Any EPers?

Mikejustine · October 2010

I am just wondering if there is any of you in the area that knew in advance that you were going to be exclusively pumping. If so, how did you approach this? Did you still take a breastfeeding class, talk to a lactation consultant, etc? I am planning on talking to my doula and OB about it next week and seeing what they recommend, but thought I would throw it up here and see if anyone on this board has any recommendations.

ballerina06 · October 2010

I've been an EP since my DS was 4 weeks old. I started out nursing, but because nightime nursing was so difficult for me I started pumping at night while DH gave DS a bottle. DS got to the point where when DH was home he would only take a bottle. I eventually just started EP all the time. I didn't take a breastfeeding class. My LC did give me some tips for pumping, as originally I had only planned on pumping while at work. If you have specific questions just let me know. I can give you what my schedule looked like in the beginning and what it looks like now. You still will want to meet with the LC when you are in the hospital. My suggestion to you is to try nursing at least for a few weeks. This will help with your milk production.

heatherjrichards · October 2010

I wanted to be an EP with my first, but all i could produce was like an oz of colostrum from each one, so we had to go to formula. Even with help of a lactation consultant i wasn't able to pump

I'm really hoping it works this time for me.

If you have insurance it's worth checking to see if they cover a breast pump. Mine covered it 100% and we walked out of the hospital with a brand new Medela Pump'n'style after DS was born.

Mikejustine · October 2010

thx ladies!

Ritzy19 · October 2010

I EP'ed for DD until she turned 1. It can definitely be challenging, but it's worth it. I did take a breastfeeding class, but that's when I assumed I'd have no problems BFing. If I knew that I'd be EPing from the start, I'd save my money and not take the class. The insurance suggestion is a good point. Our insurance didn't cover it, but it's worth a shot.

jsmo · October 2010

I EP'ed for about 4 months. I did not know in advance that I was going to be doing that. Definitely check your insurance. You could also plan to rent one of the hospital grade ones for the first month- those are supposed to be "stronger" and help with the milk production. That's what I ended up having to do since my DD was early and in the NICU for a couple of weeks. You can rent them from Beaumont or places like Binson's. Either way, if you end up renting or buying, make sure you have it at the hospital with you so someone can show you it works.

I would not bother with the class; our class barely covered pumping.

The biggest tip would be to make sure you are pumping at least every three hours at the beginning- as often as your baby will be feeding. That way your supply will hopefully be ok.

I would try nursing, then my DH would give DD a bottle of pumped milk, and I would go and pump for the next bottle. Every three hours. Eventually I gave up on the nursing altogether because it wasn't going well and she preferred the bottle. Plus the 3 step process was exhausting and I hated it.

Also, buy multiple bottles you can pump into. I bought a 6 pack of the Medela ones (just like the ones that come with the pumps) on amazon. I was going through way too many of those pump and save bags- they are expensive! You can always transfer it to a bag if you need to freeze it. I have also heard that the cheapie Gerber bottles that cost about $1 each (can find them at target) screw on to the Medela pump parts.

Let us know if you have any other questions!

Mikejustine · October 2010

Thanks again ladies for all of the input. I have registered for a highly recommended medela pump that other EPers i've asked have used. I also registered for a lot of compatable bottles and bags. Insurance wouldn't cover it. I am going to talk to my doula about the whole situation to see what she says, but I am thinking I dont want to waste the money to take a BF class and from the sounds of it, you don't think it will help anyways. I may try to BF at the hospital the first day just to try it, but ideally I would like to start EPing right away and also allowing DH to start feeding right away too. Luckily I am not working right now or when baby arrives, so hopefully I can manage the frequent pumping schedule with no problems.

ballerina06 · October 2010

Just FYI, I recommend the Lansinoh storage bags. They are better than the Medela bags and are cheaper. I get them on Amazon with their Subscribe & Save program and get 75 bags for $10. I go through 3 shippments a month. Also, I would agree with PP, stock up on Medela bottles to pump into. I wouldn't recommend pumping into the bags because it can be less accurate.

Also, as PP said you want to pump at least every 3 hrs. To start I would suggest every 2hrs. I did every 2hrs during the day and every 3 hrs at night and I have not had a supply problem. Also, just remember, the first few days you won't have milk. I'm not sure how much colostrum you are going to get out pumping from the get go. I would talk to a LC about that.

jsmo · October 2010

I started pumping right away and for the first few times I got nothing. Not even a drop. After that I got a couple of drops and eventually it started to become more and more. I never had a crazy overabundance, but I always had plenty for DD. i would take some lanolin to the hospital with you too- I actually bled from the pump when I wasn't getting anything. The lanolin helped a lot.

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