Bf vs pumping

kmvw · July 2013

I was wondering what the process is in going from exclusively breast feeding to exclusively pumping and bottle feeding? I am asking this because my LO is EBF but she doesn't seem to be getting enough so I've started pumping and supplementing with that. She seems to eat better from the bottle. So is it just as good to do pumping? At least it's still breast milk right? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

shihtzumomma · July 2013

I've been EPing since LO was 4 days old. I like it. DD has done very well on my pumped milk she was 5.14 at birth and now at almost 4 weeks she is a little over 7 lbs and has chub rolls all over ;

kelly422 · July 2013

What makes you think she's not getting enough? How is her weight? I EP because LO was preemie and had latch issues. Pumping is hard work. It's time consuming and not very convenient. I would give anything to be able to EBF! But at least she's getting BM. If you are worried about supply, I would try methods to increase this before going to EP, but it's up to you!

kmvw · July 2013

kelly422:
What makes you think she's not getting enough? How is her weight? I EP because LO was preemie and had latch issues. Pumping is hard work. It's time consuming and not very convenient. I would give anything to be able to EBF! But at least she's getting BM. If you are worried about supply, I would try methods to increase this before going to EP, but it's up to you!

She was 8lbs 3oz at birth and at her two week weigh in she is up to 9 lbs. the reason why I think she may not be getting enough is she will bf for anywhere from 10 to 15 mins, still act fussy, so I put her on the other side, she will eat for another 10 or so and still act hungry so I've been supplementing with pumped milk. I'm just not sure what to do. She latches good and I can hear her swallowing so I know she is eating at the breast.

kelly422 · July 2013

Her weight loos great! I wouldn't give up just yet!

MrsWindyCity · July 2013

Her weight at 2 weeks sounds great. How old is she now? You are probably right in the middle of a growth spurt. I would keep nursing - all her BFing will increase your supply. EPers are awesome, but it's hard work, so if you can just nurse I would stick with it.

BbyCarter13 · July 2013

Have you done weighed feedings yet? I would contact a LC to see of they could do one for you.

MeeksandMads · July 2013

kmvw said:
kelly422:
What makes you think she's not getting enough? How is her weight? I EP because LO was preemie and had latch issues. Pumping is hard work. It's time consuming and not very convenient. I would give anything to be able to EBF! But at least she's getting BM. If you are worried about supply, I would try methods to increase this before going to EP, but it's up to you!

She was 8lbs 3oz at birth and at her two week weigh in she is up to 9 lbs. the reason why I think she may not be getting enough is she will bf for anywhere from 10 to 15 mins, still act fussy, so I put her on the other side, she will eat for another 10 or so and still act hungry so I've been supplementing with pumped milk. I'm just not sure what to do. She latches good and I can hear her swallowing so I know she is eating at the breast.

This seems totally normal... Some babies take 15 to eat, some take 45... I'd just take a deep breath and keep BFing.

costa2011 · July 2013

I EP'ed for a little over a month b/c my LO would not latch, ever and as the lactation nurse put it, "A lazy latcher." I loved it and hated it at the same time. You have to pump as often as you would feed to keep your supply up. This can get awfully awkward, tiring, and become a hassle especially if you have places to be. Now that I'm going back to work soon, I had to stop because doing that at work is going to be too much and with my LO wanting more and more these days, I cannot keep up with her. I am in the process of stopping now, it's going just fine.

I say any way they can get breast milk for however how long is better than nothing. Do what you got to do, good luck!

MattysGirl81 · July 2013

I'd keep up with bfing. Pumping isn't as convenient and can get very tiresome. It sounds like you're doing a great job!

NicoleSB80 · July 2013

The milk is just as good but the process is a PITA (think pumping, feeding, cleaning supplies, etc) and your supply could dip because Nursing provides better stimulation than pumping.

If LO still acts hungry let her keep eating. I can't see how old yours is but mine would eat for up to an hour many times in the first 8 weeks.

Also make sure she is really still hungry. Could the fussiness be tiredness, gas, etc.

ETA: looks like your LO is only a few weeks old? If that is the case this is totally normal behavior. Things start to settle out and get easier around week 6. I haven't met a mom who didn't question her supply (except the few with crazy oversupply) in the first couple months - myself included. If you are really concerned and need peace of mind see a lactation consultat who can do weighed feeds for you and see how much LO is getting.

Also try not to supplement until 6 weeks unless a doctor or LC orders you to. Doing so can actually harm your supply.

MrsArrow · July 2013

I have been pumping for three weeks now. My little one was not gaining weight. He was 7 3 when we was born and at two weeks he was 6 5 and at three weeks he was only 6 8. The doc wanted me to start supplementing with formula. I decided to call my LC and she suggested BFing on one side and then pumping the other and supplementing with that. At his one month he was up to 7 11 and now at 7 weeks he is 10 12!! I personally like pumping...Daddy can feed him and I can rest or shower. My DH loves that he can have that bonding experience and quiet time with our Sugar Bear. Hope this helps!

emmy236 · July 2013

I have been EPing for 9 weeks and its exhausting. DS was severely tongue tied and even after having his frenulum clipped he couldn't pull enough. I had 7 sessions with LCs and they said to pump. I'm home all day and I have to get 6 pumpings in a day to make enough plus feed him and clean supplied by myself until DH gets home. I still try bfing and DS has gotten better but he only does it when he isn't starving and has patience. It's more for bonding than for a meal. Like right now DS is sleeping but I can't because I have to get in one more pump in tonight. I have to plan everything around pumping. I'm sticking with it because I want him to have BM for as long as possible but I'm soooo tired.

MrsArrow · July 2013

emmy236: I'm so sorry you have had such difficulty! I really hope it gets better for you....I'm sure he will get the hang of it once he gets stronger!!

emmy236 · July 2013

Thanks! We're definitely getting there. He was 8.1 at birth but fell to 7.2 at one week. But once we tried a bottle he came right back up and at 8 weeks he was 13 pounds! I've totally embraced my pump too. It's summer and our neighbors and us get together and cook out and do drinks on our decks. Everyone has young kids so they've seen it all. I bring the pump with me, we break out an extension cord and I pump out on the deck with everyone. My nursing cover has a new purpose!

MrsArrow · July 2013

Thats great! I'm home all day too...so I know how you feel about the extra pumping! I have to admit I am a little jealous of my little sugar bear sleeping right now! lol

trt117 · August 2013

I have EP pretty much since birth. My son is now 15 weeks old and has gained weight appropriately. We tried for weeks to EBF and after the pain of clogged ducts, and the literal blood, sweat and tears I let go of the idea altogether. Pumping is SO time consuming, but he would even take 45min to BF so in that time I can pump and feed then wash the bottles. It just made sense for us to continue to EP. I also felt more in control because I could see how much I was producing and how much he was consuming.

carrotcake06 · August 2013

My twins are 34 weekers, so I had to EP to bring my milk in and then I did the nurse/supplement w BM bottle/pump combo while in the NICU.

I effing hated it. The only positive was that it took so much time and I needed things to fill my day while sitting in the NICU.

We have been EBF w the occasional BM bottle since we've been home. So much easier.

Anyway, BM is BM whether from your boob or a bottle. I have some serious admiration for EPers, it's incredibly difficult to keep up long term. As your baby gets older, they get more efficient so while it's completely normal for a feeding to tak an hour right now, it'll take 15 min or less in a couple months.

Weight gain also sounds normal. Pretty every bf mama worries about supply and getting enough, but if you hear suck/swallow, your breasts empty or get softer after a feeding, LO is having wet and poopy diapers and your feeding 6 to 8 times a day at a minimum, you're fine.

June18Bride05 · August 2013

BM is the same weather its from the boob or bottle. But having experienced both, I would do everything in my power not to have to EP. It was so time consuming and I hated it. I had to EP with my second child. It was also hard because I had a 3yr old at home too. It took out too much time to pump then to feed my son, too much time away from my daughter and way too often. I also had to worry about always finding places to pump while out. It was a pain. everything you posted sounds normal to me, I would meet with LC to ease your concerns.

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