EP'ing Question

minnergirl

Due to latching issues, I have been EP'ing for my 10 day old son. I have a freezer stash already built up, but my mom seems to think that I don't need it this early. I have to go back to work at 8 weeks PP, so I don't see the issue. Also, I am pumping every 3 hours for about 20 minutes. Is this enough to establish my supply? Last question... Storage wise... I am using the medela pump and store bags. They are so expensive though. Any suggestions for a cheaper option? Thanks so much for any info!

cmhicklin

I started out doing about every 3 hours around the clock (with one 4-5 hour stretch) for about 30 minutes each.  Some recommend every 2 hours I think, but 3 was enough to me.  At about 8 weeks I started going 7 hours at night without pumping, but kept up every 3 hours during the day.  I pumped  for almost 30 minutes, because I had a 3rd letdown around 25-27 minutes, and I wanted to freeze as much as possible.  I always worried about losing my supply, but I didn't, and because I froze so much I was able to stop pumping before 1 year.  I didn't like the Medela bags, and always bought Lansinoh.

danieliza1127

You probably have a good supply if you already have a freezer stash.  I started EPing about 3 weeks before I went back to work and I didn't have a stash until after I started working.  Pumping for 15-20 minutes is ideal.

I use the Target brand Up & Up storage bags and they're great.  They lay flat.  I have some Medela ones and I don't like them nearly as much.  

emriley84

I think you're doing great! I started stretching out night pumping to whenever the baby was up. I would pump every 3 hours all day, once before bed and whenever the baby woke up during the night. Itdoesn't hurt to have extra if you're going to continuue to EP because baby will eventually start taking more and you will easily be able to keep up.

As far as storage, I always used the lansinoh bags, and filled them to 5 oz to take up less space and use less bags. Then I would just defrost and make 1-2 bottles from it depending on how much DS was eating.

minnergirl

Thank y'all so much for the responses! My last concern is what milk to feeds son. Should I be feeding him what I pump, when I pump it? Or is it okay to be thawing out my oldest stored milk and giving him that? My mom who never breastfed keeps making me second guess myself!

cmhicklin

minnergirl:

Thank y'all so much for the responses! My last concern is what milk to feeds son. Should I be feeding him what I pump, when I pump it? Or is it okay to be thawing out my oldest stored milk and giving him that? My mom who never breastfed keeps making me second guess myself!

do you have a regular freezer,or are you storing it in a deep freeze? The best benefit is from fresh, so I would use that, and then store extra. If you have a regular freezer, I would start start rotating through it within maybe 2-3 months. Maybe one bottle of frozen a day, or one bags worth anyway. I had a deep freeze and started rotating after 4 or 5 months. 

danieliza1127

minnergirl:

Thank y'all so much for the responses! My last concern is what milk to feeds son. Should I be feeding him what I pump, when I pump it? Or is it okay to be thawing out my oldest stored milk and giving him that? My mom who never breastfed keeps making me second guess myself!

 

When I'm home with the baby, I give him milk that I've pumped that day.  It's not usually right when I've pumped it, it will have been in the fridge.  I try to keep at least 2 bottles in the fridge when I'm home with him, one for his next feeding plus an extra in case we want to go out and run errands or something.   He only gets frozen milk at daycare.