So happy to see an EP board! How did everyone become an EPer? I have preemie twin girls so I started EPing day one before I was 'allowed' to attempt BFing in the NICU. Once the girls started sucking and swallowing I put them to breast, using nipple shields. After BFing we weighed the girls and they got the rest of their feed by tube or bottle. Then I pumped to be able to provide a bottle to supplement the next feed. The process took so long and the amount they got at breast varied so widely, and I had a hard time trying to nurse both at the same time. We would all be in tears when I tried on my own at home. I decided after a few days of bring home to EP and I am much happier! It's certainly not easy but I like being able to provide mostly EBM to them and love having help bottle feeding when family or DH are home!
Post by marajadeskywalker on Jan 16, 2015 10:24:38 GMT -5
I had a preemie, so like serejane, I had to start pumping before DS was allowed to try BFing. He was not interested at all in BFing, plus H really enjoyed being able to give him a bottle, especially when in the NICU. I am finished now, but EP'd for 9 months and ended up donating a large amount of BM as I was producing way more than needed. We were able to give DS EBM until just before his first birthday from what we had stored in the freezer.
I'm glad to offer support and answer any questions
One tip - if you haven't yet, get the hands-free pumping bra off of amazon. It was a lifesaver for me
Post by meritsamomma on Jan 16, 2015 13:13:42 GMT -5
Our BF experience got off to a rocky start in hospital after a pretty decent first couple of attempts. K had jaundice and had to go under the billi lights. She was in 3 hrs, out for 30 min to feed then back under. She absolutely hated being in there and we weren't allowed to hold her and she wouldn't sleep. So when she'd come out to eat she would just fall asleep on me. They started taking her to nursery and giving her formula to get her to eat instead. After that she was a terrible eater. She would unlatch every few seconds and scream at me and we both ended up frustrated. Each session took at least 40 minutes... We kept trying for a while, nipple shields, SNS system, etc. but the biggest obstacle was thrush. She came down with it at 1 month and had it for 2 and a 1/2 months before the ped (former ped now) finally changed her prescription and cleared her up. During the saga she kept passing thrush back to me (I kept kicking it while she never did). Finally I stopped BFing and was just pumping. The last time I BFed was a day when we drove to an outdoor mall an hour from home and I forgot to bring a nipple for her bottle. We spent the 40 minutes she was sleeping frantically searching for a bottle somewhere before it dawned on me, man, I have a built in nipple, duh! It was probably her most successful BFing session, but she passed the thrush back to me and I couldn't kick it for 3 weeks. That was the final nail in that coffin! We're now at 7 1/2 months roughly and though I hate the pump with a fiery passion usually reserved for people, not inanimate objects, we're still going strong. I plan to go as long as my supply will allow or 12 months, whichever comes first.
So happy to see an EP board! How did everyone become an EPer? I have preemie twin girls so I started EPing day one before I was 'allowed' to attempt BFing in the NICU. Once the girls started sucking and swallowing I put them to breast, using nipple shields. After BFing we weighed the girls and they got the rest of their feed by tube or bottle. Then I pumped to be able to provide a bottle to supplement the next feed. The process took so long and the amount they got at breast varied so widely, and I had a hard time trying to nurse both at the same time. We would all be in tears when I tried on my own at home. I decided after a few days of bring home to EP and I am much happier! It's certainly not easy but I like being able to provide mostly EBM to them and love having help bottle feeding when family or DH are home!
This was almost our case, exactly! My girls were born at 29w5d, so by the time they were even ready to attempt BFing, we had the pumping routine DOWN. Once I mastered the pump AND bottle feed, we were set. My supply ended up being great (after a really tough start -- likely due to being pumped full of mag sulfate for a week, followed by 48 hours of Benadryl due to the itching from the epidural). I ended up EPing for 22months, and only really supplementing a few ounces when they were at their peak eating month or so (and for those few months we needed to up the calories of the milk).
I'm currently 12w with Baby #3, and I really have no idea how things will end up -- but, at the end of the day, I know I CAN EP, and it's not as bad as everyone makes it sound.
LO couldn't latch from day 1. It was better with a nipple shield, but weighted feeds at the LC showed he was getting almost nothing from the boob. We found he had tongue and lip ties, and had them clipped at 6 days. His latch looked better, but he still did poorly at weighted feeds. LC #2, a doctor. Specializing in lactation, determined his torticollis was preventing him from feeding effectively. Like meritsamomma, LO had jaundice and the same bilirubin light schedule. Then LOs lack of milk transfer didn't help to up my supply. I've been EPing for 3 weeks, and supplementing with formula since my supply isn't 100%. I detest pumping and resent the time it takes me away from LO. He's only 5 weeks (tomorrow) and he just wants to be held. Keeping him happy in a bouncy seat or swing while I pump throughout the day and night is rough, but I'm really hoping to make this work.
Post by marsinvestigations on Jan 16, 2015 19:19:16 GMT -5
Hi all! I originally nursed E in the hospital but noticed that when I tried to express anything, nothing came out. The LC assured me it was ok and my milk would come. Well three days later, no milk and my baby was down almost 1 lb 2 oz from his birth weight. So we started with formula. Turns out I had retained placenta (it had to be manually extracted after his birth and some got left apparently). Had a d&c to have it removed and slowly worked on building my supply by pumping a rediculous number if times a day and trying every other trick in the book. Still supplement one bottle a day. Use a symphony at home and PIS at work. Not sure how much longer I'm going to last, just taking it one month at a time right now (E is almost seven months old) since that's how often I renew the pump rental.
I was an EPer for my first! I can pop in from time to time to lend an ear. He had severe IUGR and used a feeding tube for about ten days and then had trouble latching. They kept telling me that he would waste too much energy breastfeeding and wouldn't grow as fast--and he needed to be growing at a certain rate before they'd let him come home. I was so desperate to have him come home that I didn't even try breastfeeding. Then when he got home, I was already in my pumping routine and kind of an emotional mess from having him hospitalized that I never got around to making breastfeeding work.
My second is four months now and she's been EBF since birth! In case anyone was hoping to successfully nurse a second baby, it's totally possible! Without having to deal with the hospitalization, it was easy for us.
That's how I felt-get these babies home, bottle fed or not!
If I ever have a singleton I will def try nursing again.
Post by northernlghts on Jan 16, 2015 21:30:23 GMT -5
Believe it or not I thought being an EP would be easier than EBF. I had gone back to work when she was 12 weeks old and started pumping at work and nursing during the day on the weekends. I was finding she was getting distracted during the day and cranky because she would get more at a feeding from a bottle than she did from me so napping was becoming a nightmare. So I made the switch to being an EP basically full time. Now she only nurses during her MOTN feedings. I pump 5-6 times a day and she gets about 5 bottles a day of pumped milk. Going on 10 months!
I thought I might hear my own echo in here but I'm glad to see it's active. EP for my son who is now 2 and I'm pregnant with my second. I'm also planning to EP with this one.
Post by anonymouseliza on Jan 17, 2015 0:12:53 GMT -5
Not currently EPing, but did for 13 months with my daughter. She successfully fed at the breast right away and then just would not latch. I think we might have had an easier time if things hadn't been quite so crazy at the hospital. Apparently, they were packed and I was required to stay in an L&D room instead of being moved to a post-partum room because my bp was still too high and they wanted me to stay on mag sulfate for another 24 hours and continue continual monitoring. Unfortunately, we didn't have a baby nurse checking on us regularly, because they were stationed upstairs. We kept trying, but she wasn't having much to do with me. Over the course of the hospital stay, we see three LC's and they were baffled. She would suck on anything that wasn't me. We tried different holds, nipple shields, teasing her with formula . . . and she was dropping weight and I felt like a mess. I started pumping before we left the hospital. We began supplementing before she left and picked up a rental pump on our way out the door. I tried to feed at home and she was screaming and I was bawling and feeling like a failure and so we stopped pretty quickly.
We gave her whatever I pumped and supplemented with formula and I was caught up by her two week birthday (the first day she got only my milk). I was quite lucky that I had no production issues. I kept going for 13 months, though I'd started decreasing sessions before then. Gave up the 7 sessions a day when went back to work, but kept at least one overnight session until she was 8 months. Then it got hard to break away to pump at work, so I went down to 4-5 sessions a day and we started supplementing coconut milk once a day around 11 months (she wouldn't drink water and we avoided cow's milk). She kept up coconut milk until we dropped the bottle, and she had some breastmilk until 15 months.
It was something I felt really proud of. I'm glad there is a board here, because there wasn't really when I was EPing and I never felt like I fit in on BFing boards because my needs and concerns were different and there was frequently an air of condescension, as if I hadn't tried hard enough or something. I have no idea what we'll do with the next one. I definitely had a lot of relief being able to see how much she was consuming and it was great for my dh and my mom to be able to help with feedings easily, but I worry that it will be too much to worry over with a toddler around too. Cross that bridge when we come to it, eh? Until then, I'm happy to offer support and aid!
I've been EPing for my baby girl the whole time. She was a 33 weeker (induced due to sever pre-e after a two week hospital stay for me) who was in the NICU for two weeks. She had no real issues and was a feeder/grower, so like others, it was all about her gaining weight and going home. They kept saying I could talk to the LC at any time during her stay but I wasn't aware enough/pushy enough/comfortable enough to utilize the resource. So that mixed with the "she uses more energy to nurse so won't gain weight" and the fact that I was a very productive pumper, I didn't push to get her to breast. I'm always pretty type A and really like being able to measure ounces :-)
She is over 7 months now and we are still going strong. The pump and feed move is pretty integral to success - Boppy for the win! Also having a supportive partner makes it a lot easier ("Honey, I'm on my way home and I know you've had her by yourself for a few hours but I need to pump before I can relieve you").
Best part about EPing? My husband has no excuse to not help with MOTN :-) Splitting midnight feedings has been amazing and great for my sanity.
I just had preemie twins a month ago and that started my EP journey. It's going alright although my supply seems to go up and down depending on the day. I've heard varying opinions on breast feeding eating, some say don't change how I eat, others say eat more of certain stuff. How can I help my supply stay up while EPing.
Anonymousliza that's really interesting, I wonder why your LO never wanted to nurse!
Peaceofkia, I have a fluctuating supply and with my twins I haven't produced enough to be able to exclusively feed them EBM now that they eat 3 or more ozs a feed. I've tried taking fenugreek, eating old fashioned oats, lactation cookies, increasing pumps, etc. all of them help a bit but I still produce roughly 60% of what they need and give formula for the rest.
I just had preemie twins a month ago and that started my EP journey. It's going alright although my supply seems to go up and down depending on the day. I've heard varying opinions on breast feeding eating, some say don't change how I eat, others say eat more of certain stuff. How can I help my supply stay up while EPing.
I notice the biggest difference in my supply if I don't drink enough water the day before so it's definitely important to keep drinking a ton of water. I also add flax seed and wheat germ to oatmeal and cookies and that seemed to help.
Became an EP'er when LO was crying all night long and wouldn't latch correctly. Immediately called a LC the next morning and she suggested try nursing, then pumping for 20 min then syringe feeding the pumped milk because of possible tongue tie. Pediatrician didn't exaclty agree. LC's suggestion was just not reasonable to me so I began my EPing journey. 4 weeks in and I pump about 28-40oz a day. I take fenugreek and drink 2cups of mother's milk tea a day. Have a good supply going in the freezer already.
I just had preemie twins a month ago and that started my EP journey. It's going alright although my supply seems to go up and down depending on the day. I've heard varying opinions on breast feeding eating, some say don't change how I eat, others say eat more of certain stuff. How can I help my supply stay up while EPing.
I added in an all natural protein drink. I drank VegaOne pea protein and saw an increase in just two days. Make sure you are drinking 100 oz of water a day.
Post by knittymeggy on Jan 18, 2015 6:54:39 GMT -5
I EPed for 8 weeks, now he will take both without issue. LO was full term but rushed to the NICU for varying reason that I swear seemed to change daily. So I started pumping about an hour after my section every two hours for weeks to build up my supply. I used a symphony in the hospital and I use a PISA at work.
I still pump a ridiculous amount but at least he takes the boob while I am home.
I'm so jealous of those of you that can pump enough to create a freezer stash! Max had a tongue tie to start and I have flat nipples and supply issues so pumping is an uphill battle, but actual breastfeeding isn't happening. I'm almost a month in and taking it one day at a time, the routine of pumping, cleaning parts, feeding by bottle, cleaning bottle etc. is exhausting. I am glad my supply is finally almost as much as he's eating though, we've only had to formula supplement once or twice in the last 3 or 4 days and I started out about 50/50.
I'm so jealous of those of you that can pump enough to create a freezer stash! Max had a tongue tie to start and I have flat nipples and supply issues so pumping is an uphill battle, but actual breastfeeding isn't happening. I'm almost a month in and taking it one day at a time, the routine of pumping, cleaning parts, feeding by bottle, cleaning bottle etc. is exhausting. I am glad my supply is finally almost as much as he's eating though, we've only had to formula supplement once or twice in the last 3 or 4 days and I started out about 50/50.
My new lactation consultant told me breast milk is fine out at room temp for 12 hours, so I didn't have to clean the parts after every pump. It's been SO much better, especially during the night. If you feel funny about it, you can also toss the parts in a ziplock and put them in the fridge after pumps to reduce how much washing you have to do.
I'm so jealous of those of you that can pump enough to create a freezer stash! Max had a tongue tie to start and I have flat nipples and supply issues so pumping is an uphill battle, but actual breastfeeding isn't happening. I'm almost a month in and taking it one day at a time, the routine of pumping, cleaning parts, feeding by bottle, cleaning bottle etc. is exhausting. I am glad my supply is finally almost as much as he's eating though, we've only had to formula supplement once or twice in the last 3 or 4 days and I started out about 50/50.
My new lactation consultant told me breast milk is fine out at room temp for 12 hours, so I didn't have to clean the parts after every pump. It's been SO much better, especially during the night. If you feel funny about it, you can also toss the parts in a ziplock and put them in the fridge after pumps to reduce how much washing you have to do.
-edit for QBF-
birch113 - you just made my day! That totally makes sense too. If I'm leaving the milk I pump out then it makes sense I can leave the parts as is for a session or two. This will save my sanity overnight tonight, thank you!
My new lactation consultant told me breast milk is fine out at room temp for 12 hours, so I didn't have to clean the parts after every pump. It's been SO much better, especially during the night. If you feel funny about it, you can also toss the parts in a ziplock and put them in the fridge after pumps to reduce how much washing you have to do.
-edit for QBF-
birch113 - you just made my day! That totally makes sense too. If I'm leaving the milk I pump out then it makes sense I can leave the parts as is for a session or two. This will save my sanity overnight tonight, thank you!
My new lactation consultant told me breast milk is fine out at room temp for 12 hours, so I didn't have to clean the parts after every pump. It's been SO much better, especially during the night. If you feel funny about it, you can also toss the parts in a ziplock and put them in the fridge after pumps to reduce how much washing you have to do.
-edit for QBF-
birch113 - you just made my day! That totally makes sense too. If I'm leaving the milk I pump out then it makes sense I can leave the parts as is for a session or two. This will save my sanity overnight tonight, thank you!
Ditto. We washed pump parts once a day. I threw them in the fridge/cooler with my milk at work to keep them cold, or wiped them down with a medela wipe. I also had at least 3 sets of parts. One in my bag for work and the others were in a wash/use rotation. That helped too, knowing there was a clean set if I couldn't get to it one night. We also prepped all the bottles at once, washing/sterilizing with the pump parts so it wasn't so overwhelming. My husband had worked out quite a system of storing/freezing/thawing/prepping the milk so it was all frozen promptly but used quickly.
Hi everyone, I tried BF in the hospital, but my son wouldn't latch and my milk was slow to come in. When his weight plummeted, we had to supplement with formula but I kept pumping and gave him the little bit that I did make. For the first few months I had some luck getting him to breastfeed in the very early morning, but I never knew how much he was really eating, so I'm reticent to count it as successful BF.
I've been EP for 10 months now, and I'd like to make it to one year. Pumping is a huge time investment for me. I think I have the slowest and weakest letdown ever. I now pump four times per day for 30-60 minutes each time. And With LO so mobile, it's soooo hard to make time for pumps because I have to wait until he falls asleep (and hopefully stays asleep) for naps.
Unfortunately, I have to wash my pumping gear every time I pump because I use lanolin to lubricate the flanges and the lanolin gums up the valves. To make life easier I bought second full set of flanges/valves. It was expensive but so worth it.
I agree that drinking enough water is the best way to keep my supply up, which is weird because a lot of doctors and LCs insist that you shouldn't need any extra water (only 8 glasses of water per day) to BF successfully.
My best tip: make sure your valves are completely dry every time you pump. I've found that any water droplets around the valves compromise the pump's suction.
Hi Everyone, So glad to see this board active. Reading everyone's posts are so helpful to me. My LO was born last Thursday at 37 weeks. Not really a premie but the doctors say she shows some premie tendencies. Very successful breastfeeding on Thursday after the C-Section. Downhill from there. I worked with multiple lactation consultants for every single feeding for 4 days. She hard a very hard time latching and would just cry and scream each time we would try to feed. I was always in tears. She eventually dropped 13% of her weight and we had to supplement with formula a bit at each feeding to get her weight up to leave the hospital.
It's only been 6 days, and I still attempt to BF at least once a day, usually with no luck. I've been pumping every 2 to 3 hours and for one feeding a day, the one right before we put her in her crib at night, my doctor has us using formula to keep her weight up. My milk has definitely come in, but I only pump about 2 oz a session. She has a hard time eating that much and the doctors are trying hard to assure me it's ok.
I'm coming close to making the decision to exclusively pump, but I feel defeated when I think about even saying that out loud. Pumping takes so much time, I am getting no sleep at night, and none of my friends seem to understand that breastfeeding just isn't working and they try to convince me to keep trying. I so wanted to be successful at breastfeeding. It makes me sad that I probably might not be. I am considering having a lactation consultant come to my home, but I really am just so tired of not having any luck with it, and I end up so frustrated that I am crying every time I try.
This sort of turned in to a venting session for me, but it feels good to say these things to someone. I really enjoy reading everyone's posts and tips to being successful with pumping!
Hi all! I started EPing due to a combination of jaundice and LO's lethargy after his circumcision. He wouldn't stay awake long enough to eat and had gone 5 hours without a substantial feed, so we supplemented with formula to try to flush the jaundice. Apparently LO caught on quick that he wouldn't have to work as hard when given a bottle, so now he just screams when I try to BF, but I still make an effort to try once a day.
He'll nurse (after I calm him with an ounce from the bottle first) from the right boob, but my left boob has an aggressive letdown and he won't take to it. I haven't tried to pump it first to slow it down though because LO goes from happy to screaming hungry in an instant, so I'm waiting for that golden moment when I can tell that he's getting hungry and I can have time to prepare the pump and pump for a minute before the screaming starts. I look forward to reading tips and tricks from you ladies, especially on building a freezer stash for back to work time.
Post by meritsamomma on Jan 21, 2015 17:48:46 GMT -5
mels823 Hang in there mama! It really is a shame how hard everyone pushes the "breast is best" campaign and treat you like you're a horrible mom if you're not having this amazing breastfeeding experience. I didn't even know EPing was a thing until my J14 ladies started a thread on it. Our experience was just terrible, K and I were both frustrated all the time and it was best for both of us to switch to the bottle. We never had that bonding moment I've heard so much about. As long as your baby is eating (whether that me breastmilk from the boob or the botte, or formula) that is what matters. The health of you and your baby is paramount. You are not less of a mother no matter what your decision is. EPing is a bitch, for sure. You'll always have support here but just remember your sanity is so important for your baby!
mels823 Hang in there mama! It really is a shame how hard everyone pushes the "breast is best" campaign and treat you like you're a horrible mom if you're not having this amazing breastfeeding experience. I didn't even know EPing was a thing until my J14 ladies started a thread on it. Our experience was just terrible, K and I were both frustrated all the time and it was best for both of us to switch to the bottle. We never had that bonding moment I've heard so much about. As long as your baby is eating (whether that me breastmilk from the boob or the botte, or formula) that is what matters. The health of you and your baby is paramount. You are not less of a mother no matter what your decision is. EPing is a bitch, for sure. You'll always have support here but just remember your sanity is so important for your baby!
Thank you so much!! That is really something I needed to hear. I'm going to keep trying every day, but I need to stop beating myself up over it if/when it doesn't work out. You are right, pumping sure can be a bitch. I just can't wait until I'm not doing it 12 times a day! I'm going to keep educating myself and I know I can get through this. Thanks for the support, I really, really appreciate it!
Then Comes Family, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising
program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.