EPIng Check In

[Deleted]

Any interest? I need some commiseration tonight.

1. How long have you been EPing?

2. Are you doing anything to help your supply?

3. Any issues with pump/boob/baby?

4. Tips for other EPers? Or random thoughts?


Brie farmvillelover @kcpokergal

[laurenh]

1. 9-1/2 months

2. Eating all the food

3. No major issues but about 1x per day my membranes seem to not have the right suction and they make a weird whistling noise. It seems to be related to when they have milk on them and are fresh out of the fridge but there is no way I'm using a fresh set of parts each time so I'll just deal with it.

4. Buy a car adapter - taking my pump with me while running errands has been such a game changer for not operating in 2-1/2 hour chunks of time.

[Brie]

1. EP for 5.5 months, BF for 3 before that.

2. Nope. No matter what I do my supply is the same. It seems to be slowly dwindling. I have good and bad days.

3. Just generally feeling annoyed with pumping and over it but at least I can see the end approaching maybe.

4. Duckbill valves from Amazon > regular Medela valves.

[Deleted]

1. Coming up on 3.5 months. Next goal is two weeks after flu shot (need to get one) and after that six months. Then I think I'm done but we shall see.

2. Yes, I take dom, Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle under the direction of a doctor. On my own I've been adding in Lechitin, Gatorade, oatmeal etc. Tonight I tried Ovaltine. It was yummy at least. We still have to supplement quite a bit.

3. I replaced my membranes tonight and that seemed to help a little. I just replaced them a few weeks ago but I guess I pump more than the Average Jane. Boobs are just slow as always. If I can I pump for an hour.

4. I've only tried it once but Chocolate Malt Ovaltine was good if you're looking for things to try to boost your supply. 

[sarahsas]

1. 6 months, 2 weeks. I have surpassed my goal (6 months)

2. Drinking water is the only thing that helps me maintain. The only other factor I notice is lack of stress. I always pump more during the weekend than at work when I'm in a hurry and stressed.

3. No. I've been lucky that I haven't had any issues (knock on wood)

4. Hang in there. I had to supplement until he was about 8 weeks old. Since then, he has been exclusively fed BM. I wanted to give up so many times. It's ok to supplement! Even a small amount of BM provides benefits. I have met my goal and want to consider dropping a session, even bought some formula just in case, but I'm still having a hard time letting go... even though I have ~600oz frozen. I know I'll be emotionally ready at SOME point. Random thoughts from a tired momma....

[shortstax]

I'm officially done EPing, but I thought I'd share a random thought. I was measured for a bra yesterday. Since weaning, my boobs went from a 36E to a 36C within a month. A MONTH!

Thank god I saved a few of my smaller pre-preg bras. I never thought they'd see the light of day again

[Deleted]

1. DS will be 8 months in a few days. We dabbled with nursing the first 3 weeks, but it's pretty much been pumping since the day he was born.

2. At this point I just my supply be. I'm very lucky that it is well established and always stays 5-10oz a day ahead of DS. I do 5 pumps on week days and 4 mostly on weekends.

In the past I ate lactation cookie bars everyday, tried to drink 12oz of water with every pump, occasional power pumping. I went to bed early like 7:30 on maternity leave. Always woke up for MOTN pumps. I still do one MOTN pump. I have not tried to lose any weight.

3. Until 5 months pp, I had every problem except blood clots and thrush. I struggled with chronic plugs and so much pain. My Spectra finally made things so much better. And I think just getting further in the process helped. Icing clogs is underrated.

I was going to be totally done at 6.5 months. But it finally got easier, so I wasn't ready to quit. I'm kind of tired of it now, but it's totally fine.

4. I think having a PISA and Spectra and using them both regularly has been good. I use the PISA at work about 6 pumps a week. Alternating pumps seems helpful.

[kate1482]

1. How long have you been EPing?
7 months and 23 days (since dd was 24hrs old)

2. Are you doing anything to help your supply?
I do try to eat enough calories. I've lost all 61lbs of baby weight (yay) with eping but I have to assume that means it's hard on my body. I try to remember to take my prenatal vitamins and drink water.

3. Any issues with pump/boob/baby?
Still loving my rental symphony. Worth the stupid $80 rental fee per month.

4. Tips for other EPers? Or random thoughts?
the only way I've made it work this long is dh has cleaned all the bottles and pump parts. He packs up my pump & coolers in the morning for work. I also have dropped down to 4 sessions and it's a lot more manageable.

Question to other- any tips for keeping a mobile baby entertained while pumping? I use to be able to sit her in the jumperoo but now that she is crawling and pulling up she isn't a fan. She loves to climb me and try to pull the tubing. It's so frustrating.

[ellipsis]

1. How long have you been EPing? Just shy of 9 weeks. It began when I went back to the hospital 3 days postpartum. I am currently doing a crappy job of trying to wean from the pump.

2. Are you doing anything to help your supply? I have an oversupply so I have been drinking sage tea and taking Sudafed which has done nothing so far. Taking Lecithin for plugged ducts.

3. Any issues with pump/boob/baby? No, the Spectra is great! Baby gets 1 bootle of formula in the MOTN cause we're lazy.

4. Tips for other EPers? Or random thoughts? Cut back on your frequency if you're going crazy. It might have no impact on your supply.

[Koala]

1. At the beginning of my journey. 3 weeks so far - twins.

2. I'm just trying to eat and drink enough right now. Starting to add in oatmeal and other foods that are good for production.

3. I've had some pain from cracked nipples and am learning how to deal with plugged ducts. Not fun.
We definitely have to supplement, especially during this growth spurt that the babies are going through right now.

4. I think I'm going to order a spectra tomorrow. We live in a townhouse, and it is hard to lug the hospital grade pump around to where I am. Also, I can't always take the babies to the pump location. I want a second option. I'm looking forward to having the flexibility.