Exclusively Pumping?

[CherriesInTheSnow]

Hi :)

I desperately want to give my baby nothing but breast milk but was not successful feeding my first and only managed a couple of months of combined feeding through expressing.

I know the main problem is that I lack confidence in trusting that I am providing enough milk, and I find it really difficult to get a good latch. I think the anxiety around making sure they are getting enough contributes to this too.

I have decided to attempt to arm myself with knowledge and try to breastfeed again, but do think there is a good chance I will end up pumping a lot of my feeds, if not all of them. Which brings me to my questions..

Is it possible to exclusively pump with a single electric pump? And if not, I already have a single pump so is it worth buying a double or can I buy another single? I had trouble last time getting a lot of milk with my electric single pump, but it worked really well if I used the same brand manual one first to encourage let down, and could fill a bottle with one breast in about 10 minutes or less. However I never pumped often enough because I was supplementing with formula and my supply dried up :(

I'm rambling a bit, sorry!

How far along are you? How old is first DC?

Just because it didn't work out the first time, doesn't mean it won't the second time and as for 'getting enough', if they gain weight and produce enough wet/ dirty nappies, that's how you tell.

BUT, I think if you go into it expecting it not to work out, there's probably more chance it won't.

I managed it for about 6 weeks; it was utterly miserable though. I would arm yourself with as much breastfeeding support as possible - do you have a la leche league group/ breastfeeding support group/ helpful midwife who can assist you in checking your latch? That said, all babies are different and you may have a completely different experience this time.

Thanks for the replies :)

I do think that my mentality is a problem but not sure how to get over it :( I am due in early November and DD will have just turned 2, so I am also worried that with a small toddler I won't be able to manage the pressure of constantly nursing enough to establish a good supply.

I know I sound very negative but just want to focus on being able to establish my supply well at first, whether that is by nursing or expressing. Once I'm through the first month or so, I do feel like if I have established a good supply and can see through the amount of ounces etc I get that I have one, am hoping I will be able to get baby to feed straight from the breast.

Vim, do you mean you managed to express or BF for 6 weeks? :)

OP, can you maybe get DD into nursery for a few sessions a week?

I think you're going to try and make it harder for yourself trying to express then establish actual breastfeeding. And the way babies feed is far more effective at getting your supply sorted

Can you ask about some counselling? or try and find a breastfeeding consultant to discuss before birth and have them booked in straight away to help rather than wait for a problem to occur

We've decided not to put DD into nursery as we don't want her to feel pushed out; she will be going to nursery for a couple of mornings when I go back go work when she's nearly 3, but Im not ready for that yet.

Is expressing really that bad? I did find that my breasts are really easy to express and can get a lot of milk quite quickly. However I only lasted about 3 months and that was combined with formula which as I said dried my supply up.

I feel so stupid, I thought I did loads of research before my first baby and I failed so miserably. Not that I have anything against formula per se, but I did really want to breastfeed and naively assumed it would just work out. I do attribute my failings to my anxiety about BF and my inability to believe that DD would be satisfied by my milk alone.

I've also been looking into early limited formula and it's benefits for increasing mothers' confidence that baby is getting enough, so am considering trying this, but hopefully with expressed milk, and then seeing how we go once milk has come in :)

Try not to think about pumps, expressing and formula right now. Read up on what normal bf looks like ie very frequent feeding, cluster feeding etc. Arm yourself with bf support line numbers (LLL and nct ones were good for me). Most women start bf and lots stop with in a month or so with the main reasons for stopping being pain and feeling like their baby isn't getting enough milk. I think it's easy to mistake normal new born feeding with baby not getting enough- they feed a lot! When you know that feeding every hour is normal, being very fussy when put down is normal, cluster feeding is normal it's easier to see that your baby is getting enough.

Expressing is an utter bitch. Makes the whole process three times as long- your life is a cycle of expressing, feeding and sterilising.

I had load of milk, but after the initial 6 weeks my supply adjusted to the babys needs and i couldn't express a drop.

The best way to get your supply up and keep it up is to not mess with it, so forget expressing, topping up etc, and just feed as mich as you can. Especially at night- night feeds really get your supply going so don't try and cut down or get baby sleeping through, see them as a positive.

Just feed, feed, and feed some more. Even if the baby doesn't take much, the sucking action will stimulate supply. Keep them on the breast as much as possible.

Do you have a partner? It can really help to have your partner around in the beginning for as long as you can arrange, especially with a 2 year old as well. Can your partner take any extra leave/holiday from work? My DP had 4 weeks off initially and then another 4 weeks off a few weeks after that - he was fortunate in being able to take a paid sabbatical from his work. I found that really helped me get breastfeeding established as I wasn't on my own with both children all the time.

My partner is a SAHD

I mainly worry about DD because I'm very concscious of not letting her feel left out, but DH and I have already discussed how much I want to establish breastfeeding/supply properly and he will definitely be doing the lions share of work with DD in the early weeks. this is also why bottle cleaning etc is not really a problem for me, and I feel it would be helpful for DH to be able to feed the newborn sometimes.

I just really want to have a good supply and not worry that my baby isn't getting enough milk! I think the stress of it, and trying to get DD to latch, is definitely what made me reach for the formula in the first place. I am trying to get over it but I have to admit I am comforted by knowing how many ounces are in a bottle. I would just much prefer that it was breastmilk rather than formula this time. :)

Oh, I was also considering if nipple shields would be an alternative to pumping and bottle feeding? It's all very confusing though :(

I mean this in the nicest possible way.....you're over complicating this. Don't worry about expressing, how many oz your baby is getting or nipples shields yet. I think at this stage knowing what's 'normal' for bf(frequent feeding, fussy Ness, cluster feeding etc), spotting signs that everything is going well (weight gain, plenty of wet and dirty nappies), spotting signs that you might need help and knowing where to get that help is more valuable.

It's also worth bearing I mind that not all babies are the same when it comes to bf. Ds was tongue tied and it was a bit of a nightmare tbh, I was dreading establishing bf with dd. As it turned out dd was very easy to bf, very intense for the first couple of weeks, some pain, very frequent feeding but all sorted within a fortnight and she was a doddle to bf from then on!

Thanks Dubious, I know I am over thinking but the idea of not being able to breastfeed again is my biggest anxiety about this baby, it is so important to me to do it but I know myself and I know that when they are born, the tired, sleep deprived hormonal version of me will be fretting even more than I am now. I also forgot to mention that I had a lot of trouble (actually found it impossible!) to latch DD to my left breast, as it's really uncomfortable for me to hold the baby that way. So I was hoping to at least pump this breast and offer top ups.

I was in hospital unexpectedly with DS2 and didn't see DS1 (then aged 3) for a couple of days, and then only for short visits, for a week until I came home with the baby. It's done no long term lasting damage to my relationship with DS1. He also managed fine with me sitting and feeding the baby lots. He came and sat with me and cuddled, whilst we watched his favourite programs on TV or just chatted and looked at books/magazines. There are many many women who breastfeed with older children and it's fine.

Regarding nipple shields, don't use them unless you need them - if you have really bad nipple damage for example. They're an added complication.

I'd also advise you not to get too stressed about expressing. I had to express with both my babies due to them starting off in SCBU and being tubefed. I had to try and directly breastfeed, then give bottle top ups and then express. It seemed like a never ending cycle with no break! Even with my DP helping as much as possible. If you can directly breastfeed, just do that until you supply is established and you are confident with what you're doing. Then you can add in an expressing session at a suitable time, if you want.

Regarding it being uncomfortable on one side, have you had a look at different feeding positions/holds? You might find one that feels more comfortable. Also a feeding pillow might help to make it more comfy or easier to position the baby.

Try not to over think it, or put a lot of pressure on yourself!

OP without meaning to disrespect the other posters, I think I understand where you are coming from. I've been there with all the advice being "feed more often, feed more, feed more" but that advice is no good when the baby won't latch or re-latch because he knows my breasts are drained and he is still hungry and too hysterical to be able to latch. So you are right to think about other options if it reassures you.

One thing I would say is to maybe consider why you use terms like "desperate" to make sure there is no formula used. That's pretty strong and you could be setting yourself up for disappointment if any issue with you or with the baby means the breastfeeding or pumping doesnt work out as planned.

Best wishes.

If you are like me, I'm really good at worrying and cope with it by coming up with a plan. Hopefully you'll find it easier this time, despite having a tongue tied baby the 2nd time my milk came in faster and there was more of it. Breastfeeding can also work really well with a toddler even if it takes ages so I'd try not to worry too much, as it leaves you one hand free to read stories and play things like tea parties with them. Something else you could do is stock up on one handed stuff to do with your toddler straight after the birth while you establish breastfeeding (new books?, play food?, stickers?) so you won't feel like you are neglecting them.

To answer the original question, i only express once a day to donate to a milk bank but do find it a lot faster expressing both sides at the same time. Like you, I have a fast let down and I use an electric pump on one side and a Haakaa manual pump on the other. The other thing I have done when pushed for time is feed my daughter on one side and express on the other simultaneously. That gets loads off. You need to sit fairly upright, the Haakaa pump is less effective but because it's quiet it doesn't bother the baby. I've looked into buying another Medela Mini electric 2nd hand (it's tubeless so OK 2nd hand) but decided for me it's not worth it. My friend who did lots of expressing swore by her double pump but they are too expensive for me, I don't know if you can rent them?

Thanks :)

sycamore you are right I absolutely do appreciate all advice that has been given but I do know that in reality, it was very hard for me to latch and latch and latch so I am hoping to basically just avoid losing my supply like last time.

Also sorry, to clarify the "desperate" comment - what I mean is I would like to avoid it in the early weeks because I do feel that my supply was lost to it, and I have a weird thing about formula which sounds a bit bizzare, in that I find wayyyy too much comfort in knowing it's there, and know that the 3 day post birth me will feel how I did last time - that formula was so much better than breast milk anyway, how could you not think that when you look at the big science-y looking blue tub that can make as much milk as you need, and all their banging on about research and breastmilk similarities etc.. I am a real sucker for their marketing

And MrsPanda that is exactly what I do :) I find it soothing and reassuring to know that I have prepared a few options and have a plan - like last time I assumed it would just be fine and so it hit me much harder when it didn't work out because I was just so clueless as to how I could get around poor latches, and topped up with way too much formula so baby never wanted to feed at the breast and my supply dwindled due to tiredNess, as I was winging pumping rather than understanding how to make it work properly.

And thank you for answering the pump question I had been considering a double pump but I do remember that the electric ones don't work as well as the manual ones for me, so since I have both a manual and single electric already, it seems a bit superfluous to go and spend £250 on a new pump which might not even benefit me.

It has actually been really helpful to post this, even just to explore my own anxieties a bit more clearly and refocus what my goals should be.

Sorry not read it all.

I pumped for 6 months as DS was in hospital and tube fed. It was back breaking for the 13 weeks in hospital but once we were home it was a killer. Pump, chill, warm, feed, pump... Milk dried up at 6 months, had to combi feed from 4.
I did find a double pump with the bra thing to hold them both in place together a god send but then manual never worked for me

but I do know that in reality, it was very hard for me to latch and latch and latch so I am hoping to basically just avoid losing my supply like last time.

If it's hard to latch, or starts becoming painful to latch, just don't unlatch :)

I pretty much sat on the sofa for the first week or so and let dc stay on the breast. they'd feed, doze off without unlatching, then wake and start feeding again. I did it because she'd wake and start screaming if I tried to take her off, so I left her there. Interestingly, with her I never got sore nipples at all.

With her, apart from having her permanently attached and dh having to fetch and carry for me, bf was a breeze.

Bear in mind low supply is pretty rare, although every slight problem is often attributed to low supply. My mother used to constantly tell me I didn't have enough milk when she would cry and feed yet again, when in reality it's just what bf babies do.

I managed to exclusively pump for 12 weeks. It was really hard work. Double boob electric pump and the bra which enabled to do it hands free made it a bit easier. I pumped every time DS was feeding.

Sorry, I should have added, I did because DS very rarely managed to latch on properly. I was desperate to bf but really struggled to find support.

If ypu want it to work and have struggled previously I would

1. Find your local breast feeding cafes. Preferably know which ones are are on on the various weekdays
2. Join la leche league and go to some of their meetings antenatal. They may even run antenatal classes. They are v supportive
3. Find a nice lactation counsellor. If you are anxious beyond belief you van pay them to come to do a/more than 1 consultations at home to ensure latch is good.

I pumped exclusively for 8 months - 3 months DS was in NICU, then 5 months once home. Whilst DS was on NICU I was loaned a double pump but they took that away once home, so I converted a Medela Swing into a double pump and used that plus a vest/bra to hold it in place.

DH was SAHD, so feeding became a shared activity - I would pump, whilst he bottle fed our son from previously pumped milk.

There are a few things you can do to prepare in advance.
-Do some reading around breastfeeding, what is normal, etc. Kellymom is a good place to start. kellymom.com/
-Join some breastfeeding Facebook groups, particularly any in your local area (breastfeeding younger babies and beyond is also a good one), you will then have access to support if you need it.
-Put some breastfeeding helplines ready in your phone, you can ring them if you are struggling.

Wet nappies is a good sign to look for if you are worried your baby is not getting enough, that can be something to reassure you.

A baby is far more effective in getting milk than a pump so you may find that you need to top up with formula if expressing where as you won't if breastfeeding.

I found breastfeeding the baby did enable me to spend lots of time with my toddler-we cuddled up and read books, played little figures, watched c-beebies together.

There are other positions you can try if you found one side more awkward last time-rugby hold may help as it'll be similar to holding baby the way you are more comfortable with or biological nursing position. A good lactation consultant will be able to help, maybe speak to one now and have them on standby for when the time comes.

Bear in mind low supply is pretty rare, although every slight problem is often attributed to low supply
^^this

I was always told that babies are much better at getting milk out efficiently than a pump so it's hard to compare the two in terms of volume. Also the whole process takes so much longer as you are effectively doing the feed twice (plus the washing up).

I did find that nipple shields helped my babies get a better latch due to the shape of my boobs. I also had lots of problems with cracked nipples so they helped with this too. In fact I fed all 3 of mine for 6 months plus using them. I was warned that they would have a negative effect on my supply but this was not the case. They are a bit of a hassle but much easier than expressing! Might be worth a try.

Thank you all so much for all the great advice, it really is helpful

I will focus on breastfeeding first and probably a bit of pumping when I can manage it. I will be getting nipple Shields as a backup too :)