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transition from BF to EP?....(long)

tkequalltkequall
in Breastfeeding

My son is 3 months old and I have been breastfeeding since birth, we've always had to supplement with formula, but not more than a couple ounces a night.. He's always been a weak nurser, falls asleep really quickly, comfort sucking more than anything, and it takes way to long to get a decent feeding in. Typically he'll nurse for close to half and hour... doze off and then be ravenous again 15 minutes later....lather rinse repeat ALL DAY AND NIGHT LONG, I'm back at work so he gets bm bottles at home with daddy and seems to do better with that. he'll stay awake through the whole feeding..

 So, i'm thinking of experimenting for a week with EPing and see if I notice a change in his eating behavior, if he is more content between feedings and sleeps longer. if it works out better for him and I can stop supplenting with formula that way I will keep doing it..

2 worries i have:

Losing that quality time with him..

and becoming a slave to the maching...Any ideas or advice would be appreciated :)

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Re: transition from BF to EP?....(long)

  • mcbray21mcbray21 member

    Coming from someone who EP for 14 months, pumping is not as bad as it may seem. However, you will be pumping quite a bit. Just think, for every time that your son eats, you need to be pumping (to keep your supply.)

    I understand, though, that he is not the best nurser, and that can be very hard. Personally, if I could have breastfed DD, I 100% would have. There is nothing like it, as I'm sure you know. BUT if you choose to EP, you will still have special time with your son. Good luck with your decision! I'm sure you will make the best choice for your family. :)

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  • BeetleLinz1125BeetleLinz1125 member

    Those are both valid concerns...Have you thought about introducing a SNS (supplemental nursing sytem) to improve his latch/suck?  Maybe he gets tired "working for it" and falls asleep.  I know they help a LOT of people.  You basically begin to BF, and stick the "straw" part in their mouth so they suck and still get milk, but still get milk from your breast too...after a while you take it out and they are nursing from you after your let down. 

    I would try that before EP....

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  • EveryNameIWantIsTakenEveryNameIWantIsTaken member
    Sounds like dd.  I pretty much ep now aside from the once a day comfort nursing she does.  Once I made the choice to pump it really helped things.  While I don't work, I do have a son to take care of too who needs my attention.   I spend far less time pumping and bottle feeding than I was spending trying to get her to nurse, and nurse, and nurse just to get in one feeding.  I'm now to the point where i can adjust my pumping schedule to fit what is going on that day (within reason) and not have my supply affected either.
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