Exclusive Pumpers Tribe - Page 83

[GooeyRN]

I havent updated my situation in awhile... I am STILL EPing. DD turned 3 in October. I do not want to pump anymore. I don't want to dry up, though, since I am also nursing my ds from the tap, who is 14 months old. Every time I try to reduce pumping, I get Mastitis. I don't know how to do this without getting sick again. The last time I tried, was in December. I ended up with an abscess and was really sick. That was Dec 5th. I went for a mammogram. In the other breast, an area was found, and it was possible it was cancer. I had a stereotactic biopsy which I am still recovering from. I do not have cancer!!! : It was a lot to go through emotionally and physically. I still have a lump in that breast from the surgery. I really want to stop pumping but can not risk getting sick again. I don't know what to do. I am starting to be sorry I EP'd since I can't seem to stop. This is getting rediculous, 3.25 years of pumping, most kids don't even bf from the tap this long.

[nummies]

Originally Posted by GooeyRN

Is your body used to pumping? If not, I wonder if your issue is that you aren't letting down for the pump... Do you feel really full, like you do have milk, it just wont come out? If that is the case, it may help to try to roll your nips a little manually to get a let down, then pump. I am really sorry to hear about the nursing strike. I hope your little one goes back if you arent ready for weaning yet. Do you think they may be on strike due to low supply? In that case, it may help to try to up your supply some.

No my body isn't used to pumping at all. I really don't let down to the pump that well. I just don't know how to let down to the pump, I guess. I have tried some massage before pumping and that doesn't seem to help. I will try to get a let-down and then pump next time. The problem is, I have never been able to feel let-down.

He started the strike due to a stuffy nose, then he fell and bit his lip and caused a sore to form. Now, he has just "forgotten" how to latch on and won't even look at my breasts.

Thanks for your help. I appreicate it. Sorry to hear about your mastitis. Is there anyway to wean off the pump gradually? I am sure that you have tried that. Just wanted to offer support.

[GooeyRN]

Don't lose hope... Mytwogirls dd went on a 6 month old nursing strike, then went back one day. Does your little one act bothered by not nursing, or do they seem fine with not nursing? Do they still go to sleep ok? I wish i could help... My thoughts are to wear a button down/zip up sweater opened up while around the house, and to bathe together so they can see your breasts but not be pressured. I feel bad for you! Have you tried napping with them while topless, and slipping your nipple in then? Sometimes that works... I don't know what you tried and did not try yet. I always felt strong letdowns, so I can't really give advice on that... Maybe someone else will chime in. Maybe cross post under bfing challanges and bfing beyond infancy to get more views?

[nummies]

Originally Posted by GooeyRN

Don't lose hope... Mytwogirls dd went on a 6 month old nursing strike, then went back one day. Does your little one act bothered by not nursing, or do they seem fine with not nursing? Do they still go to sleep ok? I wish i could help... My thoughts are to wear a button down/zip up sweater opened up while around the house, and to bathe together so they can see your breasts but not be pressured. I feel bad for you! Have you tried napping with them while topless, and slipping your nipple in then? Sometimes that works... I don't know what you tried and did not try yet. I always felt strong letdowns, so I can't really give advice on that... Maybe someone else will chime in. Maybe cross post under bfing challanges and bfing beyond infancy to get more views?

Thanks so much for your reply. I am hoping that he does come back one day. He acts actually ok with not nursing. When he sees my breasts, he will get into the nursing position and lay his head there. Sometimes he will try to twiddle the nipple. Then I stop him from doing that and he gets upset. He is sleeping just fine. He wakes up once or twice still. He used to nurse during those times, but now he turns away from the breast and falls back asleep.

I am spending a lot of time topless. Just leads to a lot of twiddling. I still sleep topless and with the nipple right next to his mouth. I have tried slipping it in and he just pushes it away (even in his sleep).

I will keep trying and will pump to hopefully keep up my meager supply. I found this site to help with getting more output. http://www.drjaygordon.com/developme...knursetips.asp

Thanks again for your help.

[letniaLynne]

Originally Posted by GooeyRN

I havent updated my situation in awhile... I am STILL EPing. DD turned 3 in October. I do not want to pump anymore. I don't want to dry up, though, since I am also nursing my ds from the tap, who is 14 months old. Every time I try to reduce pumping, I get Mastitis. I don't know how to do this without getting sick again. The last time I tried, was in December. I ended up with an abscess and was really sick. That was Dec 5th. I went for a mammogram. In the other breast, an area was found, and it was possible it was cancer. I had a stereotactic biopsy which I am still recovering from. I do not have cancer!!! : It was a lot to go through emotionally and physically. I still have a lump in that breast from the surgery. I really want to stop pumping but can not risk getting sick again. I don't know what to do. I am starting to be sorry I EP'd since I can't seem to stop. This is getting rediculous, 3.25 years of pumping, most kids don't even bf from the tap this long.

Oh girl I want to send you a huge cyber !!! my littlest is sitting on my lap now fussing like crazy but I just could not post. Can you try to use the pump to down regulate. Just take off a tinny bit less over a long period of time and never let yourself get too full to avoid getting sick? I imagine you have thought of it all (us EPers tend to know a lot about all sorts of things related to BFing). Even a bit of sage could help. It did wonders for my oversupply a few monts back with my littlest. Kellymom has all the details on using sage to combat oversupply.
Take Care!!!

[nummies]

to all the mamas here.

Quick question:

Ameda Elite or medela lactina?? No clue which one to rent.

[GooeyRN]

I have a lactina select, and I have always had more than enough milk. It is rough on the nipples, though.

[nummies]

thanks gooey I am wondering if I should get the medela because I already have the flanges and tubing from my PIS. But then again, the PIS isn't working so well for me so maybe I should switch?

[shoes]

Hey does anyone need any domperidone? I've been done pumping for some time and have I 600 10 mg tablets all in the pop out tin things I'm looking to give away. If anyone could use these please pm me!
Oh... I also have a practically brand new medela symphony pump and case. (I'm the only user it's ever had.) I know everyone on here probably already has a pump but If anyone wants to make me an offer on that too... It's emotional to part with but I think I'm ready.

***Domperidone is GONE!****

[guestmama9916]

I've been EP'ing for the majority of DD's life although we had a few weeks of actual nursing. My supply keeps getting lower and lower. I'm losing my motivation as well. DD (8 mos now) hasn't nursed since T'giving - I was mostly pumping for her back then but was really trying to get nursing thing worked out. No luck. I'm down to 8 or 9 oz pumped a day now. Fenugreek and a dark beer in the evenings no longer gives me that supply boost that I onced enjoyed. I have an herbal tincture as well that does nothing for me anymore. I wonder if the Domperidone will work for me? I've never tried it. AF has been to visit twice and both times I've seen my supply drop and not recover fully. I'm concerned that one more AF and my supply will be gone. Anyone BTDT? I need some help so I can make it to the 1 yr mark.

[shoes]

saving_grace Ive been thinking about you all morning. I remember the struggles and frustration when my supply tanked... I totally know how much it sucks. I just wanted to say a couple things. First, I know with me the movitivation to keep going and my supply were always flucutating together. If my supply dropped I started the "I think I'm gonna quit..." talk and when my supply was good I did the "I think I'll try to pump 3-4 years" thing. It's very hard to keep at something when you feel like your just falling more and more behind. I really think if you were able to get your supply up that you'd also feel better about pumping. Another thing. My supply also dipped with every AF. When I started the domp. full force AF became much more infrequent (skipping 2-4 months at a time!) and so it didn't have as many oppertunities to rear it's ugly head with my supply. The domperidone really was what allowed me to keep going with pumping! I hope you give it a chance and it works it's magic with you too!
And the last thing... and this is to all the EP'ers out there. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU ALL!!!!!!! You guys are AMAZING and WONDERFUL MOMS! The amount of work and sacrafices you guys make to allow your babes to get the most perfect food for them is astounding! I hope each and every one of you are getting the support you need from your partners and family. It's so essential when it comes to pumping! You all deserve a pat on the back and to be recognized for the incredible thing you are doing for your kids! You ladies are AWESOME!:::::::

[earthymato2]

wow, i was reading some of the posts here, and you mamas are amazing with what you do for your lo's!! : i was hoping some of you could help me with a question for a dear friend. she recently had twins, and is exclusively pumping for one who had some facial trauma from a difficult birth and was unable to latch and she is doing a combo of nursing/pumping for the other twin. they are a month old now and gaining wt, but she is having a hard time keeping up with their needs now. do you have any suggestions for increasing her milk supply while pumping? thanks so much!

[shoes]

Originally Posted by earthymato2

wow, i was reading some of the posts here, and you mamas are amazing with what you do for your lo's!! : i was hoping some of you could help me with a question for a dear friend. she recently had twins, and is exclusively pumping for one who had some facial trauma from a difficult birth and was unable to latch and she is doing a combo of nursing/pumping for the other twin. they are a month old now and gaining wt, but she is having a hard time keeping up with their needs now. do you have any suggestions for increasing her milk supply while pumping? thanks so much!

Seeing as though her babies are only 1 month old, your friend should still be on a horomone "high" from giving birth. In the first few months your supply is still being established and usually responds very, very well to more frequent pumpings/nursings. If these are her first babies she might be shocked to realize just how frequently newborns nurse. When only offered the breast, some will nurse every 2 hours (or even more frequently) to help mom's milk reach a good level. Having two babies to feed she'll probably need to pump/nurse even more often than that!
If she does have one baby that will latch on and nurse, it's a good idea to try to pump before she feeds him/her. Even the best pumps don't compare to how effectively a baby can get the milk out! A lot of babies will "comfort nurse" and although it would be hard with twins, allowing the baby to suckle for long periods of time, even if they aren't eating much will help too. Does the other twin have permanent damage that won't allow him/her to ever breastfeed? At one month old, it's still not too late to get the baby back to the brest! Long term pumping is a beating and breastfeeding will be so much easier and more satisfying for both mom and baby in the long run. Breastfeeding seems much more difficult at first when there are latch problems (among other things) but it does get easier while pumping only gets harder! If she can eventually get both babies back to the breast then most likely they will be able to regulate her supply on their own and she can just enjoy the convienence and bonding of breastfeeding! While she does pump, breast compression really helps to more fully empty the breasts. (Just squeeze em in a way to make more come out. she should be able to visually see the stronger flow if she's doing right. There are some sites I think with better instructions if you search for them. )
Hope some of that helps a little!

[earthymato2]

shoes- thanks so much for the reply- i'm going to copy and paste that and send it right to her!

[Chula13]

Did anyone start out nursing on demand? I'm wondering how ones goes about switching to eping?

[letniaLynne]

Originally Posted by Chula13

Did anyone start out nursing on demand? I'm wondering how ones goes about switching to eping?

Why would you ever WANT to "switch" to eping? Everyone here in this thread never chose to epump it just happened one way or another not by choice.

[GooeyRN]

Originally Posted by Chula13

Did anyone start out nursing on demand? I'm wondering how ones goes about switching to eping?

I agree, it was most certainly not a choice to EP. I would have loved it if my dd would have latched. She still can't at 3.5 years old, so I continue to pump. My only choice was EP to give her breast milk, or to give her formula. I didn't have a choice in nursing on demand or EPing.

[Chula13]

Sorry I offended you ladies it wasn't my intention

[shoes]

Originally Posted by Chula13

Sorry I offended you ladies it wasn't my intention

I'm not offended. I understand how breastfeeding can be very difficult in the begining. Please know that it will get easier. Pumping may seem like the easier choice at the moment but it will only get harder while breastfeeding will get easier. Breastfeeding a baby is full of snuggly time with your little one. Pumping is trying to balance a crying baby while you're hooked up for the eighth time today for the next 20 mins. If you are having difficultly with breastfeeding please work on that! You'll be so happy you did!! Someone once told me that a new breastfeeding mothers worst resource is a breastpump. when nipples are sore and baby wants to nurse round the clock it can take a struggling bf relationship and push it in the mud. The breastfeeding forum here is great place to ask questions if there is something specific not working out for you and your babe with breastfeeding.
Good Luck to you Mama!

[GooeyRN]

I was not offended either. EPing is more of a "last resort" kind of thing. I don't think many really choose this path. If you are having troubles with bfing, yes, pump, or EP for the time being, but do try to work through those issues you are having. I EP for DD, but also bf ds. I will say that bfing is harder in the early weeks, but after it is established, it is 1,000 times easier than EPing. There is no juggling a crying baby on your lap while you are hooked up to the pump, pumping while out of the house, getting up to pump at night, etc. EPing is a long hard road, and I really see it as a last resort when bfing issues can not be fixed.