Anyone ever go from EPing to BFing?

Kristen61607 · August 2011

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Did anyone ever go from EPing to BFing? I've been thinking about this more and more. I tried BFing in the hospital which did not go well, but we've been working on it every day since then (girls are 5 weeks) and they are doing great! I BF when one gets hungry between "scheduled" feeding, so each girl probably BF's once or twice a day - but I also pump every 2 hours so I don't think they get that much when the do BF, but they do well at it (with the shield). But these are probably our first and last kids and I think down the road I'd regret not giving it a whirl. I don't know what I'm so nervous about honestly...if it works, great, if not well at least we tried. It still freaks me out. Any tips?

everam01 · August 2011

I don't have a success story, but I'm in the same boat. I have one baby that will latch and BF for a while but always wants a bottle to finish, and another baby who never latched until the past few weeks. I've been an EPer from the beginning but still practice every day with the boys in case BFing will suddenly click with them.

My main problem is that if a baby BF and then I pump on my normal schedule, I get less milk for that pump. However, for some reason the baby still eats the same amount of EBM as usual, which means I come dangerously close to not being able to pump enough to feed them that day. I'm still trying to figure out how to make this work. I would love to give my boobs a break from the pump!

aprilsarahjune · August 2011

I went from EPing to BFing each girl 2x per day at around 2 1/2 months. Before then, there were weeks when I didn't even try putting them to breast and then if I did I had to (1) give them a bottle and (2) pump within the hour. It left all of us unhappy. But now I BF immediately before and after work and they are then satisfied for as long as a bottle feeding. GL!

ETA: The key for me has been using a side-lying position.

vanfox · August 2011

I know a few people who have, doing exactly what you are. One of my friends had a 28-weeker and she EP'ed until he was about 2 months old (unadjusted). Then she had him try to latch once or twic a day, slowly replacing pumping sessions with BF-ing with a shield. Eventually, he was EBF, then he lost the shield! She successfully breastfed him until he was a toddler.

damabo80 · August 2011

ever since we brought DD home from the nicu on 6/23, I kept offering the nipple shield. However, just within the last two weeks, DD finally realized what to do with the shield. Now, she takes all feeding via the shield except for if we're out an about and when delivering her meds ( I mix them with bm and deliver via the bottle). It was a long, frustrating process but totally worth it. I hate pumping.

rboisvert · August 2011

everam01:

I don't have a success story, but I'm in the same boat. I have one baby that will latch and BF for a while but always wants a bottle to finish, and another baby who never latched until the past few weeks. I've been an EPer from the beginning but still practice every day with the boys in case BFing will suddenly click with them.

My main problem is that if a baby BF and then I pump on my normal schedule, I get less milk for that pump. However, for some reason the baby still eats the same amount of EBM as usual, which means I come dangerously close to not being able to pump enough to feed them that day. I'm still trying to figure out how to make this work. I would love to give my boobs a break from the pump!

I have this issue too. LO started latching two weeks ago and will nurse great for her first morning feed. The rest of the day is hit or miss but generally if she does nurse she still wants a bottle after (the same amount she would generally get without nursing). I've never had a full supply so there are days I feel like she's getting MORE formula when she nurses than if I just pump and feed for the day. I'm going to do a day of weighted feeds to see what's going on. Good luck I hope you can move to EBF if that's your goal. Sounds like you're on the right path.

dthuy0922 · August 2011

I was able to. I kept trying each feeding though and would supplement with a bottle and syringe feeding if necessary. It took about a month before she was able to latch on successfully and get a good amount of milk. I rented a scale to make sure once I thought she was transferring successfully. Now she's three months and is exclusively breastfeed except for 3-4 bottles a week when I have to go into the office. Unfortunately, she's not taking the bottles too well but that's another story...

Anyway, it's worth it to keep trying. This is my 2nd child and I was very determined to be able to exclusively breastfeed.

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Anyone ever go from EPing to BFing?

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