EPers: Check in!

bigbootyjudi · October 2012

I messed this up trying to quote...dumb mobile. But anyways, answer the questions. EPing can be rough, time consuming, and just an overall PITA, so I thought it'd be nice if we all checked in one each other here and there.

Did you choose to EP or did you have to because of latching issues, flat nipples, etc.? We had latching issues in the beginning. He eventually latched after a few weeks of bottle feeding, but by then, I was so used to pumping and he sat at the boob forever, so I chose to keep EPing.

How often are you pumping? 6 hours.

How many ounces are you getting? Any changes in your supply? 6 to 9 ounces combined. Do you hate your pump any less now that it's been a few months? I'm actually kind of used to it now. It only takes me about ten minutes now, so it's quicker. DS still flips out if I have to pump when he's awake, but he makes it through. No change to my supply really, minus the fact that my right boob is an underachiever compared to my left.

Anything else you want to add? If I wouldn't have gotten my PISA, I would've given up by now. That hand pump wouldn't have lasted and neither would that cheap electric I had. It makes such a difference to have a good pump. I'm lucky in the fact that SO is supportive too...always asking me when the next time I have to pump is and making sure he wakes me up before he leaves for work so I can pump in peace before DS wakes up. It makes a world of difference.

CoreysGal · October 2012

I love this and am looking forward to the responses! Although I am not sure if I am technically "EP" because no matter what I do, I cannot produce enough for DS (more on this below).

Did you choose to EP or did you have to because of latching issues, flat nipples, etc.? We did EBF for 2 weeks before switching to EP. My milk never obviously came in (same happened with DD); DS was not back to birth weight at 2 weeks, even with some supplementing; he was so sleepy at the breast I could never keep him sucking vigorously which I am sure was part of the problem (pumped afterward to keep supply up, which didn't end up mattering); and I had supply issues with DD so I knew when I felt the anxiety of constantly being concerned that I was not producing enough coming on and I quickly decided to EP.

How often are you pumping? Every 3 hours during the day and one 4-6 hour stretch at night.

How many ounces are you getting? Any changes in your supply? The least I have gotten recently is 1.25 combined and the most I have gotten 3.5 combined. I know, it is so sad. I could honestly cry when I hear friends talk about pumping 5 oz out of one breast, etc. And the even sadder part is that this is pretty decent improvement from when I started. DS is taking an average of 22 oz per day and on most days I cover about 13 of that with BM.

Do you hate your pump any less now that it's been a few months? I am one month into EP and I do hate it slightly less just because I am used to it. But I do have a small pep talk with myself every time I go to pump to tell myself that some BM is better than none.

Anything else you want to add? In case anyone is wondering, I have done ALMOST everything to increase my supply except increasing pumping frequency to every 2 hours. I just can't do it - I am barely managing the every 3 hours as it is. Plus, based on the fact that I have done everything else under the sun to increase my supply and I am where I am, I have a lot of doubt that it would make much of a difference anyway! I would have a lot better attitude and be a pretty happy EP'er if I was able to produce enough for DS.

Andreabks · October 2012

CoreysGal:

i'm also looking forward to this! will try to come back here more often to do this!

Did you choose to EP or did you have to because of latching issues, flat nipples, etc.? Addy has a short under tongue thingy so we were going to have to pump/supplament anyway and its just easier in the end to pump and bottle feed so DH can help with the feeding.

How often are you pumping? every 3-4 hours during the day, usualy (2) 4 hour or 1 5 hour strech at night.

How many ounces are you getting? Any changes in your supply? um not sure how many ounces i'm getting, i've always tracked it by ML instead. i'm getting anywhere from 800-1100ml a day. when i'm pumping every 3 hours i get about 4 ounces between both breasts, more when i go longer. most i've had at one time was after a 5 hour strech where i got somewhere around 5-6 ounces between them. i'm a couple days ahead of her at this point, but keeping a close eye on my supply incase something happens.

Do you hate your pump any less now that it's been a few months? depends on the day and what i want to get done and how much she's crying in the background. i'm looking forward to the time when i can go longer streches in between, but as i've already had one round of Mastitis i'm being careful about how quickly i strech the times between.

Anything else you want to add?DH went out of town for a few days and right now i send major Kudos to single moms! i've been super lucky to have DH home with us for a while. Also, i love my ameda pump. had a medela medical grade one (thanks to Addy chewing the crap out of me in the hospital and supply issues in the start) and its nice having one that is just as strong but portable.

mamahawk12 · October 2012

anbeck4:

Did you choose to EP or did you have to because of latching issues, flat nipples, etc.? we're pumping due to Hughitt's cleft lip and palate. It's physically impossible for him to create suction so bfing wasnt an option for us.

How often are you pumping? About every 3 hours. 7 to 8 times a day.

How many ounces are you getting? Any changes in your supply? 2 to 4 ounces per pump. Some minor supply issues that we're working on.

Do you hate your pump any less now that it's been a few months? Nope. I want to throw this thing from the window every time I see it.
Anything else you want to add? Just that EPing is 1000 times harder than I thought it would be.

Tula214 · October 2012

Did you choose to EP or did you have to because of latching issues, flat nipples, etc? Latching issues. I think he has an issue the Drs overlooked. An LC asked me in the hospital if they cut the thing underline hid tongue. When I looked confused she just changed the subject.

How often are you pumping? 6 hours.

How many ounces are you getting? Any changes in your supply? about 78oz combined. Surprisingly not.much change. I used to pump 8 times a day. Now I only pump 6, even 5 times if I get lazy.

Do you hate your pump any less now that it's been a few months? No. It still feels so inconvenient, and awkward around certain people.

bfstacy · October 2012

Great idea!!!

I really wanted to breastfeed but was having sooo much pain with LO practically biting down (i dont know what else to call it but biting, no teeth or anything tho) i couldn't work through the pain and hubby went out and bought me a pump. Hubby was really my only support with the pump. The rest of our family really were disappointed that i wasn't BF and basically thought i was just over dramatic...

I usually pump every 5-6hrs.

I usually end up with anywhere from 14-20oz combined per session. my supply has increased since last month but it does take me quite a while to pump. Usually a good half hour will empty my breast. Lefty takes soooo much longer to get going!!

I would have definitely given up as well if we didn't have the pump. It's a God-send!!

lady_tytah · October 2012

I didn't choose to be an EP'er but due to tongue tie and short nips here I am.

I pump every 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hrs, at night I have one 4 to 5 hr stretch.
I get anywhere between 4 to 8 oz depending in the time and if I keep up drinking water.

I have had a manual pump since starting my EP j journey at 5 days. Yes, a manual. I've been able to keep up quite well. I'll be getting my double electric sometime next week. My supply hasn't dropped at all and I imagine will increase some once I have a stronger suction.

Though pumping is not, at all, how I planned spending my next 4 to 6 months; I'm so happy I can still follow mt goal. I'm also happy I can make enough to fed Amir an be able to stash.

emtjen79 · October 2012

Did you choose to EP or did you have to because of latching issues, flat nipples, etc.? Bleeding nipples and the pain stopped me from nursing

How often are you pumping? Every 3-4 hours during the day, 5 hours at night

How many ounces are you getting? Any changes in your supply?

I get an ounce for every hour : ) Sounds weird but if I pump every 3 hrs I get 3 oz, if I wait till 4 hours I will get 4 oz, and so on. My supply sucks, I have no stash, he eats everything I pump right away, so I supplement formula!

Anything else you want to add?

Pumping is a lot of work, but he doesn't like formula, he really turns his nose up unless he's hungary enough and it seems to agree with him so much better, so I remind myself of that all the time and my motto is "Some is better than None" even if I can't fill him up on my milk all the time!

whynotwhynot · October 2012

I can not express how tired I am of EPing!!! I freakin' hate it, but like others I keep reminding myself about the health benefits for my baby.

Did you choose to EP or did you have to because of latching issues, flat nipples, etc.? I really wanted to BF, but it did not work out with two inverted nipples.

How often are you pumping? Every 4 hours (give or take 30 minutes).

How many ounces are you getting? Any changes in your supply? On average 10 or 50+ ounces per day.

Anything else you want to add? I keep trying to space out pumping sessions, but every time I do I get clogged ducts. My trick for dealing with them has been to go to the gym where I sit in a dry sauna, followed by an insanely hot shower, and then pump. Sage tea has done absolutely nothing to help decrease my supply.

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