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Exclusive Pumpers Please Come In

soon2Bwed08soon2Bwed08
in Breastfeeding

I wanted to formula feed to begin with, but after much thought I have decided to bottle feed breastmilk and try the exclusive pumping route.  I have a couple of questions.

How long did you breastfeed before you began strictly pumping?  Did you just wait until your milk came in, or did you do it for longer?

Did you pump every 2-3 hours just like you would feed LO?

Any tips on how to successfully pump?

Any advice on how to go about the whole thing would be great. 

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Re: Exclusive Pumpers Please Come In

  • brittandjoebrittandjoe
    LO BF for 7 weeks then had nipple confusion the best I can figure. She was on a nipple shield since she was born and really didn't like it. (An LC told me later that they gave me the wrong size at the hospital...she was getting in a lot of air which made her gassy and thus really fussy). So we were trying bottles at the same time because she wouldn't eat off me anymore. I decided then to just EP because she was a wreck. It has worked out really well! I STRONGLY suggest you invest in a good pump. I use a Medela PISA and its worked really well. I pumped every 3 hours during the day and twice a night for the first 3 months. After that, they say your supply levels out and you can drop sessions. Now I only pump 5 times a day and still get the same amount of milk. I would pump at the same time everyday and that really helped my supply....9am,12,3,6,9, etc. Also I would pump 5 minutes or so after the milk stopped dripping and I've always had more than she drinks. I ate oatmeal everyday too..and in the beginning I was usually able to pump when she would take a nap. Cleaning pump parts and bottles all the time stinks but its well worth it and its so much easier to go out now than when she was BF. GL!!
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  • soon2Bwed08soon2Bwed08
    Thanks for the input!  I know it'll be a pain pumping and cleaning all the time, but I think the solution for me, so I will make sure to keep your tips on hand once she gets here. 
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  • jaimedennisjaimedennis
    I also had to use the nipple shield at first and the baby was taking in too much air, etc...so I ended up EP from the fifth day she was born.  I also have been pumping after she eats.  A few days i was a little more slack because we had company and my milk supply went down.  Luckily I was able to build it back up by pumping often and during the night again.  I think it is great!
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  • GPeterson24GPeterson24 member

    I've been EPing since Corin was 2 weeks old...one tip that will save your life: put your pump parts in the fridge between pumping sessions and just wash once at the end of the day.

    That's what I do and it makes it so much easier!

    image

    Doula, Placenta Encapsulator, Childbirth/Lactation Educator

    Corin Andrew Dec 24/09

    Ronan Edward Jul 9/12

    Baby #3 EDD Aug 6/14

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  • Mrs_D_in_KYMrs_D_in_KY member

    I EPed from the get go due to very inverted nipples, a special care nursery stay and early supplemention due to DS's small size at birth. Everything went together perfectly for him to not want the breast, even with a nipple shield and only want the ease of the bottle.

    For the first 12 weeks you need to pump around the clock, every 2-3 hours. Just about as often as your LO will eat, so you can build your supply. Some women swear by the herbal supplements to increase your milk supply, but I never went to those. I made sure to sleep when the baby sleeps, eat when I'm hungry (which is all the time) and drink plenty of water. Also invest in a good pump (Medela is a good brand - love my Pump in Style)

    Definitely keep your pump parts in a ziploc bag or large tupperware dish in between pumps and put it in the fridge, then just wash at nights. Pumping hands free is the only way I've made it this long. I never had good luck with those fancy pumping bras that cost about $30. I just have 3-4 sports bras that I cut slits into so the horns will stay in place.

    Understand the storage guidelines of milk. Most days it's easier for me to pump a bottle of milk and leave it out at room temperature. Rather than refrigerate or freeze whatever I pump. A good link is from kellymom - https://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html

     Find support from others who have EPed, it will make things so much easier. Because there will be days that you want to quit, but you should never quit on your worst day. Make sure your DH and other close family/friends are supportive as well.

    Also don't hesitate to ask any questions on this board, there are several EPers on here to answer your questions. I have been EPing for nearly 10 months.

    DS #1 born January 2010. DS #2 due June 2014.

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  • lexismom1008lexismom1008 member
    I EP'd from the beginning due to DS's prematurity and SCN stay. I pumped every 2 hours during the day and every 4 at night until my milk came in. I then went to every 3 during the day and every 3-4 at night, depending on when I was up to call to check on DS. It is definitely trying to EP, but to me, so worth it for DS to get the BM.
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