My LO refuses my breast and after trying every imaginable thing suggested by my dr. And LC, I have decided to exclusively pump. I am really thankful LO has my milk and my supply hasnt been affected but the problem is that when LO feeds, I need to compensate that "feed" by pumping. And being a SAHM with a toddler, with an infant and pumping just seems really overwhelming. It seems like i am always pumping and my social life is taking a huge hit bc i cant seem to leave the house too long without needing to pump, etc, Does any EPs, have this overwhelming feeling or is it just me? Any advice to make things easier?
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I'm EP'ing my twins, so I understand! It took me a couple weeks, but I've found that it works well if i pump while I'm feeding my boys. Then I take what I've pumped and use that for their next feeding. When I tried to pump before or after they eat, it was harder since they could cry or something else would happen. GL!
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I was overwhelmed for a really long time. 8 pumps a day makes it impossible to line life! But as soon as I was able to drop to 7, I felt so much better. I'm just dropping to 4 and its amazing (at 4.5 months). Just push through the really hard beginning time and it will get better! Good luck!
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@sunshineandsushi: @Mrs Green Grass: thank you so much for your replies and encouragement! Its been so difficult telling friends and family how i cant have people over to visit bc i am naked half the time pumping. haha! but also the fact that I cannot leave home too long or must be near an outlet to pump. Do you have any tips on how to handle pumping outside of the home? do i need to invest in a handsfree, battery operated pump?
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@umlo: I love my medela freestyle. I pump in the car, wear it pumping at home while doing stuff around the house, it's so little and portable. Plus it comes with a belt.
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@MaisyMay: that's so good to hear! I was researching that pump just a little bit ago but the reviews I saw on amazon had me a bit concerned since it was a bit mixed, especially the pump pressure. I used the pump in style and they said the pressure on freestyle was a bit weaker?
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@umlo: Someone posted on a thread about finding your "magic number" needed to maintain your supply. Before reading this I knew mine was 4-5, but I thought the article was really helpful. Once you figure out your number and a good schedule, pumping becomes easier. Some days I go 6 hours between day time pumps and I'm okay.
I try to pump in the morning before DD wakes up (Pump #1).. then I pump during her morning and afternoon naps (Pumps #2 and #3).. once in the evening when I have someone to watch her (Pump #4) and then once before I go to sleep (Pump #5). Even though I try to plan pumping around her schedule, she's generally up during at least 2 of my pump sessions so, I just sit on the ground and play with her. Hands free bras are amazing!
Work on building a stash.. it's probably the only good thing about exclusively pumping and it makes me feel like I've "accomplished" something.. haha
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@LaineysMom: thanks so much! I am going to search for the thread (didn't see it before) and will read now while pumping! Haha. Hopefully after reading it I won't be as stressed out about pumping.
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@umlo: I'll see if I can find it for you! I'm pumping now too.. -_-
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Sorry, I couldn't find the thread, but if you google "breastfeeding magic number" a few articles come up!
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@umlo: I've never tried the PIS or PISA so I wouldn't know, but it's strong enough to blanch my nips at 7 so I have to turn it down, and it goes up to 9. I was pumping last week and a friend heard it, said it was a lot quieter than her Avent pump.
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