Exclusively Pumping

Kelly - posted on 01/21/2009

Gavin would only for some reason feed from my right but not my left. So I only pumped from my left for a couple months and fed only from my right breast until it became too raw, then I would strictly pump from both until I healed. I found that my milk supply would dip. But I just pumped more often to build it back up. Now I can get 5oz from each side (Gavin only drinks about 4oz each feed).



Now that he is bigger he seems to be able to feed from both sides. But when I was pumping it felt like it was taking over my life, I felt like I was pumping all the time, mind you I only had the single swing pump from medela

Jamie - posted on 01/18/2009

I'm not doing it now --- thankfully my daughter hasn't had any issues with latching on. But I did exclusively pump for 7 months with my son. I had a hard time getting him to latch on properly, stressed myself out and decided to pump exclusively. I would have continued to pump longer but I found out I was pregnant with my daughter and it got to be too much for me to handle with being pregnant. In the first few months, I did it around the clock every 2 hours. Then at around 3 or 4 months, I dropped down to every 3 hours during the day and only 1 or 2 times at night. I only had a dip in my supply 1 time and I corrected it by pumping more often for a few days and pumping for an extra 5 or 10 minutes after the milk stopped completely. I always double pumped to save time and had plenty of extra valves/membranes/etc. so I didn't have to worry about washing parts every time. Lots of luck to you! Looking back now, I am amazed that I lasted so long because I hate doing it now! But it was so worth giving my son the best that I could!

Melissa - posted on 01/18/2009

yes....I did this for the first 2 weeks of my baby's life bc she was in the icu, and I did breast and pumping for 2 mos, and then did the pump exclusively for the last 2 mos. I am just starting to wean her from breastmilk to formula. I will tell you that it is DOUBLE the work, bc you have to pump every 3 to 5 hours and even get up in the night to pump, regardless if your baby wakes. I have a double pump and I am able to pump 3 to 5 oz on each side for each breast. It is hard on your back and bum, bc you have to sit up straight. I usually sit up against a bean bag in another room w the tv to pass the time....especially when you are awake at 4am!! It started to really exhaust me and I have decided to focus on my quality of life for me and the baby.....Your milk supply will dip if you don't pump consistently. I liked to give my babe fresh milk...so I would pump 15 min before her feed time.

Chrissy - posted on 01/16/2009

I had a preemie and had to pump exclusively for a month to month and 1/2.  It was awful.  I had to do it every 3 hours.  I got a terrible bout of mastistis which resulted in abcesses that had to be cut open.  I was ready to give up and bottle feed.  I had lots of guilt about that, but I came to the conclusion that it was better to be present and there for my baby than to be miserable pumping.  It ended up that I could breast feed in the end.  I guess what I am getting at is that you have to do what works for you and allows you to enjoy being a new mom.  Since my mastitis I also had a reduction in breast milk production.  I first took a prescription of Regalin which worked okay, and now I am starting  Fenegreek which you can buy at a Whole Foods type market.  I've heard great things about Fenegreek.  However, you can't take it if you have pollen or ragweed allergies.  Pumping is a real drag.  I'm sorry you have to go through that.

Lisa - posted on 01/14/2009

I am pretty much exclusively pumping except for one middle of the night feeding. I am a working mom so I pump before I leave the house in the morning, then 2 times at work and 2 times in the evening before I go to bed. I have a double breast pump and pump for about 10 minutes each time. I try to use this time to relax and catch up on reading...it helps distract me from everything else I have to do. I find if I don't drink enough water one day my milk production is lower. So my recommendation is drink as much water as you can. Hope this helps and good luck!

Chivell - posted on 01/14/2009

From a week old i wasnt producing enough milk to satisify bub so from the moment i left the hospital i was giving him a bottle or 2 of formula a day. Not producing enough to the point i was unable to breast feed after not having him for 2days. Although for a wk after that i could feed him once a night. But during that weekend i was expressing like anything to the point i couldnt express anymore but it was giving me any relief either. Remained rock solid.. but with not producing enough i was told i need to (excuse the term) graze like a cow. Eat 6 small meals a day more if you feel you can. Although it no longer works my boys on solids and formula now!