Q for EPers

RayRay007 · January 2015

Do you pump more often than they eat? When I pump to replace a feed, I only pump 1/2-3/4 of what they eat (depending on the time of day). So how to you stay ahead? Does your body adjust?

SereJane · January 2015

I've been working on this as well. I have a hard time pumping at least 8x a day since I have to pump when they are either sleeping or otherwise happy. I pump right after I feed them (or try to anyway!) if I don't pump enough for the next feeding I will either mix formula and breast milk for the next feed or try to pump again before feeding them. Seeing how my supply rises and falls depending on #of pumps a day, food eaten, and sleep etc is helping me figure it all out. I've been taking fenugreek to help build supply as well.
Bought stuff for lactation cookies but have not found any time to make them yet!

BabyKsMommy · January 2015

I pump whenever I feed. I do it all at the same time to be more time efficient. I usually pump more than they eat. I also use a hospital grade pump, I think that helps.

I'm trying to move them to Bfing exclusively now that they are almost 3 months.

How old are they and how much are they taking per feeding?

RayRay007 · January 2015

I'm not EPing. We usually give a bottle at bedtime so DH can help and my boobs get a break. I pump after they're asleep and get 4-5 oz. They eat about 4 oz at bedtime (total 7-8). They are 7 weeks old. When I pump after a morning feed to help make up their bedtime bottle, I get 2-4 oz. But I also use this to supplement their "lunch time" feed before they go down for a long nap. This morning they got bottles and I pumped instead (rather than in addition to) of nursing and got nearly 6 oz, but they ate a total of 7.5.
I'm just wondering because 1) If I want to give bottles ever, I don't know how we'll ever get away from formula if I can't pump enough for a feed in one sitting and 2) sometimes it seems so convenient to give a bottle (plus my nipples still hurt a lot), and I start to think EPing would be easier (although I know it is not).

BabyKsMommy · January 2015

I've been EPing since day 1 because they were born at 32 wks. Mine are now 12 weeks tomo and I'm just making the transition to bfing because it's easier to BF now. I their latch wasn't good at first because they were so tiny and fell asleep often.

I will say some women don't respond well to the pump and the babies will be able to get more out of the breast than a pump will.

sasky · January 2015

I just weaned from the pump after EPing for 7 months. But I never pumped more times than they ate. Either the same amount or fewer (5-6 times for first couple of months, then gradually omitting sessions over time). But I was blessed with an over supply. I only had to start supplementing at 5 months after I had gradually made it down to 3x per day.

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