It's been over three years, and I'm working off pregnancy brain, but I'll be as detailed as I can!! [:D]
1. How long have you been EPeing (or how long did you)?
I pumped for the entire time my son was in NICU - exactly 2 months - and and additional couple of weeks.
2. What is/was your long term goal?
To transition to breastfeeding.
3. If you are no longer pumping, did you reach your goal? If no, why not?
No. When Nicky came home from the hospital, he was still so tiny - 4 lbs 4 oz. I am very large-chested, and I believe the reason he never latched is that my areolas are quite large, about 5 inches across. I don't think he could ever reach what he needed. Several other factors contributed to having to quit - he was not gaining fast enough, so we had to supplement with NeoSure (preemie formula), and my once over-flowing supply (the LC said I had enough for twins plus some) began to lessen very quickly, since it was never fully stimulated.
4. How did you establish your supply- pumping or breastfeeding?
Pumping exclusively.
5. If pumping, how often and for how long did you pump?
At first, I pumped every three hours, day and night...unfortunately, I only pumped long enough to fill a sterile water bottle from each breast.
6. When first pumping, how long did you pump for each session and how many sessions per day?
See last question.
7. How long did it take for your supply to become established (i.e. when it reached its peak or when it was consistent in volume)?
I don't recall...I don't think it ever reached its peak. I know I never felt letdown.
8. When established, what was you average volume per day?
I can't remember...the NICU supplied sterile water bottles, and I filled two at each session. I wish I had been reminded to pump as much as I could each session instead.
9. What type of pump do you, or did you, use?
Ameda Purely Yours!!! I highly recommend this pump - I still have it and LOVE it!
10. At what point in time did you start cutting pump your pumping sessions?
After about three weeks, I moved to 4 to 5 hours between sessions, and soon after cut out the nighttime pumpings.
11. How many times have you dropped sessions? And when dropping sessions did you see a decline in volume?
I don't remember how often, but I know I dropped some. Yes, my supply was dropping.
12. When you cut back pumping sessions did you increase the length of time you pumped? If so, by how much?
No, but I wish I had.
13. If you are no longer pumping, how did you start to eliminate pumps (eg. sleeping through the night, starting solids, etc.)?
Switching to formula. We alternated formula and frozen breast milk until the breast milk ran out. (About a month?) I quit pumping cold turkey when I realized he wasn't taking to the breast.
14. What was the biggest determining factor that led you to start reducing pumping sessions?
Fatigue.
15. At what point did you start to see your volume decline (length of time, # of pumps/day, etc.)?
I don't recall.
16. Is/was your supply sufficient for the needs of your baby?
Yes, for a while. Like I mentioned above, it began to decrease because of lack of stimulation, and the ped was concerned about his weight gain. However, that was from the amount he was eating, not the amount I was pumping.
17. If not, at what point did you need to supplement?
2.5 months, I think?
18. Do you use, or have you used, any herbal supplements or prescription medication in order to increase your supply? If so, which ones? And at what point in time did you need to use them?
No
19. If you built up a freezer stash, approximately how much did you have in the freezer at its fullest?
Oh my gosh...I can't tell in ounces, but my mother-in-law's deep freezer was half-filled, and our refrigerator's freezer was 1/3 full.
20. If you are no longer EPing, did you use all your stash?
Yes
21. Have you had to dump any of your stash?
[i]No
22. Anything else that you would like to add?
[i]I wish there were LC's who specialized in preemie situations. I was so distracted after the birth, that a lot of what I knew flew right out the window. When given the sterile water bottles, I was told to 'just fill one up' each time I pumped. I knew, but had forgotten (I wonder why - seizures, the surprise of a baby being born suddenly at 28 weeks, and my own and my son's recoveries...) , that I needed to pump as much as I could each session in order to build and maintain supply. I think a reminder of this would have helped me a lot. Even if I was pumping and dumping a lot of extra milk, it would have been preferable having my supply dwindle towards the end of my son's NICU stay.
When I was pregnant, I was so excited about breastfeeding. I was going to bf exclusively for a year, bf in public and make a stand for my baby. (The best-laid plans, eh?) It may sound strange, or even callous, but since everything else worked out so beautifully, and Nicky was so healthy, I was actually MUCH MORE devastated by never being able to breastfeed than I was by Nicky's prematurity. I do realize how much I accomplished by pumping, but I still felt that we were robbed of something very special.
Aimee - 28
Dh - 29
Ds Nicky - 3/24/00 (28 wks - eclampsia)
EDD #2 - 8/3/03 (It's a BOY!)
collecting data on pumping
16 posts
• Page 2 of 2 • 1, 2
Re : collecting data on pumping
by aimeejane » Mon Jun 16, 2003 06:16 am
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Re : collecting data on pumping
by carter62900 » Sat Jun 28, 2003 01:57 am
1. How long have you been EPeing (or how long did you)?I pumped for 2 months
2. What is/was your long term goal?Didnt have one
3. If you are no longer pumping, did you reach your goal? If no, why not?didnt have one
4. How did you establish your supply- pumping or breastfeeding?pumping
5. If pumping, how often and for how long did you pump?every 3 hours for like 20 min
6. When first pumping, how long did you pump for each session and how many sessions per day?10 min like 5 times a day
7. How long did it take for your supply to become established (i.e. when it reached its peak or when it was consistent in volume)?It never really did I only got like 3 ozs total at one time
8. When established, what was you average volume per day?12 ozs
9. What type of pump do you, or did you, use?electric
10. At what point in time did you start cutting pump your pumping sessions?
11. How many times have you dropped sessions? And when dropping sessions did you see a decline in volume?I dont remember how often but there was a decline in volume
12. When you cut back pumping sessions did you increase the length of time you pumped? If so, by how much?no I wanted to dry up
13. If you are no longer pumping, how did you start to eliminate pumps (eg. sleeping through the night, starting solids, etc.)?just spaced them out farther
14. What was the biggest determining factor that led you to start reducing pumping sessions?wanted my body back
15. At what point did you start to see your volume decline (length of time, # of pumps/day, etc.)?almost immediatly
16. Is/was your supply sufficient for the needs of your baby?yes
17. If not, at what point did you need to supplement?I started mixing bm and formula before I stopped pumping
18. Do you use, or have you used, any herbal supplements or prescription medication in order to increase your supply? If so, which ones? And at what point in time did you need to use them?no
19. If you built up a freezer stash, approximately how much did you have in the freezer at its fullest?Probably 50 ozs, from nicu of corse
20. If you are no longer EPing, did you use all your stash?yes
21. Have you had to dump any of your stash?no
22. Anything else that you would like to add?Im glad there was another way to give my son the breast milk because Breastfeeding is not for everyone. I used to feel guilty for not wanting to do it but now I feel right about my ddecision. Its my body and I chose how to use it. My son got the breast milk he needed and I was able to give it to him comfortable.
Thanks so much for your input!
Deanna
2. What is/was your long term goal?Didnt have one
3. If you are no longer pumping, did you reach your goal? If no, why not?didnt have one
4. How did you establish your supply- pumping or breastfeeding?pumping
5. If pumping, how often and for how long did you pump?every 3 hours for like 20 min
6. When first pumping, how long did you pump for each session and how many sessions per day?10 min like 5 times a day
7. How long did it take for your supply to become established (i.e. when it reached its peak or when it was consistent in volume)?It never really did I only got like 3 ozs total at one time
8. When established, what was you average volume per day?12 ozs
9. What type of pump do you, or did you, use?electric
10. At what point in time did you start cutting pump your pumping sessions?
11. How many times have you dropped sessions? And when dropping sessions did you see a decline in volume?I dont remember how often but there was a decline in volume
12. When you cut back pumping sessions did you increase the length of time you pumped? If so, by how much?no I wanted to dry up
13. If you are no longer pumping, how did you start to eliminate pumps (eg. sleeping through the night, starting solids, etc.)?just spaced them out farther
14. What was the biggest determining factor that led you to start reducing pumping sessions?wanted my body back
15. At what point did you start to see your volume decline (length of time, # of pumps/day, etc.)?almost immediatly
16. Is/was your supply sufficient for the needs of your baby?yes
17. If not, at what point did you need to supplement?I started mixing bm and formula before I stopped pumping
18. Do you use, or have you used, any herbal supplements or prescription medication in order to increase your supply? If so, which ones? And at what point in time did you need to use them?no
19. If you built up a freezer stash, approximately how much did you have in the freezer at its fullest?Probably 50 ozs, from nicu of corse
20. If you are no longer EPing, did you use all your stash?yes
21. Have you had to dump any of your stash?no
22. Anything else that you would like to add?Im glad there was another way to give my son the breast milk because Breastfeeding is not for everyone. I used to feel guilty for not wanting to do it but now I feel right about my ddecision. Its my body and I chose how to use it. My son got the breast milk he needed and I was able to give it to him comfortable.
Thanks so much for your input!
Deanna
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Re : collecting data on pumping
by doreenquinn » Thu Jul 10, 2003 09:18 am
Hi Stephanie,
I'm new to the forum and I would be more than happy to answer your questions on EP'ing. My son Hunter was born 6-21-02 at 34 weeks (exaclty) from pre-eclampisa.
1. How long have you been EPeing (or how long did you)?
Answer: I EP'ed for about 12 weeks.
2. What is/was your long term goal?
Answer: My long term goal was at least 6 months if not more.
3. If you are no longer pumping, did you reach your goal? If no, why not?
Answer: No I didn't. I was exhausted from my pregnancy (suffered Hyperemesis as well) and I had two other toddlers to care for. We moved when Hunter was 12 weeks so I stopped then.
4. How did you establish your supply- pumping or breastfeeding?
Answer: I began pumping at the hospital when Hunter was about 24 hours old. I pumped every few hours for about 5-10 minutes on each side. I gradually increased my pump time as it became more comfortable for me.
5. If pumping, how often and for how long did you pump?
Answer: I pumped every 3-4 hours around the clock, setting my alarm at night so I could build my supply of milk.
6. When first pumping, how long did you pump for each session and how many sessions per day?
Answer: See my amswer to question #4.
7. How long did it take for your supply to become established (i.e. when it reached its peak or when it was consistent in volume)?
Answer: It's hard for me to remember exactly but I think it took me about a week.
8. When established, what was you average volume per day?
Answer: I was pumping between 6-8 oz total at each session. (every 3-4 hours)
9. What type of pump do you, or did you, use?
Answer: I believe it was the Medela Pump in Style. I rented it through my insurance.
10. At what point in time did you start cutting pump your pumping sessions?
Answer: I think around 10 weeks.
11. How many times have you dropped sessions? And when dropping sessions did you see a decline in volume?
Answer: Not sure how many times I dropped sessions. I gradually just stopped pumping in the middle of the night. My volume would increase at my first morning pumping session to around 12 oz total.
12. When you cut back pumping sessions did you increase the length of time you pumped? If so, by how much?
Answer: I would pump until I emptied each side. I can't remember exactly how much time that was though, maybe 15 minutes per side.
13. If you are no longer pumping, how did you start to eliminate pumps (eg. sleeping through the night, starting solids, etc.)?
Answer: I started by dropping the middle of the night pump and gradually took away other sessions over a two week period.
14. What was the biggest determining factor that led you to start reducing pumping sessions?
Answer: Exhaustion from having to pump, then feed and try to take care of my two other children who were very small. I even tried to breastfeed Hunter but he wouldn't take anything but a pumped bottle. I was just run down.
15. At what point did you start to see your volume decline (length of time, # of pumps/day, etc.)?
Answer: After about 2 weeks of dropping sessions.
16. Is/was your supply sufficient for the needs of your baby?
Answer: At that time, no.
17. If not, at what point did you need to supplement?
Answer: At around 11 weeks.
18. Do you use, or have you used, any herbal supplements or prescription medication in order to increase your supply? If so, which ones? And at what point in time did you need to use them?
Answer: No
19. If you built up a freezer stash, approximately how much did you have in the freezer at its fullest?
Answer: About 18-24 oz.
20. If you are no longer EPing, did you use all your stash?
Answer: Yes.
21. Have you had to dump any of your stash?
Answer: No.
22. Anything else that you would like to add?
Answer: No.
I hope I answered these accurately enough for your survery. It's been a year since Hunter was born and I am now pg again and not feeling so great and a bit scatter-brained. LOL Good luck with all your info! =)
Doreen
I'm new to the forum and I would be more than happy to answer your questions on EP'ing. My son Hunter was born 6-21-02 at 34 weeks (exaclty) from pre-eclampisa.
1. How long have you been EPeing (or how long did you)?
Answer: I EP'ed for about 12 weeks.
2. What is/was your long term goal?
Answer: My long term goal was at least 6 months if not more.
3. If you are no longer pumping, did you reach your goal? If no, why not?
Answer: No I didn't. I was exhausted from my pregnancy (suffered Hyperemesis as well) and I had two other toddlers to care for. We moved when Hunter was 12 weeks so I stopped then.
4. How did you establish your supply- pumping or breastfeeding?
Answer: I began pumping at the hospital when Hunter was about 24 hours old. I pumped every few hours for about 5-10 minutes on each side. I gradually increased my pump time as it became more comfortable for me.
5. If pumping, how often and for how long did you pump?
Answer: I pumped every 3-4 hours around the clock, setting my alarm at night so I could build my supply of milk.
6. When first pumping, how long did you pump for each session and how many sessions per day?
Answer: See my amswer to question #4.
7. How long did it take for your supply to become established (i.e. when it reached its peak or when it was consistent in volume)?
Answer: It's hard for me to remember exactly but I think it took me about a week.
8. When established, what was you average volume per day?
Answer: I was pumping between 6-8 oz total at each session. (every 3-4 hours)
9. What type of pump do you, or did you, use?
Answer: I believe it was the Medela Pump in Style. I rented it through my insurance.
10. At what point in time did you start cutting pump your pumping sessions?
Answer: I think around 10 weeks.
11. How many times have you dropped sessions? And when dropping sessions did you see a decline in volume?
Answer: Not sure how many times I dropped sessions. I gradually just stopped pumping in the middle of the night. My volume would increase at my first morning pumping session to around 12 oz total.
12. When you cut back pumping sessions did you increase the length of time you pumped? If so, by how much?
Answer: I would pump until I emptied each side. I can't remember exactly how much time that was though, maybe 15 minutes per side.
13. If you are no longer pumping, how did you start to eliminate pumps (eg. sleeping through the night, starting solids, etc.)?
Answer: I started by dropping the middle of the night pump and gradually took away other sessions over a two week period.
14. What was the biggest determining factor that led you to start reducing pumping sessions?
Answer: Exhaustion from having to pump, then feed and try to take care of my two other children who were very small. I even tried to breastfeed Hunter but he wouldn't take anything but a pumped bottle. I was just run down.
15. At what point did you start to see your volume decline (length of time, # of pumps/day, etc.)?
Answer: After about 2 weeks of dropping sessions.
16. Is/was your supply sufficient for the needs of your baby?
Answer: At that time, no.
17. If not, at what point did you need to supplement?
Answer: At around 11 weeks.
18. Do you use, or have you used, any herbal supplements or prescription medication in order to increase your supply? If so, which ones? And at what point in time did you need to use them?
Answer: No
19. If you built up a freezer stash, approximately how much did you have in the freezer at its fullest?
Answer: About 18-24 oz.
20. If you are no longer EPing, did you use all your stash?
Answer: Yes.
21. Have you had to dump any of your stash?
Answer: No.
22. Anything else that you would like to add?
Answer: No.
I hope I answered these accurately enough for your survery. It's been a year since Hunter was born and I am now pg again and not feeling so great and a bit scatter-brained. LOL Good luck with all your info! =)
Doreen
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Re : collecting data on pumping
by jalessi » Fri Sep 12, 2003 06:58 pm
1. How long have you been EPeing (or how long did you)?
5 weeks
2. What is/was your long term goal?
8 weeks
3. If you are no longer pumping, did you reach your goal? If no, why not? No. I hated pumping and had postpartum depression. Too stressful.
4. How did you establish your supply- pumping or breastfeeding?
Pumping.
5. If pumping, how often and for how long did you pump?
Every 2.5 to 3 hours for 10 minutes.
6. When first pumping, how long did you pump for each session and how many sessions per day?
Every 2.5 to 3 hours for 10 minutes.
7. How long did it take for your supply to become established (i.e. when it reached its peak or when it was consistent in volume)?
2 weeks or so.
8. When established, what was you average volume per day?
Not much - maybe 16 oz.
9. What type of pump do you, or did you, use?
Hospital pump - Medela.
10. At what point in time did you start cutting pump your pumping sessions?
When I finally realized that it wasn't good for Nicole to have a stressed out Mom!
11. How many times have you dropped sessions? And when dropping sessions did you see a decline in volume? Right away - stopped nighttime pumping, and then only pumped every 4 hours during the day.
12. When you cut back pumping sessions did you increase the length of time you pumped? If so, by how much? No.
13. If you are no longer pumping, how did you start to eliminate pumps (eg. sleeping through the night, starting solids, etc.)?
Stopped nighttime pumping, and then only pumped every 4 hours during the day.
14. What was the biggest determining factor that led you to start reducing pumping sessions?
Hated the whole pumping process -- too mechanical!
15. At what point did you start to see your volume decline (length of time, # of pumps/day, etc.)? Right away after week 5 when I cut out the nighttime sessions.
16. Is/was your supply sufficient for the needs of your baby?
It went in cycles -- no at first, and then I was producing more than she could consume in a day.
17. If not, at what point did you need to supplement?
Started some supplementing in the NICU and then resumed supplementing in week 5.
18. Do you use, or have you used, any herbal supplements or prescription medication in order to increase your supply? If so, which ones? And at what point in time did you need to use them?
No.
19. If you built up a freezer stash, approximately how much did you have in the freezer at its fullest? Only enough for two days worth of feedings.
20. If you are no longer EPing, did you use all your stash? Yes.
21. Have you had to dump any of your stash? No.
22. Anything else that you would like to add? I had so much guilt over this -- I felt like a bad Mom that I couldn't carry her to term, hated pumping, felt guilty for wanting to switch to formula. I had not planned on BF'g my daughter -- until she was born 7 weeks early. Felt pressured in the NICU to provide breastmilk. Baby Nicole is now 6.5 months old and 13 and a half pounds...in the 10th
%ile for her age. She's been on Similac since week 6....
Jen
5 weeks
2. What is/was your long term goal?
8 weeks
3. If you are no longer pumping, did you reach your goal? If no, why not? No. I hated pumping and had postpartum depression. Too stressful.
4. How did you establish your supply- pumping or breastfeeding?
Pumping.
5. If pumping, how often and for how long did you pump?
Every 2.5 to 3 hours for 10 minutes.
6. When first pumping, how long did you pump for each session and how many sessions per day?
Every 2.5 to 3 hours for 10 minutes.
7. How long did it take for your supply to become established (i.e. when it reached its peak or when it was consistent in volume)?
2 weeks or so.
8. When established, what was you average volume per day?
Not much - maybe 16 oz.
9. What type of pump do you, or did you, use?
Hospital pump - Medela.
10. At what point in time did you start cutting pump your pumping sessions?
When I finally realized that it wasn't good for Nicole to have a stressed out Mom!
11. How many times have you dropped sessions? And when dropping sessions did you see a decline in volume? Right away - stopped nighttime pumping, and then only pumped every 4 hours during the day.
12. When you cut back pumping sessions did you increase the length of time you pumped? If so, by how much? No.
13. If you are no longer pumping, how did you start to eliminate pumps (eg. sleeping through the night, starting solids, etc.)?
Stopped nighttime pumping, and then only pumped every 4 hours during the day.
14. What was the biggest determining factor that led you to start reducing pumping sessions?
Hated the whole pumping process -- too mechanical!
15. At what point did you start to see your volume decline (length of time, # of pumps/day, etc.)? Right away after week 5 when I cut out the nighttime sessions.
16. Is/was your supply sufficient for the needs of your baby?
It went in cycles -- no at first, and then I was producing more than she could consume in a day.
17. If not, at what point did you need to supplement?
Started some supplementing in the NICU and then resumed supplementing in week 5.
18. Do you use, or have you used, any herbal supplements or prescription medication in order to increase your supply? If so, which ones? And at what point in time did you need to use them?
No.
19. If you built up a freezer stash, approximately how much did you have in the freezer at its fullest? Only enough for two days worth of feedings.
20. If you are no longer EPing, did you use all your stash? Yes.
21. Have you had to dump any of your stash? No.
22. Anything else that you would like to add? I had so much guilt over this -- I felt like a bad Mom that I couldn't carry her to term, hated pumping, felt guilty for wanting to switch to formula. I had not planned on BF'g my daughter -- until she was born 7 weeks early. Felt pressured in the NICU to provide breastmilk. Baby Nicole is now 6.5 months old and 13 and a half pounds...in the 10th
%ile for her age. She's been on Similac since week 6....
Jen
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Re : collecting data on pumping
by maxs mom » Fri Jan 02, 2004 11:34 pm
Stephanie,
I have noticed you haven't gotten any responses for a while, hopefully you are still collecting data. I wanted to respond, because this is definitely a topic I am interested in. As you have stated, it is frustrating there isn't more data out there. Also, the NP at my Peri's office would try and scare us moms from the NICU by telling us we HAD to pump 8 times a day if we were planning on EPing long term. Boy, was she wrong. My son was in the NICU for 15.5 weeks, and let me tell you, keeping a consistent schedule was a challenge itself. I would have died if I EPed 8 times a day! And since my son was a 25 wkr, he did start on a bottle, but he was good at BFing when he started. However, I got more concerned about what was going in him so I chose to bottle feed when we got home more than breast feed. Eventually, he choose the bottle over the breast. I didn't feel too bad though, at least I got the experience!
Definitely feel free to contact me if you need more info.
1. How long have you been EPeing (or how long did you)?
Still EPing on 11 months and 11 days
2. What is/was your long term goal?
through winter 04 (16 mths total)
3. If you are no longer pumping, did you reach your goal? If no, why not?
Still pumping
4. How did you establish your supply- pumping or breastfeeding?
Pumping, baby was intubated for 10 weeks, couldn't BF until 13.5 weeks old
5. If pumping, how often and for how long did you pump?
For first 16 weeks, VERY sporadic. Tried at least 4 times a day. On a good day I would get 6 times in. As soon as life settled, I got on a schedule of 6 times a day but was sporadic still for a few months. Finally, I became consistent on the 6 times/day and still maintain that. (noticed a drop off of supply if I pumped less) I pump until no more milk comes out, usually about 15-25 minutes.
6. When first pumping, how long did you pump for each session and how many sessions per day?
Answered above
7. How long did it take for your supply to become established (i.e. when it reached its peak or when it was consistent in volume)?
I reached peak probably when I started to be consistent with pumping 6 times a day. This was late in the game, probably 6 months after my son was born.
8. When established, what was you average volume per day?
24-26 ounces per day
9. What type of pump do you, or did you, use?
Medela Pump in Style
10. At what point in time did you start cutting pump your pumping sessions?
NA
11. How many times have you dropped sessions? And when dropping sessions did you see a decline in volume?
As stated above, on days I pumped only 4 or 5 times, I produced less volume, so I had to pump a couple of days at 6 times to get back up to normal. I am sure if I pumped 8 times a day, I would have even been able to produce more milk, but I wasn't going to wake up at night, especially since my son started to sleep through the night 8 weeks after he got home [:)]
12. When you cut back pumping sessions did you increase the length of time you pumped? If so, by how much?
I always pump until I fully drain, sometimes a few minutes longer (I haven't noticed positive results from this)
13. If you are no longer pumping, how did you start to eliminate pumps (eg. sleeping through the night, starting solids, etc.)?
NA
14. What was the biggest determining factor that led you to start reducing pumping sessions?
NA
15. At what point did you start to see your volume decline (length of time, # of pumps/day, etc.)?
Recently. First I had mastitise (sp?)3 months ago and that caused me to produce less. I got back up, but I think hormones started taking over and I produced less. I got my period back 8 weeks after delivery and have had it ever 4 to 6 weeks since. I have noticed from the time I ovulate until about 4 days after my period starts, my supply goes done. Last cycle it never went back up, so I think hormones are involved.
16. Is/was your supply sufficient for the needs of your baby?
Just started one bottle a day on formula, but all other feedings are Breast milk. Also, my son has severe milk allergy, so I do freeze some milk for days I go out to dinner and eat dairy. (so he doesn't have an entire day on formula)
17. If not, at what point did you need to supplement?
3 weeks ago
18. Do you use, or have you used, any herbal supplements or prescription medication in order to increase your supply? If so, which ones? And at what point in time did you need to use them?
A month after I had my son I took Domperidone (prescription, like reglan but no depression as side effect) and in October I took it. Both times though I was very infrequent about when I would take it. However, I did notice if I took a pill before I went to bed, I would produce more milk in morning. Haven't used anything else
19. If you built up a freezer stash, approximately how much did you have in the freezer at its fullest?
This is so funny! At one point our freezer in the garage was completly full of 2 oz bottles of breast milk I think I had 400 bottles! Sadly, they all went bad. These bottles were from the 3 months before my son started taking a bottle (he was on BM before by OG tube, but it was a small amount each day) When the hospital allowed it (at 34 weeks) I started giving my son fresh milk (it had to be frozen 24 hours previous to this time because of potential bacteria) I wanted him to have fresh because nurses told me that frozen didn't supply immunity (don't know if this is entirely true to this day) And since that time, I was always able to supply enough fresh (my son was NEVER a big eater) In hind sight I wish I had rotated in a couple of frozen bottles a day. I feel so guilty having all that milk go bad.
20. If you are no longer EPing, did you use all your stash?
NA
21. Have you had to dump any of your stash?
All but 20 or 30 bottles
22. Anything else that you would like to add?
I firmly believe the more you pump in a day, the more milk you will produce. And also, breastfeeding even once a day does help produce milk (keeps milk producing hormones flowing) I completly see why many NICU moms give up EPing though. It is just soooo hard to keep up with EPing especially when you are going through a crisis situation. And if you are being told to pump 8 times a day or else, you'll never make it. Luckily I found a story on the web were a woman said as long as she pumped 5 times a day while her son was in NICU she was able to keep her supply up, so I followed her advice and it worked for me. BTW, if a woman wants to pump long term, I recommend buying 2 extra flange kits (i think they are called, the things that go up to your breast) this way, you don't have to wash your supplies so much. This will help the burnout factor. I also recommend getting a sterilizer, this way you don't have to spend a long time cleaning your supplies, because the sterilizer gets everything good and clean. And definitely entertain yourself while pumping, e.g. read a book, watch TV or go online. This way you don't feel your life is consumed by the pump.
Hope this helps!
Kara (33)
DH, John (35)
Max, 25 wk, IUGR, 1/20/03, severe PE
I have noticed you haven't gotten any responses for a while, hopefully you are still collecting data. I wanted to respond, because this is definitely a topic I am interested in. As you have stated, it is frustrating there isn't more data out there. Also, the NP at my Peri's office would try and scare us moms from the NICU by telling us we HAD to pump 8 times a day if we were planning on EPing long term. Boy, was she wrong. My son was in the NICU for 15.5 weeks, and let me tell you, keeping a consistent schedule was a challenge itself. I would have died if I EPed 8 times a day! And since my son was a 25 wkr, he did start on a bottle, but he was good at BFing when he started. However, I got more concerned about what was going in him so I chose to bottle feed when we got home more than breast feed. Eventually, he choose the bottle over the breast. I didn't feel too bad though, at least I got the experience!
Definitely feel free to contact me if you need more info.
1. How long have you been EPeing (or how long did you)?
Still EPing on 11 months and 11 days
2. What is/was your long term goal?
through winter 04 (16 mths total)
3. If you are no longer pumping, did you reach your goal? If no, why not?
Still pumping
4. How did you establish your supply- pumping or breastfeeding?
Pumping, baby was intubated for 10 weeks, couldn't BF until 13.5 weeks old
5. If pumping, how often and for how long did you pump?
For first 16 weeks, VERY sporadic. Tried at least 4 times a day. On a good day I would get 6 times in. As soon as life settled, I got on a schedule of 6 times a day but was sporadic still for a few months. Finally, I became consistent on the 6 times/day and still maintain that. (noticed a drop off of supply if I pumped less) I pump until no more milk comes out, usually about 15-25 minutes.
6. When first pumping, how long did you pump for each session and how many sessions per day?
Answered above
7. How long did it take for your supply to become established (i.e. when it reached its peak or when it was consistent in volume)?
I reached peak probably when I started to be consistent with pumping 6 times a day. This was late in the game, probably 6 months after my son was born.
8. When established, what was you average volume per day?
24-26 ounces per day
9. What type of pump do you, or did you, use?
Medela Pump in Style
10. At what point in time did you start cutting pump your pumping sessions?
NA
11. How many times have you dropped sessions? And when dropping sessions did you see a decline in volume?
As stated above, on days I pumped only 4 or 5 times, I produced less volume, so I had to pump a couple of days at 6 times to get back up to normal. I am sure if I pumped 8 times a day, I would have even been able to produce more milk, but I wasn't going to wake up at night, especially since my son started to sleep through the night 8 weeks after he got home [:)]
12. When you cut back pumping sessions did you increase the length of time you pumped? If so, by how much?
I always pump until I fully drain, sometimes a few minutes longer (I haven't noticed positive results from this)
13. If you are no longer pumping, how did you start to eliminate pumps (eg. sleeping through the night, starting solids, etc.)?
NA
14. What was the biggest determining factor that led you to start reducing pumping sessions?
NA
15. At what point did you start to see your volume decline (length of time, # of pumps/day, etc.)?
Recently. First I had mastitise (sp?)3 months ago and that caused me to produce less. I got back up, but I think hormones started taking over and I produced less. I got my period back 8 weeks after delivery and have had it ever 4 to 6 weeks since. I have noticed from the time I ovulate until about 4 days after my period starts, my supply goes done. Last cycle it never went back up, so I think hormones are involved.
16. Is/was your supply sufficient for the needs of your baby?
Just started one bottle a day on formula, but all other feedings are Breast milk. Also, my son has severe milk allergy, so I do freeze some milk for days I go out to dinner and eat dairy. (so he doesn't have an entire day on formula)
17. If not, at what point did you need to supplement?
3 weeks ago
18. Do you use, or have you used, any herbal supplements or prescription medication in order to increase your supply? If so, which ones? And at what point in time did you need to use them?
A month after I had my son I took Domperidone (prescription, like reglan but no depression as side effect) and in October I took it. Both times though I was very infrequent about when I would take it. However, I did notice if I took a pill before I went to bed, I would produce more milk in morning. Haven't used anything else
19. If you built up a freezer stash, approximately how much did you have in the freezer at its fullest?
This is so funny! At one point our freezer in the garage was completly full of 2 oz bottles of breast milk I think I had 400 bottles! Sadly, they all went bad. These bottles were from the 3 months before my son started taking a bottle (he was on BM before by OG tube, but it was a small amount each day) When the hospital allowed it (at 34 weeks) I started giving my son fresh milk (it had to be frozen 24 hours previous to this time because of potential bacteria) I wanted him to have fresh because nurses told me that frozen didn't supply immunity (don't know if this is entirely true to this day) And since that time, I was always able to supply enough fresh (my son was NEVER a big eater) In hind sight I wish I had rotated in a couple of frozen bottles a day. I feel so guilty having all that milk go bad.
20. If you are no longer EPing, did you use all your stash?
NA
21. Have you had to dump any of your stash?
All but 20 or 30 bottles
22. Anything else that you would like to add?
I firmly believe the more you pump in a day, the more milk you will produce. And also, breastfeeding even once a day does help produce milk (keeps milk producing hormones flowing) I completly see why many NICU moms give up EPing though. It is just soooo hard to keep up with EPing especially when you are going through a crisis situation. And if you are being told to pump 8 times a day or else, you'll never make it. Luckily I found a story on the web were a woman said as long as she pumped 5 times a day while her son was in NICU she was able to keep her supply up, so I followed her advice and it worked for me. BTW, if a woman wants to pump long term, I recommend buying 2 extra flange kits (i think they are called, the things that go up to your breast) this way, you don't have to wash your supplies so much. This will help the burnout factor. I also recommend getting a sterilizer, this way you don't have to spend a long time cleaning your supplies, because the sterilizer gets everything good and clean. And definitely entertain yourself while pumping, e.g. read a book, watch TV or go online. This way you don't feel your life is consumed by the pump.
Hope this helps!
Kara (33)
DH, John (35)
Max, 25 wk, IUGR, 1/20/03, severe PE
- maxs mom
- Registered User
- Posts: 594
- Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 08:12 pm
Re : collecting data on pumping
by djismith » Fri Mar 12, 2004 05:17 pm
1. How long have you been EPeing (or how long did you)? 6 wks
2. What is/was your long term goal?1 year
3. If you are no longer pumping, did you reach your goal? If no, why not? I am no longer pumping, It got to the point where the only things that I was doing was either pumping or feeding, or trying to get my daughter to sleep.
4. How did you establish your supply- pumping or breastfeeding? pumping
5. If pumping, how often and for how long did you pump?every three hours for 30 minutes.
6. When first pumping, how long did you pump for each session and how many sessions per day? same as above
7. How long did it take for your supply to become established (i.e. when it reached its peak or when it was consistent in volume)? My supply never really seemed established
8. When established, what was you average volume per day? If I was lucky I'd get 3 oz.
9. What type of pump do you, or did you, use? I used Avent Isis manual pump
10. At what point in time did you start cutting pump your pumping sessions?
11. How many times have you dropped sessions? And when dropping sessions did you see a decline in volume?Once Isis(my daughter) came home from the NICU, between feeding & pumping I had no time for anything else.
12. When you cut back pumping sessions did you increase the length of time you pumped? If so, by how much? no
13. If you are no longer pumping, how did you start to eliminate pumps (eg. sleeping through the night, starting solids, etc.)? My supply had by that point diminished to almost nothing.
14. What was the biggest determining factor that led you to start reducing pumping sessions? Having to feed Isis every 2-3 hours.
15. At what point did you start to see your volume decline (length of time, # of pumps/day, etc.)? When Isis came home from the NICU
16. Is/was your supply sufficient for the needs of your baby? At first there was a ton, only because Isis was barely eating 1 oz.
17. If not, at what point did you need to supplement?2 weeks after she came home from the NICU
18. Do you use, or have you used, any herbal supplements or prescription medication in order to increase your supply? If so, which ones? And at what point in time did you need to use them? none
19. If you built up a freezer stash, approximately how much did you have in the freezer at its fullest? about a months worth.
20. If you are no longer EPing, did you use all your stash? yes
21. Have you had to dump any of your stash?no
22. Anything else that you would like to add?[/b]
2. What is/was your long term goal?1 year
3. If you are no longer pumping, did you reach your goal? If no, why not? I am no longer pumping, It got to the point where the only things that I was doing was either pumping or feeding, or trying to get my daughter to sleep.
4. How did you establish your supply- pumping or breastfeeding? pumping
5. If pumping, how often and for how long did you pump?every three hours for 30 minutes.
6. When first pumping, how long did you pump for each session and how many sessions per day? same as above
7. How long did it take for your supply to become established (i.e. when it reached its peak or when it was consistent in volume)? My supply never really seemed established
8. When established, what was you average volume per day? If I was lucky I'd get 3 oz.
9. What type of pump do you, or did you, use? I used Avent Isis manual pump
10. At what point in time did you start cutting pump your pumping sessions?
11. How many times have you dropped sessions? And when dropping sessions did you see a decline in volume?Once Isis(my daughter) came home from the NICU, between feeding & pumping I had no time for anything else.
12. When you cut back pumping sessions did you increase the length of time you pumped? If so, by how much? no
13. If you are no longer pumping, how did you start to eliminate pumps (eg. sleeping through the night, starting solids, etc.)? My supply had by that point diminished to almost nothing.
14. What was the biggest determining factor that led you to start reducing pumping sessions? Having to feed Isis every 2-3 hours.
15. At what point did you start to see your volume decline (length of time, # of pumps/day, etc.)? When Isis came home from the NICU
16. Is/was your supply sufficient for the needs of your baby? At first there was a ton, only because Isis was barely eating 1 oz.
17. If not, at what point did you need to supplement?2 weeks after she came home from the NICU
18. Do you use, or have you used, any herbal supplements or prescription medication in order to increase your supply? If so, which ones? And at what point in time did you need to use them? none
19. If you built up a freezer stash, approximately how much did you have in the freezer at its fullest? about a months worth.
20. If you are no longer EPing, did you use all your stash? yes
21. Have you had to dump any of your stash?no
22. Anything else that you would like to add?[/b]
- djismith
- Registered User
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- Joined: Tue Feb 04, 2003 11:27 am
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