Community› The Bump Message Boards› Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding
New Discussion

“EPing“ (exclusive pumping) and Scared

tbirdcher@yahoo.comtbirdcher@yahoo.com member
in Breastfeeding
My little guy is 4 months and 8 days and I have been “EPing“ (exclusive pumping) this whole time. It's alot harder then what I had thought and hoped it would be. In the beginning I was able to pump what seemed like a ton (35 oz a day) and I pumped almost ever 2 hours-3 hours. Now I have noticed a signification drop in my numbers. I'm now only getting 25-30 oz a day. I know I shouldn't be scared but I'm so nervous my number are going to keep getting smaller and smaller. I'm driving myself crazy. I am now drinking 16oz of coconut water(totally horrible) a day, have tried pumping longer times, I have done the 10 mins on and 10 mins off for an hour, I have pumped for an hour, I have tried pumping one side solo and then the other, I have to massage my breast a ton more now then I used to. On the plus side I do have 2 great Medela pumps (one for work and one for home) and I do change my membranes monthly. 

I just don't know how I'm going to keep this up. And I just realized today that people have more then one stream of milk coming out? I have always only had one stream, out of each breast. I did not know that was abnormal. I do get blocked and am very sore at times. Can open up more streams or if this is just the way my breasts are going to be?
Report Reply to Post

Re: “EPing“ (exclusive pumping) and Scared

  • mrs.mastromrs.mastro member
    Have you tried Fenugreek?  I started taking it when I had to switch to EPing at 10 months.  I can easily pump 30 oz./day, which is what DS is drinking.  I think the recommendation is at least 3500mg/day of Fenugreek.  I notice that my supply goes down about 1 oz./session if I am not taking enough.

    I am not sure about the milk stream.  I do have multiple streams, but I am not sure if only one is a problem.  Does it take forever to pump?  I can do 3 oz/side in about 10-15 min or less.
    Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • mrs.mastromrs.mastro member
    I just wanted to add that EPing is hard, and it's great that you have been doing it for so long.  I would go back to nursing in a second if I could, and it's all I can do to keep up EPing until DS turns 1.  I have been fortunate to not have to supplement, but I have thought about it, and I know it's a difficult decision.  All you can do is the best you can do.  I felt like I did something wrong when DS stopped nursing, but I have not been able to get him to start again, and so I have to pump.  If you have to supplement with formula, you should not feel bad.  You are doing your best and giving him the best you can.
    Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • mrsbeersmrsbeers member
    Have you gotten your period or about to? Could you be pregnant?
    Report Reply
  • Us&theBunniesUs&theBunnies member
    Just repeating what they already said - fenugreek, lots of water, and regular pumping. I hate hate hated waking up in the middle of the night to pump but whenever I tried to go a bit longer between my supply dipped.

    So I had my ice pack cooler and pump beside the bed - pumped right before going to sleep (put that in the fridge), woke up and pumped after about 3-4hours and put that milk in the cooler, then woke up early to pump again. Eventually my son got old enough that he was eating solids as well so I was able to drop that middle of the night pump and let my supply dip a bit.

    Good luck, it's hard,no fun, and cleaning the pump parts and bottles continues to be such a "joy" but it's so good for your LO.
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"