I am an EPer. DD (now 7.5 months old) had some issues at birth and could not nurse properly until 2 months, and then refused the breast after 3 months. I use a Medela Lactina Select. I pump hands free. I have a huge oversupply. (about 75 ounces a day, its both a blessing and a curse) I purchased my third deep freezer about 3 weeks ago.
Its been a difficult road so far. DD is a high needs baby, who wants to be constantly held. And she hated slings and carriers. It *had* to be my arms. Or she would scream like she was in a horror movie. It was rough in the begining, since dd could not tolerate being put down for even a second. So I mostly pumped while she napped. (Which meant no sleep for me and no housework getting done for quite some time) I also learned to pump hands free. I was then able to lay her on my lap while I pumped. Never to this day have I let her cry while I pumped.
As she got older (after 4 months) She was able to tolerate being put down for short intervals. This made pumping much easier, since she does not nap more than 1/2 hour a day now. I sit indian style in the middle of the floor, with her exersaucer, bouncer chair, swing, and a play matt and mobile in a circle around me. I also keep a basket of toys next to me. When she gets bored in the exersaucer (about 5 minutes) I move her around the cirlce. Pumping hands free is great, since I can play and pump at the same time. She still loves to be held, so I hold her at all times while not pumping. She seems to be happy with this arrangement, so I am as well.
A tip for other EPers... You can do almost anything while you pump! I can pump and drive, pump while I cook dinner and clean the house and do laundry! (dh is home then so he holds her) This can even be done with my huge Lactina pump! Put it in a backpack zipped up with just the cord and tubing out. Put on the backpack. Attach the cord to a very long extension cord and plug it in. Pump hands free. I know it sounds crazy, but it works! (I am too cheap to spend the $200 on the battery pack) I also pump during the night. I sleep while I pump! I sit propped up with pillows in bed and pump hands free. I set a cooking timer for 20 minutes. When it dings, Im done! I keep a mini fridge in my bedroom so I don't have to run the milk downstairs. Keep several sets of horns up there so you don't have to constantly wash them. Or I just reuse the same set all night, by storing them in the refridgerator between usings.
As you can tell, I got good at this pumping stuff. Sure I have other problems (very sore nipples, thrush, NO free time for myself unless I pump while on the computer like now, frequent engorgement, etc) but My dd is happy, and she is getting my milk! Even if I quit now at 7.5 months, she would have enough of my milk to last her to over a year old. So even if breastfeeding the traditional way does not work out.... There is another way to get your baby your milk! It is so much work, but so worth it!
Some family and friends of mine think I'm nuts, but I am doing everything I can for my baby. She is so healthy, never had any illness. I am so glad that I didn't give up.
All of you EPers out there are great mommy's for going the extra 10 miles to give your babies the best! Keep it up!