Q's for EPers (XP BF board)

DataJane

For those of you that EP, how long are you planning to go? I originally planned to breastfeed for somewhere between 6 - 12 months but when that didn't work out and I started EPing I thought I would only be able to manage it for four months at the most, even that seemed crazy at first. Now I have gotten the hang of it and am thinking I could make it to six months.

When you do stop are you going to go cold turkey or just cut back pumps slowly over weeks or months?

Also, if you track your supply has it stayed steady or gone up or down? I am a dork so I have a spreadsheet where I track what I pump each day. Even though I had terrible supply issues at first my supply has gone steadily up. When I started we were having to supplement about half his food, I was getting about 12 oz. Now I get 30 oz/day and he only needs a few oz. of formula. I am surprised that it continues to improve since I cut back from 8-10 pumps a day to 5-6 about a month ago when I had an "I can't do this anymore" meltdown and almost quit  

megaloo27

I plan to go 6 months. My supply goes up and down. I'm on a down swing now so I am taking Fenugreek again. I totally understand the spreadsheet thing! One reason breast feeding stressed me out so much was that I didn't know exactly how much she was getting. Pumping is a pain, but I am trying to stick it out. 

mamacat123

I also plan to go 6 months. I've read that after 6 months, the benefits of breast milk over formula are pretty negligible, so that makes me feel better about switching to formula at that point. EPing isn't as horrible as some people made it sound-I pump 5 times per day and it's going pretty well for now; I take fenugreek and have upped my supply to about 40 oz per day (my LO is a voracious eater and takes about 32-36 oz per day). I definitely think each day you EP is a success!

raefre

I plan on pumping for 6 months and then gradually decreasing the number of times and length that I pump.  When I was on leave of absence, I was able to pump 8 times a day.  Now, I only pump 5-6 times a day though I try to pump more often on the weekends. 

My supply isn't what it used to be while I was at home.  When I'm home all day and I can devote more than 15 minutes per session, I can get between 8-10ozs (yeah, it is not a lot) a day.  However, I'm only able to get about an ounce each time I pump while I am at work.  If I was able to get more than 3 breaks in 12 hours, I'd probably make more while at work.  I did have DH buy me an adapter for the car so I can pump before work, then in the car on the way to work, at work x3, on the way home from work, while eating dinner, and then once right before bed.  

eklanger

I'm still taking it month by month.  I want to EP until 6 months, but keeping up a consistent schedule of pumping has been hard for me so I think supplementing might be in our future.  As for stopping, I'm hoping this is something I have to worry about.