exclusively pumping

BrooklynnCE · August 2015

Any other moms here exclusively pumping milk and giving to baby from a bottle? My DD had latch issues early on and we just couldn't get the hang of it so to keep my sanity but also to refrain from switching to formula I decided to exclusively pump. How do other moms get anything done outside the house with having to pump every 3 hours or so. I feel trapped here at home!!!!

bpwife&mama · August 2015

Get a hands free nursing bra and you can take it on the go.

CaliforniaDream87 · August 2015

bpwife&mama said:
Get a hands free nursing bra and you can take it on the go.

This. Also, start working on a stash. That will give you more time in between feedings especially as baby grows.

PixelPosy · August 2015

I lost my mind trying to keep up with the pumping schedule when DD1 was born. It was just me and her at home, I didn't ask anyone for help in those early weeks, though I could have used it looking back.

We'd attempt to nurse (sometimes), fail, bottle feed, get her settled, pump, clean up from pumping... and it'd be about time to repeat the cycle. I didn't leave the house or get much of anything else done at first. I did have a Medela Freestyle and that let me move about and always used a hands free pump bra with it. But it's still awkward to do much of anything mobile and pumping. I haven't tried the Freemie system, but supposedly that's easier to get things done, than having the horns and bottles hanging off of you. Hang in there, it'll get easier as feedings get farther apart.

Are you still wanting to switch to nursing eventually?

SLang2 · August 2015

It does get easier. Also, once you establish your supply (12 weeks is recommended) you can begin dropping pumps. I exclusively pumped for 1 year for each of my kids on pumped an average of 4x a day to make enough for them to eat 100% breast milk. Keep up the good work!!

JNOVA2015 · August 2015

If it makes you feel better, having to nurse every 2-3 hours makes you pretty much just as housebound!! Keep up the good work, mama!

Boslove · August 2015

I'm exclusively pumping, my supply dropped from missing pumps during my move over the wkend. Try to keep up with your schedule or at least make up for it after you get back home.

Glad other mothers have had success with EP. As much as I wanted to stop I've decided to stick it out.

daniellekm2015 · August 2015

I'm exclusively pumping and it is hard. I pump every two hours during the day and then when DS wakes up at night (usually every 3 hours or so). I use the battery pack that came with my Medela Pump in Style and pump in the car or just excuse myself and pump when we are visiting family or friends. I also definitely recommend a hands free bra. I can feed DS while I pump and for us it takes less time than it was taking us to BF (it's also not nearly as painful because of his poor latch). It does seem to be getting easier 4 weeks in, keep it up!

kelseyrayay · August 2015

I have to pump now just because my son decided he didn't like latching either. He just completely stopped but he loves sucking on the bottle. I actually like pumping. I stay at home a lot so I'm working on storing it and such.

lrichhx05 · August 2015

I'm exclusively pumping too and I hate it. I have a huge stash in my freezer and I'm working on building it up a little more so I can stop pumping but still have breast milk for awhile. Good luck I know how time consuming it can be!

BrooklynnCE · August 2015

Thanks moms. I'll be going back to work after my six weeks is up and am very nervous. As much as I want my daughter to be able to feed from the breast her and I just can't get it and my nipples are introverted (I think that is what the LC said) so I tried with a nipple shield. She wasn't having it. I have the spectra s2 pump so I can't be mobile and pump even with a hands free bra. I'm beginning to question my choice of pump. I feel bad we can't nurse from the breast but with the trouble we were having it gave me anxiety watching the clock waiting for the next feed...

dody2osu · August 2015

I'm contemplating EP too! My LO had a tongue & lip tie that we had revised this week & I was really hoping it would help with BF, as she wasn't effectively getting milk out before. But ever since the procedure it seems like things have gotten worse... My nipples are now cracked & blistered. I think she also has a high palate & really strong suck so the latch isn't right & my boobs have had no time to heal. So I've been pumping for the last day & although I'm going to see a LC on Tuesday to help with our latch issues (fingers crossed that we can figure something out!), I'm trying to prepare myself for a contingency plan in case things don't go well. Last night I found myself crying & dreading our next feeding session because my nipples hurt so bad & that's when I realized the stress is not good for me or baby &
I need to focus on enjoying time with her, not resenting my time feeding her because it's painful.

dkizz82 · August 2015

Good for you mama. I did it for 2 weeks and about lost my mind. I was exhausted and that wasn't helping. Then I found out I couldn't BF with my heart medication so I stopped.

BrooklynnCE · August 2015

Oh my gosh. My daughter had tounge tie. We got it fixed the day we were discharged from the hospital. She was always striping my nipples and had such a strong latch too. I also thinknit got worse after fixing her tounge tie. I agree that this time shouldn't be stressful either so that's why I decided to EP. I hope it works. I'll do anything toatoake sure I can provide breast milk for her as its the best thing she can get and its free! Any moms have advice on the best pump for EP moms that are the best on the go?

dody2osu · August 2015

BrooklynnCE said:
Oh my gosh. My daughter had tounge tie. We got it fixed the day we were discharged from the hospital. She was always striping my nipples and had such a strong latch too. I also thinknit got worse after fixing her tounge tie. I agree that this time shouldn't be stressful either so that's why I decided to EP. I hope it works. I'll do anything toatoake sure I can provide breast milk for her as its the best thing she can get and its free! Any moms have advice on the best pump for EP moms that are the best on the go?

It's crazy how common lip & tongue ties are! I've heard stories where people say breastfeeding is amazing after the revision & other people say it just introduces a new set of issues because baby needs to relearn how to use those muscles since they have a broader range of motion now. Sometimes they have to do little "exercises" to learn how to suck correctly. Pretty crazy! As far as the pump... I'm using the Medela Pump In Style Advance that I got through my insurance. Seems to be doing a great job so far & it's pretty small/lightweight. I'm not sure if it has a battery back you can use, but I just bought the car charger for it too!

ann_jeremiah · August 2015

Pump while doing other things.. pump as you are doing hair/make up in the morning... pump while driving.. etc

It all seems a little odd at first, but you do what you gotta do!

BabyMaximus2015 · August 2015

I'm just curious, how soon did you start pumping after baby was born? Did you nurse in the hospital? I am wanting to EP without nursing but have heard that you shouldn't pump until three weeks after the baby is born. Sorry, FTM here and just wondering. I am needing a stash as I will return back to school and work in several weeks.

For me, I plan to pump while doing things that I can sit down and do such as laundry, homework, or just when I can take time to set down every couple hours. Multitasking will be the key to my own success. For trips out as previous posters have mentioned, I will get a car charger/ battery pack for my Medela in style advance pump. Or if I'm going to a family members, I will just excuse myself to a more private area to pump or try to plan my outings around my pump schedule.

candicejeff2013 · August 2015

JNOVA2015 said:
If it makes you feel better, having to nurse every 2-3 hours makes you pretty much just as housebound!! Keep up the good work, mama!

Yes. I was thinking the same thing.

holli0801 · August 2015

BabyMaximus2015 said:
I'm just curious, how soon did you start pumping after baby was born? Did you nurse in the hospital? I am wanting to EP without nursing but have heard that you shouldn't pump until three weeks after the baby is born. Sorry, FTM here and just wondering. I am needing a stash as I will return back to school and work in several weeks.

For me, I plan to pump while doing things that I can sit down and do such as laundry, homework, or just when I can take time to set down every couple hours. Multitasking will be the key to my own success. For trips out as previous posters have mentioned, I will get a car charger/ battery pack for my Medela in style advance pump. Or if I'm going to a family members, I will just excuse myself to a more private area to pump or try to plan my outings around my pump schedule.

I pumped in the hospital and had to "finger feed" with a syringe so he could get enough of the colostrum. The only reason (I know of) people suggest waiting to pump and feed with a bottle is nipple confusion. But if you aren't planning to nurse this wouldn't be a problem. I had to pump and feed at first bc of latch problems. Now he is pretty good about nursing and taking the bottle. So, no problems will nipple confusion. But, everyone is different.

legray20 · August 2015

How long do you pump for in one sitting? I don't want to over-produce/under-produce.

BrooklynnCE · August 2015

BabyMaximus2015 said:
I'm just curious, how soon did you start pumping after baby was born? Did you nurse in the hospital? I am wanting to EP without nursing but have heard that you shouldn't pump until three weeks after the baby is born. Sorry, FTM here and just wondering. I am needing a stash as I will return back to school and work in several weeks.

For me, I plan to pump while doing things that I can sit down and do such as laundry, homework, or just when I can take time to set down every couple hours. Multitasking will be the key to my own success. For trips out as previous posters have mentioned, I will get a car charger/ battery pack for my Medela in style advance pump. Or if I'm going to a family members, I will just excuse myself to a more private area to pump or try to plan my outings around my pump schedule.

I pump every 3 hours for 20 minutes. I can usually pump 3-5 oz each pump session. My DD also eats about 2 oz every 3 hours so I'm pumping double what she eats. I assume I'll have to start freezing some milk to build my stock pile.

kettlekitten · August 2015

dody2osu said:
I'm contemplating EP too! My LO had a tongue & lip tie that we had revised this week & I was really hoping it would help with BF, as she wasn't effectively getting milk out before. But ever since the procedure it seems like things have gotten worse... My nipples are now cracked & blistered. I think she also has a high palate & really strong suck so the latch isn't right & my boobs have had no time to heal. So I've been pumping for the last day & although I'm going to see a LC on Tuesday to help with our latch issues (fingers crossed that we can figure something out!), I'm trying to prepare myself for a contingency plan in case things don't go well. Last night I found myself crying & dreading our next feeding session because my nipples hurt so bad & that's when I realized the stress is not good for me or baby &
I need to focus on enjoying time with her, not resenting my time feeding her because it's painful.

This is pretty much me, for both first and second babies

I had a case study done with DD at one of the local universities and they tested her suck strength, which was stronger than the highest setting on a breast pump!! I forged on with using a nipple shield with her, but I nearly lost my mind in the process, it was so painful for so long. This time I'm giving myself a break of sorts and pumping for a while to let my tattered nips heal before I try again.

Can any EP mums enlighten me as to a pumping/feeding schedule that worked for you? I know I'll work mine out soon enough but I am interested in hearing what others have done. I just started yesterday so feeling happy to have chosen this route but nervous..

My main concerns are..
1. How do you manage when baby is unsettled after a feed and you lose time settling when you still have to pump? Or is your LO scheduled enough that you can get up and pump beforehand?

2. How do you get your stash up and running? I'm currently only keeping pace with feeds and not producing enough to keep some aside. Also trying to get DS to regain birth weight so I need every drop I produce.

3. What if your breast pump stops working?? This is obviously not so much of an issue when you have a stash frozen but the thought of it happening now when I have nothing spare is making me paranoid...

Any other hints and tips appreciated!

CaliforniaDream87 · August 2015

legray20 said:
How long do you pump for in one sitting? I don't want to over-produce/under-produce.

I pump every two hours for 20 minutes. I'm producing between 4oz.-5oz each sitting. If I wait 3 hours I notice I don't produce as much. My stash is starting to look pretty good already.

bpwife&mama · August 2015

I am pumping every 3 hours-ish. I get between 5-6 oz after 30 minutes or so.

gulimz · August 2015

@CaliforniaDream87 and @bpwife&mama can I be a creep and say in jealous of your supplies! ! I'm lucky if I get 2 oz q2h! 4 -6 oz wow!

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