EPing Check In 11/25

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

Its been a while.

How long have you been EPing?

What is your approximate output per day?

Any hardships/accomplishments?

Tips and tricks to share?

This EPing stuff is so hard. You all deserve a round of applause for doing twice the work needed to give LO the boob juice. =D>

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

How long have you been EPing?
Approximately 7ish weeks.

What is your approximate output per day?
Anywhere from 32-45ish ounces a day. Depends on how many pumps I get in.

Any hardships/accomplishments?
Some days my letdown is uncooperative and it takes forever to empty the boobs. I'm glad I cut back to 4-5 pumps per day and it hasn't affected my supply.

Tips and tricks to share?
Definitely massage while pumping. Hands free bra is essential. And I've been using olive oil as a lube. I hope LO likes the flavor. My boobs will forever smell like an Italian feast.

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

...am I the only EPer left in O14? :-/ .. I hoped to have a group of lady's for support. Poop.

andrieya · November 2014

@MrsSinner402‌ I'm not totally an EP, but I'm a "mostly pumper." I nurse maybe once/twice a day but it's more like a snack for her-- I hate not knowing how much she's getting!
You pump 4-5 times and get that kind of output??? Amazing!
I pump pretty much every 3-4 hours and get about 6 oz every time which is nice because it's really helped me build my stash.

JessAnnJ · November 2014

We made the switch on Thursday after making progress with the LC and OT to mostly BFing and pumping twice a day. @MrsSinner402‌ I EPed for a year with DD1 so I'm here to support you even if we stick with BFing. I am not sure if you are going back to work, but if you are in some ways being an EPer is easier because you are used to being able to provide milk through pumping. I thought I would throw that out there in case it helps. Also I would watch your output. For me when I dropped down to four pumps was when I slowly started to lose some supply. I always wrote down how much I was pumping in a note in my phone.

JessAnnJ · November 2014

@ginabina11‌ it's pretty amazing to be able to pump milk for three babies.

swise22 · November 2014

How long have you been EPing?
About 4 weeks now

What is your approximate output per day?
I pump about 5 times a day and tend to get between 12 and 15 ounces a session. So between 60-75 ounces a day.

Any hardships/accomplishments?
I feel so much more relaxed now that we seem to have a set feeding schedule. DS slept the other night from 9-7 straight which was awesome but caused me to have a clogged duct.

pushgal84 · November 2014

@MrsSinner402‌ you're not the only one left EPing!

How long have you been EPing?
5 weeks, so one week left to my 6wk goal. Next goal is to make it to 3 months.

What is your approximate output per day?
I pump 5-6 times a day and tend to get about 36-40 ounces a day. Started seeing an increase the last couple days and was over 40 oz yesterday. I'm freezing 10oz/day currently. DS is taking in 25-30oz/day.

Any hardships/accomplishments? I'm glad I was about to drop down from 8 sessions a day and my supply is still increasing. MOTNs are difficult when I'm tired and I have to stare at DS sound asleep while I still have 25 min of pumping before I can sleep too.

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

JessAnnJ said:
@ginabina11‌ it's pretty amazing to be able to pump milk for three babies.

Agreed!

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

swise22 said:
How long have you been EPing?
About 4 weeks now

What is your approximate output per day?
I pump about 5 times a day and tend to get between 12 and 15 ounces a session. So between 60-75 ounces a day.

Any hardships/accomplishments?
I feel so much more relaxed now that we seem to have a set feeding schedule. DS slept the other night from 9-7 straight which was awesome but caused me to have a clogged duct.

Holy shit thats a lot of milk in a day!

swise22 · November 2014

MrsSinner402 said:

How long have you been EPing? About 4 weeks now What is your approximate output per day? I pump about 5 times a day and tend to get between 12 and 15 ounces a session. So between 60-75 ounces a day. Any hardships/accomplishments? I feel so much more relaxed now that we seem to have a set feeding schedule. DS slept the other night from 9-7 straight which was awesome but caused me to have a clogged duct.
Holy shit thats a lot of milk in a day!

I know! That was actually one of the reasons I had to go to EPing. No matter what I did, I had a huge supply and a super fast let down. DS was constantly choking and gagging and could never keep up. He does so much better now, and since I produce so much milk I only have to pump a few times a day and have a huge freezer stash for when I go back to work.

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

Anyone have tips for sore nips? Mine have literally NEVER healed from day 1. The small part of my areola that gets pulled into the flange is red and raw and tender. I've tried all kinds of creams and such, but because I'm EPing they don't have time to heal.

swise22 · November 2014

MrsSinner402 said:

Anyone have tips for sore nips? Mine have literally NEVER healed from day 1. The small part of my areola that gets pulled into the flange is red and raw and tender. I've tried all kinds of creams and such, but because I'm EPing they don't have time to heal.

I used the Lansinoh cream at the beginning which seemed to help and they haven't really bothered me at all since I switched to EPing. I just use a relatively low setting on my pump so I really don't feel much when pumping. Did you try different size flanges?

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

swise22 said:

MrsSinner402 said:

Anyone have tips for sore nips? Mine have literally NEVER healed from day 1. The small part of my areola that gets pulled into the flange is red and raw and tender. I've tried all kinds of creams and such, but because I'm EPing they don't have time to heal.

I used the Lansinoh cream at the beginning which seemed to help and they haven't really bothered me at all since I switched to EPing. I just use a relatively low setting on my pump so I really don't feel much when pumping. Did you try different size flanges?

I've tried every size out there, including the Pumpin Pals. I think I'm between the medela 24 and 27mm sizes. 24s cause my nips to rub on the sides and 27s pull a little of my areola in. :-<

swise22 · November 2014

Ugh that's a bummer. I wish I had some better advice for you to make it more comfortable

Leysin97 · November 2014

@MrsSinner402‌ have you used triple nipple cream. It's a prescription I was given for yeast but the lactation consultant today made it sound as if it's used for pain/bleeding/sores on nipples from BF. It's great and has helped a ton with the pain. You can Google it but it has a pain reliever and antibiotic. I saw online some people have posted how to make it as well.

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

Leysin97 said:
@MrsSinner402‌ have you used triple nipple cream. It's a prescription I was given for yeast but the lactation consultant today made it sound as if it's used for pain/bleeding/sores on nipples from BF. It's great and has helped a ton with the pain. You can Google it but it has a pain reliever and antibiotic. I saw online some people have posted how to make it as well.

I think its also called APNO? All purpose nipple ointment. My OB was going to prescribe it but it has to be made at a compound pharmacy. The nearest one is an hour away.

So we just tried the hydrocortisone cream but it didnt help.

JessAnnJ · November 2014

@MrsSinner402‌ the pharmacy I used would mail the prescription to my house. But, I can't say the cream helped me though it has helped others.

Have you tried calling Medela customer service and explaining your problem and seeing what they say? If not it can't hurt. I did this with Ameda. I figure they know the most about their products.

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

JessAnnJ said:
@MrsSinner402‌ the pharmacy I used would mail the prescription to my house. But, I can't say the cream helped me though it has helped others.

Have you tried calling Medela customer service and explaining your problem and seeing what they say? If not it can't hurt. I did this with Ameda. I figure they know the most about their products.

I haven't tried calling. But you're right, it wouldn't hurt! They may have the magical answer.

Thanks!

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

ginabina11 said:
I have a Question for you all. When I start my pump session, the flanges for perfectly. After 5-10 min it looks like half my boob is being sucked into the pump. Do I need to change sizes? It's not necessarily painful, but I think I read somewhere that the wrong size can affect (effect?) your output.

Good question. :-? My nips change size also, but I guess I'd rather the flange be a bit too big than have my nips rubbing in the flange? Unless you switch during your session which just seems like a pain in the ass. :-??

Aurora1181 · November 2014

I'm still pumping for my twins!

I used to pump 8x a day, now I'm down to 7 since the twins started sleeping from 10pm-4am each night. They're a little over six weeks, adjusted age, so I'm pretty proud of them. I used to get up with them around midnight and feed/pump, but now that they're sleeping (fingers crossed) for that full six hours, I'm not getting up to pump.

I go back to work on Monday, so I'm nervous about how the exhaustion/stress/timing will affect my output. Right now I'm getting about 40oz a day from the 7 pumps. But the twins eat about 50oz a day total, so I'm supplementing with Enfamil Gentlease at night.

All of you ladies are rock stars in my book! This stuff is hard!

Maggie6424 · November 2014

You definitely aren't alone. Ep'ing SUCKS.

How long have you been EPing? Since day one I've been pumping, so 22 days. He would latch and feed for a few seconds at a time, but he wasn't getting hardly anything so he'd just sit there and look at me.

What is your approximate output per day? I only get 20-45 ml's per pump session. I produce only about 8oz per day at the max. He's mainly getting formula.

Any hardships/accomplishments? The aforementioned bs. And knowing that I have to sit up at night and suffer while everyone else sleeps. PLUS between the breast reduction and PCOS, my supply blows. I was also cursed with the ridiculous nausea that comes with the release of oxytocin. It's like an instant feeling of needing to throw up. Whenever anything touches my nipple(s) I want to puke. It's really hard to suffer for such measly result, and if H wasn't so adamant that I continue I wouldn't still be doing it.

Tips and tricks to share? I've been drinking the mother's milk tea, and it seemed to help a little bit. I produce more this time than with DS1. I was using milky! but everyone is sold out of it right now.

ashie0610 · November 2014

MrsSinner402 said:

Leysin97 said:
@MrsSinner402‌ have you used triple nipple cream. It's a prescription I was given for yeast but the lactation consultant today made it sound as if it's used for pain/bleeding/sores on nipples from BF. It's great and has helped a ton with the pain. You can Google it but it has a pain reliever and antibiotic. I saw online some people have posted how to make it as well.
I think its also called APNO? All purpose nipple ointment. My OB was going to prescribe it but it has to be made at a compound pharmacy. The nearest one is an hour away. So we just tried the hydrocortisone cream but it didnt help.

@MrsSinner402‌ You can just get the Rx for Muporicin from your doc, then mix it yourself with hydrocortisone and Lotrimin. My LC has me do this after my bout with mastitis and I was healed within a few days.

TheFutureMrs.O · November 2014

Just wanted to pop in and say "Keep up the good work and your all doing great!" EPing is hard. I did it for 6 months with DS.
The "milk maid" app for my iPhone was a god send for tracking my stash, giving stats, timing pumping and setting alarms.

SweetMandyB12 · November 2014

Maggie6424 said:

You definitely aren't alone. Ep'ing SUCKS.

How long have you been EPing? Since day one I've been pumping, so 22 days. He would latch and feed for a few seconds at a time, but he wasn't getting hardly anything so he'd just sit there and look at me.

What is your approximate output per day? I only get 20-45 ml's per pump session. I produce only about 8oz per day at the max. He's mainly getting formula.

Any hardships/accomplishments? The aforementioned bs. And knowing that I have to sit up at night and suffer while everyone else sleeps. PLUS between the breast reduction and PCOS, my supply blows. I was also cursed with the ridiculous nausea that comes with the release of oxytocin. It's like an instant feeling of needing to throw up. Whenever anything touches my nipple(s) I want to puke. It's really hard to suffer for such measly result, and if H wasn't so adamant that I continue I wouldn't still be doing it.

Tips and tricks to share? I've been drinking the mother's milk tea, and it seemed to help a little bit. I produce more this time than with DS1. I was using milky! but everyone is sold out of it right now.

We are in a similar boat! LO will be 4 weeks on Sunday. I've been EPing since 1 week old due to infected nipples. She had a tongue tie and her poor latch tore my nips up and then they got infected.

I had a breast reduction 14yrs ago, and had difficulty getting pregnant because of PCO, so I have no idea where my milk supply should be right about now. The most I've gotten in a day is 17 oz.

I can't heal because I am constantly pumping, and I can't try to nurse because I'm not healed. Catch 22. Shitty situation. I am considering throwing in the towel next week if I'm not healed. I've been using APNO for almost 2 weeks with little improvement, and even took a 10 day course of dicloxacilin to try and beat the infection with no luck, and now I've broken out in a horrible rash. Must be allergic to penicillin, surprise.

So now I am doped up on Benadryl, slapping on cortisone cream all over my arms, using APNO on my nips, and having to pump every 3-5 hours plus supplement with formula. It's so painfully exhausting. I want so badly for her to have my milk, but just don't know how much more I can take. It's been a really rough few weeks.

EPing is hard work, especially for a BFAR mom. Like the support and advice I can read in these threads.

babygurl1783 · November 2014

How long have you been EPing?
I've been pumping since we left the hospital. So about 6 weeks now.

What is your approximate output per day?
Was pumping 7 times a day now down to 5 times getting about 55-60 oz per day.

Any hardships/accomplishments?
Nipples are starting to get sore. But using all purpose nipple ointment seems to help. Some days it seems like all I do is feed, pump and get her to sleep.

Tips and tricks to share?
I try to pump right before bed so I can maybe get more sleep between pumps.

Want a personalized experience?

EPing Check In 11/25

Re: EPing Check In 11/25

Choose Another Board

Search Boards