EP??

m&m2006

thinking of EPing.  what did you do to get started?  if i was feeding DD2 8 times a day, do i pump 8 times a day? 

i just pumped this morning and was able to get 4ozs.  she takes about 1.5ozs of milk at each feeding, and i'll like to start to stay ahead of the curve, and have enough for 2+bottles in the fridge at all times.

jenskurn

I started exclusively pumping during LO's first wk due to jaundice and lack of weight gain.  I pump everytime she eats.  I usually pump after she eats so a bottle is ready for the next feeding.  This is important, especially at night when they wake up starving.  You will build up a stockpile pretty quickly just from your extra milk from each pumping.  I combine my extra about once per day and freeze it in a storage bag.  I make sure its all the same temp before combining it though.  I just keep it in the fridge until its all cold and then put it all together. 

There are a couple of negatives- you have to be on a schedule.  Feeding on demand while only pumping would be very hard to keep up with.  I try to keep the pumping as close to the feeding as possible or you will be feeding/pumping all day long.  Also, if you LO doesn't go right to sleep after eating, getting the pumping done can be a bit stressful. 

Good luck. 

lalyssalou

PP has some great advice!  I highly recommend pumping on a schedule.  My schedule was something like, 8, 11, 2, 5, 8, 11, 4.  I  had such a huge supply that I dropped a session in the middle of the night, and besides, DS wasn't waking to eat, so I didn't see the need to wake to pump.  I went on a trip for a funeral, and being away from home and at the mercy of everyone else's schedules (you can't pump in the middle of a funeral- kinda uncomfortable for everyone) really screwed up my routine.  I'm thankful for my frozen stash because my supply tanked over that week.

 

KatieMarie27

I agree with PP.  Try to get on a schedule which will help you to remember to pump and always have something ready to go.  Make sure you have a ton of extra bottles cuz sometimes you will run out.  I have 10 and at one point I had every bottle full (I usually put BM in bottles based on what LO eats, so i would sometimes split what I pumped into another bottle.)

Also be sure to buy good quality freezer bags so you can get your freezer supply going. 

Rachel.lilly

I made my own hands free pumping bra. I took a nursing bra (that doesn't quite fit anymore) and put it on and marked where my nipples are. I cut holes in these spots just big enough to fit the flanges from my pump into. I sewed the edges of the cuts so they don't fray or split the material in the wash. Now I can pump and bottle feed at the same time since DH is back at work now and I pump 4 times a day and they are usually about the time LO eats. And if I'm engorged and can't wait, I am able to do both. Plus, it's nice to be able to adjust the pump, use the tv controller, phone, ipad, etc while pumping.