Exclusive Expressing

[Marg_27]

Is it possible to exclusively express from the word go?
I plan on giving Jack his first feed from the breast (if he will latch on) and perhaps whilst in the hosp, but will I then be able to exclusively express when we get home?
And do I need to express through the night to keep my supply goin?

Sorry if I sound dumb... my 1st was FF xx

 

[Mervs Mum]

We have a couple of exclusive pumpers here and if you have a search I think Michy posted recently about her pumping routine. It's hard. Way harder than BFing directly. You have to pump every 2 hours around the clock or your milk will dwindle - a pump doesnt stimulate production like a baby does. You need to be prepared for it being very draining - I think it takes a different and much bigger commitment that straight BFing does.

 

[Serene123]

I wouldn't have the patience, but I know there are some supermummies on here who do!

 

[Brockie]

yep its a massive massive commitment to just pump alone xx far easier to b-feed if you can x

 

[Mervs Mum]

Here's Michy's post.....awe inspiring....

Michy's words on exclusive pumping

 

[Marg_27]

Gosh, it does appear to be very demandin, and u do need to be super mum to achieve it... gna have to think long and hard about my choices x

 

[embojet]

I did for a few weejks as my LO was in SCBU and it was exhausting

 

[Mervs Mum]

I dont think it's an option people often 'choose' to go with IYKWIM - It's usually preemies in SCBU/NICU and mum's who physically cant BF but really want to.

Can I ask what made you think you might like to go with exclusive pumping?? Tell me to mind my own business if you like!

 

[Marg_27]

Dont be daft, I wouldnt post if I wasnt open for discussion...

Tbh, and dont think bad of me, I dont think Ill feel comfortable with him feeding from me,I admire all you mums that BF and I know that alot of people LOVE it. Jus my opinion. But on the kther hand I do want to try and give him the best start possible x

 

[Serene123]

Dont be daft, I wouldnt post if I wasnt open for discussion...

Tbh, and dont think bad of me, I dont think Ill feel comfortable with him feeding from me,I admire all you mums that BF and I know that alot of people LOVE it. Jus my opinion. But on the kther hand I do want to try and give him the best start possible x

I felt the same......... Now I love nothing more than feeding her! I'm so glad I tried it and saying you're going to try is really great! Do what's best for you and what you feel comfortable with x

 

[Marg_27]

Oh Im deffo gna try, gna try n get him to latch on right away, in labour ward if I can... and like you said toria, I may surprise myself and get on really well with it.

I already have bought a pump and bottles and means to FF if need be, so I have all areas covered and options open...

Guess I wont kno til the time comes x

 

[Mervs Mum]

No one would think bad! Try to keep an open mind and you never know how ot will pan out

 

[Marg_27]

Thanx ladies.

Open mindedness is deffo gna b the way forward.
With DD I jus wanted FF and didnt even look into other options, at that time I was only 18 and wasnt very worldy wise. (me personally, not all 18 yr olds) Now i feel Im older and wiser, and want to make a more informed decision IYKWIM x

 

[Mervs Mum]

I know exactly what you mean I've had a very different approach to both my pregnancies and actually rearing my girls - I had just turned 20 with #1 and just 34 with #2 and had very different experiences with both. I am very much more relaxed and open minded this time and I SWEAR that's why Hebe is a total dream baby. I dont put pressure on myself or her and we go with the flow where ever we can. I think that helps you because it means you are at peace with your decisions, whatever they may be and dont get too hung up on you 'getting it right' and them 'doing it right'.

 

[Sweetpea7830]

Hi Marg...just wanted to weigh in here...I pumped for a long time due to my baby being in the NICU. I just wanted to encourage you that it's not an all or nothing situation. Now, once I wanted to move my baby to BF instead of expressed milk, it has been hard because he was used to bottles from the NICU. But, I wanted to encourage you that you don't have to follow an every 2 hour pumping schedule if you want to pump and bottle feed. The first couple of weeks when you establish your milk supply you will need to pump often (every 2-3 hours, with a goal of 8-10 per day) but after your milk is in and established at the proper level, you will not have to pump that often. I am proof of that - my supply did not suffer and I did taper back so that I could still provide breastmilk and not be constantly attached to a pump.

Here's a great article on the ins and outs of pumping and supply:
https://www.hollister.com/us/files/pdfs/breastfeeding/establish_milk_supply.pdf

The other thing I wanted to say is again it's not all or nothing. If you are more comfortable pumping than breastfeeding, why not do it? Even if you don't get a full milk supply (say you decide to pump 4x a day), some breast milk is better than none. You can supplement with formula. I guess what I want to encourage you with is that some folks will make you think that you have to do it 100% or not at all (not necessarily anyone on this board, but some LCs push you to 100% or not at all) and it's just not true. I know many women who supplement with formula when needed, and it's a good compromise to give baby some breast milk but also be able to fit what your personal situation is. You will know what's best for you and baby when baby comes...just do what lets you be the best mom and baby be the happiest baby!

 

[Marg_27]

Thanx Mervs mum, I kno what you mean about havin different perspectives with different children, as already I am more relaxed with this one, and hes not weven here yet. Even with buying stuff for him, Im not obsessed with everything being 'new' like I was with DD... I definately think it comes down to age and experience (for me that is)-tryin real hard not to offend any1 as I kno how easily that is done!!

And sweetpea...thankyou so much for your post, its very informative and extremely helpful. Ive had a glance at the article, but will definately look at it in detail when I can read it in peace!!

 

[smartie]

With Hannah I exclusively expressed from 4-16 weeks due to the pain it caused getting her to latch on. It was time consuming but I felt it was worth it for her to continue getting Mummys milk! I was lucky in that I could express a 7oz bottle in under half an hour but I have heard about women that struggle to get anywhere near that much in one go, everyone is different. I also didnt set myself a routine as to when or how often I would express, more I just let my body tell me.

You just have to give it a go and see how it works for you

 

[Marg_27]

Thanx smartie, good advice, listen to your body, with a newborn, Im not gna want or need added stress!!

 

[Lottie86]

I'm exclusively expressing at the moment. I had planned to express for the first few days so he got the colostrum and then I would solely FF but when he turned up 5 weeks early I decided that I would try to exclusively express as long as poss so he gets the benefits of my milk.

I'm exactly 1 week in now to exclusively expressing and I'm absolutely exhausted already. I've been using a single pump the hospital lent me but I've ordered a double pump which should arrive tomorrow (and comes with an adapter so I can pump in the car!!!) so I'm hoping that will cut the time I spend pumping as at the moment by the time I've pumped, spent 45 mins getting to the hospital, fed, changed and spent some time with Findlay and got home again it's time to pump again, quickly eat something and then we're back off into the hospital! I have been so tired I've slept through my alarm and missed some pumpings in the night and woke up soaking wet and in absolute agony

Def stay open minded but best of luck with it

 

[babymama]

Hi Marg! I always wanted to BF and did so for the first month. However, I was not experiencing the joy I heard many women have by directly feeding their child. I found it to be restrictive and frustrating since after what appeared to be a good feed, LO would cry and cry. I would feed him every 1-1 1/2 and it was exhausting. I felt like it affected our bond since I wasn't enjoying him being latched on and just waited for him to finish. I tried pumping early on to give me a bit more freedom but my milk was not yet established so I barely managed 1oz. Once LO turned a month old, I gave pumping another go to see how much I could get. To my surprise I became a pumping machine! So I chose to now exclusively pump and I love it! I'm able to express 4oz every 2-3 hours and during the night and early morning I get 4oz from each boob (8oz) LO is A LOT more satisfied after each feed and I'm not chained to the couch and can actually enjoy playing, going for a walk etc etc. And for me personally it really helps that someone else can feed him and I have a piece of mind that he's still getting mommy juice.

With that said, pumping IS a big commitment, but it was the best decision I made. I gave BF'ing a go and it just wasn't for me but I'm still able to provide my son the best thing for him.

Good luck with whatever you decide!