Anyone else EPing?

MrsSinner402 · October 2014

I would post this in the BFing thread but figured I'd get more views doing it this way. Is anyone else here exclusively pumping? Just wondered if I have anyone to chat with for tips/tricks/support that's going through the same thing as I am.

I'll still utilize the BFing thread, but just wondered if I'm the only EPer here in O14?

savicke2009 · October 2014

Mad props to EP mamas! I couldnt do it!!

good work lady's!

golfingdarwinfish · October 2014

If my breasts decide to work I will be joining you'

TheOtherJacobsons · October 2014

I started out EPing, but now we're full on BFing. It's been 2 days of EBF. I will say that one serious benefit to pumping is getting to share night duty. On the other side of that, I just looked at all my pump parts today and thought how nice it was to not have to wash and sanitize everything multiple times a day. My hands are rough girl. I recommend wearing gloves and moisturizing.

Good luck everyone with pumping!

MrsSinner402 · October 2014

TheOtherJacobsons said:
I started out EPing, but now we're full on BFing. It's been 2 days of EBF. I will say that one serious benefit to pumping is getting to share night duty. On the other side of that, I just looked at all my pump parts today and thought how nice it was to not have to wash and sanitize everything multiple times a day. My hands are rough girl. I recommend wearing gloves and moisturizing.

Good luck everyone with pumping!

I found some helpful tricks re: washing parts. You don't have to wash them every time. Put them in the fridge and wash them at the end of the night. This has been a lifesaver!

TheOtherJacobsons · October 2014

Now you tell me! That's genius!

JJsMum · October 2014

I'm able to BF so far this time, but DS#1 I EP due to latch issues, and with DS#2 it was half and half because he wouldn't latch long enough for a full feed. Once things are established this time I'll still pump so that night time can be split and so that I can occasionally leave him.

MrsSinner402 · October 2014

knittymeggy said:
@MrsSinner402 how long are your pumping sessions?

15-20 minutes usually. You'll never be able to pump until the boob is fully empty, so I just go between 15 and 20 when the milk slows significantly.

JessAnnJ · October 2014

I EPed for a year with my first daughter. I am also mostly pumping now and supplementing with formula but I am trying to put her to the breast now that my nipples have healed a bit.

Tips from last time. I also refrigerated my parts. I would wash them at the end of the day. Buy multiple sets of parts. Not just for the convenience but also in case you lose a piece or something breaks. Get a good pump bra - I use the simple wishes. It's worth the money.

Biggest thing is don't be hard on yourself because you are pumping and feeding from a bottle.

LightBright515 · October 2014

When my milk comes in, I'll be pumping.

A baby with a super strong and disorganized suck has left my nipples seeing better days. I still like to BF though, so I'll be pumping for stash purposes and the occasional break for my nips to heal.

MrsSinner402 · October 2014

I find it funny that some say pumping gives their nipples a break. Mine are killing me from pumping.

CNJ4EVA · October 2014

I'm not EP'ing this time, but I did with my DD, so I totally commiserate with the challenges.

For me, BF'ing caused such anxiety and sadness that even though it was so time consuming and extra work with washing bottles/pump parts, it was so worth it for me to EP. I don't regret it at all and would do it again if I was experiencing the same pain and unhappiness this time.

Also, I should clarify for me that EP'ing meant that I only pumped and didn't nurse baby at all, not that baby was bottle fed pumped milk exclusively. My supply was so low b that she actually was getting mostly formula with a small supplementation of pumped BM.

JessAnnJ · October 2014

MrsSinner402 said:
I find it funny that some say pumping gives their nipples a break. Mine are killing me from pumping.

Yes, it still hurts a lot! But it's not as terrifying to me as trying to latch her on to my traumatized nipples. Eventually it will stop hurting. Or at least it did last time.

JessAnnJ · October 2014

For anyone paying out of pocket to rent a hospital grade pump the Ameda hospital grade pump is significantly cheaper and can be rented from Ameda direct. I rented the medela pump from the hospital for six months last time before realizing how much cheaper it was to switch pumps.

MrsSinner402 · October 2014

I was having extreme pain with the regular shields that came with my Medela PISA. I did some research and found great reviews on shields called Pumpin Pals. They're angled and take more than just your nipple into the flange. They are sooooo much more comfortable. I'm glad I decided to try them.

Emerald27 · October 2014

MrsSinner402 said:
I was having extreme pain with the regular shields that came with my Medela PISA. I did some research and found great reviews on shields called Pumpin Pals. They're angled and take more than just your nipple into the flange. They are sooooo much more comfortable. I'm glad I decided to try them.

Make sure that you're also using the proper size flanges. Your nipple should move freely within the flange, without rubbing along the sides at all. And not much areola should be pulled into the flange either. If your nipple fills the flange and rubs along the sides, it's too small. If areola is pulled into the flange with your nipple, it's too big.

swise22 · October 2014

I'm BFing my LO, however, he will only latch onto my right side. I've been EPing my left side to keep up the supply and to store milk for when I go back to work. He was 6 pounds 8 ounces at birth and was up to 8 pounds 10 ounces yesterday at his 1 month visit. The pediatrician said I can keep this up because it seems to be working but I was wondering if anyone else has done this and if your supply has maintained on the EPed side?

MrsSinner402 · October 2014

Emerald27 said:

MrsSinner402 said:
I was having extreme pain with the regular shields that came with my Medela PISA. I did some research and found great reviews on shields called Pumpin Pals. They're angled and take more than just your nipple into the flange. They are sooooo much more comfortable. I'm glad I decided to try them.
Make sure that you're also using the proper size flanges. Your nipple should move freely within the flange, without rubbing along the sides at all. And not much areola should be pulled into the flange either. If your nipple fills the flange and rubs along the sides, it's too small. If areola is pulled into the flange with your nipple, it's too big.

I've got the smallest medela flange and its still pulling areola into the tube.

The most pain I feel with the medela flange is when I turned on the pump. It was excruciating around the outer edge of the areola. I couldn't handle it. Almost had me in tears.

LightBright515 · October 2014

Yes, the minimal discomfort of pumping far outweighs the tears that well in my eyes from THINKING about LO latching to my nips. I ugly cried last night when my MIL was putting all this pressure on me...like chill outtttttttt.

heatherjeanp · October 2014

I'm also EP. After little man lost his initial weight and took his time gaining it back ( and also risk of jaundice, and that he was using me as a pacifier and not really nursing from me) we decided to bottle feed. I'm ok with it because since doing so he has gained weight, no jaundice, and we can track exactly how much he is getting. I tried having him latch but it was a challenge... So I tried a breast shield. He went for that, but I think he got very little so he gave up...turns out that breast had a huge clogged duct. I'll try again but I ink I'm going to keep primarily pumping.

Emerald27 · October 2014

MrsSinner402 said:

Emerald27 said:

MrsSinner402 said:
I was having extreme pain with the regular shields that came with my Medela PISA. I did some research and found great reviews on shields called Pumpin Pals. They're angled and take more than just your nipple into the flange. They are sooooo much more comfortable. I'm glad I decided to try them.
Make sure that you're also using the proper size flanges. Your nipple should move freely within the flange, without rubbing along the sides at all. And not much areola should be pulled into the flange either. If your nipple fills the flange and rubs along the sides, it's too small. If areola is pulled into the flange with your nipple, it's too big.
I've got the smallest medela flange and its still pulling areola into the tube. The most pain I feel with the medela flange is when I turned on the pump. It was excruciating around the outer edge of the areola. I couldn't handle it. Almost had me in tears.

@MrsSinner402‌ How high are you turning on the pump? Maybe you have it up too high. Think of a straw...if you suck super hard on a straw it'll compress and you won't be able to get much through it. All it takes is a gentle suck to get your drink. Similarly, if the pump is turned too high, you'll actually get a smaller output than a gentler, more comfortable level.

So don't think the higher the better! Turn it up to where it's still comfortable and see whether your nipples hurt less and maybe you get an even higher yield!

MrsSinner402 · October 2014

Emerald27 said:

MrsSinner402 said:

Emerald27 said:

MrsSinner402 said:
I was having extreme pain with the regular shields that came with my Medela PISA. I did some research and found great reviews on shields called Pumpin Pals. They're angled and take more than just your nipple into the flange. They are sooooo much more comfortable. I'm glad I decided to try them.
Make sure that you're also using the proper size flanges. Your nipple should move freely within the flange, without rubbing along the sides at all. And not much areola should be pulled into the flange either. If your nipple fills the flange and rubs along the sides, it's too small. If areola is pulled into the flange with your nipple, it's too big.
I've got the smallest medela flange and its still pulling areola into the tube. The most pain I feel with the medela flange is when I turned on the pump. It was excruciating around the outer edge of the areola. I couldn't handle it. Almost had me in tears.
@MrsSinner402‌ How high are you turning on the pump? Maybe you have it up too high. Think of a straw...if you suck super hard on a straw it'll compress and you won't be able to get much through it. All it takes is a gentle suck to get your drink. Similarly, if the pump is turned too high, you'll actually get a smaller output than a gentler, more comfortable level.

So don't think the higher the better! Turn it up to where it's still comfortable and see whether your nipples hurt less and maybe you get an even higher yield!

I'm on the very minimal level.

TheFutureMrs.O · October 2014

I ep'd DS last year. It wasn't easy and it was super time consuming. I give anyone mad props for doing it! It would take me an hr 15 min each night to clean parts, make the next day's bottles and to bag the left overs. We ended up having to buy a deep freezer as i was a cow and ended up with 2000oz after 6 months of pumping and feeding. Def worth it though.

Get spare parts as others said. Invest in lots of storage bags. Buy the "milk maid" app for your phone.

JessAnnJ · October 2014

Unfortunately I just think some of us have more sensitive nipples and that is why BF and pumping seem to hurt more.

JessAnnJ · October 2014

@MRSclarke08‌ don't be discouraged if you are only getting a little milk right now. We are still supplementing here and when I pumped with my daughter it took about a month but my supply eventually increased to the point that I didn't need any formula. Rather than looking at it as how much formula you are giving try to think about the BM you are giving her.

jusmale · October 2014

I've been pumping since baby was born. She was born at 36 weeks and wouldn't latch. She still won't latch and puts up a fight whenever I try BF'ing. I've met with a lactation consultant, who fitted me with a nipple shield and that helped a little. Baby will try to BF for about 10 minutes and then SCREAMS, so I have to switch back to the bottle. I feel like she has rejected me and it's extremely upsetting, but at least she is getting my milk. I'm not sure if I'll keep this up once I go back to work though.

JessAnnJ · October 2014

@jusmale‌ breastfeeding is such an emotional thing when it doesn't go as expected. I pumped for a year with my older daughter because I couldn't get rid of my nipple pain and I got to a year by setting small goals. My first goal was to make it a month, then to her first set of shots, then until I went back to work, then until six months. Setting small goals might be less overwhelming. Hang in there. Your baby definitely hasn't rejected you.

squirrelygirl12 · October 2014

I am Eping for the second time. My first daughter was three months early so BF wasn't even an option. I decided to EP this time too because I was stressed and DD2 was stressed and it wasn't working out. It's Definetly hard but I figure any start with breastmilk is better than none.

I just bought the freemie collection cups, anyone have experience with them? I'm hoping that they will help me be hands-free with both kids.

andrieya · October 2014

I found that once my initial scabs came off (gross, I know) it didn't hurt AS much when I BF. I have been pretty much exclusively pumping for a week but decided to BF during the 1am and 4am feedings. I could not believe how much more quickly she went to sleep! Might have just been a good night. In general I really prefer pumping. It's so much faster! Have any of you started freezing your supply?

andrieya · October 2014

@knittymeggy‌ I'm so jealous! I can't make more than 4oz every couple hours or so.

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