Just wanted to see how many of you all are out there and what your situation is...
I EP'd DS1 since he was a 32 week preemie. He got used to the bottle and would nurse but was lazy. My supply was terrible and I lasted 4 months. I was hoping BFing would go better this time, but that's not the case. DS2 was born at 36 weeks perfectly healthy - no NICU time. He had a terribly painful latch (like bloody and purple nipples on day 2 even with LC help) and so I did a little supplementing to get some relief. He then was jaundiced and stopped nursing well. I pumped and nursed for a few days but it took him forever to nurse. He would scream for a bottle afterward making feedings 1-2 hours long. I couldn't do that with a 19 month old around. I've occasionally tried nursing to see how it goes - same thing except now DS2 is battling thrush and I have it, too. So I EP and bottle feed. My supply is better this time, but still not very good. I get about 2.5-3oz. every 3 hours. I pump 7x a day and try to power pump at night. I've tried everything to increase my supply. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep it up. It was annoying but doable with DS1 but now with 2u2, it's really difficult. In addition, DS2 HATES formula. He knows immediately when his bottle has formula and will cry uncontrollably until I can finally get him to latch. He'll suck for a little bit and then freak out again. It takes forever and is miserable. We've tried a few different formulas with no avail (Gentlease, Good Start, and Enfamil Newborn). So, of course, I'd feel very guilty about stopping pumping.
So, I'm curious how much you are pumping, if you are supplementing, and what formula you are using. How long do you plan on EPing? It'd just be nice to know I'm not alone in pumping purgatory!
Re: Exclusively Pumping
I respond really well to the pump and only need to pump 2-3x a day for 20 min or less to get 30-35 oz a day. I get oversupply very easily though so I have to be careful of that. I had it with DD and donated 1100 oz to another mom and unfortunately tossed another 1000 or so that sat in the freezer too long.
This time I already have around 750 oz in the freezer but haven't had to freeze any lately since I have gotten my oversupply under control.
On an interesting note, DS will still nurse if he needs to, ive had him do it a time or two when it is more convenient, but that's not often. I do feel very blessed that EP works well for me and I can still give my baby the best without having to nurse all the time.
Me, 26- Normal. DH, 28- Low morphology (2-4%)
August 2013 100mg Clomid+TI=BFP!
Beta #1,2,3=136, 1351, 5328
Happy Endings
I have a shit supply though, I pump about 7 times a day and I'm lucky if I get 15 oz. I drink lots of water, take 12 fenugreek capsules a day, I take more milk plus, eat oatmeal, eat healthy...I just can't seem to get it up. I also power pump 2x a day a work.
We supplement with formula since I don't make enough. DD gets target brand sensitive with no problems at all. She drinks anything.