20 more days of pumping...

Stacyc625

and then i think i am calling it quits. I am so over pumping. I have an entire deep freezer full of milk that i have pumped (about another 3 months of milk)-- so she will have BM until she is about 9 months.

Hard to believe that i have lasted this long with EPing- it is a lot of work (totally worth it though) but i am really looking forward to being done.

Brookie-Cookie

Good job!

So at 9mths will you just give her reg milk or formula?  I thought it was a year for cows milk, but at Dr appt earlier this week they said 9mths. 

Stacyc625

formula- no cows milk until 1yr.

but by nine months she won't be drinking that much -- probably just a bottle for bed and maybe a little bit more. but when you introduce juice (and solids) usually 'milk' consumption decreases.

bluestar0527

You are my hero!! My goal is to make it 3 months and it feels like a lifetime away! EPing is not easy by any means--- so congrats!!!

Stacyc625

Blue- seriously don't worry-- there are so many times i wanted to throw the towel in. but i would say to myself- i just want to make it though this week. I can honestly 100% tell you it gets sooooo much easier after week 12 or so. can't tell ya why- but it does.

 

Dixie05

That is great!!  How were you able to keep up with her feedings and have enough to freeze?  I am EP'ing also and would love to start a freezer stash but I am not sure how to do this and make sure I have enough for DD to feed on demand right now. 

Thanks for your help!! 

102503Natalie

Taht's so awesome!  Can you tell me how you were able to build up such a big supply?  What are your tips/tricks?  Man, oh man, I would love to have that big of a supply so I could quit pumping and BFing at 6 months and still have lots left for her to continue getting BM. 

tanny05

I would have EP'd for 4 mths this weekend and I am so happy to make it this milestone.  I also just started back work so I am unsure as to how long I will keep it up since work is very demanding.  Seeing you make it to six months gives me hope! Congratulations!

 

Stacyc625

honestly- the only thing that i can think of why i was able to keep up with her supply and freeze so much was because i was ridiculously disciplined in the beginning. she would not latch when we got home from the hospital (tried three LCs blah blah blah) so i have been pumping pretty much from the beginning.

from weeks 1-12 i was pumping every two hours for 20 minutes. regardless of what/how much she ate. round the clock, getting up during the night (totally sucked)- I was getting so much milk- (I didn't know it was so much until i came on here and saw what the 'norm' was)-

around week 12 i went to every three hours round the clock- around week 15 i dropped the evening pumping (last pump 10pm- next pump 6am).

luckily i had a very 'even' supply and i knew what i could expect. if it ever dipped i would power pump (pump for ten min, break for ten min, pump for ten min for one hour)-

once you get used to how much baby is eating- you can gauge when and how much to move from the fridge to the freezer.

some things to maybe try to get your milk up (besides pumping until you are blue in the face)- eating oatmeal, drink a guinness once a night (every other night- whatever you are comfortable with- the hops does amazing things for your supply)- also eating a TON of protein- seriously protein it up, drinking lots of water, you can try fenugreek. i know lots of women had good things come of it- i never tried it.

 

Lisichka

Good for you! That's my goal too right now. I also EP, I started out with a goal of 2 months which I met (as of today ), so my next goal is 6 months. I may go even longer though. BUt I do agree with you: EP is difficult but so worth it in the end!

auslyn804

WOW!!  Congrats on 6 mos of EPing and such a stash.  I think those of you that EP have it the hardest and that is quite an accomplishment.  I hope I'm able to make it bfing that long and have enough stash to keep him on bm until then.

cld314

Stacyc625:

formula- no cows milk until 1yr.

but by nine months she won't be drinking that much -- probably just a bottle for bed and maybe a little bit more. but when you introduce juice (and solids) usually 'milk' consumption decreases.

Good for you for sticking it out this long...I can't imagine EP'ing.  Just an FYI, my almost 11 month old daughter eats 3 meals a day, 2 snacks, and 8 oz of juice and she still drinks about 16 oz of formula a day--4 bottles.  Every baby is different, but just wanted to let you know that it might be more than 1 bottle of formula a day.  Not sure if that really changes anything for you.