Considering EP

mavs41

I've had issues breastfeeding from day 1.  I keep thinking it's going better, sometimes it does for a little bit, but then I find out he's not gaining enough, etc.  I am using a nipple shield, have been unable to wean from it.  I'm currently breastfeeding, pumping, then giving the milk in a bottle for each feeding (I wasn't pumping overnight but after a disappointing LC visit today I will start).  I've been taking fenugreek for 5 days (LC said it should work in 2 or 3) and haven't noticed a real difference in my supply.  Today I went to LC hoping for good news and everything was the same as it had been on Tuesday, except we determined I should be giving 1.5 oz in each bottle instead of 1 oz (even with the bottle he isn't gaining what he should be).  I'm so discouraged I'm thinking of trying to just EP, but I've never even really pumped to replace a feeding so I'm unsure if I could even pump enough to keep up.  I really don't want to EP as I feel like I would miss out on the cuddles and closeness.  I'm just so discouraged right now.  The LC today made it sound like it could be more of a problem of DS being unable to efficiently eat from the breast since I'm able to pump 1 - 1.5 oz after each feeding.

Has anyone been in a similar situation?  Or have any advice?

kgauntt

My advice would be to keep trying to nurse. I was in your exact position 6 months ago and I gave up. No, I don't hate EPing but man is it hard some days. Every morning I get up with my baby, get hooked up to my pump, get my baby's bottle of pumped milk and feed her while she's laying in my lap. Because I pump 4 times a day now, I have to pump 40 min each pump to get the number of ounces I want for a day. Entertaining a baby while pumping is the hardest thing for me. I already have back problems and my baby isn't fond of sitting still. Also, I miss nursing. I wanted to try and get her back on the breast when she was 5 months, but it was too hard and stressful and she didn't understand what my boob was for anymore. My last pump if the day is really difficult because I do it whenever my baby goes down for the night. I pump for 40 minutes and I can barely keep my eyes open. After that, I go wash my pump parts and make a couple bottles in case she wakes up for a middle of the night feeding. Then, I finally get ready to go to bed. While, if I was nursing, I could be getting close to 2 hrs of extra sleep.

With all that said, if you do decide to EP, in the beginning you will have to pump 8 to 12 times a day to regulate your supply. You can store pump parts in fridge to keep from having to wash them every pump. When you get to around 3 months postpartum...can't see how old your baby is.... you may be able to slowly start dropping pumps. I pump longer each session because I have an oversupply that I add to my freezer stash... Yeah I'm a milk hoarder...

Even if you do EP, you should be very proud of yourself because it shows how dedicated of a mama you are. It is worth it to try EPing if you decide to give up nursing. You just have to do what works best for you and baby!

Good luck!

JaimeG183

I had the same exact situation.

I nursed exclusively for about 2 months. Then around 2 months I started offering him 3 bottles a day because he needed more and was gaining slow. I continued meeting with a LC and he was only getting 2 oz per nursing session because he had a lazy suck (but fine latch). After 3 months, he went on a nursing strike where he would just scream when I put him at the breast (even before he tried to latch so it wasn't a flow issue- it would be spraying on him). I started pumping during the day and nursing him in the MOTN. At 5 months he stopped wanting to nurse in the motn and we completely exclusively pump now. He is 7 months today. EP is not fun or easy- I'm hooked to a pump for 2-3 hours a day when my bff nurses her LO for less than 30 minutes total all day. I am able to keep up with him (eats 30-35oz most days).

Up until 12 weeks you'll need to pump at least 8 times a day (in the beginning it's 10-12), at 4 months I dropped to 7, 5 months=6 and I just dropped to 5ppd at 6 months. I'm hoping to drop to 4ppd at 8 months (next month) but am worried I'll lose some of my supply. I pump for 30 minutes each time but sometimes up to an hour (if I have the time). Pump to replace a feeding and see how that goes- maybe pump after your LO goes to bed then the next day you can serve that milk and pump to replace a feeding. it's stressful and I overanalyze every ounce i pump but it's worked out for our family because he won't nurse successfully and I want him to get BM.

Realize it's more likely you'll lose your supply earlier when you EP versus nursing make sure you are ok with that if it happens.

You can PM me if you need to

Nita2603

I have pumped since little one was 4 days old. So far, so good. I am also very happy to be able to pump enough for both my boys I wasn't able to give breastmilk to my older son at all before his brother was born.
I pump roughly every 3 to 4 hours. It works well. Occasionally I go longer in between and my supply is usually not affected. These says I pump for 20 minutes, but once I am able to drop pumps, I will go for longer.

Pumping with two LOs around is not easy but it has worked out so far. I personally find it rewarding to be able to give them breastmilk, which makes the pumping time more bearable.

If you do decide to ep, set small goals, eat well and drink enough. And pump. Pump, pump, pump!

Good luck!

mavs41

Thanks for the responses. I think I'll keep trying to nurse for now. Hopefully the LC will have good news when we go back on Friday!

katie6/26/04

My Ds was the same way and we struggled with weight gain for the first 8 weeks.  It did get better and by 3 months he was back up to his correct percentile.  Hang in there.

JHough578

Kudos to all of you who EP! I think that takes a lot of dedication and its awesome you all have the patience to do so.  I pumped the first 2 weeks until my supply evened out and it wasn't my favorite thing to do! Keep it up, I'm sure your babies would be so thankful that you are taking so much time out of your day...and night!