Exclusively pumping? Help a momma out!

Question

Hello ladies! 
Those of you exclusively pumping how do you like it? What’s your schedule like? Do you breast feed also? Do you have to clean parts between every session or can you store in the fridge between sessions and clean at the end of the day? (Sorry for the billion questions!)
My 1 month old does much better with a bottle than the breast (strong let down with lots of gasping and choking and TONS of spit up) so I’m just looking for some helpful advice 😊 
Thank you in advance! 🤍

Answer

I’ve been EP since day one. My LO would never latch. I try to pump 6-8 times a day. It’s a struggle and a big commitment. I’ve invested so much money on my boobs 😂 I have my spectra and a cordless pump to take with me if I’m going or be gone longer than 2 hours. You have to keep hydrated all day and try to stay on schedule with pumping and at least one middle of the night pump to keep your supply up. Breast feeding is easier bc the baby helps with supply, pumping is different. It’s a commitment for sure. 
With the parts I either put in fridge or wash the parts. 
Pumping is hard especially if baby is needy that day and I have to skip a pump. Like right now I need to pump but he wants to be held while he naps, won’t lay me down. I know I sound like a Debbie downer but I just want him to have breast milk so bad it’s worth it for me.

Answer

I personally hate exclusively pumping, but I do it because I have low supply, so it can be very frustrating. I would have a better experienced if I produced more milk which it sounds like you’ll be able to. As far as putting the parts in the fridge, my consultant said that was fine as long as baby is not immunocompromised or a preemie. I recommend a hands free pumping bra with a layer on top so that it can be worn as a regular bra without taking it on and off. Something to know about pumping is that it can be tough because it’s 15-20 min at a time that you can’t really tend to your baby. If My husband isn’t home, i put baby in the baby bjorn bouncer next to me and bounce him in it. Also, pumping does not have the same warm fuzzy feelings that you might get from breastfeeding. With that said, if you are having feeding issues, it can be a relief to pump instead of feed. My poor son was so frustrated from trying to breastfeed that we both were relieved when I switched to pumping.

Answer

I EP since week 2. I like to wash the parts after every use. Just with soap and water and then I stabilize every day in the morning
I do about 5-6 sessions. I probably should do lore but I think is enough for my baby. I have so far 24 bottles ready in the fridge 5 of those frozen. 
I have had a hard time finding the right equipment I have a spectra 2 which I use and a willow that I don’t use as often because it not the right size so I am waiting for the parts. I use babymoon flangles by lacteck and those were life changing for me. Right now I just need the right size for my goth boob lol

Exclusively pumping? Help a momma out!

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