Anyone want to talk Pumping

[piaffe]

So what's your routine if you exclusively pump? Right now staying latch is such a ordeal. Met with the LC today was given a nipple sheild worked there came home nothing. We've been doing finger/dropper in between so not go give nipple confusion. But there are moments I don't know I can push through the magic two weeks.
Baby is 5 days old
Sry on phone and exhausted.

[Deleted]

I EPd for nearly five months and if you have to do it I will come on back with tips and support but I echo PPs with working a little more at BFing. I regret giving up in the early days when I was overwhelmed and frustrated.

[cricketwife]

My baby is just a few days older than yours aand I just wanted to encourage you. We didn't have that issue but others the first few days and it was really hard. It was frustrating for it to "work" when someone was there to help, but then not when we were on our own. Don't be afraid to set multiple appointments with your LC. Mine was seriously awesome -- I think that they can really help you a lot if you stick with it and also if you just insist on seeing them, even if it's more than the "normal" amount. Good luck. Everything is hard when you're exhausted.

[piaffe]

She checked for tongue and lip tied he's neither. He's lazy and stubborn and wants his milk now damnit not in five sucks it's take to get it there. We did get success with a nipple shield and he was able to nurse 30ml out of right and 24 out of left. The left was much harder bc he was super tired. Came home waited for his first sign of rooting tried again and he just wouldn't he gets so angry turned bright red and won't calm down enough to latch. We use a dropper to give him something immediately but once it's gone it's gone and he screams again. At some point I just have to ask myself if he's burning off everything I'm trying to give him. I will try to keep getting him to latch but at this moment I'm want to pump all I can so I don't have to supplement with formula unless I have to.
Also I've had high blood pressure before pregnancy right after it was low so no need for meds today it's back up to like 150/100 so I started my meds again. Just feel like I don't get to enjoy my son with fighting him tooth and nail to get him latched. I'm 100% one and done so want to savior each moment.
Sorry I'm on my phone and freaking exhausted.
I haven't given up all hope just half.
Hope I'm not bothering everyone.

[humanzee]

I'm trying to remember, but I think I started EP at 5 weeks, and from weeks 5-10 when I was on leave I pumped every 4 hours from 6am to 10pm. I generally didn't wake to pump in the middle of the night so my body learned not to need that session (as if my baby was sleeping through the night). By the time I went back to work at 10 weeks, I was pumping 6am, 12pm, 5pm, 9pm. I eventually weaned off the 12pm pump so that I could just pump before work, immediately after work, and right before bed. Around 5 months I cut back to pumping 2x/day (6am and 9pm) then completey weaned off the pump at 6 months by cutting minutes from each session and dropping the 9pm, then the 6am session.

I'd imagine scheduling is quite dependent on your supply. I had a pretty good supply and quick let-down. I think I generally pumped for 15-20 minutes per session.

EP is not ideal, but it's do-able. It was nice to know exactly how many ounce my baby was getting at each feeding, and it was nice that my husband could feed him as well. I also got kind of addicted to building a (small) freezer stash. Good luck!

[Stingyshark]

The LC we met with recommended that I massage my breast a little once DD is latched so that I can help the milk flow to her; maybe that would help get him the milk faster so he doesn't get frustrated?

[Velar Fricative]

DD randomly latched on with a shield at 8 days old after I EPed. Babies do what they want, I guess, but I'd encourage you to keep trying as often as possible. But if it doesn't work out, hope some ladies who EPed for a long time can give some great tips!

[oregonpachey]

I EP'd so if you ever have questions, please let me know. I don't want to flood you with information now if you are going to try to still latch/nurse.

[Stingyshark]

I considered switching to EP before we found out DD was lip-tied; I had read @theycalledherkate 's post about her breastfeeding journey & why she chose to EP when she wrote it. I went searching for it recently when I was trying to decide what to do; I found a lot of comfort knowing that I wasn't the only one that was struggling so hard to BF.

[vmars]

Latching is hard, we still don't have it down perfectly, but that's okay. I would do what pp suggested and try feeding before your baby before he's rooting. However, I actually get a better latch when DS is fussy lol. Also, have your DH help you latch him on each time or when he can, it really helped me to have moral support every time I went to feed DS.

[geek96]

I EPed for the first 10 weeks of DS's life. It was pure hell. DH would leave for work at 5:30am and I would have to bottle feed DS when he woke for 20 mins then burp and prop him on a boppy and pump. The whole ordeal including washing parts and setting up took an hour each feed. I created the largest oversupply and had no idea what I was getting myself into. I am 4 months into BFing and my supply hasn't fully regulated.

I finally threw in the towel with EP when I realized I was spending more time with my pump than with DS. It was super difficult but I committed to dealing with the pain for a few weeks and it worked out.

[curbsideprophet]

I would also attempt to latch every time you need to feed him. I would not go to EP yet. We had latch issues and it took us at least two weeks to get better at it, but I am glad I stuck with it. If it seems like he wants milk sooner I would hand express to get the milk flowing so it is ready for him.

I hope it gets better soon. Good luck and hang in there. The first few weeks were so exhausting, but it does get better.

[soozy87]

Jan 21, 2014 16:27:32 GMT -5 piaffe said:

So what's your routine if you exclusively pump? Right now staying latch is such a ordeal. Met with the LC today was given a nipple sheild worked there came home nothing. We've been doing finger/dropper in between so not go give nipple confusion. But there are moments I don't know I can push through the magic two weeks.
Baby is 5 days old
Sry on phone and exhausted.

I EP. It works best for us but there were days in the beginning that I really wanted to  quit. We were in the hospital for a week when he was born and the LC helped us with the latch and feedings along with the nurses in the NICU. We would nurse for 15-20 min and then I would pump while my husband fed him a bottle of BM. We were just trying to get as many calories into the baby as we could. We kept this routine up once we got home until I couldn't take it anymore. His latch was painful for me and he would nurse for 40-60 minutes and then still be hungry when that time was over. I kept pumping after every feed and then we just decided that everyone was a lot happier and less frustrated with me pumping and him just getting the bottles I pump.

I quit my job to stay at home with him and pumping is not ideal. I have tried to go back to nursing him thinking that maybe know that he is a little older he will get faster but so far that is not the case.

Our routine is that I put the bottle in the warmer, go change his diaper and by that time the bottle is about warm enough. I set him up in the Boppy and hook up the pump and pump while he eats. It is challenging, especially when he needs to burp and my hands are otherwise occupied. It is so much easier when my husband is home or when he is napping and I pump while he sleeps.

I would say keep trying to nurse. If the two of you can get the hang of it, it is a lot easier than lugging a pump around and trying to fit in time to pump and feed.

Sounds like you are trying hard though! Good job!

[piaffe]

Thank you all. I need to recharge today and start fresh tomorrow. DH does help me latch I have huge boobs so one has to hold boob back one holds his head.
His latch is ok once he decides to latch and stay latch but if he comes off it's a fight all over again.
I'm so tired I can't see straight right now. I'm reading all suggestions may just not respond right away.

On phone please forgive.

[noodleskooze]

I am with family so I can't type it all out right now, but I EPed from 4 days old (sort of) until 2 months.

I didn't have that great of an experience with it, so if you can establish BFing, then do...but sometimes you just can't. If you can't, PM me--that was my experience and I'd love for something good to come of my bad experience! Lol

[browneyedgirl9]

I just wanted to offer encouragement. My little guy is only 10 days old, and breastfeeding has been one if the hardest things i have ever done. I have shed more tears over it. But keep with it! I almost gave up...but stuck it out, and now things are getting better. We are using a shield which has done wonders with our latch issues, and i am supplementing with some formula/ pumped breast milk due to low weight gain.

[soozy87]

Jan 21, 2014 19:56:22 GMT -5 @theycalledherkate said:

Jan 21, 2014 19:28:09 GMT -5 soozy87 said:

I EP. It works best for us but there were days in the beginning that I really wanted to  quit. We were in the hospital for a week when he was born and the LC helped us with the latch and feedings along with the nurses in the NICU. We would nurse for 15-20 min and then I would pump while my husband fed him a bottle of BM. We were just trying to get as many calories into the baby as we could. We kept this routine up once we got home until I couldn't take it anymore. His latch was painful for me and he would nurse for 40-60 minutes and then still be hungry when that time was over. I kept pumping after every feed and then we just decided that everyone was a lot happier and less frustrated with me pumping and him just getting the bottles I pump.

I quit my job to stay at home with him and pumping is not ideal. I have tried to go back to nursing him thinking that maybe know that he is a little older he will get faster but so far that is not the case.

Our routine is that I put the bottle in the warmer, go change his diaper and by that time the bottle is about warm enough. I set him up in the Boppy and hook up the pump and pump while he eats. It is challenging, especially when he needs to burp and my hands are otherwise occupied. It is so much easier when my husband is home or when he is napping and I pump while he sleeps.

I would say keep trying to nurse. If the two of you can get the hang of it, it is a lot easier than lugging a pump around and trying to fit in time to pump and feed.

Sounds like you are trying hard though! Good job!

Are you using a hands free bra? I highly recommend them!

I got one this week! I like it, but I need to do compressions at the end and the bra kind of gets in the way.

[terpfan]

I'm a lurker coming out, but I thought I'd jump in also... DD is 3 weeks old and we are still having major problems. I am essentially leaning towards EPing. She sounds like your LO - she gets really angry when she doesnt get on right away. There is no tongue tie or lip tie, just "laziness and frustration." I do try to get her to latch 3-4 times per day just in case she decides to pick it in the future, but we are using a shield and she is not getting a lot of milk. When she does nurse, she will be on for about 40 minutes, then takes a bottle, and then I have to pump. The whole process can take a good 60-90 minutes, and then its time for her to feed again. When I told DH that I wanted to EP, I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. I enjoy pumping more than nursing (I say this now) and it is less time consuming. Right now I am pumping every 3-4 hours during the day and once at night. That being said, DH is still pushing me to continue to try to put her on the breast. I would encourage you to keep trying! 

I just re-read this and it is very wordy, but I'm too tired to edit. sorry!

[Deleted]

Jan 21, 2014 16:27:32 GMT -5 piaffe said:

So what's your routine if you exclusively pump? Right now staying latch is such a ordeal. Met with the LC today was given a nipple sheild worked there came home nothing. We've been doing finger/dropper in between so not go give nipple confusion. But there are moments I don't know I can push through the magic two weeks.
Baby is 5 days old
Sry on phone and exhausted.

I E'ed for a year.  I pumped every 3 hours while I was awake.  I had enough milk and then some so I never pumped and night.  I just would bottle feed and crawl back to bed.  I see you got tons of advice.  If you have any specific questions just let me know.  Feel free to PM me.

[Deleted]

Jan 21, 2014 16:33:57 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

I encourage you to keep trying to latch at least twice a day so that you aren't forced into exclusively pumping just yet.

I'll echo this sentiment. Pumping is easier in the early weeks but once your baby gets more mobile it's so, so hard. Also finding time to do it when your baby wakes up more was near impossible for me. DS would not be happy to sit on a boppy whole I pump and there is no way I'm dealing with 20 minutes of crying while I need to pump. There are very few people who EP for 6 months +

That being said, we will support you in whatever you decide. Hugs to you - those early days of BFing were SO hard.

[ssmjlm]

I would really continue to try and latch. I also wouldn't wait to feed him. I would try and latch him 2 hours from when he started the last feeding.

My right side is the lazy side and takes longer to letdown. E would scream at that side b/c it wasn't coming fast enough. I would hand express some and then latch her. She liked that a lot better until her suck got stronger.

Also I highly recommend the brest friend. I have big boobs and it was nice to sort of prop her on the brest friend since it creates a shelf in front of your, then work to latch her.

And if you need to go back and see the LC, I would go. I talked to mine on the phone a lot in the beginning and we saw her at E's first appt and her 10day appt.

[longtimenopost]

Also chiming in to say great job and keep at it! When DD was a sleepy preemie who needed to gain weight, we would attempt BFing, then DH would giver her a bottle while I pumped to build/maintain supply. It was an exhausting routine that usually left me only an hour to spare before we started all over again. The first couple of weeks, DH would take the MOTN feed and we wouldn't try to latch so I could get a chunk of sleep.

Eventually we got to where I only pumped after every other feed, then every third, etc once she got better at BFing. A year later we have a great nursing relationship and I'm so glad everyone encouraged me to keep going.

[piaffe]

I will try the breast friend again at first my incision was too sore to try that.
We tried earlier today and he sort of latched about five minutes. Started getting really mad so I stopped want positive experiences.