Any advice for starting off as an EPer??

AlyRally

Hi all! I know this is technically the "breastfeeding" board, but I was wondering if anyone here has any advice on starting out on the pump from the beginning (hey, it's still BM, right??)? With my last baby, I tried BFing, but for a lot of reasons, ended up pumping exclusively for about three months. This time, I'm starting straight away with the pump...again for various reasons.

Any advice from those that EP? I've scoured the internet and read books...I'm just curious if anyone has any personal experiece they'd like to share.

TIA!

cmhicklin

I didn't start from the very beginning EPing, but I was full time by a month or so.  To me, it was so much easier than the stress and anxiety I was having with DD's latching and losing weight.  PP mentioned nursing to help your milk come in, and I don't know if it helps at all.  I EPed for a year, and know there are other moms on here that have as well, so it is definately doable!!!  The key is consistancy and having the right accessories (IMO).

bigbootyjudi

I've been EPing since day three.

Pump every two hours, on the minute. Don't skip a pump, even in the middle of the night when all you want to do is fall right over. MOTN and first morning pumps are the most important in establishing your supply. Not to mention, you'll freeze so much this way for when you go back to work.Don't worry - you won't be pumping every two hours forever. Your supply will regulate between 2-3 months and you'll be able to drop pumps. DS is 3.5 months old and I pump five times a day.

Do skin to skin (baby stripped down to nothing, you without a shirt/bra on) at least twice a day - I would do first thing in the morning and right before he went to sleep. I put a warm blanket over him and he was asleep in minutes.

Put your pump parts in the fridge in between pumps so you're not watching parts all day long. Wash them at the end of the day.

Store in bags instead of bottles. Lay the bags flat before you freeze, it saves space.

It's going to be hard. You're going to have a newborn. Maybe he/she won't nap, maybe he/she will want to be held all of the time. It's going to be hard to set your baby down and listen to them scream for that fifteen minutes when it's time for you to pump, but DO IT. It's for your child's well being and fifteen minutes of screaming so that you can provide vital nutrition isn't going to harm your baby. Even sitting next to DS, he used to scream because he wanted to be held. I just had to pump through it. Fifteen minutes later, I'd cuddle him and he was fine.

Oh, and don't be cheap. Spring for the PISA or another GOOD double electric. You will save your sanity. Make sure you change out the membranes (little white disks) about every month. Change the size of your shields if you find that you're not emptying out. Pump for a maximum of 20 minutes. Use Lanisoh and put a nursing pad over it, so it soaks in until your next pumping session. 

 

kyethra

1) Try different flanges and so forth.  You need a hands free bra, etc. a system that will work for you.  I had to change size a few times and ended up needing the biggest ones for pumping.

2) pump time is holy.  DH and such understand that I need time to pump.  He also does the bottles helps with clean up and pump maintenance.  He was this way from Day 1 and has always been so supportive and encouraging.  

3) Take care of the nipples and see a LC or other professional.  I tried getting the baby onto the breast but since my flange was a bit small on one side I had permanent scabs.  Then in september I got thrush really badly and someone mentioned underlying bacterial infections and I used all sorts of ointments and my nipple finally cleared up-- 8 months in.  Now I don't mind pumping so much.  I also had to use lecithin at first due to chronic plugged ducts.  Now things are better and I will pump until DS has enough milk to get to the first birthday.

4) Set goals that are reasonable.  For me this meant every six weeks.  I knew at three weeks I would just want to quite and 12 weeks seemed too long.  So I would say I am going to pump for six weeks and see.   Make a list off pros and cons as well.  The pros always win so far.

AlyRally

Thank you so much! I think I knew all of this somewhere in my head, but it's awesome to be so reassured by you ladies.

JaimeG183

get a hands free bra (i like simple wishes)

pump 10-12 times a day in the beginning. it feels like all you do.

I'm at 7m and am now at 5ppd (pumps per day) but at 8m will be dropping to 4.

get extra pump parts and bottles so you don't have to wash them as often. The medela steam bags are good too.

find a good place to pump with your baby. I pump on my bed and LO lays there and plays. Some feed baby in the boppy while pumping.

there's a good community on babycenter for exclusive pumping