EPers, tell me how you do it - what's your system?

RachelCA29 · June 2014

I'm 2 weeks in and very frustrated with breastfeeding. My son wouldn't latch without the use of a nipple shield until this past weekend. Then it suddenly clicked for him and he latches - but he rarely stays on for more than 5 minutes at a time. I have really fast letdown in my right breast, it literally sprays him in the face, so I have to pump that side at least twice a day so that he will actually take that breast at all. So at night I only feed from my left, because by that time of night my breasts are full again and the letdown is too strong in the right breast.

Since I'm already pumping one breast at least twice a day, I figure I could just do both breasts (we rented a double electric pump from the hospital to help my supply come in). I've been doing some research about pumping schedules and how at first you have to pump 8-12 times a day to make sure your supply is up. I know my supply is in and enough for my son, since I'm already pumping and storing milk from my right breast. I'm trying to think of a schedule to pump at least 8 times a day while caring for my baby still, and doing the bottle feedings (which my husband can help with too).

But I'm nervous to take this on. What if I'm out and I miss a pump time? Do you occasionally breast feed for quick convenience sometimes? How do you know how much to feed your LO per feeding when bottle feeding? How does this increase with age?

I was thinking my pumping schedule could be something like: 7 am, 10 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, 7 pm, 10 pm, 12 am - but I don't know if I would really want to always pump in the middle of the night and pump at 3 am (my baby normally nurses about that time of night). What's your schedule like? When did you begin to drop pumping sessions?

I really want to do what is best for my family. My husband is very supportive and really likes being able to bottle feed our son sometimes, and while the thought of breastfeeding and having that bond is really nice to me, it's just been pure frustration and I feel like I would be enjoying feedings more if it wasn't so frustrating - Bottle feeding might help with that.

Any and all advice is welcome - I'm still on the fence about all of this.

Racheal2W · June 2014

I have EP'd both my children, it is time consuming but it's worth it. My schedule was pretty rigid in the beginning but now it's more lax.

If I am out and cannot pump I try to pump right before I leave and right when I get home. Or if I will be at friends or family's house I will pump there. Also, I have pumped in the car while my husband drove.

I have read some good info online on the ameda website and the LLL, this time pumping has been a bit different for me and hasn't come as easy so I have had to seek advice.

But from what I read, if you can get 25-35 oz in a day then your supply is in and you can tweak your pump schedule according to your personal schedule, I also read it's more about the amount of pumps than the timing of the pumps.

With my son I pumped for 10 months and with the freezer supply he had breastmilk to last until he was 11 months old. And I plan on pumping at least that long with my daughter. It is hard at times and it can be inconvenient but I it is worth the peace of mind.

Good luck to you and happy pumping:)

kalette · June 2014

I EPed with DD for 17 months and have been EPing with DS since we left the hospital. With DD I started with the every 2 hours crap and got a massive over supply. I was able to pump 2x a day from 6 months on and maintain 30-35 oz a day.
With DS I thought I'd be more careful and started with 5x a day. Got an even bigger oversupply this time but was able to remedy it fairly quickly by dropping pumps. I'm now at 6 weeks PP and doing 3x a day for 30-35 oz . I pump right away in the morning (or as soon as I can with two kids) once at nap time and once right before bed.
A good way to keep your supply up of you notice an ounce or two decrease is to pump till empty, wait 10 or 20 min and pump again. That almost always gets me another ounce or two and the next pump is then bigger too.

ThereBeDragons · June 2014

Another note is that it doesn't have to be either/or. You can absolutely nurse and pump and go back and forth as long as you are keeping up with baby's intake.

I pump 2-3 times a day and get between 5 and 8oz a session (Usually closer to 5 than 8). She takes about an ounce an hour. I also nurse 3-5 times a day. Sometimes I'll have a minor deficit (when she's going through a growth spurt) but for the most part I have enough to feed her and freeze one extra feeding every day.

No schedules here- a nurse when I feel like it. I pump when my boobs are full or I know she will be needing a bottle. Sometimes I feed her a bottle just because I feel like feeding her a bottle instead of nursing. DH feeds her bottles over night and when he watches her during the day. I usually get 6-8 hours of sleep! I do have to wake up once or twice to empty the boobs, but if I pump- I don't have to do it when the baby demands- I can have DH feed her a bottle and wake up when it feels natural and I feel so much more rested.

It's what works for us- and that's the important thing. Making it work for your family.

elizabe519 · June 2014

I've been looking into this as well, I found this very helpful
https://community.babycenter.com/post/a31909037/weekly_averages_from_week_1-12_data_from_a_lowaverage_producer?cpg=3&csi=2375319576&pd=1

jenb_99 · June 2014

I have no advice and nothing to add, but I want to thank you for posting this. I wish I'd thought to ask all these questions when I was struggling with feeding DS. I hope you get all the answers you need and find a system that works perfectly for you and your LO!

bumpuser10194737 · June 2014

Totally missed this last night when I made a similar post. Thinking of doing the same!

daisy.ramirez · June 2014

I have had to EP for 4 weeks and supplement due to poor latch and low supply. I pump every two hours to help my supply increase, save until therevis enough for a full feeding. I started with an aversge of .5oz per session, now I am averaging 1.5oz per session. I am aiming to get him off formula so I will continue pumping so often. I get help feeding him through a bottle so most of my day is focused on pumping.

If I need to go out I pump before and after any trip or take the pump with me. I was getting very exhausted from also pumping so many times at night and the LC said I can pump every 3 hours at night.

Given that I am still working on my supply I do try to not miss any pumps or try too add extras (or powerpump) if I absolutely must.

I am not going to lie, even with a great support team (my mom and husband), EP is hard and takes a lot of time. If I could nurse I would totally do it just so I could spend some more time with my baby instead of the pump.

ama7165 · June 2014

I have been EP'ing for 11 weeks now. I am doing it due to my LO was born premature with a weak suck reflex. After weeks of trying to get him to latch and BF it just isn't working. He latches but is not an effective breast feeder. With that being said, I would much rather be able to BF and EP is hard and time consuming. I feel like feeding takes twice as long because I have to pump every time he would eat or more frequently. On top of this, I am having trouble with low supply and have tried everything I could think of- and it's still not where it needs to be. I pump anywhere between 7-10x per day. I don't have set times because that would really not work for me. I get up before he feeds in the morning to pump, then feed him. This continues throughout the day with aiming to pump every 2 hours, but sometimes it is every 3. Going out for any length of time is difficult at times as I need to lug my pump with me as well as a cooler for any pumped milk. I then hope to find somewhere I can pump preferably with an outlet to plug into, but I do have a battery attachment for my pump. I find I cant really pump in public as people can nurse in public so I typically do this in bathrooms. I have done it in the backseat of the car as well. It is nice that DH can feed DS, but it's not a break for me because I still am pumping. I actually look forward to quitting, but can't bring myself to do it yet. I have been setting small goals for myself as everyone has suggested and I am one my goal to make it to 3 mths which is only a few weeks away and I am not sure how I will be able to keep up with schedule when I return to work. Good luck though! I hope you find what works for you.

CamrynnsMommy · June 2014

I'm a beginner EPer, but here's what I do: I'm not as rigid as far as time, I try to pump around the time that LO eats, however, if we get off schedule (she eats early or late), then I pump again in 3-4 hours. I'm currently getting about 33-38 oz a day pumping both breasts, so I've gotten a bit lax with my overnight schedule. I pump right before bed, then again when she wakes to eat (usually around 3am, DH feeds her while I pump), I save the bottle I just pumped and give that to her at the next feeding, then I wait about 5 hours before I pump again.

I wouldn't be so concerned with the time, but more so the amount of times you pump, generally 8-10, though I only pump about 7-8.

LO is 2 weeks old and eats 3 oz per bottle, I really just follow her cues as to when she's hungry. Babies will let you know when theyre not getting enough.

I try to pump right before I leave the house, but if I'm out for an extended period, I'll just pump when I return.

Kellymom.com has great info as does LLLI.org.

Want a personalized experience?

EPers, tell me how you do it - what's your system?

Re: EPers, tell me how you do it - what's your system?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Want a personalized experience?

EPers, tell me how you do it - what's your system?

Re: EPers, tell me how you do it - what&#039;s your system?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Re: EPers, tell me how you do it - what's your system?