https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:14:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365907 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 05:24:05 +0000 illumina 1365907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Thank you so so much again for your wonderful advice and for sharing your experiences with EP. I slept on it last night and for many of the reasons you suggested decided it's not for me. The only reason I wanted to do it was to be in control of how much she is feeding. But I don't think that's the right, or a good enough reason to do it. I think I need to learn to let go, to trust her to take what she needs from me and then be able to learn read her to decide if and when we need to supplement. Of course in the medium/long term I can use her weight gain, but day to day it's tough wondering if she's hungry or not. There's the non-nutritive benefits of nursing too...she's always been a "sucky" baby (she loves her thumb!) and I'd hate to take that comfort away from her before she's ready. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365777 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 23:01:29 +0000 ChitownRo 1365777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I EP and have consistently pumped a total of around 30 oz per day since week 2. (LO is 9 weeks today). My boobs are sooo slow to drain with the pump in style. It takes at least 30 mins per session if my frequency was 3 hours. If I stretch it to every 6 hours, then it takes 45-60 minutes. My supply seems to be the same total daily volume if I pump 7 times per day vs 4 times per day. My new normal:<br /> 6am- 9-11 oz<br /> 11am-6-8 oz<br /> 5pm- 6-8 oz<br /> 11pm- 6-8 oz </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365695 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 22:17:32 +0000 jedeve 1365695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would get about 4oz total during pumps at work. I never considered that to be low supply though. I think sometimes we just compare ourselves to people who pump more or have oversupply. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365597 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 21:26:08 +0000 sunshineandsushi 1365597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: agree with your thoughts on this. If I had another child and couldn't nurse him/her, I don't know that I could EP again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365577 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 21:21:11 +0000 Anagram 1365577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: I know you didn't ask this question, but i admire that you're trying everything to get your Lo exclusive BM.</p> <p>I just want to caution you as an EPer....if I had to do it all over again, I'm not sure I would choose EPing over just formula feeding. In the end, yes I've provided my baby breast milk. She hasn't been sick any less, in some ways because of her allergies I wonder if my BM has been permanently damaging to her feeding issues. But most importantly, I felt like it hurt our bonding relationship. For her first 3 months when I was pumping 8 times a day, there were SO MANY TIMES that I just had her in the bouncer at my feet while I pumped, and half the time she would be crying, wanting to be picked up--but I quickly learned that I had to just finish the pumping session or it would never get done. And the stress and exhaustion of all the parts washing.--I was pumping some 3-4 hours a day, plus the time getting dressed and undressed, washing parts, working on clogged ducts. That's time I could have spent with my LO, or I don't know--taking a nap! But I never could. =(</p> <p>If I were in your exact situation, I would probably continue to nurse and then supplement with formula sometimes to help with weight gain. So much better than EPing, I promise. And better for bonding! And bonding is more important than BM/Formula to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365565 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 21:15:38 +0000 Anagram 1365565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunshineandsushi: Agree with you here about not going longer than 4 hours. I literally never went longer than 4 hours until LO was almost 6 months. NEVER. Not for events, not for work, not for "oh, I just had to go shopping and didn't have time". I pumped in the car, in bathrooms, in other people's houses during parties.</p> <p>I agree with EPing is a ton of work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365555 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 21:11:02 +0000 Anagram 1365555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: I EP and get about 13-15 oz in the morning (I can store 9 oz in my right breast alone), and anywhere from 6-9 oz for the other 3 pumps I do each day.</p> <p>I'm down to only 4 pumps a day now (dropped to 4 a couple of week before LO turned 6 months). (I don't pump overnight anymore, since my LO is 6 months and I'm ready to transition her to an elemental formula soonish because I'm tired of the MSPI diet).</p> <p>Ever since I dropped to 4 pumps a day, my supply has slowly been diminishing. I used to produce about 45 oz a day, then down to about 38 when I dropped to 5 pumps a day, and now down to about 31-35 oz a day. Soon, I won't have enough to cover her daily needs, but I'm okay with that at this point.</p> <p>In your case, your body is used to producing only what your LO has been getting out--your LO has had weight gain problems, which means either latch is off, or maybe she has undiagnosed allergies, or who knows---but she has been demanding less from your body, so your body has begun to produce less. It's supply-demand. If you start to exclusively pump, you will at first produce only what you did for your LO---so maybe only 18 oz a day total (I'm guessing here, but we had a brief period where LO was only eating 18 oz a day, and she still gained but not quickly enough). But that just means you should pump more often and for longer, and also take supplements, and eventually your body will respond to the increased demand.</p> <p>I know conventional LC wisdom is that a pump isn't efficient, but as an exclusive pumper that was producing some 45 oz a day, (with never any supplements at all), I kind of disagree. Probably the only BFing mothers who are producing that much have twins, because your body will only produce what is demanded of it.</p> <p>Anyway, my two cents! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365543 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 21:06:21 +0000 catlady 1365543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have only been pumping at work for about a week, but I have been getting 12-14 oz total over 3 pump sessions on average. Average is about 1.5 to 2.5 oz per side. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365537 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 20:57:32 +0000 sunshineandsushi 1365537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Early on when I was EPing, I would get around 2-3 oz per side each session. But after 6 weeks my supply became more established and I was pumping 3-4 oz per side each session. Around 4 months pp, I hit my peak and I could pump 5 oz per side during the day and after my boys started sleeping through the night my first pump of the day would yield 10 oz per side. Until 6-7 months pp, I never went more than 4 hours between sessions except for during the night. I did wake up to pump twice at night until my boys started sleeping through the night around 3.5 months pp. </p> <p>EPing is possible, but it is a lot of work and takes major dedication to establish and keep up your supply. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365525 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 20:52:38 +0000 MrsStormy 1365525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: It is so rough, and now I'm super jealous of all these large quantities!</p> <p>@illumina: I don't think I would have it in me to EP, it is so much work, and it will take time away from baby. Plus babies are more efficient than a pump so she will get more from the source.... I know you guys are having issues with weight and such, but I think what you are doing seems to be working. If you are still concerned you could always start offering a bottle with a little formula after every time she nurses and she can take it or leave it? Regardless if you want to increase supply I would drink a lot of water, try fenugreek, and eating oatmeal has helped me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365507 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 20:44:45 +0000 Corduroy 1365507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I usually get 3-4oz per pump session. Sometimes it's 2oz and if I skip a session I can get 5oz. That's all from one boob because I only use righty. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365407 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 19:44:44 +0000 Charm54 1365407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>5 oz per boob first thing in the am, 3-4 oz per boob for the rest of the pumps. I've EPed since LO was 2 weeks but when I used to pump between feedings I would only get 1-2oz per boob. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365398 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 19:41:10 +0000 marionberry 1365398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can typically get 4-5 oz per boob in the morning if I pump before work and about 2.5-4 oz per boob during the day when i pump at work. From 4pm on he exclusively breastfeeds. The more often you can pump or feed it helps I think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365384 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 19:34:12 +0000 JoJoGirl 1365384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsStormy: This is almost exactly what my day looks like! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365354 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 19:17:24 +0000 daniellemybelle 1365354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There are lot of variables here. Some moms respond well to the pump &amp; some don't. Some babies are super efficient nursers &amp; some aren't. It also depends on what pump you use &amp; if you are using the right size flanges, and if you are doing breast compressions/massage while pumping, and how long you pump for. Oh, and also how old your baby is!</p> <p>In my case, I use a hospital grade pump &amp; respond well to it so it pretty much sucks me dry if I pump long enough. LO is a fairly efficient nurser when she wants to be, so based on weight feedings I've determined that she transfers about the same amount as I can pump. </p> <p>First thing in the morning, I can pump around 3 oz. At night, I can only pump about 1.5 oz. My average feeding/pumping is somewhere in between - 2 to 2.5 oz. That's typically after 3 hours. I supplement my 3 month old with 1.5 oz of formula at all feedings except overnight &amp; first morning.</p> <p>How is nursing going other than your supply? So many times I considered EP for the same reason but I am glad we kept nursing. EP is a lot of work, and nursing is more than milk! If you both enjoy it I would encourage you to keep it up for the bonding - not to mention you could be one of those moms who responds better to baby than to the pump. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365147 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 17:40:52 +0000 MrsStormy 1365147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: Thanks! I've decided if we have another child I want to pump from the beginning to overstimulate supply a bit, I would rather have a bit to much, then have to work so hard to make just enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365092 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 17:19:36 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1365092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsStormy: My sister never ever did either even pumping 8x a day for a long time. Some of it is established in the first 3 months and some of it is just genetic I think. : / Great work you are doing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1365068 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 17:10:06 +0000 MrsStormy 1365068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This just depressed me, I have NEVER gotten more than 5.5oz combined :sad: I pump while at work so my day looks like this</p> <p>4:45-feed on one side then pump both- 5oz combined<br /> 6:15- mini nurse session one side<br /> 9- pump- 5oz combined<br /> 12- pump- 4oz combined<br /> 3- pump- 3oz combined<br /> 6- nurse one side<br /> 7- nurse one side<br /> 8:30- pump- 2oz combined</p> <p>ETA: I've been taking fenugreek for 1.5 weeks and haven't had much of a difference... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1364620 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 14:41:24 +0000 Adira 1364620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: haha, sounds like Xander - I can pretty much only nurse him immediately after a nap or right before - otherwise he wants nothing to do with me and will bite! I think you're probably fine. :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1364614 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 14:40:30 +0000 JoJoGirl 1364614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Mmm, usually content but she's so distracted it's hard to say. It's sort of a fight now to get her to eat at all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1364589 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 14:34:26 +0000 Adira 1364589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: Does she seem fussy after nursing or content? I would think if she seems content, she probably got enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1364582 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 14:32:15 +0000 Ash 1364582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Taco: I had over supply too but it's evened out. What I pump is enough to feed ds and start a freezer stash but Idk what to do when he starts taking more than 4oz a feeding. Hahah. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1364570 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 14:29:40 +0000 JoJoGirl 1364570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yikes, I always get 4-5 oz TOTAL, not from each side when I pump. This is making me nervous LO isn't getting enough from nursing.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1364499 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 14:10:13 +0000 Mrs. Taco 1364499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ash: Hahaha that's total, not each boob! It used to be SO much more than that but since LO is almost 8 months, and I've dropped so many sessions its leveled out.</p> <p>Seems like a good thing, but its the reason we couldn't nurse. Darn oversupply. More is not always better! :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1364410 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 13:41:53 +0000 Ash 1364410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Taco: oh my! How do I get 11oz? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1364408 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 13:41:25 +0000 cheert16 1364408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I usually got about 3-5 ounces when I was pumping regularly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1364389 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 13:35:31 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1364389@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think that's an accurate fact. I'm pretty sure an indicator of good supply is getting at least 5 oz total (or it might be even more than that). I had very average/adequate supply and max got 4-5 oz per side, usually it was more like 3-4 until I dropped to 3 pumps a day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1364289 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 13:01:16 +0000 JoJoGirl 1364289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depending on how LO slept, I usually get around 5oz (combined both sides) from the first pump of the day and 4oz for the next two pumps. She drinks around 20 oz of milk during the day so I have to pump evenings and weekends to make up for it AND use 5-10 oz from my freezer each week.</p> <p>ETA: This is instead of feeding, not in addition to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1364285 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 13:00:42 +0000 autumnlove 1364285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>5-7 oz from each side in the morning and 1-3 on each side for the other sessions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-ep-or-who-pump-regularly#post-1364284 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 13:00:41 +0000 Mrs. Taco 1364284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I EP and pump 3 times-7am: 11-12 oz 1pm: 6-8 oz 9pm: 6-8 oz.</p> <p>If you got 2oz in place of a feeding, when was the last time you fed? If it was only an hour or so ago, that's normal. If it's been 4+ hours and you only get 2, you may have to try and increase your supply. </p>