Thread: Anyone pump full time?

So we still haven't figured out how to latch right.
Talked to a LC she thought after I pumped a few days my nipples would act right (inverted) and Samantha would be able to latch on without me wanting to scream and cry.

Its been over a week and I'm still sore ...ya know everyone talks about how easy it is and doesn't hurt ...NOW LOL I'm hearing it doesn't last to long

So I've been pumping every two hours. Can not keep up with her though so we've been giving formula to.

I tried calling around to get a better pump... thought maybe I'd get more with a good pump, but it looks like my insurance won't cover one. Using an Evenflo right now.

Am I totally crazy to think I can pump forever?
I'm starting to think so ... taking care of her, taking care of the boys, taking care of the house, and pumping every two hours. Its been three days since I got to wash my hair and I'm lucky if I get a bathroom break.

Will I start getting making more milk or will it always only be about 3 ounces?
I'm starting to feel like I've been torchering my self for nothing.

Full time pumper here. Going on almost 4 mths now. I got a hospital grade one, luckily insurance covered it but I think you can rent one for about 30 bucks a month. If you want to pump, I'd defintely recommend doing it. I don't want to pump but she's not taking well to bf yet but I am determine to do it for her first year at least.
It is hard. It feels like I'm either attached to the pump or feeding her. Plus I have my other dd to take care of. Honestly I take a shower only on the weekends and don't even brush my hair. Just don't have that time. Only time I get online now is when I'm pumpin, unless I'm feeding her at the same time (yup I mastered that task, lol)
My milk has seem to come and go. I had plently in the beginning but then it went to almost nothing but I think I was stressed. It's starting to pick up again. I actually ahead one bottle now and haven't given any formula in one week. Also I think when you get a better pump, you'll notice a bigger supply. I have a purely yours and used that for the first week and it was horrible. I noticed a big difference w/my hospital grade pump.

I'd say how important is it for you to give her bm? if it is importnat then you can do it. Sure it will be hard but when you look back you will be glad you did it. Even if she has to get formula at times cuz you don't have enough milk at least she's getting some good old momma's milk. :thumbsup:

If it's any consolation, I can't ever pump out more than 3 ounces! I have no words of wisdom for you, but I'm right there with you, mama. Breastfeeding is hard work and I know how frustrating it is to hear of other mamas who are fortunate enough to just "get it". My close friend pumps 4 ounces from each boob like nothing while I'm lucky to get that much from both! We supplement with formula too, so you aren't alone. Take heart, you're doing the best you can and that's wonderful! Sorry I couldn't be any help but here's a (((HUG))) anyway!
:heart:

You poor Mama! I know just how it feels! My nipps were inverted with my first babe too and I pumped F/T for the first 2 months.

If you drink lots of water, and pump every hour for a couple of days, you will increase milk production.

If you are using an electric pump, try to buy a hand operated one. I have an Amedela one that works awsome. Unfortunately, I need it for my own nb or would gladly pass it along. My HI paid for it through the birthing center. I think it was only $30 though.

I'm sure your LC told you to pump for about 30 secs to draw out your nipp before baby tries to latch...it does help

Did you try those nipple ring thingies to put in your bra? I can't remember what they're called but I know they helped. If you don't know what I'm talking about, LMK and I'll find out their name.

Stay away from nipple sheilds! That's mostly where my problem began.

Good Luck to you and please don't give up. Even if you choose to, a couple of bottles a day of BM is better than none.

Take care
~April

Do you qualify for WIC? If so, contact them and they may be able to hook you up with either a Pump in Style or a Medela Lactina (hospital-grade).

If you don't qualify, can you afford to rent a Lactina from a medical supply comapny? Ours rent them out here for around $50 a month and you would definitely get better results from a Lactina than you are with an Evenflo.

You can pump full time, it would definitely be difficult. Trust me, I did it for 10 months with my daughter and I regret having not worked harder at nursing. I have inverted nipples as well, have you tried the shells to help them take natural form?

HTHs, and hope that someone else can give some advice. I have to go to work now and won't be back online until Tuesday evening. Good luck sweetie.

I pumped full time for my twins for only 12 weeks. I pumped for Mason for 6 months. I would get 6-12 ounces every 3-4 hours (more in the morning) eat lots of oatmeal drink water I always pumped for 30 -45 mins and when I needed to up supply pumped at least 8-9 times a day and through the night. Its hard but can be done. (I have horribly inverted nipples as well) I have my PIS I was just thinking about tossing it. I would be willing to send it to you if you want it. NO charge as I wont be using it again and my ins covered it 100% it sisnt cost me anything. If you can help with shipping great, if not thats cool too.

Truman's 15 days old... and I'm still sore. Not as terrible as the first week, but it still doesn't feel "good" yet.

My nipples aren't inverted, but he clamps down a lot and his mouth seems so much smaller than Cole's. It is getting better. (now it just hurts at the beginning of a feeding or at the end when he falls asleep and chomps on my nipple when it's falling out of his mouth

I know it's probably not the best advice, but what worked for me was nursing on one side per day. And lots of lanolin. I'd let the other one "rest" and just pump that side a couple times per day. It helped the cracking/bleeding disappear, and make it a little more tolerable. I also only nursed 10 minutes at a time. 10 minutes on, rest for 10 and continue until he's full.

It's much better this week. I don't bite my lip at the thought of nursing. I don't need to pant and clench my fist to get through a feeding. I can handle him nursing longer and we're back to alternating breasts.

Hopefully it'll get better for you too.

I feel your pain. I don't pump too much now, because I am no longer working, but with my older 2 I had to go back to work after 6 weeks. it was terrible both times and ultimately led to stopping nursing at aroung 4 months. I just couldn't produce milk for a "fake baby"! However, I wish at the time I would have been fully familiar with the Avent Isis. If I had been, I think it might haved have saved our nursing relationships. I had the Ameda Purely Yours and access to the hospital pumps at the hospital I worked at. Nada. Ziltch. That milk just dried right up, Reglan, Mother's Milk tea, brewer's yeast and all. I honestly believe that the Isis was made in heaven. I have one now and wouldn't trade it for anything. If I were you, I'd get one to try, then go back and get another one, so you can do both breasts at once. (It's manual - but SOOO great!)

You are doing great for an Evenflo pump. Sorry for this pun but it sucks. YOu need a better pump. Check WIC. Check your insurance. Many say they won't cover but will re-imburse a portion or all if you have a prescription for either breastmilk/pump from your doc or the ped. You may have to appeal but when you do, it is easier to pay than fight you. Some websites have payment plans on the PNS and other high quality pumps.

I know moms who have pumped full time with evenflo. But, they had to supplement. It can be done. I usually do not advocate sharing pumps but do you have a good friend who could loan you one. How about loan you the money? Look at it this way. A PNS is less than 1 year of formula. A lot less.

I had the same problem...dd wouldn't latch, had one completely inverted and the other one half way....so we tried for about 2 months to get her to latch, but she just couldn't hold the latch for more than a few sucks. So I pumped for 5-1/2 months with a hospital grade pump...worked great. I also took fenugreek to keep my supply up and had enough until about 4 months and then my supply just steadily decreased...just not the same as a real babe on the boob. I pumped until I couldn't even get 1/2 an ounce out. At the beginning I had to pump every 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Right after she ate, I would pump....and I think because of that, everytime I saw her eat I would still have let down...which helped. I think I was getting 8-12oz each pump...I did both boobs at the same time. Hope it gets better for you. I know how upsetting/disappointing and frustrating it is....pump as much as you can, it's the best for your baby as I'm sure you know.

My second ds was born with a cleft palate and unable to breastfeed normally. I pumped every 2 hours round the clock for 7 months. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. I helped write the breastfeeding/pumping page for the cleftadvocate site. It has a bunch of really good information for full-time pumping moms. And lots of info about feeling sad about not being able to breastfeed. Check it out...

http://www.cleftadvocate.org/lactation.html

I pumped full time for the first 5 months and then about 4 times a day through the first year.
My little guy was fed through a gtube in his stomach and after 5 months was strong enough to latch for a few feedings a day and i pumped the rest.

A lady at WIC called me back, when I talked to her the first time they didn't have any pumps then .... that she found me one.
She gave me a Medela single eletric, she wanted to get a double but wasn't able to.

I can't really tell a differance in the way it feels/sounds so I'm not sure how the brand is supposed to make a difference.....

I also got some Mothers Milk Tea, I've been drinking 3 times a day. Anyone know where I can get it cheap online?? ... The only place I could find it local was GNC its $4.89 for 16 tea bags, each one makes 8oz.

I've been pumping every 3 hours.... every two was kicking my bottom lol .... been getting 3- 4 oz each time ... a bit better than before.

Shes been able to have all breast milk in the last 28 hours.

oh and I got brave last night and tried the breast again, she latched on right the first time, no pain at all ... lol we sat there an hour she kept falling asleep and waking back up....
I think thats what its supposed to feel like. lol

Is there anything you shouldn't eat ??? I've had three people irl tell me I can't eat chocolate ???

chocolate? haven't heard that one. I limit nuts and he spits up after garlic.

Originally posted by Bluemoonjo
oh and I got brave last night and tried the breast again, she latched on right the first time, no pain at all ... lol we sat there an hour she kept falling asleep and waking back up....
I think thats what its supposed to feel like. lol

Yup, that's what it is supposed to feel like. fingers crossed that she'll go to breast full time. Pumping/washing/storing/feeding is a royal pita. It is sooo much easier when baby can feed straight from the tap.

And afaik, chocolate is fine. It is becoming more common to steer clear of peanuts. And don't eat more than one can of tuna per week -- mercury risk.