https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Jul 2026 22:41:38 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because/page/2#post-1317867 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 14:47:50 +0000 2PeasinaPod 1317867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I very much struggled with BFing and decided to EP. I was at the point where every 2 hours, I would feed him for over an hour b/c he wouldn't latch properly and we struggled...then I would rock him to sleep for 15 minutes, then pump right after that b/c I was still full. By the time I was done cleaning everything up, I got maybe 15 minutes of sleep before he was up again to feed. I was exhausted and couldn't do it anymore. I had to pump anyway, and bottle feeding him breast milk only took 15 minutes. I'd take that any day over BFing him for an hour. The whole "bonding" thing just wasn't there for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because/page/2#post-1317842 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 14:39:26 +0000 Ra 1317842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really struggled with BFing in the beginning. We went 5 weeks with an undiagnosed lip &amp; tongue tie which made nursing almost unbearable. I sat and cried almost every time he nursed.</p> <p>For me, pumping was not painful at all. That being said, I still HATED pumping. Hate. Hate. Hate. Once LO's ties were fixed nursing became a breeze. I loved to nurse him and the closeness/bonding was 100% worth the pain for me. </p> <p>I just dried up due to supply issues that stemmed from those first several weeks and I am absolutely devastated. I will miss nursing so much! I can't wait to pack away the pump though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because/page/2#post-1317722 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 14:09:00 +0000 snowjewelz 1317722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: I don't think women do it on purpose.. I think it's because on forums and boards, people with issues tend to post and ask for help, etc so in the eye of an expectant mom, I do just see a lot of the issues and problems with breastfeeding. That's why I am so encouraged by the posts here whether they are saying they love breastfeeding, or that while it's not amazing, it's not painful either. It's true, I do think moms need to hear more positive experiences of both so that they can be empowered to make their choice either way! </p> <p>I was definitely scared off and thought to myself to avoid all of this craziness I will just pump. But now I understand there are plenty of reasons to try first, but to know that whichever way I stick with, there are pros &amp; cons to all so its not always grass is greener on the other side. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because/page/2#post-1317182 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 11:13:06 +0000 sarac 1317182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It really bums me out that in a desire to support women and the struggles that some have with breastfeeding, we've perpetuated this notion that it ALWAYS hurts. This just isn't true! Lots of women don't have any pain, lots of women have an easy time with it. I really hate to see people exclaiming that breastfeeding is hell at first. For some, yes, but not for all or even most. I know that I've hesitated to speak up about it because I don't want to be unsupportive, but I hate to see women like you scared off before they've even started. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because/page/2#post-1317158 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 11:07:04 +0000 californiadreams 1317158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i prefer nursing over pumping 100%. It's more comfortable (i can do it lying in bed!), is less work and less time consuming. And i get to spend time with LO at the same time.</p> <p>I have a friend who had to EP and she is counting down the days until she hits six months because she doesn;t like it but wants to give BM for at least 6 months exclusively. What I fee l bad for her the most is how she has to wake up EVERY night to pump, even if the baby is sleeping through to maintain her supply! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because/page/2#post-1317045 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 10:30:28 +0000 mrs. wagon 1317045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: I think it's great that you have heard bad experiences. I heard nothing and was totally shocked when it was so hard and painful. Thought I was a bad mom until I asked around! </p> <p>I think it's a matter of personal preference. Some people hate the pump, some people love nursing for bonding. For me personally, I nursed my first for 7 months. I was a stay at home mom. I also pumped once a day and he took one bottle a day. Then he went to bottles til he turned 1 because I dried up one day. With my second I nursed for the first 8 weeks and went back to work. I tried nursing while I was home but switched to exclusive pumping and did it for a year. So 8 weeks and on she was bottle fed. My first had mostly formula from 7-12 months but my second only had breast milk. </p> <p>I preferred exclusive pumping because I don't mind the pump and I never really enjoyed nursing. Neither of my kids were crazy about it either. </p> <p>Everyone has a different experience! (Oh as for pain, the first time was so hard but everything was fine by 5 months or so.. The second I had almost no pain and engorgement.) I would encourage you to stay open minded and try nursing when the baby comes. If you really feel you can't do it, you could always try pumping. </p> <p>Oh also, for bonding, I feel no less bonded to my second than my first. But probably because I did not enjoy nursing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because/page/2#post-1316923 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 09:55:53 +0000 snowjewelz 1316923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow thank you so much for all of your stories! It's so great to hear both sides, good &amp; bad! You guys are right... I need to at least try, even if it's painful, before making a decision to go another way. I hope that when the baby's here I will feel differently too and muster up the courage to SUCK-IT-UP! :happy: I really love and am thankful for this community! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because/page/2#post-1316547 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 06:32:20 +0000 hummusgirl 1316547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found pumping to be more painful than BFing (with shield), and it took forever which took time away from the baby. It depends on your situation. My LO wouldn't latch so and pumping was killing me so I switched to formula after a few weeks (no regrets there). Some things to consider:<br /> - Faster letdown: I would produce *nothing* for the first 20 minutes at the pump and then get a decent amount in minutes 20-40, even when engorged. At the breast it was just a minute or so.<br /> - Pumping basically doubles feeding time: You still have to feed the baby, so instead of just doing it for 30 mins at the breast, you have 30 mins at the pump (putting on nursing bra, pumping, cleaning parts) and *then* 30 minutes to give the bottle, which means either less time for you to sleep or play with the baby, or someone else gets to feed the baby while you pump.<br /> - Inability to respond to the baby: This is what finally made me give up. I'd put the baby down for a nap and start to pump, but then he would cry and I wouldn't know whether to get him or keep producing this "liquid gold." After a few weeks of this I became convinced being hooked up to the pump was not actually the best thing for us. </p> <p>I know plenty of people EP but it was not for me. Good luck either way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because/page/2#post-1316428 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 02:11:21 +0000 Kemma 1316428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never pumped but as someone who dealt with thrush, tongue and lip ties and just plain ol' bad latch, the pain of the first 7-8 weeks is nothing compared to the other 60 or so painless and wonderful weeks of breastfeeding! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because/page/2#post-1316400 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 01:38:18 +0000 Dagny 1316400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>BF'ing only hurt for a few days before I got LO's latch figured out. Now (at almost 9 mo), I am a nursing addict haha. I'm dreading the day I have to stop nursing. :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because/page/2#post-1316297 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 23:59:05 +0000 daniellemybelle 1316297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was tempted to EP in the early days but now nursing is way more enjoyable &amp; comfortable than pumping. Even with our struggles, nursing has been great for bonding. I would give it a try and see how you feel after a few weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because/page/2#post-1314497 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 18:07:37 +0000 Anagram 1314497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: I'm one that had a terrible time breastfeeding. Excruciating pain, blood, the works. But my baby was "diagnosed" with a tight jaw by the LC in the hospital and even with multiple LC visits (both at my home and at weekly BFing support groups) and occupational therapy for my LOs jaw, she just could never open her mouth wide enough to nurse without it being extremely painful to me and finally when she was 3 months old I made my peace with the situation and started exclusively pumping.</p> <p>I hate pumping (like... Really really loathe it for all the reasons listed above) but it has been infinitely tell more comfortable for me than BFing ever was. My LO is 6 months next week and I'm proud I have made it this long.</p> <p>Honestly, for my next baby I feel like my preferences are in order.; BFing, then formula feeding, then exclusively pumping last. I prefer breast milk for health reasons but if I experienced this situation again, I think I would try formula instead of pumping. I feel like pumping was actually detrimental to my bond with LO as I feel like I spend a lot of time pumping and washing parts instead of paying attention to her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314338 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 16:56:52 +0000 mdf106 1314338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It is hard to know what it will be like in advance. I heard a lot of horror stories about breastfeeding before giving birth, and I was very nervous. Breastfeeding was painful at first, but it got better. In the very early days, breastfeeding was worse than pumping, but now at 4.5 months breastfeeding is much easier. I think it is very hard to establish a good supply at first with just pumping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314303 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 16:45:40 +0000 Lozza 1314303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've done a combo of nursing and pumping with both kids- with both kids I started pumping within days of birth, started giving them a bottle of pumped milk a day, and then went back to work early so they were getting pumped milk then.<br /> I actually kind of like pumping, but I still wouldn't want to do it exclusively. I've been pretty lucky in my pumping output, and I find it easy- I don't have to worry about doing it wrong and I can totally zone out, and I also like knowing exactly how much I'm producing vs. using.<br /> That said, it's a pain. I like the flexibility of nursing and knowing that i can feed LO as long as we're together. I don't have to worry about bringing a pump and gear places to ease engorgement if it's been a few hours since last pumping, and I like the fact that I don't have to wake up at night to pump, which I find more disruptive than grabbing LO from the cosleeper, sticking him on a boob for 10 minutes, and replacing him, all without leaving my bed. I also like the self-regulatory aspect of nursing- not everyone is so lucky, but for me, I trust that LO gets enough through nursing without thinking about it too much, even if we have variety in how often or how long we nurse. Whereas with pumping, you have to be a lot more aware of making sure you're pumping often and long enough to keep up your supply. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314302 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 16:45:02 +0000 babypugs 1314302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I EBF lo right now at ten weeks, but I also pump once a day to build up a freezer stash. Neither are entirely comfortable for me, and for some reason, breastfeeding still hurts BADLY on one side and I've already had mastitis three times, and I STILL prefer it over pumping! Pumping is just so time consuming and inconvenient, and I hate not being able to scoop up lo when she cries. I'm dreading pumping three times a day when I go back to work! </p> <p>I think the best thing you can do is try both and see which works for you. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314286 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 16:39:22 +0000 Arden 1314286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Breastfeeding hurt for the first three weeks. Just in the beginning when she latched on, and nothing horrible, just ouchiness. Since then? Easy, painless, no problems. </p> <p>My advice to you would be to push through those first six weeks before you make any decision, because it will likely get WAY easier over that period of time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314174 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 15:56:47 +0000 Zbug 1314174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with the PPs who said BFing only hurt in the beginning. After about a week, it stopped hurting for me. Of course, you should do whatever works for you, but you might as well give nursing a shot first. I find pumping to be super annoying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314170 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 15:55:10 +0000 JoJoGirl 1314170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haaaaate pumping with the fire of a thousand suns. You don't have to wash any parts after nursing :) And pumping actually hurts more to me, once my nips got used to it. The first week sucked but after that, it was no issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314167 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 15:54:39 +0000 MapleMoose 1314167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I attempted BF for several weeks, finally giving up to pump after my nipples were visibly bruised from the insanely strong latch LO has. Pumping still hurt me a lot because I had inverted nipples and the connective tissue needed to be broken so the nips would come out. After several weeks of using APNO my nipples finally stopped hurting while pumping. It's such a pain with all the parts and it's time-consuming... but either way I'd be pumping at work. It was super annoying how much time it took away from LO during maternity leave though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314163 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 15:53:08 +0000 lawbee11 1314163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OMG I would prefer to nurse any day over pumping. I pump every day because I am building up my stash for when I go back to work, and it's a total PITA. I also think pumping is way more uncomfortable than nursing. Nursing hurt for a week or two then it was almost completely pain-free. By 1 month it was second nature. So much easier than pumping. Plus, one of my favorite parts of nursing is having my baby close to me....it's an incredible bonding tool. That said, if you try nursing and hate it there's nothing wrong with EP, but I'd at least give nursing a shot for a few weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314160 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 15:52:16 +0000 Aimed 1314160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: I would second @blackbird: on the cost of formula issue. For several reasons my LO has been formula fed since birth and while it is probably more than bfing, I think in many situations the difference isn't a great as many think. I know so many moms who paid through the nose for lactation consultants, nipple creams, pumps, shields an so on. I think that those costs can surprise many if they aren't expecting it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314124 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 15:41:54 +0000 Foodnerd81 1314124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: If you are looking for more people to say breastfeeding wasn't that bad-- I'll join! It was uncomfortable for about the first 2 weeks. Not super painful or anything like that, but my nipples were sore. I never had to deal with cracked or bleeding nipples, just general soreness as baby and I both learned how to breastfeed. I was very conscious of trying to get a good latch every time, and religious with nipple cream and letting my breasts air dry after each feeding in the beginning. Pumping really wasn't much more comfortable under the best of circumstances, and I had a learning curve with finding the right suction setting so sometimes that was a bit uncomfortable as well. Once we got past the first couple of weeks I love BFing so much more than pumping. I SAH and haven't pumped in a month because it's so much more convenient to just feed her directly, though of course I do love the convenience of pumped milk. The downside of BFing, of course, is I'm the one who always gets up for MOTN feedings-- it's so much easier for me to feed her than for DH to warm up a bottle, then feed her, and BFing helps her go right back to sleep where the bottle isn't as comforting. So, good and bad, in that sense. </p> <p>So, I would say if you want to give your baby breastmilk, TRY breastfeeding, see how it goes. Maybe it will not be a problem and you will love it. Maybe you will prefer pumping, maybe you will decide to do formula, but if you don't at least try to BF in the beginning you won't be able to make a choice later (since your supply would never be established). </p> <p>I think it's important to be aware of the issues you can have with BFing, but it doesn't mean it's terrible for everyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314114 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 15:35:22 +0000 immabeetoo 1314114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: I think that is partially because nursing is painful for most, in the very very beginning, and then most of those who stop nursing, stop then. You know? I was really prepared to HATE breastfeeding, and thought it would hurt like crazy, and after some latch issues caused by an unhelpful nurse were solved by an LC, it has been the easiest thing about parenting for me. Not to mention all the other advantages. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314103 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 15:28:50 +0000 yin 1314103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've done both -- EP starting at day 2 with my first and now breastfeeding my second. I prefer breastfeeding and refuse to pump unless necessary now. EP is really time consuming, difficult to juggle while caring for the baby, and oh so stressful. I had mental breakdowns almost daily because it was so hard for me. </p> <p>I'll admit that I was so scared and unsure if breastfeeding would work with my second. I'm very fortunate that I haven't run into any issues so far and actually enjoy it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314099 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 15:26:56 +0000 lemondrop 1314099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Neither one was comfortable at first. Nursing was easier and faster and I really grew to love it. I grew to despise pumping. I loved the convenience of pumping and not having to whip out a boob in public and having my husband able to take night shifts so I could sleep. The only time nursing was actually painful was when I got mastitis, but that was around a year postpartum. The early days were sore, but I started using a nipple shield and lanolin before it actually got painful. </p> <p>I will definitely do a hybrid of the two again with our second kiddo, but just realize that doing one or both is going to be an adjustment for both you and your body- it takes at least 6 weeks to get the hang of everything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314094 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 15:24:56 +0000 snowjewelz 1314094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>x___x </p> <p>@ sorrycharlie Yeah, I think not having the baby physically here, I am on my nipples' side right now haha. Maybe a mother's love and instinct will push me to try to nurse first, and yeah, maybe it will be easy! I think for me with labor, birth, feeding etc, my mind just goes to all the negatives first and I try to find the least painful way to go about things! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314075 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 15:19:52 +0000 sorrycharlie 1314075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>it entirely depends on the baby and you. it could go either way. I loathed pumping, but am still nursing at 15 months.</p> <p>edit: and that's saying something, because I got thrush at 6 weeks (after dealing with 6 weeks of bad latch, raw nipples) AND mastitis. twice. I still prefer/love nursing. haha.</p> <p>you won't know til you try! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314073 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 15:19:04 +0000 sunshineandsushi 1314073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I EP'd for nearly 12 months. There are many ways that it was easier for me since I had twins, and just in general, but there were a lot of extra struggles that I would not have had to deal with if I had nursed instead. </p> <p>If we end up having a third child, I don't think I could EP again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314070 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 15:18:55 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 1314070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I liked pumping because I had better output, but what I didn't like is that it took double the time to feed the child. Instead of just popping her on the boob to feed her, I had to pump first, then feed it to her... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-bad-that-i-want-to-ep-because#post-1314064 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 15:17:41 +0000 septca 1314064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>BFing is a thousand times better than pumping. If nursing works for you, there is no question in my mind that it is better - pumping hurts *more* (for me), it's harder to keep up supply, it's annoying to set up/break down, wash all your parts, etc. With nursing, you just do it. </p> <p>Also, maybe this is dumb, but I don't understand how lactogenesis works if you EP. I pump at work, but it's nursing that keeps up my supply and allows my milk to change as DD develops.</p> <p>I am with @grizz: I actually love nursing, but I loathe pumping. I am seriously counting down the days until I don't have to pump any longer. </p>