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June 2013 Moms
SLaBM2B
member
Exclusive Breast Pumper's please enter
SLaBM2B
member
Anyone start off BF'ing by pumping after milk came in (or after you're out of the hospital) and continued to exclusively pump? How successful were you?
Any tips or suggestions? There is an article I found on Pinterest from an EBP'er and her tips are AWESOME. I will share if I can find the link.
SURPRISE! BFP: 12/2014 - EDD: 8/13/15
We made plans and God laughed
DS: BFP: 9/30/12 - EDD: 6/9/13
Radley Quinn was fashionably late via induction on 6/17/13
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Exclusive Breast Pumper's please enter
Yes, I really would like to EP and not BF, but if EP'ing doesnt work, I will BF.
SURPRISE! BFP: 12/2014 - EDD: 8/13/15
We made plans and God laughed
DS: BFP: 9/30/12 - EDD: 6/9/13
Radley Quinn was fashionably late via induction on 6/17/13
TTC since 03/2011
BFP#1 spontaneous conception! 4/28/12 natural MC on 5/9/12
IUI#1 with clomid and trigger on 9/12/12
BFP#2 on 9/26/12 EDD 6/5/13
Beta #1 143 14dpo Beta #2 343 16dpo Beta #3 920 18dpo
Please, Please, Please stick baby!
Baby Mackenzie born 5/28/2013!
I'd like to start pumping immediately, but I realize that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, so I am willing to try whatever it takes to get out as much milk for LO that he needs.
SURPRISE! BFP: 12/2014 - EDD: 8/13/15
We made plans and God laughed
DS: BFP: 9/30/12 - EDD: 6/9/13
Radley Quinn was fashionably late via induction on 6/17/13
In all honesty, and yes, this is flame worthy, I just can't see myself bf'ing... It doesnt appeal to me AT ALL. I may feel totally different when the baby comes, but for now I view it as an inconvenience to have to do it in public, and make ppl uncomfortable, and even be uncomfortable myself (told ya it was flameworth). I also would like my H to be able to feed the baby as well. I want the baby to have the perks of breast milk though, so that's why I haven't decided to formula feed.
NOW DONT GET ME WRONG.. I have ZERO problems with anyone who breastfeeds.. Matter of fact, I think it's awesome, it's just not for me (right now).
Please tell me there are BF'ers out there that felt this way before their first LO came.
SURPRISE! BFP: 12/2014 - EDD: 8/13/15
We made plans and God laughed
DS: BFP: 9/30/12 - EDD: 6/9/13
Radley Quinn was fashionably late via induction on 6/17/13
TOTALLY appreciate the advice. I just posted my response as to why... I will do whatever it takes for my LO to get breastmilk, so if it means only BF'ing, fine. I will do that. I really do want what's best for him.
SURPRISE! BFP: 12/2014 - EDD: 8/13/15
We made plans and God laughed
DS: BFP: 9/30/12 - EDD: 6/9/13
Radley Quinn was fashionably late via induction on 6/17/13
My sister had to start off pumping due to latching problems, and then EP'd for 1 year (SLaB - FWIW, she would have preferred to BF if possible but it just didn't work out), but she started with a rental from the hospital. I believe it was a "stronger" pump and worked to get her supply up more than a regular off the shelf pump would have.
well I think starting out right out the gate trying to pump won't be successful, IMHO. You might only get an ounce, if that. I think pumping is great if you can handle pumping all the time, but I would suggest that you start later, like weeks later after you build up a good supply of milk. Like PP has said, pumping is really a pain, and it takes allot more time and effort doing it exclusively. What you can also do, is nurse on one side, and while you are having a let down go ahead and pump the other breast to get a good stock pile going, and encourage more milk production. Then on the next time you feed the baby, nurse on the boob you pumped, and pump the other boob. The more milk that comes out, the more your body produces.
GREAT tip! thank you Brandi!! I definitely want to stock pile it :-)
SURPRISE! BFP: 12/2014 - EDD: 8/13/15
We made plans and God laughed
DS: BFP: 9/30/12 - EDD: 6/9/13
Radley Quinn was fashionably late via induction on 6/17/13
TTC since 03/2011
BFP#1 spontaneous conception! 4/28/12 natural MC on 5/9/12
IUI#1 with clomid and trigger on 9/12/12
BFP#2 on 9/26/12 EDD 6/5/13
Beta #1 143 14dpo Beta #2 343 16dpo Beta #3 920 18dpo
Please, Please, Please stick baby!
Baby Mackenzie born 5/28/2013!
I EPed for the first 5 weeks or so. I will say that it is doable but a giant PITA.
To keep up with her demands and establish a supply, I pumped every 2 hours, she ate about every 2.5 hours so I was getting in a little more pumping than she was eating.
Middle of the night pumpings were the most difficult. I would feed her then pump. I had 2 pumps so I wouldn't have to spend a ton of time cleaning in the middle of the night, just a quick rinse and I would do a good cleaning in the morning.
I do recommend extra pump parts at the very least. I loved having two pumps (but it was expensive). When I went back to work I kept one at work and one at home.
ETA: I was EPing due to latching and a couple other issues. I would definitely start with BFing and move to EPing later, if at all. EPing really sucks.
My pedi and OB were supportive but somewhat discouraged EPing. They both said the BM changes so much as the child ages and pumping won't mimic it very well.
FWIW, I also find pumping to be a PITA and way more uncomfortable that nursing.
GL with whatever you choose.
Same advice here. I EBFed DD for the first few months she was home, and then switched to pumping while at work, and BFing at home. If I had to make a choice of EPing vs formula, I would just do formula. Yeah, "breast is best" but holy hell, I can't even fathom how exhausted I would be with newborn feedings as you are essentially feeding the baby twice - once to pump, once to bottle feed. Mom's who EP have the utmost respect from me because it is A LOT of work.
I EP'ed for 11mo with my first daughter because she was not able to BF (weak suck). I think giving any measure of BM to your child is awesome, no matter how you want to do it. But, I will give you some BTDT perspective:
1. EPing is HARD. You really, really have to be committed. Unless you have an amazing supply (and awesome if you do), you still have to pump on the same cycle that a baby would eat, so every 2-3 hours to start. It's hard to be motivated to do this on your own, and so easy to give up. When you don't have anyone but you making sure you do it (meaning, you're not soothing a crying child), it's very easy to stop.
2. EPing is much more inconvenient than BFing, IMO. People sort-of-kind-of understand BFing in public. NO ONE understands EPing in public. When we went places (Disney, airport, car ride, etc.), I had to find a place (1) that I could plug in my pump, so near an outlet, (2) where I could clean my parts, (3) where I could store/carry my parts, etc. Plus, I really had to hide in a corner that had enough space. You can't really cover up while pumping (I mean, I did, but it's really awkward). So, all the stuff you have to feed the baby (bottles, nipples, etc.) PLUS all the pump and pump parts. I can't even tell you the number of times I wishes all I had to do was pop baby on the boob. In the beginning, I just went into my bedroom to pump while my family was over, but then I was gone from everyone so frequently, it made me feel very isolated.
3. I had low supply issues, so you totally might not, but basically, you will never make as much pumping as you will BFing. Even your best hosptial grade pump cannot drain the breast as efficiently as a baby. So, it takes a lot more to keep up your supply while pumping.
I don't say this to discourage you, but to educate you. I honestly wasn't sure about BFing either, and I went in thinking I would EP all along. Then, I wanted to BF when she came, and ironcally ended up HAVING to EP from the beginning. I had no idea how much work, how much effort it would take. But, giving her BM was so important to me, that I stuck with it for 11 months, and I'm really proud of that! You can totally do it if it's what you want to do. However, if you part of the reason why you don't want to BF is convenience, then I hate to say that EPing is far less convenient unless you plan to be in your own home 24/7. And, it's hard to take care of a baby when you're hooked up to a machine 30 min at a time every 3 hours.
There are a lot of great resources out there. I would check out links on "power pumping" and "hand-free pumping."
Good luck!
I EPed for DS1 for 13 months. We really gave it our all with BFing but I returned to my residency program only a few weeks after birth and he was early (a 37 weeker) which I think contributed to latching issues. I can honestly say it is one of the hardest things I have ever done.
I can also compare that to exclusively breastfeeding since DS2 latched perfectly from the get go and is still going strong at almost 3 years old!
From having experienced both EPing and EBFing, I can say hands down that BFing is 100x easier. If you want any details, please feel free to ask.
I EPd with DD for about 2-3 months because I went back to work about a week after she was born. We never established a good breastfeeding relationship, so it was pretty much bottles from the get-go for her (which I did really like, as did SO).
My supply was sufficient as long as I pumped every 3-4 hours (which only lasted a couple weeks). TBH--only pumping was a huge pain in the . I didn't have a hands free bra or anything, which sucked. It wasn't too long before I started "cheating" and sleeping or skipping times when I should have been pumping. It screwed my supply
but that was totally my fault.
With that being said, it is do-able, just takes some sticktoitiveness.
This time I have 8 weeks off, so I'm going to try and establish a good breastfeeding relationship and put off the pumping as long as I can. We shall see......
DS#1 3-28-02 ~ DD 6-15-09 ~ DS#2 5-31-13
This was me last pregnancy. I gave up pumping after 6 weeks because it was such a PITA! We formula fed from then on. I feel awful looking back that I didn't try harder. I'm planning to EBF this time and get over my weirdness of the whole thing. I wish you luck on any decision you make. I just know I regretted it....
This is awesome.. thank you so much for your advice. I really appreciate it.
Matter of fact, i appreciate all you ladies and your advice. :-)
SURPRISE! BFP: 12/2014 - EDD: 8/13/15
We made plans and God laughed
DS: BFP: 9/30/12 - EDD: 6/9/13
Radley Quinn was fashionably late via induction on 6/17/13
I BF and then switched to EP'ing once I was on a good schedule so that DH could assist in feedings (plus I have very shallow nipples and had no luck with latching advice from 3 different LC's). If I could finally get my nipples to where LO could latch, she could never stay on long enough to receive hind milk. So I would massage and pump to pull out my nipples, breastfeed LO, and then pump afterward to get the hind milk. It didn't make much sense and was stressing me out so I made the switch to EP'ing and life after was awesome (for me)!
My sister EP'd from the very start and it worked well for her. She was having milk supply issues (as a previous poster mentioned might happen with EPing out the gate), but she took a natural vitamin combination of lecithin, burdock, and magnesium and became a pumping machine!
So, if you are wanting to EP from the start, ask your OB/midwife about natrual vitamins that might assist with increasing milk supply. I'd also pump as often as you would feed and for a longer period in order to get the hind milk. Good luck with EP'ing!
SURPRISE! BFP: 12/2014 - EDD: 8/13/15
We made plans and God laughed
DS: BFP: 9/30/12 - EDD: 6/9/13
Radley Quinn was fashionably late via induction on 6/17/13
I felt almost exactly the way you did about BFing DS. I did it because I knew it was providing him the best source of food, but I didn't love it. I didn't BF for very long because of reflux issues but when I did I was about half and half BF and EP. I will say that for convenience sake, BFing is 100x easier than EPing, and so I would try BFing first. I hardly ever BF DS in the open. I either covered him, BFed in the car, or BFed in a dressing room. I saved my pumped milk for times when I knew I wouldn't be able to find a secluded place to BF him. I feel the same way about BFing DD, but will try and do it againg because it is so much easier than pumping.
Long way of saying, try BFing too and maybe aim to half BF and half pump and see which way you like better and works better for your schedule.
I EPed for about 5 months. I started pumping in the hospital -- you really don't pump much the first few days. The nurses were shocked I was getting a couple of ounces at that point (maybe 4 or 5 days PP). Weeks 2-4, I sporadically tried to BF, but there was too much going on (moving, DH deploying) that I couldn't deal with the fact that DS took an hour to eat. He liked to play instead of stay latched.
Moms of preemies often EP without BFing, so it's doable. I had a friend who built up a HUGE stash while her baby was in the NICU.
But like others have said, it's really a pain. I'm just going to repeat things. These are not meant to discourage you, only to point out that you need to be COMMITTED to it.
1. Getting up in the middle of the night just to pump is depressing. You're tired, you want to sleep, but instead you have to go hook yourself up to a machine that isn't necessarily the most comfortable. You can't just lay back and relax - you have to sit up or you risk your milk spilling. Sometimes I'd be up for 2 hours - feed DS, get him back to sleep, and then pump and clean up. It was really hard to be motivated. DH would sometimes do night feedings, but he was completely overworked between work and then packing our stuff when he came home.
2. Your pump has to go with you everywhere. Shopping? Better take that pump in case you get delayed. Vacation? You have to figure out how you're going to pack it -- and if you're flying, you'll need to carry it on, partially for fear that the airline will use it, and partially because you'll probably need to pump at some point. God forbid your plane get delayed and you checked your pump...
3. If you're spending the day at someone else's house, you have to excuse yourself to go pump. Like someone else said, it's very isolating.
4. You can plan to pump while baby is sleeping all you want...but baby will inevitably wake up screaming in the middle of a pumping session...and then you have to figure out how you're going to take care of baby and finish pumping.
5. I was more motivated to keep pumping by the financial savings. I kept track of how much I pumped and figured out how long I would have to work to "pay off my pump." I think it took two or three months, but I only pumped exactly as much as DS ate.
6. "Hands free" is not possible for everyone. I had to work for every drop. This video saved me from completely losing my supply: https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html
7. Set small goals - pump for 2 weeks, then pump for a month. Pump until you store up X number of ounces. Pump until 6 months, but definitely start with baby steps. OR allow yourself an "out" at the end of the week - reevaluate every week and either decide to continue for another week, or give yourself guilt-free permission to stop.
8. EPing is easier if you have other people supporting you - DH handles night feedings, etc.
9. And here's some good news: once your supply is established, you can really tweak your pumping schedule. By the end, I was pumping the same amount as I had always been pumping, except that I pumped 3 times a day instead of 6. (I gradually shifted from 15 minutes to 45 minutes per session.
This got really long... I'd be happy to talk more or offer support if this is what you decide to do. It was a daily battle for me, and I'm proud that I stuck with it as long as I did.
It and I actually found it convenient. I was attached to the pump and I did have to bring it with me to parties and I did pump in the car many times but I liked being able to go out and leave my son with my parents for a hour or so to get some errands done. I just left a pumped bottle and off I went. If you have any questions or you want me to talk to you about it and what you should get if you are serious about doing it, pm me and I will be more than happy to give you advice.
I also want to add that my son got nothing but breastmilk for 12 months. I also had a large supply of frozen milk because I produced tons of milk. One my son turned 1 I started him on whole milk and he got breastmilk a few times a day. At 18 months I dried up on my own.
I feel this way too. I am planning on breast feeding though, and we'll see how it goes. I hope once I start I'll get comfortable with it because I know it's great for the baby.
DS - 5/2010
DD - 6-2013
TTC #3 - Cycle #9
SURPRISE! BFP: 12/2014 - EDD: 8/13/15
We made plans and God laughed
DS: BFP: 9/30/12 - EDD: 6/9/13
Radley Quinn was fashionably late via induction on 6/17/13