EPers: CHECK IN!

bigbootyjudi

It's been awhile and I don't think there are too many of us left, so it's time for some encouragement. I'm having one of those "I want to chuck my pump off of a cliff" days.

How often/how many times a day are you pumping? How many ounces are you averaging per session?

Have you seen any change in your supply this month? Were you able to kick it back to normal?

Are you having to supplement or dip into your stash? How much do you have stashed away?

Anything else? How are you feeling as a pumping mama? 

What keeps you pumping? What do you tell yourself when you just want to throw in the towel?

bigbootyjudi

anbeck4:

How often/how many times a day are you pumping? How many ounces are you averaging per session? Five times a day - every six hours with a mid session on days that I work. I'm getting around 6-7oz each session.

Have you seen any change in your supply this month? Were you able to kick it back to normal? YES. I got sick and my supply went from an easy 10oz every session down to barely 4. I've gotten it back up with CMZ supplements and drinking tons of water, but it's still not back up to my 10oz. I get really discouraged every time it's under 5oz.

Are you having to supplement or dip into your stash? How much do you have stashed away? I've had to dip into my stash since my supply took a hit, but I have 3,000oz stashed away, so it wasn't the end of the world.

Anything else? How are you feeling as a pumping mama? I feel like it's just part of my every day life, but I still feel like it's completely inconvenient. Tonight, I left my pump at work. It was 11:45pm, 16 degrees outside, and the front door of the building was locked. I had to drive around to the back, walk ten minutes to my floor, and grab my pump. I got home 20 minutes later than usual and had to stay up my normal 20 minutes to pump. So now it's 12:30am. I hate that. I get jealous sometimes when I read BFing mamas say, "Oh, I just pop LO back on the boob and fall back asleep." I WISH.

What keeps you pumping? What do you tell yourself when you just want to throw in the towel? Obviously, Sergio. I just keep telling myself that this is what's best for him and that while I can, I should. 

AprilAngie

I'm an ebf but wanted to say, good on you or anyone who is ep. I have to pump ad I have an over supply, an can't imagine always doin it! You are a hero! Deserve a metal! Seriously!

Andreabks

It's been awhile and I don't think there are too many of us left, so it's time for some encouragement. I'm having one of those "I want to chuck my pump off of a cliff" days.

How often/how many times a day are you pumping? How many ounces are you averaging per session? depends on the day but i do a minimum of 6 pumps a day and usualy 7.  first am pump i can usualy get 10 and average 4-5 the rest of the day depending on water intake.

Have you seen any change in your supply this month? Were you able to kick it back to normal? not really.  i've had 3 rounds of mastitis so i've been religous about timing.  i won't go more than 6.5 hours anymore because each time i've worked my way to 8 i've gotten mastitis.  sucks on lack of sleep, but keeps supply up so far.

Are you having to supplement or dip into your stash? How much do you have stashed away? nope.  i'm now a registered milk doner for the Milk Bank of San Jose.  I sent them about 500 ounces at the begining of the month and will be sending 4 more gallon zip locs of 8oz baggies on Wed.  i also have a lady in my M&M group who may want some as well.

Anything else? How are you feeling as a pumping mama? i agree its damn inconvenient, especially when LO needs something.  i make sure everything is done (fed, changed, played with etc) before i sit down to pump, and now that her sleeping schedule is more regular i can usualy wait until she's asleep, but i hate that since she's only down an hour that i spend half of that hour pumping (with set up and cleanup times). I do the motn feeding on my schedule though.  but it makes wanting to go anywhere a pita. i have to take the diaper bag and my pump bag...oh how i wish she had latched. but i'm thankful that i've made enough to share some

What keeps you pumping? What do you tell yourself when you just want to throw in the towel? its best for Addy, and a lot less expensive than formula.  sure it was $200 for my pump and accessories, but that's it other than the milk bags.  one time investment for at least the first 6 months worth of food, maybe the first year if my supply keeps up.

Jessica Swanlake

How often/how many times a day are you pumping? How many ounces are you averaging per session?
I pump 5 to 6 times a day and get around 30oz

Have you seen any change in your supply this month? Were you able to kick it back to normal?
I have a late August baby so I have not gotten hit yet. Unless I have, and just thought it was because I have a cold. Anyway, I got it back by adding a session and by taking extra water.

Are you having to supplement or dip into your stash? How much do you have stashed away?
Not yet. I have about 150oz in the freezer.

Anything else? How are you feeling as a pumping mama?
I feel like a dairy cow most days, but am thankful to have made it this far. Also, I get annoyed by it, especially at work. Having to schedule sessions and do it while I can her people in the hall is both a pain and somewhat creepy.

What keeps you pumping? What do you tell yourself when you just want to throw in the towel?
When I get frustrated I remind myself how bummed I was that I could not breastfeeding my other girls. If that doesn't get me up I whip out my phone and play a ridiculous video of Evs. Seeing her rolling around, in all her chunky thighed glory, makes me grateful that I can do this for her.

SBmomma

I don't post very often. But I have a late August baby have always EPed with him. I agree with everyone, it's damn inconvenient but I know it's the best for my LO that is what keeps me pumping day after day.
Recently I went from pumping 8 times a day down to 6 times. Always get in a MOTN pump so I don't get too engorged. Not much of a decline in milk production. I get roughly 35 oz a day have about 100 oz frozen I haven't had to dip into.
Some days are tough, I just want to be done with this pump. I rent a hospital grade pump so I'm out 85 bucks a month just to use it but I get more milk from it than any of the other pumps I've used.
Since I'm a SAHM I can't complain too much about my schedule. But to even run to the store I feel like its a challenge. Oh well, again, I know it's the best for LO way cheaper than formula so that's what keeps me going.

mystic_J

How often/how many times a day are you pumping? How many ounces are you averaging per session? I pump every four hours during the day, and every 5 hours during the night. I am getting 8 to 10 oz per session.

Have you seen any change in your supply this month? Were you able to kick it back to normal? No changes recently. It's been pretty consistent since the 3 month mark.

Are you having to supplement or dip into your stash? How much do you have stashed away? No, I don't have to supplement. I have close to 500 oz frozen at this time.

Anything else? How are you feeling as a pumping mama? I feel good about pumping for DS. It can get annoying at times, but I am going to keep going as long as I can.

What keeps you pumping? What do you tell yourself when you just want to throw in the towel? Knowing I am giving my son breastmilk keeps me going. I keep reminding myself of small goals I am trying to make for myself in terms of how long I am pumping, and how far I've come already.

lady_tytah

How often/how many times a day are you pumping? How many ounces are you averaging per session?
I'm pumping about 4 to 5 times a day. Anywhere between 7 to 11 oz. I am waiting in my replacement membrane and values because I'm pumping in the low end. I lover my Avent but BRU doesn't carry my parts in store. Booo...

Have you seen any change in your supply this month? Were you able to kick it back to normal?
Besides the aforementioned drop due to worn parts. I also noticed I can cut back short on my eating but still gave to maintain a certain amount of fat per day.

Are you having to supplement or dip into your stash? How much do you have stashed away?
No, supplementing. Yay! I did have to dip in my stash but mainly to get rid of coming to expiration milk.
Anything else? How are you feeling as a pumping mama?
I'm feeling good! At first, I wanted to cry because I was physically unable to bf'ed. It's allot of baby dedication and self sacrifice to keep this going.

What keeps you pumping? What do you tell yourself when you just want to throw in the towel?
I keep going because I can. I'm a sahm who's only job is to give and do the very best for my children while I am at home. For my son, that is continuing to pump. I love knowing that all the weight he's gaining and the chunky cheeks are because of my milk not something made in a lab. [I'm not knocking those that do. Just my opinion.] I do it because I love watching my daughter pump for her babies.
I just realized how sappy that sounded lol...