Questions for those exclusively pumping

kettlekitten · September 2015

Hi, I know some of you (including @CaliforniaDream87) are exclusively expressing so I wondered if I could pick your brains

I'm trying to get in touch with a couple of LCs to help me but I can't rustle anyone up today so may have to wait til next week and hope for the best

I breastfed my first baby without much pumping so I am new to this.

- Do you notice your supply fluctuates at all? I was excited as mine ramped up over a few days from 40ml - 100ml per session, but that has gone way down again in the last week (I currently struggle to get 60ml/session).
- how do you plan to increase your supply as LO gets bigger? Presumably they would suck longer/more frequently at the breast as they grow, but I'm not sure how to emulate this with pumping (other than doing it more frequently, but sometimes that is impossible with other stuff going on)
- how are you finding the pumping routine when you have an older child to entertain? I feel I'm 100% occupied with the baby for hours at a time, and today I just had to park DD in front of TV for several hours while I fed/pumped/changed/settled baby on repeat.

I had some more questions but I'm so tired and can't remember right now...

I would dearly love to get back to BFing as managed to BF DD for20 months and would like to do the same with DS. I know I could get back to BFing when DS gets bigger (making latch less painful) but it seems to be such a struggle even at only 2 and a bit weeks along I don't know how far I'll get.

Any tips or other thoughts would be appreciated- thanks!!

Boslove · September 2015

I know my supply has been fluctuating from 40ml-60ml per session.
I also have a call into my LC because I'm trying to find a way to store BM for later but I'm only pumping enough for DS to eat that day.
This week I 've been trying to pump every 2hrs, with at least one power pumping session a day. I go longer over night , I need my sleep! I increased my water intake a bottle each time I pump, this has increased my supply overall but my numbers still fluctuate with each pump.
I made a hands free bra, by cutting a line in a sports bra. That's helped with dealing with DD and DS while pumping so frequently.

You asked all the questions I've had so I cant wait to see what the other mama's say.

irohspupil · September 2015

I have the same questions! Following for advice given.
Also, how long before my nipples toughen up to the pump? I've been EP for a week and a half now and the cracks on my left nipple from LO's poor latch are still hanging around. I pump on the lowest setting and slather on lanolin after every session.

I've noticed a ton of fluctuation in my pumping sessions, though I still average from 12 to 15 ounces a day in all. Not enough to give LO just breast milk so I'm having to supplement.

CaliforniaDream87 · September 2015

-I haven't noticed my supply fluctuating much. The only time I saw a slight difference was when I had the clogged duct. I think the fluctuation comes from not pumping on a precise schedule (exact time for such and such minutes).That makes a huge difference. As of now I'm pumping about 8-9 oz per session but I pump, no matter what, every 2 hours (this includes getting up in the middle of the night-you have too. If you don't this is where your supply will tank). I'm actually pumping more than LO needs but I'm also building my freezer stash.
-I'm pumping for 20 minutes right now. As LO gets older I'll increase my pump time but space out my sessions. I'm also hoping my freezer supply can supplement for me if I am not producing more (which I should be if I stick with the schedule).
-I also park my 2 year old in front of the TV/his iPad. Right now it's all about survival. Usually the baby is in her swing/RnP/bouncer ect. My hands free pump bra is my life saver. Without that I would not be successful at EP'ing.

I plan to EP until LO is 1 year old so I HAVE to work this plan. It's not easy, especially having a 2 year old but I just keep reminding myself that this won't last always. Hope this helped a bit!

CaliforniaDream87 · September 2015

micshi said:
I have the same questions! Following for advice given.
Also, how long before my nipples toughen up to the pump? I've been EP for a week and a half now and the cracks on my left nipple from LO's poor latch are still hanging around. I pump on the lowest setting and slather on lanolin after every session.

I would say my nipples got used to the pump around 1 week. Keep using the lanolin. It will get better!

emmacake08 · September 2015

Everything @CaliforniaDream87 said. I never had supply issues sticking to a schedule and my nips toughened up about a week in. Be careful after you shower because all the oils on your skin are gone and it can hurt especially then if you don't moisturize. If you're already starting to see your supply go down, I would power pump and get on a 2 hour pumping schedule right now. After a month, I was able to back off to pumping every 3 hours at night and a few times a day but I still pumped 10 times a day.

SassetteSmurfling · September 2015

@California_Dreaming @emmacake08 and anyone else who might know...how much/how often are your LOs eating??

I EBF right now and I'm pumping just once a day to start to build a stash for when I go back to work in 3 weeks. Since I just feed on demand her schedule varies from day to day and her time spent nursing ranges anywhere from 10-40 minutes. I have no idea how to store my milk (like how many oz per bag) and how often to tell her babysitter and DH to feed her when I'm gone. Any thoughts or advice or will it probably just be trial and error?

emmacake08 · September 2015

If she's breastfed going to a bottle, I would offer 3 oz every 2-3 hours with a lot of breaks for burping and to slow her down on the bottle so she doesn't gulp too much too fast and get a belly ache. My LO does a "big" feed in the evening of 4-5 oz but that's only the one time for her. When I thaw milk, I mark the bottom on the bottle with a dry erase marker with the time that it expires so there's less confusion. If 3 oz seems consistently too little, add more in the future. I will say that people that fed my babies that had formula fed always thought I'd given too little milk since you don't have to up the volume like you do with formula.

irohspupil · September 2015

@CaliforniaDream87 how do you stick to such a schedule with your LO? It seems my LO fusses if she isn't sleeping unless she's being held/given attention by someone. And I never know if she's going to sleep long enough for me to get a pump session in. I have a hands free bra, but my pump still requires being plugged into the wall so I'm pretty much useless when I'm hooked up. Do I just have to let her fuss and cry while I'm pumping?

RachelH77 · September 2015

I totally understand not being able to put baby down when pumping! I have found that setting my little guy next to me propped up with a pacifier and white noise app going seems to help. But honestly, sometimes he just cries and I just keep telling myself it's okay because it's for him! Good luck!

kettlekitten · September 2015

Thanks for the comments everyone. @CaliforniaDream87 wow you're amazing managing to do that, even with the toddler in front of the TV! I've been trying to do two hourly pumping today but didn't seem to get much

I'll keep trying that though I don't know if I can do it throughout the night

.

I've got an appointment with a specialist BFing doctor on Tuesday so I'll post here with any other tips.

I asked my mum to make lactation cookies for me and, bless her heart, she went off and bought Brewers yeast and flaxseed meal and whipped up a batch... While looking after DD for the afternoon! Thank god for the support crew!! I ate a few cookies and, as I'm typing this I'm pumping and have already produced more milk in one session than I have in the past few days - coincidence? Maybe!!

@micshi do you have access to a physio who does laser treatment? That was the best thing for my cracked nipples. Two 15 minute sessions over two days (during which I was EPing) and they completely healed!

irohspupil · September 2015

@kettlekitten I'll have to look into that!

kettlekitten · September 2015

Yes definitely do @micshi , it just promotes rapid healing - it's like a miracle! I now stick to once or twice daily BFs combined with pumping and the cracks haven't returned.

lrichhx05 · September 2015

Wow props to those of you who manage to pump every two hours! When DD was in the NICU I pumped about every 3 hours because it was easier in the hospital. Being home I've cut back to only pumping 5 times a day. I pump at the same times everyday so my supply doesn't really fluctuate, I average about 9-10 oz per session.

CaliforniaDream87 · September 2015

SassetteSmurfling said:
@California_Dreaming @emmacake08 and anyone else who might know...how much/how often are your LOs eating??

I would say she is eating about 2-3 oz every hour and a half. This girl eats....

CaliforniaDream87 · September 2015

micshi said:
@CaliforniaDream87 how do you stick to such a schedule with your LO? It seems my LO fusses if she isn't sleeping unless she's being held/given attention by someone. And I never know if she's going to sleep long enough for me to get a pump session in. I have a hands free bra, but my pump still requires being plugged into the wall so I'm pretty much useless when I'm hooked up. Do I just have to let her fuss and cry while I'm pumping?

I have the pump in style medela which allows for me to run it off battery. You should see me in my house. I'm running around with my pump connected to me on my back (it's a back pack style). So, with the hands free pump bra and my cordless pump it really works miracles for my supply. Believe me, I'm constantly getting up and down. She never wants me to put her down. Just have to make it work somehow.

candicejeff2013 · September 2015

micshi said:
@CaliforniaDream87 how do you stick to such a schedule with your LO? It seems my LO fusses if she isn't sleeping unless she's being held/given attention by someone. And I never know if she's going to sleep long enough for me to get a pump session in. I have a hands free bra, but my pump still requires being plugged into the wall so I'm pretty much useless when I'm hooked up. Do I just have to let her fuss and cry while I'm pumping?

Same here. I need to figure out a better system because it's just a shit show. I've moved my pump all over the house trying to find a better/more convenient spot for it but no luck yet. Plus the cleaning of the supplies afterwards is non existent as I'm always tending to LO.

irohspupil · September 2015

CaliforniaDream87 said:

micshi said:
@CaliforniaDream87 how do you stick to such a schedule with your LO? It seems my LO fusses if she isn't sleeping unless she's being held/given attention by someone. And I never know if she's going to sleep long enough for me to get a pump session in. I have a hands free bra, but my pump still requires being plugged into the wall so I'm pretty much useless when I'm hooked up. Do I just have to let her fuss and cry while I'm pumping?
I have the pump in style medela which allows for me to run it off battery. You should see me in my house. I'm running around with my pump connected to me on my back (it's a back pack style). So, with the hands free pump bra and my cordless pump it really works miracles for my supply. Believe me, I'm constantly getting up and down. She never wants me to put her down. Just have to make it work somehow.

Oh shit I've got the same pump. Why don't I have these parts??? Looking them up on Amazon now!

emmacake08 · September 2015

I always had LO in a boppy propped up next to me if awake with a paci or a bottle. There were so many times I had two babies crying at me while I pumped and I just had to keep going while attempting to soothe. I used to say it felt like that I had triplets; my twins and the pump purely because of how much time I spent hooked up.

Having 2 sets of parts really helps me. I pump at night and rinse out the parts and bottle the milk and then I put the second set hooked up ready to go for the next pumping. After I pump next time in the night, I get the other set that dried and hook it up for the next time and so on and so on. I wash with soap and sterilize both sets every night before bed, other than that I just rinse them with hot water through the day.

kettlekitten · September 2015

@CaliforniaDream87 you're obviously the guru here... Which hands free bra do you use?

I imagine it looks like something out of a sci fi movie when you're all hooked up

CaliforniaDream87 · September 2015

kettlekitten said:
@CaliforniaDream87 you're obviously the guru here... Which hands free bra do you use?

I imagine it looks like something out of a sci fi movie when you're all hooked up

Lol you should see me! I use this one (Amazon) and I purchased like 4 so I don't have to wash them as often. They're my life savers. Some people just cut holes in a tight sports bra but I need a little more support (support=stronger hold of the bottles when I'm walking around pumping).

kettlekitten · September 2015

Cool, thank you! Not as expensive as I thought. Thanks for all your help

Kwest1007 · September 2015

Why do ppl EP? What are the advantages/disadvantages of EP? I never heard of this until now. Curious about the option!

irohspupil · September 2015

Kwest1007 said:
Why do ppl EP? What are the advantages/disadvantages of EP? I never heard of this until now. Curious about the option!

I moved to EP because breastfeeding didn't work out for us, and I still wanted to provide her breast milk.

kettlekitten · September 2015

@Kwest1007 I am doing it due to chronic nipple pain, which I experienced with my first baby too (it took 6 months to be completely pain free). With the first baby I nearly drove myself insane by pushing on through excruciating breast feeds, so with this one I'm trying a different approach! Trying EPing with intermittent BFs until he is a bit bigger, which I'm hoping will make feeding less painful (ie hopefully he will latch better with a bigger mouth!). With the first baby I feel it was just a matter of time that made it comfortable for me.

CaliforniaDream87 · September 2015

Kwest1007 said:
Why do ppl EP? What are the advantages/disadvantages of EP? I never heard of this until now. Curious about the option!

BF'ing isn't an option for me. So I EP to provide my baby BM. Believe me it's hard work. I wouldn't be doing it for shits and giggles when BF'ing only requires me to pull my boob out.

emmacake08 · September 2015

@Kwest1007 I have to EP because I have a combination of overly firm breast tissue and large nipples that makes nursing a newborn difficult. All my kids haven't been able to empty my breasts until they were older with stronger cheeks. Also even though they latch pretty well for my large nipples, they can't initially get back far enough behind the nipple to suck properly. I do weighted feeds here and there so once they're mature enough, I transition to nursing only because it's way easier. Thank god for pumps or else I'd never be able to get them to nurse eventually.

Kwest1007 · September 2015

Thanks for sharing ladies! I never knew about EP. I have been working with lactation specialist cause it's soo painful to nurse on the left; right is improving (LO 13 days old). I've only pumped twice so far and find it very uncomfortable and also overwhelming to do both at the same time! I'm also concerned my supply isn't enough to do both at this time because I hardly get anything after she eats (not to mention she nurses for almost 60mins!!).

Want a personalized experience?

Questions for those exclusively pumping

Re: Questions for those exclusively pumping

Choose Another Board

Search Boards