EP advice pls

changingnames

  I/DS have had a tough time Bfing and today I spoke with an IBCLC.  She reccomended I EP for the next 48 hours till DS can be seen by a doctor and have his tonue clip revised.  She thinks it was not done deep enough and is to blame for the inadequate weight gain, milk pouring all over while nursing, pain, nipple popping in and out of his mouth while BFing etc. 

  She told me to pump every three hours.  So I am figuring I will have to change diapers, feed DS, put him to sleep, pump, wash pump parts, set up for next session.  Ummm how will I be getting any sleep?  Can anyone give me some advice on this?  I am sort of looking forward to the break from nursing as it has hurt so very much but yikes!  I am so tired, am I wronng to wish DH would offer to help some with this?  He did wash all the pumping stuff tonight so that helps.  I guess I just need to power thru and make it happen on my own.

megpeg

My LC said it was OK to take a 5 hour break one time to get some sleep. Why should DH offer, tell him to do it or you will be exhausted.

jerseygirl81

The "fridge trick" will save you some time - instead of thoroughly washing the pump parts after each session stick them in a bag in the fridge.

mrsfrenchy

I EP and I only wash my pump parts once a day.  I put them in the fridge between pumps; it's much easier.

Also, are you pumping hands free?  In not, get an old, tight fitting bra (lots of people use a sports bra), put it on, make marks with a sharpie where your nipples are on the bra, take it off and cut slits where you made a mark.  The slits should be big enought to fit the horns through.  And....ta-da!! you're hands free.

This means you can feed DS while you pump.  Prop him up in the boppy or the bouncy seat, put on your hands free bra, turn on the pump and give DS the bottle.

No you're not wrong to want help from DH.  Make him change a diaper or two.  Have him feed DS so you can relax while you pump.  He's a parent too, you know.

I agree that you should pump every 2-3 hours, but I would take one 5ish hour stretch in there just to get some sleep.  Fatigue can mess up your supply too, so sleep is important.

GL!  I feel bad I wasn't here earlier to help you out.

CoastieWife08

You can also try and multitask if DH isn't there with you...put the baby in the bouncy seat and feed while you pump.  Just make a hands-free bra by cutting slits in a tight sports bra and place the pump flanges through the slits.

The fridge trick is great as well.

Whenever DH was home with me, he fed and changed Scarlett, even at night.  I focused on pumping on my 3 hour schedule.  

j&j1999

I ep and also just place the horns in the fridge between pumpings...def get/make a hands free bra....these 2 tricks have made all the difference in the world to me...gl!

changingnames

  The fridge trick is genius- why didn't I think of that??????  I'm pumpingright now and will do that.   just fed and changed DS but could only get one burp fro him meaning he has another.  DH has to get up in less than an hour so I put DS in teh cosleeper and asked DH to burp him and make sure he gets to sleep- he better at elast do that!!  DH is in general a really helpful husband who cooks dinner and cleans etc but for whatever reason just assumes I will do all night timme duties and refuses to learn how to do certain things so I alwasy have to.  I have gotten into the habit of forcing him to do these thigs and it really anoys me when he gives me attitude about it.  I don't sulk every time I have to put DS's pajamas on and it is really anoying when he does.  If I a unraveling he will take the baby while I sleep and do a feeding or two but otherwise it is jsut assumed I will do everything- it's getting old.  Ughh I guess I need o talk to him about this.

brauchtm

I mostly pump - the only way I make it through it is to have help from dh - he will do some of the feedings while I pump.  especially the sessions from midnight to 5 am - b/c its too hard to stay awake long enough to do all that an EPing mom has to do at those hours.  Good luck!