I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

Ok so we have had some BFing issues since being in the hospital. First it was inverted nipples, then DS is slighlty tongue tied so we tried a nipple shield. But we never got the latch really correct. So now two and a half weeks of really trying I've ended up with severely infected nipples and clogged ducts on the right side. I've also worked with an LC but different holds aren't helping with my pain and infection. I'm really upset b/c I really wanted this to work but our nursing sessions end up with both of us crying. Its just not enjoyable. Pumping is doable as it doesn't hurt as much so I think I may do that. If I was to pump exclusively how does it work? Pump before he eats or on a timed schedule? What if I wanted to get a freezer supply also? Is that possible? If you read this far, thank you!

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

I exclusively pumped for 7 months...DS was in NICU and he never learned to latch.
Anyway, I found it better to pump on a schedule. I pumped every 2-2.5 hours for the first 10 weeks (i went back to work) for 15-20 mins each session. Then at work, I pumped right before work, at lunch and right after. I would pump every 2.5 hours until I went to bed and got up in the middle of the night to pump again. Whatever wasn't going to be used in the next 24 hours got frozen. I used a Medela PumpInStyle backpack pump. And I found the Lansinoh bags to be the best for storage.
When I decided to start weaning DS off BM, I began reducing my sessions to 5x a day, then 4x, then for less time each session...It took me about 6 weeks to stop pumping completely.
Good luck...there are pluses to it - you can go out and leave bottles for baby, you don't have to worry about making formula, BM has a much longer room temperature shelf life than formula.

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

If you want to exclusively pump, the idea is that you pump whenever the baby eats. So if the baby is eating every 3 hours, you pump every 3 hours.

That said, when I came back to work, I realized that I get the same amount total if I pump 2x while at work, as I do when I pump 3x, so now I just pump twice even though DS eats 3 times while I'm gone.

Good luck!

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

I pumped exclusively for a few months before we worked out our issues.

basically I was pumping 8-10 times a day, and TRIED before a feeding. but sometimes I was playing "catch up"

nights are ESPECIALLY hard as my dh was working.

basically I tried to wake up BEFORE I thought he would wake for a feeding.

pump
heat up bottle
feed
repeat.

it is exhausting. but SOO worth it.

can I just suggest that after your nipples heal you keep putting him to the breast a few times a day. don't let him forget the smell/taste of it.

i did that and by the time he was 3 months or so, I was able to nurse him while I was home and I now only pump 3 times a day while at work.

good luck!!! sorry you are having so much trouble but kudos to you for battling it out!!!

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

I did this for 3 months. I had 1-2 bottles set in the fridge, this way the milk was available as soon as he woke and was hungry. I would pump after I fed him and put him down to sleep. I won't lie to you, it was a PITA! You feel like you are getting no sleep. I am sure there are some tough mommies out there, but I couldn't do it after 3 months. As far as freezer stash it all depends on how much you are producing vs. how much DC is taking. Good Luck

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

I did this for over a year...This web-site helped soooo much. http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppexcluspump

In the beginning you will be pumping ALOT....but over time it will go to only a few times a day.

Like they said it is alot of work but soooo worth it.

You can do it!!!!

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

Thank you sooo much. I'm going to give it a try while I'm home and can devote the time to it.

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

Hang in there. I'd recommend bringing a LC back in again. It took us a month to become successful. I had to use a nipple shield too. It was a very frustrating and difficult month but after that it became so easy and enjoyable for both of us.

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

I have my schedule from my first son on an excel sheet. For him I was pumping 40-45 oz a day. With my second I waited for the second let down and pumped 50-60 oz a day. If you FM me your email, I'll send it to you.

Message edited 8/16/2010 2:56:04 PM.

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

i did it for 10 months and dd was on bm until 13 months....so its doable....in the beginning, pump often and then you can somewhat train your body and pump a few times a day!!

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

Just came back from OBGYN. I have mastitis :( and she couldn't believe how broken down and open my nipples are. She suggested I take a break from putting him on the breast and try pumping. She said ultimately its my choice but if I'm not happy then he's not happy. :(

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

Not to send you a curveball Have you thought about having your DC's frenulum sniped?
it made all the difference in the world for me. I did it when ds was 12days old and within 1.5 weeks he had a perfect latch and now 14months later I can't get him off!

Either way do what's best for your family!

Hoping it gets better fast!

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

I had similar issues. DS was not a good latcher, and then we used the nipple shield, which made things even worse. When I tried to wean him off the shield, he was already used to not having to work so hard for his milk.

At 2 months old, I decided to stop BFing and just pump exclusively. At first, I pumped every 2-3 hours, just like he fed, to maintain my supply. So either before or after each feeding, I would pump. At night, I would feed him a pumped bottle, put him to sleep, and go into another room and pump.

Gradually, I increased the amount of time between feeding, and eventually I was able to go 6-8 hours between sessions, and have more than enough milk to feed & freeze a stash. I would pump in the AM, around 2-3pm, and then before bed.

Once AF returned at 5 months PP, I had to add an extra session and start taking More Milk Plus, because AF would cause my supply to dip for the whole week before it came.

It wasn't easy, but I liked it better than BFing. All BFing did was frustrate both of us. I pumped exclusively until DS was 1, then switched him to milk.

Good luck!!

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice

Re: I think i may have to exclusively pump- need some advice