Having a tough time breastfeeeding - Does anyone pump exclusively?

Does anyone exclusively feed DC pumped breastmilk? I am having such a hard time with the breastfeeding. I am trying not to feel like a failure, but its really hard. I have been lucky enough to pump so DD is getting almost only breastmilk. I have occassionally supplemented with formula and she occassionally latches on.

Does anyone feed their DC only pumped breastmilk without using any formula? If so, how does it work for you? Is it really hard to do for months and months and months? We don't have a dishwasher so the washing is killing me!

TIA

Message edited 5/29/2009 9:04:56 PM.

Re: Having a tough time breastfeeeding - Does anyone pump exclusively?

I did it for a month... I started off pumping every 3-4 hours.. its tough, I only stopped because it is not feasable to do it at work and I am going back soon.. but if you are committed, it will work...

I was able to get enough for the day AND freeze some during that time... I could feed a village with the amount of milk I had!!! but it is true, your supply is better when the baby is nursing than when you start pumping... the pump isnt as efficient as the baby is, so it does slow down the supply after a while... (from what i have heard) good luck!!!

Re: Having a tough time breastfeeeding - Does anyone pump exclusively?

Hey there,

I did this w/ first DD. I BF maybe 2x a day until 6-7 weeks & then pumped exclusively until she was a year. It wasn't easy but it was all I known so I got used to it. Yet it is time consuming b/c besides pumping you have to take the time to feed DC. I was also using Dr. Brown's bottles so I had a lot to wash. I also built up my freezer stash so I always had extra.

Thankfully my supply stayed pretty strong the whole time, but when it went down I'd take fenugreek & eat oatmeal.

The only time DD got formula was the first few days in the hospital when she was in NICU.

I started off pumping every 3 hours or so & by 11 months was only pumping 2x a day.

It can be done, any q's, fm me.

Message edited 5/29/2009 9:37:13 PM.

Re: Having a tough time breastfeeeding - Does anyone pump exclusively?

DD was in the NICU for a number of days, so she had trouble latching. I pumped exclusively for about 5 months.

Looking back, I feel for the first few months of DD's life I was extremely stressed about pumping, making sure I had enough. It was tough, and in all honesty, I am not sure if I would do it again. DD was sleeping through the night at 6 weeks, yet I was the one still getting up in the middle of night to pump. I also found it very hard to go anywhere, as I had to pump every 3-4 hours, and it wasn't something I was comfortable doing in public.

I don't mean to be a total downer - but pumping exclusively does require a lot of work. If you can, I would bring in a LC and work on breast-feeding, if you comfortable going that route.

Re: Having a tough time breastfeeeding - Does anyone pump exclusively?

I pumped for six months. DS only got formula during overnight feedings. Had a huge supply in the freezer too.

I also had no dishwasher and used Dr. Brown's bottles, so I spent a lot of time at the sink.

I just got a dishwasher this week bc I refuse to have a second child without one.

Re: Having a tough time breastfeeeding - Does anyone pump exclusively?

my first was in the hospital for 6 weeks. (3 of them including out of state) i was pumping and bottle feeding him because there was no privacy, and they needed to know exactly how much he was eating. once we got home, i pumped during the day and nursed at night (which worked out well for us) but i never pumped overnight, even in the beginning. would typically go 8 hours at night, and pump first thing in the morning. never had supply issues, had tons of frozen milk in the freezers at the hospitals, plus took it all home. ended up throwing out over 32lbs of milk when all was said and done.

second kid, i pumped, but not nearly as often. just go lazy about the time involved with 2 kids at home. she didn't latch on right away, so the first few weeks was all pumped milk, but i kept trying and eventually she got the hang of the latching... although never as well as i would have like... it hurt... but we got to a year.

exclusive pumping is time consuming, but if you have a good supply, you can usually space it out more, and still get enough to feed daily with fewer sessions on the pump.

Re: Having a tough time breastfeeeding - Does anyone pump exclusively?

Posted by Karen

DD was in the NICU for a number of days, so she had trouble latching. I pumped exclusively for about 5 months.

Looking back, I feel for the first few months of DD's life I was extremely stressed about pumping, making sure I had enough. It was tough, and in all honesty, I am not sure if I would do it again. DD was sleeping through the night at 6 weeks, yet I was the one still getting up in the middle of night to pump. I also found it very hard to go anywhere, as I had to pump every 3-4 hours, and it wasn't something I was comfortable doing in public.

I don't mean to be a total downer - but pumping exclusively does require a lot of work. If you can, I would bring in a LC and work on breast-feeding, if you comfortable going that route.

Re: Having a tough time breastfeeeding - Does anyone pump exclusively?

DS had latch issues from the beginning because I have flat nipples I used a nipple shield for the first 8 weeks, and had a lot of trouble weaning him off of it. We were both miserable, so I decided to pump exclusively, because I still wanted him to have breast milk.

It's true what other posters are saying..it's hard at first. But it does get easier, and I love it. At first I was pumping every 3-4 hours, then every 5, every 6, and now I pump 3 times a day. I do not pump overnight. I get about 10 ounces per session, and DS only takes 4 oz every 3 hours or so..therefore my fridge/freezer are full of BM.

Some moms will say they felt a slave to the pump, but I felt a slave to DS..especially when he wanted to nurse every 2 hours. Pumping 3-4 times a day gives me the freedom to go out for a while and not worry about finding a place to nurse. I am lucky that my supply is abundant, and it remains so. I plan on pumping for at least a year.

Pumping is not for everyone, but it works for me. It's a commitment, just like BFing is. I use the Medela Pump In Style, and it's great. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask.

ETA: I also use Playtex Drop-Ins so I just throw the liner out and wash the nipples...cuts down on washing/sterilizing bottles.

Message edited 5/30/2009 12:09:39 AM.

Re: Having a tough time breastfeeeding - Does anyone pump exclusively?

I had such a hard time with BFing in the beginning. I was in so much pain and I had problems with milk supply. I totally thought I'd pump exclusively. BF became very natural after the 3rd week for me. Everyone told me that it would get better after 2-3 weeks and they were right. Plus it is so much easier at night. It's a PITA to make and heat bottles in the middle of the night. I'd recommend trying to stick with it for another week or so.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Re: Having a tough time breastfeeeding - Does anyone pump exclusively?

Hey!!

I think I still have your email address so I'm going to try and shoot you an email in the next few days.

Alexa didn't latch until she was 7W5D old. I was a SLAVE to the pump for months and it was horrible.....

It has made my life so much easier since she finally latched, it was a lot of work and took some time.... the older babies get the better they become at breastfeeding so there is hope for you.

You may need to pump for a bit until she gets a little bigger and then can latch better!


Maria

Re: Having a tough time breastfeeeding - Does anyone pump exclusively?

I pumped for 9 months. I had to give them formula also since I did not produce enough milk for even one baby let alone two. I liked pumping better then breastfeeding. Not sure if it was becuase it wasn't going well, or becuase there was two of them to feed, but bottel feeding was so much easier for me. I also was able to get help feeding. I did wake up in the middle of the night to pump but I enjoyed the quiet time and watching tv with no interuptions. Also when I pumped during the day it was a great little break for me.

Re: Having a tough time breastfeeeding - Does anyone pump exclusively?

First of all lots of hugs, its really tough isn't it?

I did pump exclusively for 8 months, and it was horrible. I would never do it again, next baby is going onto formula if I have problems bf'ing. I was also a slave to the pump and I was constantly worrying that my son wasn't going to have enough to eat. I was very hardheaded and I would not hear of giving my son formula. It was really hard work, pumping, cleaning bottles, pumping, cleaing the pump....

I had a good supply in my freezer also, but it all went rancid with the lipase situation.

Its a personal decision, but its hard work. Good luck