Exclusive Pumpers Tribe - Page 75

[GooeyRN]

DD is dear daughter
DS is dear son
DH dear husband
DH dear partner

If you aren't happy with whoever the party is at the time, I like to think of the d as something other than dear.

[GISDiva]

Originally Posted by ScoobySnacks

Just curious - when did most of you switch to pumping and quit trying to BF? BFing has me so frustrated and I don't want to quit but emotionally I don't know that I can take a lot more of the failures. I feel like it's affecting my bonding with the baby. All I do is cry. At the same time, accepting the fact that I'll she'll ever get is a bottle is really hard for me and I think would make me feel guilty. I don't want to throw in the towel but it feels like the decision has already been made for me since we're 9 weeks out and rarely ever successfully BFing.

I only made it to seven weeks when DS started refusing the breast even with the SNS. He nursed without it for very short times after that when I offered, but a few weeks ago he stopped doing that too. We had one glorious week when he was two weeks old and it was just us nursing without any "accessories" - looking back, I should have taken pictures, I didn't realize it would be the only time. Then he didn't gain any weight and the downhill slide began.

[GooeyRN]

I gave up hope around 4 months old, when she didn't latch for an entire month. I wish I could go back in time to fix things. I wish I would have told my family NO! to traveling to their house for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, (I do not regret attending my late Nana's 90th b-day, though) and what not in the early weeks/months. Looking back, I think we could have made it work if I told the world to shove it, locked my doors, and disconnected the phone. It was too much for me. We gave bottles b/c who wants to fiddle with an SNS and Nipple shield and use a cold wash cloth to keep the baby awake while also pumping at Thanksgiving dinner at the IL's? Who wants to explain all of that to the IL's? I should have stayed home to work on the issues.

I vowed to not let that happen with ds. He came, and again, we had nursing issues but the latch was fine. I told the world to kiss my butt and ticked off all our family. (I delivered in December, the holiday season) He had FTT, and SEVERE jaundice. Of course family said that is what formula is for, its ok. Breastfeeding didn't work out and it is ok. I went through the whole pumping and sns issues but made it work!!! I told any family that they could visit ME if they want to, but I am NOT cooking a meal, I am not cleaning the house, I am not going to make sure there is a chair to sit on or even a pot of coffee. Come up, visit, but you are on your own as I am not entertaining you but I will be happy to chat as I pump and refill the SNS. They came up to open presents and they brought a meal. I am so glad that I stuck to my guns this time. I really wish I wouldn't have worried about everyone else and their plans when I had my dd.

[ScoobySnacks]

Here's another question for those of you that have been pumping for a long time - when your child gets to a certain age, do you ever try BFing again? We had so many problems and part of me wonders if there's a better chance once she's a little older. Of course, the biggest issue is that she's used to the flow of a bottle now.

Another question for long term pumpers - as time goes on, how do you have a normal life and social life when you have to pump every 2-3 hours? I always wanted to BF for 2 years and now that I'm looking forward to 2 years of pumping, I'm wondering how I'm going to do it.

[GooeyRN]

Originally Posted by ScoobySnacks

Here's another question for those of you that have been pumping for a long time - when your child gets to a certain age, do you ever try BFing again? We had so many problems and part of me wonders if there's a better chance once she's a little older. Of course, the biggest issue is that she's used to the flow of a bottle now.

Another question for long term pumpers - as time goes on, how do you have a normal life and social life when you have to pump every 2-3 hours? I always wanted to BF for 2 years and now that I'm looking forward to 2 years of pumping, I'm wondering how I'm going to do it.

DD is allowed to try to nurse if she wants to. She does not know how. She does watch the baby nurse. I don't think it is ever going to happen.

Going about my life... After a year I spaced out my pumping. Then I got preggers at 16 months pp. I pumped until I dried up, then started again once I delivered. With dd being 2.5 years old, I don't worry too much if I can't make enough. So I pump after every time the baby eats, (also during the night) and that is it. About 8 times a day. If I am out and about, I do not take the pump unless I know I will be gone a long time. I have no issues with skipping a pump session. I only take the pump if I will miss 2 sessions. I pump in the car after ds eats. It is a pain to take everything, so I usually don't go out for more than 5-6 hours at a time. I don't have much of an exciting life now anyway, so it isn't much of an issue. Its too hard going many places for long with 2 kids and trying to coordinate naps and whatnot. I have not yet decided when I will quit pumping. I was thinking when dd turns 3 in October, but I am unsure. She is such a healthy kid I hate to mess with a good thing, ya know?

[tenecwalker]

How old is your daughter (I haven't been following this thread closely)? Luke was almost 4 months when he started nursing again. At first with a shield and now completely without any accessories. I've heard that until around 6 months you have a chance of getting them back to the breast.

[GooeyRN]

She is 2.5 years. I don't think she will ever nurse at this point.

[ScoobySnacks]

tenecwalker - can you tell us how you got your son back to the breast, and maybe also, what happened before then? I'd really love to hear your story. My daughter is 11 weeks tomorrow. Still nurses sometimes.

[MCKH]

Hey,

Not new to MDC but new to this forum. My son is just over 7 mos and I've been (almost) EPing since he was 4.5 months and I finally accepted that nursing was not working out and I was destroying my family trying to make it work. My baby still "nurses" at night because then it doesn't matter if he has a lousy feed. I previously nursed a baby for 2 years until she self-weaned near the end of my pregnancy.

I have a really long story, but will spare you the gory details! As it is, we are working on eventually transitioning back to the breast. I love/hate my pump (a Symphony on long term rental) and I don't like what the domperidone has done to my body, although it has been an absolute miracle for me and has made it so that my son has never had a drop of formula. I am able to pump 3X a day and meet all his needs. My son feeds from a Haberman (Special Needs) Feeder.

Basically I hate that I EP but I am glad I have the resources to make it work.

Maureen

[PerkyKP]

Originally Posted by MCKH

I don't like what the domperidone has done to my body,

Oh dear, what has it done to your body? I've been taking it for a week. I hadn't heard of any ill effects from it. That is awesome you can pump just 3X a day and take care of what he needs!

p.s., I like reading gory details if you have the time to post them.

[MCKH]

Nothing dangerous, just a few extra pounds that aren't typically there. I think because it increases gastric motility I am just hungrier and have much more of an appetite than I ever have. It's not a huge amount of weight - maybe 10 lbs - and I'm still within the "healthy" range but it bugs me. Honestly though, I don't have a lot to complain about because it worked like a charm for me.

I will post gory details later when I have a long time to be on the computer (and a beer!)

[PerkyKP]

Originally Posted by MCKH

Nothing dangerous, just a few extra pounds that aren't typically there. I think because it increases gastric motility I am just hungrier and have much more of an appetite than I ever have. It's not a huge amount of weight - maybe 10 lbs - and I'm still within the "healthy" range but it bugs me. Honestly though, I don't have a lot to complain about because it worked like a charm for me.

I will post gory details later when I have a long time to be on the computer (and a beer!)

Hmm, maybe that's why I've felt like eating a small meal at my 2 am pumpings!! I'm glad to hear it worked well for you. I have run out temporarily but am expecting a shipment any day now.

[daisy0306]

Originally Posted by ScoobySnacks

Here's another question for those of you that have been pumping for a long time - when your child gets to a certain age, do you ever try BFing again? We had so many problems and part of me wonders if there's a better chance once she's a little older. Of course, the biggest issue is that she's used to the flow of a bottle now.

Another question for long term pumpers - as time goes on, how do you have a normal life and social life when you have to pump every 2-3 hours? I always wanted to BF for 2 years and now that I'm looking forward to 2 years of pumping, I'm wondering how I'm going to do it.

what's a social life? LOL

I didn't have much of one when DD was younger, but it was the dead of winter anyways. Now we're down to 3 pumps a day b/c she is eating some solids. I've been very fortunate to not need dopermine on anything like that.

[ScoobySnacks]

So do most of you slow down your pumping schedules once your child reaches 6 months or so and starts eating some other foods? Since I've battled low supply, I'm really concerned that if I drop it to pumping 4 times a day, I'll start producing nothing.

I'd love to hear from other people, too. How often did you pump, when did you slow down pumping, how much do you pump now, etc.

[CATPAT30]

I Almost Cried

I am so glad to have found this thread. I am planning on pumping exclusivley for my children as long as i can manage it. Don't know what life my kids will have had before they come to me, so i don't want to traumatize them with something they have never ever tried before (who knows if they express interest i am not going to refuse but i don;t have hopes up that they will)
I can't stomach the idea of giving my toddlers and very young children mass produced crap milk that they sell in the stores and i am too cheap to find organic (cause really it is still mass produced and has major foot print with shipping) since i should be able to make lots on my own with small investment.

I love all the ideas i have seen in this thread and will come back when i am closer to starting up - but please keep it up!

Many think i am nuts for event thinking about giving kids bm that i pumped - of course they only bf for a few scant months. if that. :

[aimeesmama]

WOW! First of all I have to say all you EP'ing mamas are AMAZING!

I have been so incredibly fortunate to have been able to BF my DD until she went on a "nursing strike" almost 3 weeks ago. She was 12 months old and had a bout of Roseola and teething at the same time, and just started refusing to nurse as if the boob is some type of evil entity. I have been pumping and giving her my milk in a cup and am hoping that one day she will come back to nursing, but I have to say things aren't looking at all like they are going in that direction.

So, here's my question for all of you "extended" EPers. Did you ever have to deal with people wondering why in the heck you were still pumping after say 12 months when a child is supposed to be able to just switch to cow's milk? I am asking because we are going to visit the inlaws next week, and I'm planning on continuing to pump, but I know they are going to really criticize me. (Last time we visited DD was 8 months old and they gave me a hard time that we didn't have some kind of "back-up" feeding system in place - e.g. a bottle presumably filled with formula. I was asked if I was part of "some kind of hippie, veggie movement".) I know they will *not* understand why in the world I would want to get DD back to the breast at her age, and certainly will not understand why I am bothering to pump to give her my milk.

Anyone have any thoughts as to how to explain myself (or even some really clever comebacks?)

[GooeyRN]

Originally Posted by aimeesmama

WOW! First of all I have to say all you EP'ing mamas are AMAZING!

I have been so incredibly fortunate to have been able to BF my DD until she went on a "nursing strike" almost 3 weeks ago. She was 12 months old and had a bout of Roseola and teething at the same time, and just started refusing to nurse as if the boob is some type of evil entity. I have been pumping and giving her my milk in a cup and am hoping that one day she will come back to nursing, but I have to say things aren't looking at all like they are going in that direction.

So, here's my question for all of you "extended" EPers. Did you ever have to deal with people wondering why in the heck you were still pumping after say 12 months when a child is supposed to be able to just switch to cow's milk? I am asking because we are going to visit the inlaws next week, and I'm planning on continuing to pump, but I know they are going to really criticize me. (Last time we visited DD was 8 months old and they gave me a hard time that we didn't have some kind of "back-up" feeding system in place - e.g. a bottle presumably filled with formula. I was asked if I was part of "some kind of hippy, veggie movement".) I know they will *not* understand why in the world I would want to get DD back to the breast at her age, and certainly will not understand why I am bothering to pump to give her my milk.

Anyone have any thoughts as to how to explain myself (or even some really clever comebacks?)

I am still EPing and dd is almost 3 years old. Tell them your baby has an allergy to cow milk, goat milk, soy milk, and rice milk. (If you don't mind lying) Or, say the ped wants you to give her your milk since she does not yet eat enough solids or well balanced enough. The World Health Organization recommends bfing until at least 2 years of age, btw, so you aren't freakish for wanting to get her back to the breast or EP awhile. I am the freak who can't seem to let go.

I continue to EP mostly for the immunological benefits. I have the healthiest kid I know.

[katheek77]

"Hmmm....interesting. Yet you readily drink milk pumped from a cow's breasts, right?"

Sorry, I'm feeling a bit snarky.

We're about to hit 25 months. DD has no interest in my nursing her, although all her dolls and animals and trains (!) are freakishly interesting in nursing on both of us

[RootSnort]

I've been at it for 2 years, 4 months. When someone asks, I just assume they are asking because they don't know, not because hey are judging me. And so I educate them - there are benefits up to age 7, because the immune system isn't finished until then.

[Oliver's Mama]

to aimeesmama,
I suppose few people can argue with the fact that breastmilk doesn't cost $4 a gallon!
mention the world health org recommends you bf til 2 years, and the american association of pediatrics recommends the first year, and then beyond as long as mutually desired... and I don't think they are part of a hippie/veggie movement.
i would just be straightforward and say, look, even though she is at the age where cow's milk is ok, breastmilk is the best possible food for your granddaughter. No doctor and even no formula company will deny that, so that is what I am giving her. (maybe even get a cheap package of formula and point out how they say right on the label that bm is best) Tell them: if you really love your granddaughter, you should want her to have the absolute best, nothing second rate. Doesn't she seem happy and healthy? Why mess with a good thing? When she is ready to try cow's milk, she'll let me know. Either support my daughter's healthy diet or keep your comments to yourself.
I agree with pp as well.. if your inlaws suggest cows milk, say eewww.. cows milk is for baby calves! We're not veggie/hippies living in a barn!