EP: what to do with all this bm?

bigbootyjudi

Obviously, I'm new to the whole EP ing thing...I've been at it for 2 weeks now. Well in 2 weeks, I've pumped enough to fill DS' bottles throughout the day and tonight, I gave my mom 150oz to put in her deep freeze. Mind you, this is only 2 weeks worth and I already have enough extra to feed him for three weeks. My question is: when do I start using all of this frozen milk? at what point can I start dropping pumps or stop pumping all together, if you ever completely stop pumping? I guess I'm just asking how this goes further down the road. I'm not feeding from the breast at all and I have about 3.5 weeks until I go back to work, where I plan to keep pumping. I pump every 3 hours currently and get at least 3oz from each, 5oz at the most from each. How have you done it? How old is your LO, how often do you pump/what do you produce, when did you decide to drop pumps, etc tell me your long term experience with EP ing!

HorseMom

Right now try and keep up every 23 hours as you are still establishing your supply.
I have been EPing now for 4 months and I'm just down to 4 pumps a day.
As for a freezer stash I can't help you there as I have low supply.

kalette

I have an over-supply like you. So far my freezer stash is just....chillin in the freezer. I don't know if I'll ever use it.. and I did toss a few hundered ounces last month because they had been in the regular freezer for 3 months (which is when they aren't good anymore apparently). The rest are in the deep freeze where they are good for 6-12 months. It's a nice peace of mind to know it's there though. If something happens and I can't BF anymore, I have 3 months worth of milk in there.

 I started EPing on day 2 in the hospital.. and pumped every 3 hours at home, then dropped almost immediately to 4 hours. I didn't care about loosing supply by dropping pumps because it was already too much. My LO is 5 months old now and I pump 3x a day (every 8 hours) for 10-15 minutes and get 11-12 oz per pumping. It wasn't until this 3x pumping that I finally lost some supply, which I am grateful for. I still have more than enough milk and usually freeze 12 oz every other day, or so.

I basically love EPing. Every time I start to think maybe BF directly would be easier, I remember all the things I love about EPing. Not suffering any pain or discomfort. Having all this back-up milk, the fact that I can leave LO with my mom or husband and not worry about needing to get back to feed her. That my husband and I can take turns getting up with her for her early morning milk. I love the freedom it provides me..  I never have to worry about anyone seeing my boobs in public or getting strange looks. It's just been great. I have never felt like I missed out on anything like some other women that EP do. My LO still prefers me over everyone else (I am a SAHM so that was going to happen either way), we still cuddle and snuggle while she eats.. I plan to EP for my next LO as well, it's just so much easier for me.

Mystisai

I can't advise you too much, as I'm a first-timer, but if you really feel you have an over-supply, I would suggest donating it to the local hospital or something. My hospital has pasteurized BM for the preemies and mothers who, for whatever reason, can't produce any of their own.

eaglei1

I'm currently on my 2nd child with EPing and I produce about 50- 60 oz per day. Ultimately you need to do what works for you. I work out of my home so for me some of this is easier than it would be for a working mom outside the home. Here is what I do.

 

- My intent is for my child to have BM until 1 year. With my first child I dried up at 8 months and only had a 2 month supply in the freezer. With the current rate that I'm producing, officially around 6 months, I should have enough in storage that if I wanted to stop I could. However, it is more likely that as I drop pumping sessions my supply will drop and I will more than likely be pumping for about 8-9 months.

 - I rotate my frozen milk into the daily feedings now. That way my supply never gets old. Plus the nutritional value of what you are saving is closer to what you are currently producing (ie. What you freeze today will likely not have the same nutrional content as what your baby will need 6 mo from now). I usually thaw 1 to 2 bags of my stored milk and use them daily. Since I'm currently doing 6 bags of 4 ozs daily, as my freezer fills up I'll have to up the number of feedings from storage.

- I currently pump 7 times a day approximately 3 to 4 hours between pumps. I let my nite pumping be determined by my baby. She's 4 wks old now and as she sleeps longer at nite, so will I. I suspect I'll be able to drop down to 6 pumps a day in about a month.

 

Hope that helps.

Kristen050

I would keep up the pumping and the freezer stash at least for awhile. You never know when your supply is going to change. I had a 300oz stash when I went back to work last time and struggled to pump enough while way from him. My freezer stash dwindled fast. I understand it's different because you EP but your LO is still so young and things can change, causing you to go through your stash quickly. If you keep on that pace and have some that will expire soon then just donate as you go. Once your supply is established and your LO is a little older then think about pumping less and using your stash.