EP anyone?!

serenaxo84 · October 2016

is anyone Exclusively Pumping?

weve been trying to nurse but can't get LOs latch down. I was getting so upset that I decided to just pump all weekend until I can see the LC on Monday at group and try and have them help me with either the nipple shield or reassessing LOs latch.

im also thinking of taking him to a pediatric dentist to assess a potention tongue tie- it doesn't seem like his mouth/ tongue is working right to get a good latch- however it might just be due to his age as he isn't due until november 8th - born at 37 weeks.

anyway- I'm debating on just continuing the EP. It's hard work but it's nice that someone else can feed baby- but I hate all the washing and being stuck to the pump. Anyone else in the same boat?

SuperNerd42 · October 2016

I pumped exclusively with DD1 for over 6 months and had a massive enough stash to make it a few more months. It was definitely work, but I was really pleased with how well we did! Being able to let DH take some overnight feedings was amazing and helped keep me sane. I definitely recommend buying some extra pump parts, that ended up being a huge help when I was pumping at work. I could get away with giving them a good hot rinse and not worry about soaping down and washing all the parts in a work sink.

With this LO I tried to BF but it was a nightmare. The clusterfeeding from birth took a toll, obviously our latch was an issue and the LCs weren't helpful at all. My poor nips were pretty torn up- to the point that pumping hurt, I wasn't producing enough to keep up with her, and we had to supplement almost immediately. I took a few days off (yes days) and when they healed up enough I started pumping again. I definitely lost quite a bit of supply, but I'm working on it and I figure any extra breastmilk is a win.

Do what feels best to you. I was pretty tempted to just axe the pump in general, but I really wanted to at least give it another try

UFJen · October 2016

I'm just pumping. He did a number on my nipples while we were in the hospital and was compressing them, so pumping was what I did to help them heal, and now he won't take the nipple at all, so pumping it is. It is such hard work because I feel like I'm constantly attached to the pump, but I keep thinking of the benefits of the breast milk. You are not alone!

NoraAurora · October 2016

I'm not this time around but I EP'd for DS for a little less than a year. It isn't much fun but after a bit it becomes second nature. Just like with BF'ing, gage how things are going and only do it for as long as it is working for everyone.

Blonde1817 · October 2016

I had to pump a lot initially when LO was in the NICU and then I couldn't get him to latch and had to use the nipple shield. It was exhausting! You might already be doing these things but what helped me was ...

Put DH in charge of the storing and cleaning! The LC at our pumping class suggested that and in the hospital DH just kind of took that on and it was so helpful. Also, you can store the pump in the fridge during the day rather than cleaning it each time. They also make wipes for if you don't have sink access. Also, if you have not yet bought a hands free pumping bra, get one ASAP. I waited a few days of pumping to finally go down to the hospital store and buy one and it was such a game changer. Worth every penny.

mothernorth · October 2016

I was while Johnny was in the NICU and had an amazing supply, tried EBFing once we got home, he couldn't take a quarter of what my body had gotten used to having pumped so my boobs got super engorged, drained for a few days, now my supply is suffering. I went from getting 11 oz per sitting to 4 oz, Johnny takes 6oz now, so I can't even keep up with him and have had to resort to supplementing the last few days =/ I think I'm going to nix BFing and get back on EPing. Everybody seemed so much more content that way, and I like exactly how much my little man is getting anyway. He falls asleep in the breast too much and it makes it so hard to tell. I was able to EBF with Jimmy, and lost my supply catching the flu immediately after DD was born in 2011 and had to formula feed, so I've had a different experience with each baby. That being said, all my kids are happy and healthy, so no matter what happens, it'll work for your LO. Just keep 'em fed!

serenaxo84 · October 2016

Thanks ladies!

Im gonna keep trying going to the support group today, dentist tomorrow and a one on one aooointment with LC on Thursday. Hoping to stick it out for a few more weeks- maybe pumping won't be so bad once LO doesn't have to be woken up at night to eat lol?!

blaf322 · November 2016

@AllyTheKid what did your pumping schedule look like... that got you up to 11oz per session. I'm excited if I get 70ml per session (so just under 2.5oz)

mothernorth · November 2016

@bnsmith85 I pumped every 3 hours, on the dot nearly, for 20 minutes per session. It was easier while he was in the NICU, we were just in a hotel with no other obligations aside from me pumping and us visiting him during his touch times. Now I'm lucky if I can pump 3x per day.

blaf322 · November 2016

Thanks @AllyTheKid! And I can only imagine how hard it is to keep a pumping schedule with 3 kids!!

mothernorth · November 2016

I'm going to do my best to try to do at least every 4 hours instead, but I have to get my supply back up. I don't want to resort to fenugreek yet, I did with DD but it made my milk stinky!

blaf322 · November 2016

@AllyTheKid my LC SWEARS by this stuff called More Milk Special Blend for improving production. It hasn't made my milk stink. I just started on Monday though so I don't know if it works. That said, my friend has the same LC and continues to take it as suggested so it must be worth it.

mothernorth · November 2016

@bnsmith85 where can I find this voodoo magic?

serenaxo84 · November 2016

I've been pumping 8 times a day for 15 minutes- I'm trying to go down to 7 but I'm not even really sure how to do that!

blaf322 · November 2016

@AllyTheKid Amazon... I got it from the hospital breastfeeding store but it's the same price on Amazon

mothernorth · November 2016

@bnsmith85 Sweet Jayzuss, that stuff is pricey! I think I'll try out some basic Fenugreek first and if I need something more, I'll whip out the big guns with that.

serenaxo84 · November 2016

@allythekid any luck getting in some more pump sessions.

i wanna kill my H tonight- he came home drunk and I'm doing all the night feedings and pumping alone tonight... you know on top of taking care of the baby alone all day and the toddler...so not fucking fair.

blaf322 · November 2016

@AllyTheKid I know! We had a bit of sticker shock when I went to get it. I got the 2week supply for $25 and if I don't see improvement by then, I'm pulling the plug

mothernorth · November 2016

@serenaxo84 Not yet and I just want to cry... every hour that passes by makes me more and more upset

I'm just going to have to baby jail Jimmy in his crib, and Johnny in his bassinet. If they cry they cry, I only pumped 2.5 pz combined after 30 minutes last time... I know the key is frequency and not duration, but it was late, I had time, and I'm reaching now!

mothernorth · November 2016

@bnsmith85 Really? The bottles I saw were like $40, maybe I was looking at the wrong thing? I'll check again.

blaf322 · November 2016

Here's the one I got @AllyTheKid... you may have just been looking at the larger bottles. We weren't willing to invest in those either. Not until we saw results from the smaller one

mothernorth · November 2016

@bnsmith85 Thanks love!

princesslockness · November 2016

Lurker from D'16*******

@AllyTheKid you should look into UpSpring Milkflow. They have both Fenugreek and Milkthistle, but are only $15 for 100 pills.

kennelchick · November 2016

@AllyTheKid I bought lactation cookies that after about a day really increased my supply

mothernorth · November 2016

Thank you ladies

blaf322 · November 2016

Mmmmm... lactation cookies. I have some in the freezer. After this pumping session, I'm pulling them out to bake!

serenaxo84 · November 2016

Anyone get all the feels when they pump? Like sad feels? I don't feel baby blueish this time around but whenever I pump I get an overwhelming sense of sadness.

mothernorth · November 2016

@serenaxo84 No, I can't say I have, but I hope that goes away and you feel better soon! You're doing a great job mama

::hugs::

mothernorth · November 2016

I know this may seem super weird, but FI bought tacos and burritos the night before last. When I pump after I eat a bean burrito, I have way more milk... like, a substantial amount more. Food for though (or breasts).

LGW2015 · November 2016

AllyTheKid said:

I know this may seem super weird, but FI bought tacos and burritos the night before last. When I pump after I eat a bean burrito, I have way more milk... like, a substantial amount more. Food for though (or breasts).

Lol that is too funny. My mom swears by having a beer. She said she'd immediately fill up with milk when she was nursing, which kind've makes sense bc of the yeast!

mothernorth · November 2016

If I didn't hate beer so much I'd give it a shot! @LGW2015

serenaxo84 · November 2016

@allythekid @lgw2015 I've found that if I drink a Gatorade I have a way better pump. I'm thinking it must do with hydration.

'maybe the burrito is the protein from the beans!?

I've also heard the beer thing! A Guinness is supposed to really help supply!

And @allythekid thanks! It's so strange it passes after I am done pumping. I think I just have a lot of feels about DS1. Can't wait until we find our lance.

blaf322 · November 2016

Lefty has all of a sudden started being stingy with let down... like, I can feel that there's more milk in there but can't get let down. Have any of you run into this before?

NoraAurora · November 2016

Only when I had a plugged duct. Massage helped me.

swhiddon33 · November 2016

Lurking from D16....but I am actually an October mom so not sure how that works.

My little dude was an early bird and came during my 32nd week on October 12. He has been in the NICU so I am EPing and holy hot potatoes is it challenging. On day 25 I have found a better rhythm and I hope it continues. I came here to see if anyone has had success with the Motherlove herbs that my LC has suggested for a supply increase. I see it's been discussed above...any updates from y'all?

blaf322 · November 2016

swhiddon33 said:

Lurking from D16....but I am actually an October mom so not sure how that works.

My little dude was an early bird and came during my 32nd week on October 12. He has been in the NICU so I am EPing and holy hot potatoes is it challenging. On day 25 I have found a better rhythm and I hope it continues. I came here to see if anyone has had success with the Motherlove herbs that my LC has suggested for a supply increase. I see it's been discussed above...any updates from y'all?

I just started using it so no word yet.
@nsquaredlife13- didn't you suggest this as well? Did it work for you?

mothernorth · November 2016

@swhiddon33 I haven't used those yet, I'm still waiting to scrape up some change to buy a bottle of fenugreek with first. I'll give that a go and if no luck, I'll try what @bnsmith85 suggested. Right now I'm just hydrating more, and eating oatmeal. It's hit or miss at the moment, but I'm still getting some milk each session, which is better than none. Looking forward to getting some herbs, I hope those are the kick I need. If I could just get back up to 5 or 6 ounces collectively I'd be happy because that's how much Johnny needs each feeding.

mothernorth · November 2016

PS
I just searched the lactation cookie recipe @NoraAurora posted a while back, and I'm going to go get some brewer's yeast then give those a shot too!

MRSCORKER · November 2016

I'm trying to figure out how to start pumping. I'm exclusively BF so far but I want to start building a stash and would like to introduce a bottle in the next week or two. He usually takes both sides when he eats but he only took one side at one of his feedings on Saturday so I pumped the other side and then he woke up an hour later and wanted to eat again. I felt like I didn't have enough for him though he seemed to be ok. Any advice for getting the ball rolling?

NoraAurora · November 2016

@MRSCORKER- you will have the most milk in the morning, so I would suggest doing a session when you get up for the day, after you feed baby. That way baby is happy and you probably won't be empty. And have time for your breasts to refill by next feeding.

MRSCORKER · November 2016

Thanks @NoraAurora!

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