https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:48:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-2246392 Sun, 26 Jul 2015 19:47:22 +0000 marionberry 2246392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I EBF LO #1 but am EP for my twins. I think both have their pros and cons. I like the ability for my husband to be able to help and the ease of feeding a bottle when we're out and about but being tied to a machine for hours during the day isn't super fun either. You also need to be committed to pumping every 2-3 hours. I'm happy I pumped for twins but probably would have breastfed with formula supplementation (if necessary) for a singleton. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-2246244 Sun, 26 Jul 2015 14:52:40 +0000 paigeface 2246244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm glad I read this because I am thinking of EPing as well. I want to try breastfeeding first but i'm feeling a little overwhelmed by it already and LO isn't even here for another 8 weeks! I like the idea of the little bit of freedom that EP gives me and that my fiancee can help feed as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-2244046 Thu, 23 Jul 2015 13:47:36 +0000 simplyfelicity 2244046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2PeasinaPod: I appreciate it! :happy: You are almost due, right? So happy to see how things have turned around for you. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-2244042 Thu, 23 Jul 2015 13:45:51 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2244042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: I'm so glad! PM me if you want to chat more. Now that I'm further removed from the situation and expecting #2 in 2 months, I feel zero guilt for EPing and not breastfeeding. I'll likely do the same with #2 if I can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-2243990 Thu, 23 Jul 2015 12:58:40 +0000 simplyfelicity 2243990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2PeasinaPod: I know this is a super old post but your comment is exactly how I feel (with lactation consultants, too!) and I feel encouraged after reading it. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-584107 Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:29:49 +0000 betsyboop 584107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@edelweiss: One thing that made EPing a LOT easier was keeping the pump parts assembled and running water through them after each pump instead of disassembling and washing each part after every pump. This was a total game changer for me and I wish I had discovered this trick earlier. Once I started doing this, I only had to wash the parts once a day (before I went to bed). It made a huge difference. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-584054 Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:16:29 +0000 edelweiss 584054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kodybear: thanks for your response. it's help to hear the honest pros and cons before making a decision.</p> <p>@sunshineandsushi: when my little guy was first born, he was a super sleepy nurser, and our "feeding" sessions (i don't know if you can call them that because he wasn't getting much milk) took forever. and then i pumped. so i hear you on the amount of time--and you have twins! i can't imagine. thank you for your insight! </p> <p> @betsyboop: this is really helpful. i have found that i feel like i'm washing bottles constantly during these few days that i've been ep'ing. but i hear you on the advantages as well--for example, i have yet to nurse in public, and feel pretty shy about it! kudos to you for ep'ing for 6 months! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-580958 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:03:34 +0000 betsyboop 580958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I EP'd until my LO was around 7 months due to latch issues. For me, the advantages were that LO was able to be fed by others, that I didn't have to nurse in public (awkward for me), and that I knew exactly how much milk LO was consuming. The disadvantages were that I was constantly worried about my supply so I pumped quite often, it was hard to keep LO entertained if I happened to be pumping and she was awake, and washing all the bottles and pump parts. Ugh that was the worst.<br /> When I was pumping, I really envied all the moms who were able to breastfeed but once pumping became routine, I didn't mind it so much and I'm glad I stuck it out for that long. My goal was to make it to 6 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-580780 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:21:05 +0000 sunshineandsushi 580780@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me ep'ing was easier to handle with my twins. In the beginning, I struggled with low supply and it took SOO long to breastfeed each one, then supplement with formula, then pump. By the time I was done, it was basically time to feed them again.</p> <p>The advantage to me is knowing exactly how much my boys are eating and keeping them on the same feeding schedule. Plus, I can feed them both while I'm pumping, so it really doesn't take me much longer. I do have a ton of bottles to wash each day, but it's pretty easy to knock out. And DH can help with feedings, it's not all on my shoulders.</p> <p>I was so stressed out with nursing and my low supply (for twins), but now it's second nature for me. Besides, I was going to have to pump once I go back to work at 12 weeks.</p> <p>ETA: a hands-free bra is a must if you're going to EP. I bought this one and it's awesome! <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0097GUCZ6/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1361399150&#038;sr=8-2&#038;pi=SL75" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0097GUCZ6/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1361399150&#038;sr=8-2&#038;pi=SL75</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-580743 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:09:28 +0000 kodybear 580743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i started EPing after a week because LO wasn't gaining her weight back. the ped told us to EP to make sure she was getting enough. found out later that she had a tongue tie and lip tie. she got her tongue tie clipped and her latch was still having issues where i think i got vasospasms from a shallow latch. at that point i'd been EPing for a couple weeks so i decided to just keep doing it. the pros for me were that she never went through any cluster feeding, i could put her on a schedule since i knew how much she was getting, less stress from trying to get her to latch correctly and to stay awake. the cons are that i wasn't able to keep up with her after her first growth spurt (it sounds like u have an oversupply tho so u might not have this issue) so i supplement with 1-2 bottles of formula, pumping is annoying, and its hard to know how much to feed her so im always afraid of under/over feeding. </p> <p>if i were to go back in time i think i would've kept nursing and just supplemented with BM. for me, its just a pain being tied to the pump and its hard to balance pumping, feeding and playing with LO. a hands free bra helps but its still hard to move around without spilling milk </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-580639 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:35:24 +0000 edelweiss 580639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: thank you for sending the thread! it's so helpful and encouraging to read about other people's experiences. i'm still exploring at this point, but it makes me feel so much better to know that there are plenty of ep'ers out there, and to hear how it made mamas happier!</p> <p>@mrs. wagon: thank you for your response! so glad it worked out for you and it made you happier. i'm honestly fearing nursing him again because of the reflux issues, so not quite the positive association i was hoping breastfeeding would be! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-580439 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:40:09 +0000 winniebee 580439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>here's the thread!</p> <p><a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exclusive-pumpers-thread#post-216335" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/exclusive-pumpers-thread#post-216335</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-580432 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:39:02 +0000 winniebee 580432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started pumping exclusively for the same reasons you mentioned. I started a thread on it here and will find it for you! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-580407 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:34:47 +0000 2PeasinaPod 580407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. wagon: I'm glad you said it made you happier. I think that was my issue too. I was just so unhappy nursing. I just tried to stick with it b/c my mom told me I couldn't do it. I'm always one to prove my mom wrong!</p> <p>@edelweiss: I feel like there's so much pressure now to breastfeed that it makes women feel as if what they can do isn't good enough...that's why I felt like I was failing. Pumping just worked out so much better for me...like Mrs. Wagon said, it made me happier, and I started to look forward to feedings rather than dreading them. It also helped DH bond with LO b/c he was able to feed him too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-580308 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:09:09 +0000 mrs. wagon 580308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I exclusively nursed my first (and he had one bottle of pumped milk a day from someone else to prevent bottle rejection issues) for 7 months before weaning. I was miserable almost the entire time. With my second I exclusively nursed for about 9 weeks, then when I went back to work I was nursing at home and pumping at work. Pumping was working out really well for me, so I decided to try exclusive pumping, and I could not be happier. Scheduling in pumping (as well as transporting and storing breastmilk) can get tricky, but since I have to pump at work anyway, it's not THAT much more to think about. </p> <p>Neither of my kids had latch or reflux issues. Quitting nursing (with my second) has been one of the best decisions because it makes me happier, and therefore makes me a better mom. I don't feel any less connected to my second than my first. What is definitely different is that I resent my second a lot less than I did my first!! Gosh, I really hated nursing because at times I would resent my own baby for needing me so often and for so long :( I was also a SAHM for him for 18 months so that added to the pressure/resentment as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-580280 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:00:58 +0000 edelweiss 580280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2PeasinaPod: thanks for sharing your experience. i am not producing as much milk as it sounds like you had, but your reasons still resonate with me. and yes, i feel like i will be "failing" a bit if i exclusively pump, but you're right, i need to do what works for me. maybe i'll work towards nursing and pumping until my maternity leave ends and then make a decision. thank you again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-579366 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:47:04 +0000 2PeasinaPod 579366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started to exclusively pump after 3 weeks. My main reason was b/c LO was eating every 2 hours, and when I would nurse, it would take him over an hour to feed off of me, and then I would still have so much milk that I would have to pump afterwards as well. Since I was already pumping, I decided to just stop nursing. It was getting to be way too much and I just couldn't keep up with it anymore. He would take 15 minutes to eat from a bottle vs. the hour off of me. </p> <p>I had a lot of trouble with it initially. I thought that I was failing. The lactation consultants I met with only made me feel worse. Looking back now, it was definitely one of the best things I did for myself.</p> <p>I started to wean myself after 3 months. I was going back to work and have an hour + commute. It was just going to be too hard. I had built up enough freezer stash to last 3.5 months of feeding him breast milk. </p> <p>I think if it works for you...do it. Nursing isn't for everyone. I also personally felt that feeding him through a bottle was more bonding than nursing. I could look into his eyes, sing to him and he would watch me. I loved it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-579352 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:44:26 +0000 MaisyMay 579352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had latch issues and found that life was easier for all of us if I just pumped, especially since I went back to work at 6 weeks. We do supplement with formula, but it's maybe 4-8 ounces of formula and 20 or so of milk on any given days. Some days she has no formula at all.</p> <p>Pumping is easier for me. I have a handsfree bra and have pumped while driving, while DH is driving, while playing cards, while cooking, the ability to multi-task is great. Also, DH likes that he can feed LO. It's a great bonding time for them. And, there have been a few nights where I get to sleep more than 4-6 hours at a stretch because DH feeds LO. Those times are amazing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wondering-about-exclusive-pumping#post-579331 Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:40:02 +0000 edelweiss 579331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started pumping when my little one was 1 week old because I was having milk supply issues. My milk supply is now established and I have a bit of an oversupply. At the same time, little E developed some reflux and we had one day where every nursing session ended with horrible, inconsolable crying. Little E is fine, but I was emotionally traumatized. For the past 2 days, we have been giving him bottled breast milk and I have been exclusively pumping--no nursing.</p> <p>While part of me misses nursing a little bit (only a little, and I think part of it is stubbornness), this experience is making me thinking about exclusive pumping because of the advantages--I can generally schedule when to pump instead of having to be "on call", other people can feed him, etc.</p> <p>I was wondering, if you are exclusively pumping, what were your reasons for doing so and what are the advantages/disadvantages? Also, did your supply diminish from exclusively pumping? If you mostly pump but do some nursing, how much nursing?</p> <p>Thank you in advance! </p>