Are there any mommys out there that PUMP exclusively?

I am a new mommy, my milk is just starting to come in and breast feeding has not been going that great for me..

I have been trying to pump instead and supplementging with formula until my milk comes in more.

My question is.. anyone out there choose to pump only either bc they couldnt or chose not tyo breast feed?

How have your experiences been?

Also-- which of the pump parts (if any) do you wash after each pump use ? and how do you wash them?

How often do you pump and how do yuou know for how long? Is it a certain amount of time or do you stop when the milk stops coming oiut?

Sorry for all of the newbie questions.. this is complicated stuff!!

Re: Are there any mommys out there that PUMP exclusively?

I was exclusively pumping. I would do it every 3 hours for 20 min. I would wash the cups after every use, but the inside parts only once a day and I would sterilize everything once a week.

I did it for 4 months, then DD stopped napping as much and it was becoming a project and stressful so I went to formula.

I didn't mind it at all until she was about 3 months.

Re: Are there any mommys out there that PUMP exclusively?

I exclusively pumped for ~5 weeks every 3 hours for 20-25 minutes

I washed all of the parts 1x/day and sterilized 1x/week. iVillage has a great char forum that is for pumping....I got a lot of good tips from them (and from here!) on making it as easy as possible.

I stopped b/c I was having a hard time balancing feeding DD, pumping and everything else that goes on with a newborn. I was obsessed with watching the clock and trying to keep track of what I was supposed to do when. I think I just needed to stop so that I could relax and enjoy the baby.

My #1 recommendation is to get the hands free pumping bra (I used the Medela one). It made the time go by faster for me. When I had to hold the bottles I would just stare and watch them fill up. Once I got the hands free, I would come on this site, facebook, read a book, talk on the phone. Went by faster!

Good luck!

Re: Are there any mommys out there that PUMP exclusively?

I did for eight months. I never breastfed. I thought pumping was easier. You need a hospital grade pump.

Message edited 12/20/2011 9:45:43 PM.

Re: Are there any mommys out there that PUMP exclusively?

I have been exclusively pumping for my triplets. They will be 6months in 2 weeks. I agree with the PP, you have to get a hospital grade pump. It works so much better. And the hands free bra was the BEST $35 I have ever spent. I am actually pumping as I type this. I catch up on the computer while i am pumping.
I used to pump every 3 hours for 20 minutes, thats when the babies were in the NICU and just came home and were still on a every 3 hour schedule. Now they only take 5 bottles a day, so I only pump 5 times a day and my pumping sessions are down to about 10 minutes. I no longer wake up in the middle of the night to pump either. Once they started STTN, I cut out that middle of the night pumping session.

I clean all the parts after every pumping. That is what the NICU nurses instructed me to do while they were in the hospital, so I just continued, I never knew anything else.

HTH

Re: Are there any mommys out there that PUMP exclusively?

what do you use to clean the parts? to sterilize?

I have been boiing them in hot water after each use to steriolize an d its a PIA! esp bc they taske forever to dry!!!

Re: Are there any mommys out there that PUMP exclusively?

Re: Are there any mommys out there that PUMP exclusively?

I have been EPing for almost 1 yr. DS will be 1 Jan 2nd. I am in the process of stopping. I had a HUGE supply and never had to supplement so it's def possible! I pumped around the clock the first three months and then by 4 months, I was pumping only 4 times a day. I use the Freestyle and I loved it!

Re: Are there any mommys out there that PUMP exclusively?

I have been pumping since my twins were born 15 weeks ago It has just been determined that they will not nurse effectively and I will just be a pumper.
I have a hospital grade pump and hate it when I have to use a not hospital grade pump. Having a hands free bra changes everything!!! I'm pumping now, typing and holding one of my girls who just finished her bottle and is doing her 30min upright so she does not spit up. I still pump every 3 at least during the day and at least one of their night time feeds. I have many sets of pump parts, but really only rotate 3 sets. one stays in the travel bag and the 2 other rotate. I sterilize once a day in the dishwasher. I store the pieces and the bottles in the fridge in between pumping. at first I was washing them all the time and it was a pia. I have even just tried pumping while driving. I know it is crazy, but it really saves sooooo much time and is not that difficult to do.
gl

Re: Are there any mommys out there that PUMP exclusively?