. It hurt like a mofo. My kid hated it because she had latching problems. EPing is a perfect solution for the both of us.

pdxjenn

AggieGrl:

A few reasons for us.  My son was a HUNGRY baby (still is...he started out 54 percentile at birth and jumped to 95% by his 1 month and has been there ever since).  He was dropping weight so fast his first week that we had to supplement.

He was also very frustrated on the boob from the beginning.  It took almost 2 weeks for my milk to come in (had tiny amounts of colostrum until then, no real milk).

He has a crappy latch.  He STILL doesn't latch onto a bottle correctly himself...he tucks his upper lip in.  This pinched my nipples and was incredibly painful.

We tried to go back to the boob, but I have such a slow let down that he just continued to be frustrated (plus that aweful latch).  I tried to do everything right with supplementing, including using the breastflow bottles...it just didn't work for us.

It got to the point that it was faster and easier to pump and give it to him in a bottle than try and breastfeed. 

 

This exactly, except mine was a chubber from the beginning!

OregonPachey

We had SEVERAL issues with feeding when Jack was born.  He didn't know how to suck, he wasn't gaining correctly when I was EBF and he eats so often that I was constantly feeding him which was frustrating.

For us, it's way less stressful to pump rather than worry that he's not gaining enough.  Besides that, whenever I try to BF him, he cries.  Not good for my ego you know?

ms_mellor

I just wanted to say that you girls truly do amaze me!!!

AggieGrl

OregonPachey:

 Besides that, whenever I try to BF him, he cries.  Not good for my ego you know?

That was the worst thing ever.  Once DS got out of that "sleepy newborn" phase, he would scream bloody murder when I put him to the boob.  His face would turn red and he'd scream until he vomited.  No kidding.  It broke my heart and I couldn't get through a feeding attempt without bawling.  

The whole breastfeeding nazi propaganda about how EVERYONE should be able to breastfeed really got to me.   You begin to wonder what the heck is wrong with you.  It made me feel inadequate.  

preggoatlast

I started pumping initially because he was in the NICU and was given a bottle right away, so after that the boob was no contest for the bottle.  I started pumping while I was still in the hospital so I could feed him BM while he was in the NICU. 

Once we got home, he would not latch.  I could get him too for a litttle bit with a nipple shield, but he was always still hungry afterward so I continue to pump.  After a few weeks, he did start latching on and I would breastfeed for about an hour and he was still hungry so I had to feed him pumped BM anyway.  

I went back to work when he was 8 weeks old and I had to pump anyway for daycare, so we've just settled into a nice little routine.  It's annoying to have to pump all the time, but I'm used to it now so it doesn't bother me that much. 

sasky

smilelari:

DS started refusing the boob after I went back to work. 

Same here.  I EPed for 2 weeks while trying to get him to latch every day.  Finally one day he latched.  He was back on the breast nights and mornings for 3 days and now he's refusing again, so I'm back to EPing.  It's tough on both of us being in a state of limbo, so I've decided to stick with it this time.

It's not the ideal situation, but it works for us.

dionnemd10

i was with my first child because breast feeding just wasn't working for us--but i could pump and she'd take the bottle no prob.   thought i would pump for this one--but he latched on without difficulty--less stress all around for delivery/labor etc so i think things made it easier for he and i to mesh.

ep is really not very hard once you are on a schedule--i did it for 5 months!

smaher

After the pediatrician made us go on formula for 2 weeks (allergies) he went on a nursing strike.  He was never a good nurser and it was more important that he eat so I had to make a decision that broke my heart, but it was best for him.  EPing sucks as I struggle to fill 3-4 bottles a day.

shihtzumomma

ms_mellor:

I just wanted to say that you girls truly do amaze me!!!

Me too. I EBF'd for 3 weeks and EP'd for 1. I just couldn't do it. Ya'll rock!!

goldenleaves

Ryan was tongue tied at birth and couldn't latch and never learned how. I EP'd for 7 weeks!