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Exclusive Pumpers

mcdmawmcdmaw
in Breastfeeding

I have some questions about exclusive pumping.

I have a very "on the go" life style.  Due to this, at times, it is much easier for me to give DD a bottle.  That being said, I want her to get all the benefits of my BM.

Breastfeeding is going well but it is very hard for me to do "on the go" as I do not feel comfortable NIP.  Again, I understand all the benefits of breastfeeding and I do NOT feel ready to completely quit it....but I am unsure of how to transition or moderate between the two.

Two Questions:

1) Why do you EP?

2) Was your supply significantly effected when you went to EP'ing? 

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Re: Exclusive Pumpers

  • jquirke9881jquirke9881 member

    I have been EP'ing for 7 weeks.  I started at 5+ weeks.

    BF'ing was very stressful for me and my baby.  There were many times when we were both in tears during a feeding.  I was ready to give up.  I started pumping more and more and eventually I was just EP'ing.  I realized I was much happier and so was my baby.  I like that I can pump on my schedule.  I pump 4-5 times a day.

    I pump enough to feed my LO, so I wouldn't say my supply "tanked" but I don't have an oversupply.  I usually am able to freeze 3-6 oz a week, so there isn't a lot of extra.

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  • MrsH44MrsH44

    I EP because DS had a terrible time latching and once he did it hurt like crazy, he is a great little sucker! Plus once he did latch my boobs were practically suffocating him and it was difficult to get him positioned and hold my boob out of the way. I'm a bit of a control freak and like to know exactly how much he's eating. I love that other people can feed him. When DS was still waking up at night DH could take one shift so I could sleep.

    I've been EPing since he was 3 days old so I really don't know how my supply would be if I was BFing. I think I definitely have an oversupply, he's just now 3 months old and I currently have just over 600 oz. in the freezer (as he eats now that's about a months supply).

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  • AMYfromKYAMYfromKY member

    I actually think EBFing would work better with an on the go lifestyle.

    If you are EPing you will need to pump approx every 3 hours.  That means lugging your pump around with you while you are out, keeping your LO happy while pumping, and then keeping that milk cold, and finding somewhere to warm it when it's time to feed her.

    I EPed the first 7 weeks and it is such a PITA.  I am also EPing now because my DS self weaned, but am only pumping once a day since he takes 1 sippy of BM and another sippy of cows milk.

    Do you have your car with you while you are out?  I always nursed DS in the car.  

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  • marathonjunkiemarathonjunkie
    imageAMYfromKY:

    I actually think EBFing would work better with an on the go lifestyle.

    If you are EPing you will need to pump approx every 3 hours.  That means lugging your pump around with you while you are out, keeping your LO happy while pumping, and then keeping that milk cold, and finding somewhere to warm it when it's time to feed her.

    I EPed the first 7 weeks and it is such a PITA.  I am also EPing now because my DS self weaned, but am only pumping once a day since he takes 1 sippy of BM and another sippy of cows milk.

    Do you have your car with you while you are out?  I always nursed DS in the car.  


    This.

    I have to be home every 3 hours to make sure I can get hooked up to the pump. It's exhausting but LO had many latch and suck issues, so I am now EP and EBF. I guess I could take the pump with me, but it seems like a huge hassle to drag it to the mall, out to dinner, etc.

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  • ballerina06ballerina06 member

    I chose to EP because my DS was not happy nursing.  He latched just fine, but I have a very fast let down and he would start choking and screaming and delatch.  I tried pumping for a minute then getting him to latch on and nothing helped.  We have been much happier and less stressed out with me pumping.  I also work full time so I knew I was going to have to pump when I went back to work.

    My supply didn't get affected at all.  In fact, I have an oversupply.

    I know you said you have a very "on the go" type life style, but you have to remember, you will need to pump every 3 hrs in the beginning to maintain your supply.  I pump every 4 and it is still difficult for me to get out and do things.  I feel attached to the pump.  I sometimes with DS would have enjoyed nursing so I could just pop him on and feed him when we are out, but I can't do that.  Just something to consider :)

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  • SueandDanSueandDan
    I started EPing b/c I had supply issues and LO had some latch issues.  So far it has been a big commitment but it is so worth it.  She is now getting more BM than formula - down to only 1 or 2 formula bottles today.
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  • trina8trina8

    I am on the go a lot also.   While I had no issues BFing, I decided to EP because I was not comfortable NIP and I had so much milk come in that I had to pump just as many times as she ate.  I pump every 4 hours (get about 12oz!) But it is a pain to carry the pump around or plan everything around it.  It does give you an excuse to leave places.....

    I do nurse my baby a few times a week, she has no problem going back.

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