a bummed out exclusive pumper

DA682 · April 2014

Hi everyone-

I am a first time mom to a boy of 6 weeks. Our breast feeding saga began in the hospital when he was not gaining weight properly and had low urine output and we had to start supplementing right away. After several visits with the lactation consultant we determined that the problem was truly me and having a low milk supply. I've tried everything- nursing/pumping after nursing, breast massage, fenugreek, Go-Lacta, lots of water, oatmeal- I have been able to boost my supply a bit but not by enough. Because I have to supplement anyway, its easier for me to exclusively pump and just do bottle feeds of either breast milk or formula (as opposed to nursing, pumping, and then supplementing- this process was too time consuming and really bringing me down and taking away from the enjoyment of my newborn). Had my thyroid checked and thats normal too. My boobs just never really got much bigger during my pregnancy so I think the issue is something with the breast tissue/glands themselves.

So I've accepted the fact that I'm now an "exclusive pumper" (with some supplementing) but I'm bummed out that my milk supply is still not great. My boy eats around 3 ounces 7-8x a day, and I pump around 2 ounces 7x a day. Using supplements I've gone from about 10oz per day to 14 oz per day total- but I think I've plateaued.

Just feeling sad that my milk supply will never be where it needs to be. I feel truly envious of women who can just whip out a boob and satisfy their baby without the extra fuss. Anyone else out there in a similar situation?

On the bright side I'll be a pumping expert when I go back to work at 10 weeks!

Jenn06L80 · April 2014

I am pumping for twin girls that are almost 3 weeks old. They were in the nicu for 12 and 13 days with mainly feeding issues. They are now used to a fast flow bottle. They get frustrated with slow flow bottles and even more frustrated trying to breast feed.

I too wish I could just nurse. Pumping is time consuming because first I am feeding the pump and then feeding the babies.

I supplement with two bottles if neosure a day because they are small. I just take pumping one day at a time. I just try to remind myself that my girls are being fed and that is what is important. Good luck!!

DA682 · April 2014

Wow twins! I don't know how twin moms do it, one is hard enough!

I have learned some tricks to make exclusive pumping a little easier- the most helpful one is to store all of your pump parts in the fridge and sterilize once a day in the dishwasher (rather than washing the parts each time- they don't "go bad" in the fridge". Also- I sometimes feed my son while I pump (especially at night) it cuts the time in half. I know with twins thats hard but maybe you could feed one while pumping and the other one after. Lastly a hands free pumping bra is nice so you can do other stuff while pumping

vterp · April 2014

DD had jaundice issues and then outright refused the breast at 2 weeks. I became an EPer then. I still have to supplement with formula because I don't produce enough for her. I was very happy to have made it to 3 months and now I'm taking it week by week to hopefully make it to 6 months.

I too am envious of women who were able to make it work. You are not alone and this is an excellent resource to answer your questions and to keep you going when the going gets tough.

kosbo06 · April 2014

I've been EPing my son for almost 4 months now. Try power pumping to boost your supply; pump for 10 mins, off 10, pump 10, off 10. As much as I would love to directly nurse my son, I'm just happy I am lucky enough to make more than enough for him. Let me know if you have any questions or need support! I'm not an expert, but I am can relate!

Guennie · April 2014

I'm going on five months EPing and I can relate to your disappointment. I had an emergency c section and had to have a blood transfusion. BFing seemed to start off well the very first time but we crashed and burned. We were forced to supplement and my baby's latch became so severe she was completely mutilating my nipples. I kept trying for a few weeks but it just didn't work. It broke my heart and still does that we can't BF. I also have a very low supply and nothing seems to help.

Make sure you watch for symptoms of mastitis. When you EP you are more susceptible. I've had it twice, it is NO FUN.

Hugs from one mama to another doing the best we can!

DA682 · April 2014

Thanks everyone- glad to find ladies who know what I'm going through!

It definitely is a big disappointment so I try to focus on the pluses of exclusive pumping over nursing- I can pump on my own schedule and have others help me feed baby (that seems to be the only plus- haha)

Guennie- why are EPers more prone to mastitis? I haven't had it yet luckily but I'm curious

VickyTGAW · April 2014

I exclusively pumped for my first son for 16 months. I'm a little short of time, so I'm going to rattle through a bunch of positive thoughts real fast.

1) First off, your little boy is so lucky to have such a dedicated mother! Those 14 ounces may not seem like much, but that is 14 ounces of pure commitment and love....and antibodies. Great work!

2) You're still breastfeeding! : )

3) That's also 14 ounces of formula you are saving money on. That's pretty much like you found a big stash of a Buy One Get One Free coupons.

4) People are going to brag on you! Even the mothers who nurse have their encounters with breast pumps. They know how hard it is! Somehow my cousin, who lives all the way across the country and I see two times a year remembered my venture in Exclusively Pumping from almost three years ago. I overheard her bragging about me to a friend last summer...again about something I did three years ago. : )

5) Don't feel like you can't bond with the baby while pumping. My oldest son and I had a lot of bonding time and precious moments.

6) When your little one gets teeth, you won't have to worry about teaching him not to bite you! : )

7) And when your son gets to the curious stage where he likes to look around and see his environment, he can do that *and* eat at the same time. (As opposed to suddenly exposing you to look around)

8) Stuck in traffic and he's suddenly hungry? It's much easier to hold up a bottle than to contort yourself over the carseat (which yes, I have done-- when my husband is driving, of course).

9) When you return to work, you won't have to worry about your son refusing a bottle at daycare.

10) Finally, you are on it with the following quote:

DA682 said:

...I try to focus on the pluses of exclusive pumping over nursing- I can pump on my own schedule and have others help me feed baby (that seems to be the only plus- haha)

I have found that people really really REALLY LOVE feeding babies. They love it! My second son breastfeeds directly on the breast. The disappointment in my husband's eyes those first three weeks is something I will always remember. My husband so desperately wanted to have those moments of holding his second son and nourishing him. Similarly, my mother was circling like a shark. "When can I feed him a bottle? When can I feed him a bottle?" Boy, those two were thrilled when they were finally handed a bottle of pumped milk.

And do you have any siblings or little nieces and nephews? Pictures of your loved ones feeding the baby a bottle... so precious. Memories to treasure.

And others feeding the baby helps you out as well. With my first son, I would feed him until about 1 AM and then my husband would take over and do the rest of the overnight feedings. It was really helpful.

In short, others feeding the baby isn't just a plus, it's a big plus...for everyone. : )

I've gotta run, but you are doing a great job! You have a lot to be proud of!

Guennie · April 2014

The LC told me that pumpers were more prone to mastitis for various reasons but the most common are because the pump doesn't drain the breast as efficiently as baby, as pp mentioned, and the stress of pumping can wear down your immune system making you more susceptible to the bacteria. Both times I had it I was really run down and sleep deprived.

To better your chances of not getting it make sure you deal with any clogged ducts as soon as you notice them, try to stay rested as much as you can (taking naps if needed), and get to know your pump really well, meaning figure out what setting combo works best for you for let down and fully draining.

Pumping is still really hard on me but since I started letting myself sleep through the night and learned how to feel out each pumping session better to make sure I drain as much as I can, I haven't had mastitis again. Knock on wood!

DA682 · April 2014

wow thanks all for the very kind and supportive words, I feel much better about my EP situation

harmonicbabe26 · April 2014

I was in the same boat as you as far as boobs didn't grow during pregnancy and i just wasn't producing what was needed. They call it primary failure i thing. Not enough gland tissue. Heartbreaking. In addition to everything you're doing I also power pumped and took Domperidone (for 7months) and even with that i couldn't produce enough. Oh and even after K was sleeping through the night I would still get up and pump because I wanted to get every drop of milk out of my body that I possibly could. Did that for 5 months after she was already sleeping nights. Luckily K didn't have issues nursing, so we nursed then supplemented. When she was about 6m she decided to be done with the boob so I just pumped and bottle fed her. It was SOOOO much work and commitment and to never even have 100% was heart breaking. But i squeezed every drop out of my boobies that I possibly could and she got every bit I was able to make. That felt like an accomplishment.

slh6363 · April 2014

I was in the same boat! I struggled with supply in the beginning (also boobs never got bigger during pregnancy) not sure if that had to do with it but now I wonder. I power pumped (an hour of pumping, ten minutes on, ten minutes off) and also pumped everytime LO ate which was about every 2 hours. I eventually started making enough to feed him exclusively breastmilk. A about 3 months things got much easier! Your supply regulated and won't have to pump as much and still get the same output. I am going on 7 months now of EPing and don't regret it at all! As PP said, it can be a lot easier when in public or in the car to just pull out a bottle. I am now pumping just 4 x a day and it honestly isn't a big hassle for me at all. GL and hang in there!

BlueEyedDreamer · April 2014

I was in a very similar situation - it is exhausting. Have you asked your LC or OB about trying domperidone? I didn't get to try it b/c I started to suffer from pretty much constant blocked ducts on top of low supply... but it was going to be my next step after trying everything else that you did.

Also, I considered EPIng when I was going through what you are, too. BUT have you considered that nursing may stimulate your production more than pumping does? If your LO's latch is not the problem, then there may not be a need to toss nursing out as an option just yet. Also, try to think of nursing as time that you are enjoying your newborn, instead of just a step in the grueling "process." Low supply sucks... But if EPing is what works best for you and your family, then that is definitely the way to go.

One more thing to consider - a SNS (supplemental nursing system) - so that you can feed your LO a supplement WHILE you nurse, thus taking at least one step out of the process (possibly two if you're nursing, pumping, AND supplementing).

Best of luck to you!

Want a personalized experience?

a bummed out exclusive pumper

Re: a bummed out exclusive pumper

Choose Another Board

Search Boards