Anxiety over BF #2... anyone excusively pump?

DarlahMP · May 2012

I am sure this has been addressed before but have been really mulling this over. I had a ton of trouble BFwith my son who is now 3 and am really concerned I'll have trouble with this baby also. So I have heard of exclusive pumping ...can it really work? Suggestions?

winter-shock · May 2012

I just want to say GL and I totally get the anxiety. With DD1 I had two rounds of mastitis, cuts that have lefts scars and it took 4 weeks to finally get things straightened out. It was a terrible experience. This baby...I literally put up to the breast and she was an instant pro. No troubles at all. I think it also made a difference that I knew the difference in the feel of a good latch versus bad. So if you want to try BF'ing again it really could be like 100 times better.

That being said I imagine EP could work just as well! Good Luck!

Ms5586 · May 2012

It's a lot of work, but it can work! I've been EPing for almost 8 months. I have a great supply, never taken any type of milk-producing supplement (like fenugreek), and had to buy a deep freezer for my stash.

I have an Avent Dual (duo?) electric pump. You just pump as often as baby eats, so every 2-3 hours. I started my sessions at 12 minutes until my nipples were getting used to it, and then upped it to 15. Most pump for 20-30, but I never could.

It's almost double the work - you pump, then feed baby, instead of just feeding baby with formula or your breast.

Honestly, it was a huge blessing for us. I was able to have my husband help at night, and never felt terribly tied to my pump. If I knew something was going on where I'd be away for several hours and need to pump, I bought a cheap manual to use in the car/dressing room/etc. Also, our truck has an electric outlet, so I've pumped in the truck a few times.

DarlahMP · May 2012

Thanks so much for the words of encouragement...I was induced, had a csection, a tounge tied baby and advanced maternal age...all of which worked against us! Will have a csection again and still advanced in age..more so actually but hopefully everything else goes better!

Tina272 · May 2012

I had a horrible time with my DD and ended up EPing for 11 months. This time I knew the second my son latched on and started nursing that it was going to be completely different.

Don't stress about it until you know what you are dealing with.

Good luck!

kenna_4 · May 2012

If I were you I'd try and BF if you can, if you can't then go to pumping. In my experiance BF is easier because it's just 1 thing to do. When you pump you have to find time to pump (often!) and then also feed the baby with a bottle. Pumping takes a lot of time, and you have to be dedicated to it, but you can totally do it. Get a good, double pump if you end up pumping full time, it will make things easier.

MAMAxB · May 2012

kenna_4:
If I were you I'd try and BF if you can, if you can't then go to pumping. In my experiance BF is easier because it's just 1 thing to do. When you pump you have to find time to pump (often!) and then also feed the baby with a bottle. Pumping takes a lot of time, and you have to be dedicated to it, but you can totally do it. Get a good, double pump if you end up pumping full time, it will make things easier.

This.

It can work, but it is so much more difficult and time consuming than BFing. More difficult than FF IMO.

lady7 · March 2014

Exclusive pumping can definitely work! After 6 weeks of struggling to breast feed, my baby was a "sleepy eater" and reduced my supply. He wasnt gaining weight and i needed to pump to supplement his feedings. He got very used to the bottle and would get very frustrated and upset trying to nurse. I moved to exclusive pumping and I am so glad I did.

It is a ton of work, you have to be extremely dedicated to it. I would take my pump everywhere. I rented a hospital grade one for at home. It is more efficient, increases your supply. I set up a station at home so that its quicker and requires less set up. I learned to pump while feeding the baby a bottle, while entertaining him in a seat with toys, etc.

It was so sad for me to finally give up breastfeeding but I have been thrilled to still give him my breast milk even though he had so much trouble. My fingers are crossed that if i have a second child my breast feeding experience will be more successful.

Heather757x · March 2014

I would agree with everyone. Breastfeeding did not work out for me and began EPing when she was about 1 week old she is now 6 weeks. Pumping is a little more time consuming but we have it down to about 45 min for me to feed her and pump, which is not much longer if any than to breastfeed pumping is just more work. Also I would suggest a hands free pumping bra. I pump 6-7 times a day and I don't feel like I'm always pumping. I would try BF first as each child can be different but don't beat yourself up if you need to EP it's the same milk and it is defiantly possible if you keep up with it. Good luck !

RootBeer29 · March 2014

I wouldn't jump straight to EP. I had a lot of trouble BF DD1 and I was nervous about it when I was pregnant with DD2. DD2 came out, latched right on and we never had a hiccup. She'll be 11 months next week and we're still going strong. You never know what will happen, each baby is different.

Stephanie2167 · March 2014

My twins are 16 weeks and we are EPing. I still nurse occasionally and am so so lucky they both still latch. But early on, trying to nurse two was so stressful. I couldn't tandem so I was feeding one while the other screamed. I was literally in tears every.time. I'm hoping that if I keep it up, I may someday be able to latch them both easily and cut down on the pumping. This is why I continue to latch them, so they don't forget how to. I nursed DD1 for 7 months so I know I can nurse, its just the nursing two that I find difficult. I actually have pretty good output for the twins and they haven't had any formula since they were 2 weeks old. I also have a significant freezer stash.

It is doable. But TRY nursing first before you turn to EPing. Like other have said, its a PITA.

Good luck!

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