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November 2012 Moms
Jenner37
member
**sprite***
Jenner37
member
So I don't know why I have been thinking about this all week, but in the EP post you said you only pump 4 times a day and I am just wondering how you got here? Did you start with more sessions and slowly drop down or did you just begin with 4? Also do you have specific times you pump or just when you have time? And lastly I think you said you get about 40oz a day...are you taking anything to keep your supply up or is the consistent pumping just keeping your supply steady?
I just dropped down to 6 pumps from 7 and I am wanting to drop another session but I don't want to mess with my supply.
tia!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: **sprite***
Hi! I'm gonna jump in really quick. I also EP and only pump 4 times a day. I pump every 5-6 (sometimes 7) hours and get roughly 36 or more oz a day. I started with this schedule, and my body adjusted to making that much. Once I started EP my body just kinda knew what to do. I also make sure to drink plenty of water during the day. I pump each breast for 10 minutes and get about 5-6 ounces from each one (or sometimes more during those longer stretches between pumping).
Hope my info is useful/informative
Hi - I'll try to explain what I did. I'm not claiming to know how this all works, but it worked for me.
I started pumping when he was 2 days old, along with BFing. I was told it would help my milk come in, so I pumped after every feeding. It was every 2-3 hours at first. My milk came in on day 4, and he continued feeding every 2-3 hours and I continued pumping after every feeding. It was exhausting. Then I found that I liked pumping more than BFing because I could see exactly how much he was eating, plus my husband could feed him too. That was around 3 weeks. So, I started pumping 6-7 times a day instead and slowly stopped BFing.
When he started sleeping through the night consistently at 4 weeks, I stopped getting up and pumping when he wasn't eating. I read A LOT about pumping, and one of our bumpies (milesc) posted a great blurb about EPing that I saved. Also, Kellymom is a fantastic resource for EPers, IMO. So, to answer your question, I kind of follow my son's cues and pay attention to my body. When he had his 6 week growth spurt, I stimulated my breasts during every session (i.e. continuing to pump 5-10 minutes after the milk stops flowing). This signals my body to produce more. And sure enough, more milk came. I did this several times, and slowly built up more milk during each session. Now I'm down to the four pumping sessions per day. Very roughly, I pump at 6am (just before he wakes up), 9am (after he falls asleep for his morning nap), 3pm (after he falls asleep for his afternoon nap) and 10pm (just after he goes down for the night). It seems to be working really well.
My son is now almost 8 weeks old, and I'm pumping between 38-42 ounces every day. I have at least a days worth of bottles prepared a day ahead - so I have 10-15 bottles in the refrigerator at any given time. When I run out of clean bottles, I freeze the access - typically 5-8 ounces per day. I'm not taking any supplements that supposedly increase milk supply. Since everything I take goes to my son, I'm super picky about what I ingest. Mostly fresh fruits, veggies, lots and lots of milk, lean meats (we have a freezer full of elk meat right now), lots of whole grains, and lentils. I drink 90+ ounces of water every day (ridiculous, but I'm so so thirsty) and (this is going to sound odd) I drink a Shocktop beer a couple times a week. When I started doing this (along with the stimulation), my milk supply sky-rocketed. I read that this type of beer increases milk supply...and I really think it works :-)
I hope this helps. I don't really know the firm answers to your questions. I'm a FTM and I'm figuring this out as I go! You could try skipping the same pumping session for a couple days, and see what your supply does. If it works and you're still pumping the same amount, try skipping another. Good luck!!
Honestly....there are a couple of regulars here that are a huge turn-off :-( I do post here every now and then, but I don't get as much out of this board as I did at the beginning of my pregnancy.
It's me, huh?
"Rachael sad". :C that's a mobile sad face, obvs.
Well I miss seeing you around!
Unless....
WHY DO YOU HATE ME?!?!??!!!
No! It's not you! I'd rather not say who, just because it'll start all kinds of nastiness.
You are one of the reasons I still come back :-)
Haha! I don't hate you. You are another reason I come back :-)
Not you either, Red! I shouldn't have said anything :-( MOST of the girls on this board are great! I just don't get as much out of it anymore. Maybe I've just found a groove with my LO and I'm not seeking the support I looked for while pregnant! I'll try to come by more often....sorry ladies, I really didn't mean to start anything :-/
You know we're messing with you. I mean, no one hates me, I'm awesome. Obviously.
I'm sorry I'm late to the party!! Asa actually let me take a NAP!!! It was A-MAAAZING!!! Anyway, I pump relatively the same time, give or take an hour or two. The MOTN pump session is what throws my times off. I just pump 5-6 hours after my last pump, BUT with me going back to work next week I am going to start a regular schedule (that way I can just pump at lunch every day).
and nice to see you again Sprite!
Shocktop? Will any beer do or is this brand supposed to be more helpful?
:::waits with pen above grocery list:::
I am so jealous of you big oz-ers. I just break even everyday. I feel like I am living paycheck to paycheck with my milk funds. I HAVE to figure out something soon or I may have to add a bottle of formula in a day.
BFP #1- 11/7/10 ~EDD 7/20/11 ~M/C (bo) 12/6/10 @ 8wks ~Missing my Little Firework
BFP #2- 9/11/11 ~EDD 5/25/12 ~M/C (mmc10w)11/4/11 @ 11wks ~Missing my May Flower
BFP #3- 02/21/12 ~EDD 11/1/12 Audrey Lee Born 11/4/2012
BFP #4 ~EDD 6/20/14 stick baby stick!
Dork
But I love you and this GIF.
I know, I did sound dramatic. It wont be the end of the world.
BFP #1- 11/7/10 ~EDD 7/20/11 ~M/C (bo) 12/6/10 @ 8wks ~Missing my Little Firework
BFP #2- 9/11/11 ~EDD 5/25/12 ~M/C (mmc10w)11/4/11 @ 11wks ~Missing my May Flower
BFP #3- 02/21/12 ~EDD 11/1/12 Audrey Lee Born 11/4/2012
BFP #4 ~EDD 6/20/14 stick baby stick!
Baroo, I read that darker beers and hoppy beers are best. I have absolutely no idea why, or if it even makes a difference. I read on a EPer forum that Shocktop is magic and several ladies agreed. I love Shocktop anyway, so to the store my husband went. Really though, I don't know if it helps. I DID notice an increase, but that could just be a natural increase, due to stimulation, or the obscene amounts of water I drink. Or maybe it's psychological. Good luck though!
All of this is legit. Dark beer/hoppy beer does help with supply. It's the grains that have some kind of magical boobie powers. It's why steel cut oats work, too. Also apples and almonds have special powers too. Brewer's yeast, flax seed also work.
Oh and like she said, insane amounts of water.