Re-introduction and ? about pumping
Hello! I thought I'd give a quick re-intro since I haven't posted since having LO. I've been on this board since my second trimester. My baby girl, Madeleine was born on March 5th and is growing like a weed!
My question is for those who pump a lot or are EPing. I'm practically at the EPing point (only nursing for 2 to 3 of Maddie's 8 or 9 feedings each day). Our BFing relationship has almost completely fallen apart since I introduced the bottle at 5 weeks. While this makes me sad, she needs to take a bottle since I work full time and I'd much rather deal with the struggle than be worried that she's not eating while I'm at work. I'm not sure entirely why her time at the boob has become so difficult; it's either my fast let-down is choking her (which she used to tolerate before being spoiled by the bottle) or sometimes my let-down is too delayed and she gets impatient. Either way, I'm doing a lot of pumping now in an attempt to avoid formula if I can. So my question: how do you avoid developing super painful nipples and also manage to keep your supply up? I've been doing this for a few weeks now (LO is 9 weeks) so it's not a matter of getting used to it. My nips started out fine and now are developing painful bruising from the pump. I've tried turning down the suction, but if I do that, I hardly get any milk out and it takes forever! I also feel like my supply is starting to drop off.
Any suggestions are appreciated! I'm not opposed to supplementing, I'm just trying to avoid it if possible.
Re: Re-introduction and ? about pumping
THIS! It happened to me and then I got a bigger flanges and they feel so much better.
I never thought about this. I think I have a larger size at home, I will give them a try to see if that helps. Thanks!
I have the Medela PISA, which so far has been a great pump.
Is it also possible that if my supply is dropping, I'd have to work harder to get the milk out? Or would I just be seeing lower volumes of milk?
Agree on bigger flanges. Also a little olive oil around your nips before pumping is magic. It's more slippery than lanolin.
Is it also possible that if my supply is dropping, I'd have to work harder to get the milk out? Or would I just be seeing lower volumes of milk?
hmm maybe...
I would try the larger flanges and see how it goes. I have big bewbies and was talking to my OB about it. She said the ones that come with the pump fit almost no one correctly (too small) so that could be your problem.
I dialed back the suction quite a bit because my nipples were sore and find that I have to pump longer, but I am able to better empty the breast and end up with more milk. It sucks to pump longer though.
BFP #2 7/18/11 - EDD 3/29/12 - Born 3/13/12
BFP #1 4/4/11 - Natural M/C - 7w1d - 4/30/11
DS1 born June 2008 | m/c at 9w March 2011 | DS2 born April 2012