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December 2013 Moms
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Considering exclusively pumping...advice/guidance needed

gcama85gcama85 member
in December 2013 Moms
Hey everyone - I've been breastfeeding Evelyn for 6 weeks now and our "breastfeeding relationship" is still a little challenged. She's gaining fine and I'm lucky to have enough milk, but our sessions are far from relaxing/snuggly - they're usually more like a 5-8 minute athletic event. First it was the nipple shield screaming attacks, then it was the OAL/OS fussiness and now she freaks out when the milk starts flowing at a regular pace. I know feeding her at my breast would be ideal, but the stress and anxiety I get from feedings (paired with her inevitable crying/fussiness) might outweigh the benefits of nursing for me right now. I will say that I'm an anxious person who has a hard time with losing control - not being sure that she's always getting enough has been really hard for me. As I mentioned, I think I have enough milk and I'm just wondering a few things - what is the easiest way to make this transition, is it possible to still try and do at least one feeding from me a day (I would choose the one that happens between 4:30 and 6 am since that's when she's the calmest and I realize she might not want me anymore), what have been your experiences with EP?

I will mention that she's going to be in daycare in 6 weeks so she will need to start taking multiple bottles a day then regardless - additionally she usually gets 1-2 bottles a day from my husband. Our nursing sessions have been like this from the start.

Thanks in advance and have a great (and warm) day!
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Re: Considering exclusively pumping...advice/guidance needed

  • KFiori1KFiori1 member
    I never had success with nursing, so can't really give advice on trying just the one nursing session, etc, but I EP'd with DD1 and am doing the same with DD2. With DD1 I did it for 9 months, and then had enough frozen to last her til she was 1. I am hoping for the same this time around. I personally have found it much less stressful than my nursing experience. You have to do what works best for you and your LO!
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  • gcama85gcama85 member
    KFiori1 said:
    I never had success with nursing, so can't really give advice on trying just the one nursing session, etc, but I EP'd with DD1 and am doing the same with DD2. With DD1 I did it for 9 months, and then had enough frozen to last her til she was 1. I am hoping for the same this time around. I personally have found it much less stressful than my nursing experience. You have to do what works best for you and your LO!
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  • Lpegirl2013Lpegirl2013 member
    I agree with PP! It was very stressful for me and if it weren't for me making the transition when I did I think I would have soon just quit all together so I'm glad I switched. You have to do what's best for you, and remember you get more milk when you're relaxed and not stressed. To me I try to make my pumping sessions relaxing when I can. I try to do them when LO is asleep so I don't have to deal with trying to soothe her with pumps connected to me. I will say exclusively pumping ISNT easy. So don't expect when you switch that it's going to be a walk in the park, but to me it was a big weight off my shoulders
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  • EmJacks0nEmJacks0n member
    I've had a similar situation with my son. I've seen three lactation consultants and have also been to a medical practice that only focuses on breastfeeding. The doctor at the practice had me breastfeeding every other feeding and supplementing and then pumping every two hours. I was practically hooked to the pump at all times. I was depressed and anxious bc I had to always figure out a way to feed him, get him to sleep and pump right after AND try to get in some sleep. The last lactation consultant I saw made the world of difference. She simply said stop pumping! She helped me realize I was tense and bent over while he was breastfeeding, and constantly interrupting him with nudges bc I had been told by another consultant to do so,...who had said he was being lazy. I now know he was taking a breather between gulps. The good consultant had me relax my shoulders, pull him to breast instead of me leaning to him, and just breath. He started staying on the breast, and ate till he was drunk! It's been almost a week since changing how we feed and he is getting to be a pro. I've also adapted to singing to him when he first gets on in order to calm him bc otherwise he is too impatient. Sorry that was long, but coming from pumping all the time to breastfeeding all the time, breastfeeding is a lot easier, IMO.
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  • LawrenLawren member
    edited January 2014
    With DS nursing was so stressful. Supply was fine but he took over an hour, would fight my breast, I hated it. I nursed him for almost 3-4 months and then started exclusively pumping. Once I made the switch I was a new woman and the stress was gone. I honestly wished I would have done it sooner. It was so much easier for us. Now, with DD I love nursing her because she eats super quick and doesn't fight me at all. It's so different this time around.
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  • airsicaairsica member
    I EP with my twins for 10 months. I really didn't mind it. I did have to keep up the regular pumping sessions or my supply would go down, but it worked for us. I never really nurse because they were preemies and it was difficult but I know it is possible to nurse one or two times a day and bottle feed the rest. A lot of momma's will start the day or nurse their babies to sleep and bottle feed them during the day.

    Good luck. Don't stress too much, it's totally possible.
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  • lauralye267lauralye267 member
    My LO is only 4 days old and I'm having the same problem! It's so stressful! I'm calling LC tomorrow but for now pumping as he won't even latch on anymore. It's upsetting but I'm glad I read your posts tonight- I needed it as I went to bed in tears over our current situation!
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  • lollipoppooplollipoppoop member
    I am EP it can be frustrating for example it's 3 am everyone is asleep but I'm up pumping.
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  • gcama85gcama85 member
    @AmyG* - thanks for all that information! I appreciate it very much. I definitely won't make any major decision for a couple weeks. Since I'm still on maternity leave and she'll be transitioning to a nanny/daycare in 5 weeks, I think I'll mainly pump during the times she'll have to get a bottle when I go back to work (so between 9 - 5). So far I've been lucky in that I'm able to let down for the pump pretty easily - typically I can get 5 oz in less than 10 minutes during the night time bottle feed her dad does. Supply is definitely a big concern with pumping so I'll definitely heed that warning. I think in the end we'll probably end up doing some sort of nursing/pumping hybrid since that's what I'll be faced with regardless when I'm back at the office.

    Thanks again for taking the time and for helping us all get through this!
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