Breastfeeding - Exclusively Pump?

[Anonymous]

I have a 4 week old and I’m EBF. My baby only eats from one side per feed and I have to pump the other side. I also use a haakaa to collect the letdown but it’s not powerful enough to empty me. I know he will eventually eat more and take both sides and I do not want to decrease my supply. The lactation consultant said I just have to deal with it until he starts eating more. I have to pump 8-10 times a day either while he’s eating or after and it’s a lot of work. I’m starting to think about exclusively pumping but I heard that is really hard. Would you stick to this current feeding setup or exclusively pump?

[Anonymous]

Do whatever it takes to avoid exclusively pumping. It’s the worst of both worlds.

[Anonymous]

Buy the Medela manual pump. Way easier than getting all set up with an electric pump.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Buy the Medela manual pump. Way easier than getting all set up with an electric pump.

I’m this PP and to clarify, I mean use the manual pump on the boob he doesn’t eat from. Before long he will be able to empty both probably so it’s a time limited issue. Don’t exclusively pump, that’s terrible.

[Anonymous]

OP here. A couple other details

- I make around 4oz per feeding and he eats 2oz every 2 hours and 3oz every 3 hours.

Most feedings I have to pump the other side. There are a group leader of feedings during the night where I will use the Haakaa and turn feed on the other side when he takes. This doesn’t always happen and sometimes he is content with just one breast even if he has gone 3 hours.

The feeding + pumping is really tiring. I’ve had a handful of times where I only pumped and it was easier for me.

I worry that he will never eat all that I make and I will have to pump. The downside about exclusively pumping is I would prefer to nurse overnight or on the go to make things easier. I do only plan to breastfeed/pump until 6 months so I’m not super strict on worrying about nursing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Buy the Medela manual pump. Way easier than getting all set up with an electric pump.

I’m this PP and to clarify, I mean use the manual pump on the boob he doesn’t eat from. Before long he will be able to empty both probably so it’s a time limited issue. Don’t exclusively pump, that’s terrible.

OP here. I though a manual pump isn’t as effective than other pumps?

[Anonymous]

I would put baby on the left boob, Haakaa the right boob, freeze whatever I get, then switch for the next feeding. Sounds like right now you’re producing more than baby needs (right? He’s full from one boob so you’ve got a full boob of extra milk?) so if your supply dips a bit, so be it.

Do NOT exclusively pump dear lord. If you want, it might make sense to pump the non-baby side each morning (so, one pump a day) when you’re fullest to build a bit of a freezer stash but that’s the max I’d do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. A couple other details

- I make around 4oz per feeding and he eats 2oz every 2 hours and 3oz every 3 hours.

Most feedings I have to pump the other side. There are a group leader of feedings during the night where I will use the Haakaa and turn feed on the other side when he takes. This doesn’t always happen and sometimes he is content with just one breast even if he has gone 3 hours.

The feeding + pumping is really tiring. I’ve had a handful of times where I only pumped and it was easier for me.

I worry that he will never eat all that I make and I will have to pump. The downside about exclusively pumping is I would prefer to nurse overnight or on the go to make things easier. I do only plan to breastfeed/pump until 6 months so I’m not super strict on worrying about nursing.

Nursing gets easier and faster. I would stick with it for now. Buy that yellow Medela manual pump, it works surprisingly well. In time, he may take both boobs, your supply will adjust to his demand, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Buy the Medela manual pump. Way easier than getting all set up with an electric pump.

I’m this PP and to clarify, I mean use the manual pump on the boob he doesn’t eat from. Before long he will be able to empty both probably so it’s a time limited issue. Don’t exclusively pump, that’s terrible.

OP here. I though a manual pump isn’t as effective than other pumps?

Hi, it wouldn’t be effective for exclusive pumping. You need something to empty the other boob easily after he nurses, and that pump is simple and quick.

[Anonymous]

Seconding the medela hand pump suggestion. It works surprisingly well and less to clean than an electric pump. Personally, I would not exclusively pump but do whatever you need to do for you and baby. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would put baby on the left boob, Haakaa the right boob, freeze whatever I get, then switch for the next feeding. Sounds like right now you’re producing more than baby needs (right? He’s full from one boob so you’ve got a full boob of extra milk?) so if your supply dips a bit, so be it.

Do NOT exclusively pump dear lord. If you want, it might make sense to pump the non-baby side each morning (so, one pump a day) when you’re fullest to build a bit of a freezer stash but that’s the max I’d do.

OP here. I do not want to do this as I do not want to lose my supply. The lactation consultant I work with told me it’s too early to lower my supply because I may end up losing it.

I make around 32-40oz/day and do not want to decrease it since it isn’t that much. The lactation consultant and pediatrician said he eats 24/oz day now but will likely be eating up to 32oz/day by 3 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. A couple other details

- I make around 4oz per feeding and he eats 2oz every 2 hours and 3oz every 3 hours.

Most feedings I have to pump the other side. There are a group leader of feedings during the night where I will use the Haakaa and turn feed on the other side when he takes. This doesn’t always happen and sometimes he is content with just one breast even if he has gone 3 hours.

The feeding + pumping is really tiring. I’ve had a handful of times where I only pumped and it was easier for me.

I worry that he will never eat all that I make and I will have to pump. The downside about exclusively pumping is I would prefer to nurse overnight or on the go to make things easier. I do only plan to breastfeed/pump until 6 months so I’m not super strict on worrying about nursing.

Nursing gets easier and faster. I would stick with it for now. Buy that yellow Medela manual pump, it works surprisingly well. In time, he may take both boobs, your supply will adjust to his demand, etc.

OP here. I didn’t say anything about nursing being hard or taking too long. He is fine at eating and is done within 20 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Buy the Medela manual pump. Way easier than getting all set up with an electric pump.

I’m this PP and to clarify, I mean use the manual pump on the boob he doesn’t eat from. Before long he will be able to empty both probably so it’s a time limited issue. Don’t exclusively pump, that’s terrible.

OP here. I though a manual pump isn’t as effective than other pumps?

Hi, it wouldn’t be effective for exclusive pumping. You need something to empty the other boob easily after he nurses, and that pump is simple and quick.

OP here. I can try it out. I’m using the Spectra and it works really well but I just hate having to feed + pump. One or the other would be the most ideal.

As I mentioned, I’m only planning to breastfeed until 6 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. A couple other details

- I make around 4oz per feeding and he eats 2oz every 2 hours and 3oz every 3 hours.

Most feedings I have to pump the other side. There are a group leader of feedings during the night where I will use the Haakaa and turn feed on the other side when he takes. This doesn’t always happen and sometimes he is content with just one breast even if he has gone 3 hours.

The feeding + pumping is really tiring. I’ve had a handful of times where I only pumped and it was easier for me.

I worry that he will never eat all that I make and I will have to pump. The downside about exclusively pumping is I would prefer to nurse overnight or on the go to make things easier. I do only plan to breastfeed/pump until 6 months so I’m not super strict on worrying about nursing.

Nursing gets easier and faster. I would stick with it for now. Buy that yellow Medela manual pump, it works surprisingly well. In time, he may take both boobs, your supply will adjust to his demand, etc.

OP here. I didn’t say anything about nursing being hard or taking too long. He is fine at eating and is done within 20 minutes.

That’s great! In another couple months he will likely take half that long, it will be convenient to just be able to nurse. Your supply will regulate. You’ll be fine and so will he, just don’t exclusively pump unless you seek out drudgery.

[Anonymous]

I would exclusively pump. I know most are against it, but I preferred it over nursing. Was it hard? Yes but it was tolerable. I found it so much faster and easier than nursing. I would exclusively pump since you don’t plan to breastfeed after 6 months.