two questions: burping/ep-ing

caranichole · May 2011

1. my 1 month old burps on her own all the time. i never have to burp her or it's usually pointless to try because right as I get her into position to be burped, she let's out a nice one on her own...is this strange? i've never heard of this happening so im just wondering if anyone else has seen this with their baby.

2. For those who EP, I think I am going to join in because I think it's just the best option for us. I have a good supply and I think for me and my schedule it works best to EP than to EBF. I want to give her 100% BM but she nurses for sooo long and I can't seem to get things done and I end up so drained when I try to nurse. DD was in the nicu for three weeks and it's frustrating to try to EBF now that I've been bottling her for nearly a month. I hate that I'm choosing convenience but I don't think I am making a decision that will ruin her life and if anything I think the less stressed I am, the better for her. Just wondering what others who EP think. What helped you make the decision to do so. How has it been working out?

Mrs.Saxy · May 2011

I EP'd for 4 months with DS1. Now that DS2 is here I'm about to go straight to FF. EP.

What was difficult for me with EPing was feeding DS after or before pumping. It seemed like between pumping, feeding, and cleaning pump parts, there was so little time. However, you already said you nurse forever so it might be a break for you. Some times with DS1 I was pumping while he was screaming because I had no one there to help.

The Pros with pumping are anyone can bottle feed him. If you keep bm at room temp you can carry it with you and not have to worry about cooling or warming.

I tried BFing this time around and it didn't work. This time, DS2 is not a good sleeper and I'm finding I'd rather FF than EP.

Temp246483875007510 · May 2011

I can only respond to question #1 but my LO burps on his own quite often, not all the time but when I go to lift him to burp he will just do it himself.

Lucky_Dragonfly · May 2011

I do like nursing DD, but I also find that she eats faster when I feed her by bottle and I also don;t have to worry about pumping the rest out after she eats because I have already done that so it saves me a ton of time in the end.

katieguth · May 2011

I am EPing. My daughter was also in the NICU for over a month. She is home now, but still so little that I am too afraid to BF and not know how much she is getting. Her pedi wants her to get a certain amount, so this is the reason I decided to EP. Also, I produce much more than she is taking every three hours because I was pumping for her while she was in the NICU. So I would be both BF and pumping just to keep myself comfortable every 3 hours. I'm sad that it didn't work out that I could just EBF, but things happen. We didn't expect to have a baby in the NICU for a month and a half. I feel like sometimes you just have to roll with the punches.

Good Luck.

PS: My LO does the same thing with burping. I put her on my shoulder and before I can even pat her back she lets out a good burp!

junebug555 · May 2011

Personally, it stressed me out. I would feed her (15-30min through bottle depending on her sleepiness), but total time of feeding and burping would be closer to 45 min, then start pumping once I put her to sleep (about 30-45min). By then, she would be waking up to feed again since she was feeding every 2 hrs. My OBGYN told me I was doing double the work: you should either BF or FF, and then EBF when you want someone else to have a chance to feed. So now, I just FF and am alot less stressed and much more manageable with LO. BUT, it was very very hard to come to that decision.

mamababyrn · May 2011

1. Be thankful that LO burps so easily. It is not a problem at all, I wish mine did that.

2. I EP as well. We tried nursing, but for some reason she doesn't transfer the milk well. I also pump much more than she eats, so I would have to pump after nursing anyway. I always pump after she eats so she isn't starving while I am pumping. I also have a hands-free bra so I can get stuff done (eating, checking email, etc) while I pump. It is hardest at night when it takes about an hour to feed her, change her, and pump but if nursing takes a long time it wouldn't really be any different. I also like that other people can feed her to give me a break. DH really likes it as well.

LaurenL977 · May 2011

I EP, and have been for almost 7 weeks. My DS never latched and had some medical issues...also in the NICU for a few days and was bottle fed. I tried to get him to latch for about 5 weeks, saw 3 different LC's between the NICU and a private one at home, but nope. Nipple shield was also unsuccessful. I really wanted to EBF, so it has been really hard not being able to, for many reasons. EPing can be a lot of work. For me, I feel like I am either feeding LO with a bottle, pumping, or cleaning the parts (like someone else had mentioned). I also pump way more than DS eats right now, so I have a good freezer stash going. Everyday I have a constant battle with myself about sticking with pumping or not. It has been a very emotional and tiring ride, but every time I think about quitting, I get sad and feel like I can't quit yet. I take pride in how much I pump and am able to provide, so the thought of not producing makes me very emotional.

Whatever your decision, make sure it is what you really want and what works for you and your family. These decision can be so stressful, but I am still trying to figure these things out too! GL!

BeetleLinz1125 · May 2011

I honestly love EP'ing. Right now I'm dealing with a small supply issue (I'm recovering from mastitis that turned into an abcess and my supply tanked) but I am able to keep up. I don't ever have to worry about finding a place to nurse, and I don't have the expense of formula. I use my pumping time to do things like get on the computer, or do it while LO is asleep. It is not a hassle for me at all. My only problem right now is that I am renting a hospital pump and when I know I will be gone for a long period of time (7+hours) I have to bring it with. It will kinda suck for the first week I am back at work, but I am planning on getting my own once I go back to work, I just can't afford the expense while I am on mat leave.

Maybe try it for a couple of days and see how it will work for you. I know that my DD will still nurse if I'm in a pinch, but it is much easier for me to pump because I have inverted nipples and would need a shield to nurse. So you should be able to go back to nursing and pumping if you feel it's not working for you.

aubreyalise · May 2011

i EP'd from 1.5 weeks to 7 weeks. it started out great because DS was a lazy eater and would scream in hunger after a 45 min BF session so it took forever to get the guy fed. once i started pumping it felt like so much less time.

but now it doesn't feel like that. DS does not like to nap in the afternoons so finding time where i can put him down and have him be content while i pump for half an hour is stressful. and as others have said, feeding him, cleaning his bottles, getting a new one ready in the fridge, pumping, storing, cleaning pump parts... it takes FOREVER. and if DS cries while i'm pumping it's frazzling for me. so, i'm in the process of switching him to formula. we're halfway through the transition, next week he'll only get 25% BM and he'll stay that way until my supply runs out. i feel bad but i think DS will be happier because his mommy will be happier and better able to cater to his needs. he'll be about 14 weeks when the supply runs out so i take a little comfort in how long i lasted, even though my original plan was 6 months.

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two questions: burping/ep-ing

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