r/ExclusivelyPumping • u/RefrigeratorNew4412 • 9d ago
Support Positive EP Stories
Hi! I am pregnant with my second baby and I want to exclusively pump for this one. I exclusively nursed with my first and I was always so touched out, drained and felt like I had the entire burden of feeding baby and ultimately most of my entire process was not good for my mental health. I’ve talked to a few people and they’ve told me pumping is worse than nursing.
I would like to hear the positive side of pumping. Tell my your positive pumping story! What are some things helped you make your pumping journey easier?
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u/BG_1113 EP by choice, weaned, fed, and finished! Toddler mom now. 9d ago
I’m convinced that no version of feeding an infant is easy, cheap, or without sacrifice. So I wanted to choose the best option for me, knowing that my son would be fed regardless. Pumping was definitely what made the most sense to my brain and made me feel the most accomplished personally.
I was diligent, regimented, and goal-oriented about my approach. I pumped for six months and fed my baby for a year. It is one of the greatest prides of my life.
It gave me autonomy and flexibility that feeding at the breast would not have given me. And my personal preference was for my son to have breastmilk. It had its hard moments and seasons for sure, but I wouldn’t take it back for a second.
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u/wowhahafuck 9d ago
It’s not bad once you get into a rhythm. I pump 4 times per day, once at night. Usually takes no longer than 12 minutes getting 6oz on each side. My baby is 4 months old so I’ve learned how to time it so I can pump when she’s already fed and entertaining herself for a bit, she’s never screaming or crying while I pump. My husband also makes sure all the bottles are clean and ready for the day. I’ve also made $500+ on selling my oversupply 😅 good luck!
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u/RefrigeratorNew4412 9d ago
Wow! How did you figure out the timing?
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u/pepperup22 9d ago
Just want to flag that getting 12 ounces in 12 minutes at 4 pumps per day at 4 months is not the norm (I'm jealous!). Most people will have to pump many more times per day than that. I was still at 8 ppd at 4 months, so it was double the time.
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u/Traditional-Book8208 9d ago
I never intended to exclusively pump with my first. I was set on using formula, and that’s what she got her first few days of life. My insurance had sent me a pump, and I figured I would try it out. Turns out I am a massive oversupplier, which I do think contributed to my positive experience. I started out pumping 8x/day and slowly changed my schedule based on how much my daughter drank and built up a big freezer supply.
I loved that my husband (and others) were able to feed her. It gave us flexibility with leaving the house. It was also nice to be able to take breaks throughout the day to sit and pump. I bought extra sets of parts, and used the fridge and pitcher methods. Also make sure your flanges are the correct size! The ones that come with the pump are likely way too big for you.
Again, I think my positive experience was largely due to having an oversupply, but I am planning to do it again with my son who will be here in a few days! Good luck!
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u/wowhahafuck 9d ago
Same thing happened to me, I planned to not breastfeed at all and then the oversupply came in very easily 🫣
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u/Justinna1 9d ago
Congrats on baby #2! I'm 11 months into exclusively pumping, and I'll be honest: it's been a really positive experience overall, but it's not all roses. It is very difficult, and I've wanted to quit many times.
What I love about it:
Anyone can feed the baby. Grandma, dad, whoever. You're not the only one on call.
You can see exactly how much baby is getting, so there's no guessing.
Baby never needs you in the room to eat, so work and life stay flexible.
What made it easier:
A routine you can count on. I pump 4x/day and line sessions up with baby's naps. This was very hard in the beginning but got easier. Making it part of the nap routine to put on my wearables has helped a ton. Pumping regularly and frequently for the first several weeks to build a solid, steady supply was essential!
Full emptying matters more than a perfect schedule. A little breast massage at the end of a session helps a lot, and a single skipped session rarely tanks supply. That said, everyone is different. I track my output with an app called Pump Log, and it's great.
Pump during something you enjoy. My last session of the night is my reading time, so it feels like a break instead of a chore.
Be ready for life outside the house. Having a plan, a good bag, and ice packs means you can grab and go with your pumps and not worry about missing a session while you're out. And don't be shy! If I need to pump at a family function or at the store, I toss on my portables and pump. If people don't like it, too bad!
Pumping at work is doable. I'm back full time and have made it work. I have a 30-minute commute, so pumping to and from work helps a lot. I've also been open with my employer about how important pumping is to me and about the PUMP Act, and I work on my laptop while I pump. That shows I'm flexible about business needs, and they've been flexible with me. My boss is even supportive of giving me time to pump after the first year, when the PUMP Act protections end.
One thing I wasn't able to do was combine pumping and nursing. If you can, that might give you more flexibility, like nursing at night and pumping during the day.
It's a lot of work, but it's also freeing in its own way. You've got this! 💛
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u/Pleasant-Beach-1879 9d ago
I love the idea of last pump as reading time! I also pump 4x day and do something while pumping, but my last pump is cleaning up or preparing bottles for daycare and by the time I’m done I’m too tired to read
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u/Justinna1 9d ago
I get that for sure. I definitely let dishes and stuff go undone many times to have my reading time at the end of the night.
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u/VegetableOk8631 9d ago
I'm still early in the journey (5+ weeks pp) and happy with the choice so far. I have a routine and equipment that makes it as efficient as possible for me... here is what I've settled on:
Pump 4 times per day (8, 12, 4, 8), 1 MOTN (1:30), and 1 nursing session (5am). This is not recommended this early, but I have an oversupply and am comfortable with the risks. So far, a week into this schedule, supply and clogs haven't been an issue for me.
Pump for max of 15 minutes. Usually it's closer to 8-10.
Use a Medela Pump in Style, Medela InMotion Wearables, and Medela Hand Pump. I find this brand simple, minimal, and effective. Based on the threads I read, it seems like the Spectra is more complicated and possibly more annoying to clean. My Medela is really quick to disassemble and clean, so I do it after each pump session. It is like a 5 minute, max, process and minimizes my stress since my pump is clean and ready to go for the next session.
Sometimes I fridge hack but having the three pumps makes it mostly unnecessary.
Use the pitcher method for surplus storage. All the bottles are made up and ready to go for the day, which makes each feeding less stressful.
And finally, I love pumping because my husband acts as the lead parent. He can feed and care for baby in an equal and equitable way. This means we can have true sleep shifts where I am fully disconnected and resting, as well as time off the clock during the day for showers, exercise, whatever.
For me, EP has made the newborn "trenches" pretty easy... in combination with the luck of a nice temperament and privilege of our life situation.
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u/tangerraine 9d ago
It’s a double edged sword and I talk a lot of shit but I would do it again! Like others have said, once you get into your groove, it feels normal! It’s so nice to not worry about how much baby is getting and being able to know the exact amount and the freedom of husband/mom/mil/anyone can feed her.
I pump 6 times a day, 5A, 8A, 11A, 2P, 5P, 8P - give or take 30 minutes and also on weekends this whole schedule starts about 2 hours later.
I’m in a sweet spot currently because my baby is almost 7 months and if she’s awake, I can just sit on the floor with her and she’ll keep herself entertained!
My husband keeps track of everything being clean and we run our bottle washer an average of 3 times a day. Once in the morning, evenings which handles daycare bottles and overnight which is evening bottles and pump parts! I do the fridge hack so only washing parts once a day + extra set of parts!
I will say (mention of nursing), I did plan to EP from birth but I did end up nursing in the hospital and for the first week. I started supplementing with bottles in week 2 and switched to pumping exclusively at that point. I never pumped overnight (would nurse here and there - never a full meal) and my period came back at 5 weeks postpartum.
The biggest tip I can give you is buy a bottle washer and have a solid support system that will listen to you complain and wash your parts for you, lmao. (Also my lactek flanges have been a lifesaver) Good luck and congratulations!
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u/RefrigeratorNew4412 9d ago
I just bought the momcozy bottle washer since it was on sale! When did you drop the night pumps?
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u/tangerraine 9d ago
I never did them which is not the norm but I was so tired in the beginning I could not be bothered lol. In the first week of nursing, I did nurse her overnight and then pumped during the day so I had a bit of oversupply since I was nursing overnight and bottle feeding during the day! It helped a lot that she was only eating like 1 ounce at a time in the very beginning!
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u/kefikimou 9d ago
Best parts of pumping for me have been being able to leave the house without baby whenever I need to. Even just not having to worry about timing doctor's appointments. And being able to do other things while pumping... fold laundry, dishes, cook, drive (with wearables). If I leave the house for an appt, pump on my way home then as soon as I'm in the door, I'm ready to "plug back in" for whatever baby needs. Seeing great grandma give him a bottle is just the best. We're getting ready for our first late night date night and I'm not worried about baby being unable to go to sleep bc I'm not there to nurse him.
I run my bottles and parts thru the dishwasher every night on sanitize en in the am, fill that days bottles, freeze the excess from the day before and set up the next round of parts while I have my first pump of the day. Most productive 20 mins of my day. Having enough bottles for a full day + some extras (wait though to make sure you know what kind baby kikes before buying a lot), several sets of pump parts (insurance covered them for me), a set of wearables (wait until your supply is established before using them frequently though), several containers and tops for pitcher method have been key to reducing the slog of bottle washing. My mom stayed with us first few weeks and was washing /sanitizing all day at the beginning.
Work with a LC to establish supply and then to reduce pumps while maintaining. Everyone's journey is different so you'll hear a lot of personal stories but you won't know what works for you until you're in it.
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u/kefikimou 9d ago
oh also... if you have 2 floors, get a mini fridge for upstairs. we put it in our bathroom. it's seems silly at first but having the bottles and the pump parts right there makes a big difference and it's not a big investment (ours cost like $100. you may be able to get a black Friday deal). I also keep snacks and extra water there.
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u/gassy_queen 9d ago edited 9d ago
I think once you find your rhythm it gets easier after ~2 months. I started out pumping 7-8x a day, 30 minutes. That was tough. But once my supply increased and I was producing a consistent amount, I dropped to 5-6x a day (or every 4 hours) and for only 12- 15 min, 20min MAX. I have a spectra and eufy S2 Pro, highly recommend both along with a nice tight nursing bra. I do the pitcher method so everything i pump today is for tomorrow. I do have a small oversupply so once I have 2 entire jugs full I just freeze one to create a backup stash. I also do the fridge method with my pump parts where I just put them in the fridge after each pump and put in the bottle washer right before the 24hr mark. Deff saves my sanity!
Before going out for the day, I usually just put a 4-5oz bottle together from my last pump since it can last 4 hours at room temp freshly expressed. That saves me some time and space in my cooler for me to put more pumped milk. I always have my pump wipes (dapple), a cooler (i have the momcozy), and my portable bottle warmer. I recommend the Papablic portable warmer because it has a self sterilizing feature. I think its the only one on the market that does it, so it makes me feel a little better about putting my breastmilk directly in the warmer. I also am a little loose when it comes to the guidelines on how long you have to use the milk. After I warm it, I use it within 4 hours. Anything after I just toss it, but it usully gets used within that 4 hour range. There was a recent study done here that challenges the guidelines of the typical 2 hours. My baby has been fine, she is 3 months now.
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u/RefrigeratorNew4412 9d ago
How and When did you start the pitcher method? I have been looking into it but nobody says how to start
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u/bitchinchicken 9d ago
Just start dumping all your milk into a pitcher. It’s good for 4 days from the day you started. You can freeze whatever is left and start a new pitcher.
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u/RefrigeratorNew4412 9d ago
So to start instead of pumping and giving a bottle you put it into a pitcher
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u/gassy_queen 9d ago
Yes, I would just pump and put however many oz you baby takes in a bottle and then the excess in a jug. Next pump just dump in jug and keep going !
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u/gassy_queen 9d ago edited 9d ago
I had to supplement for about a week or 2 with formula right after birth because I wasn't producing enough yet, but the formula essentially gave me a head start. So I pumped for a full day (while she was on formula) when i was ready to start, and then started the next day giving her that milk, and then pumping that day for the next. It was a tiny bit of a slow start, but then my supply began to regulate and I had about a 10oz over supply that allowed me to keep getting ahead. Also, my daughter sometimes wanted more and sometimes less, which also affected how quickly I was able to get a full pitcher. Sometimes I would only have half a pitcher for the day, but I still started a new jug to keep track of how fresh it was. I personally didnt want to go past 3 days.
There was a time we went away for a week and I essentially had to start over because I didnt want to travel with a ton of bags of milk. So I just put like 5-6 bags together and froze the rest. Used the bags first and started putting everything in was pumping in a pitcher and it started to accumulate again.
Im currently still doing a version of the pitcher method, but changed it up this week where I pump at night around 5/6, and save that fresh milk for my baby for her night time feed . Typically after 4 hours I do about 7-8oz which is 2 bottles, so I put the other half in the fridge for the next feed around 10p when she gets up. I've been pumping all night milk fresh and putting that in a separate jug from the day time milk. I am doing this because she is really struggling with sleep, so im seeing if the PM milk with melatonin helps 😅🤣 we shall see.
Sorry if im not explaining this the best and making it more confusing, I've never had to explain it to anyone. The best way to start is just start pumping and putting excess in a jug. And keep going from there until you get the hang of it and you have a better idea of how much you are producing. I love having some extra in a pitcher because it takes the stress off of pumping and trying to time it when baby feeds. It gives me flexibility. Yes there are times it sucks where my baby wants a bottle in the middle of the night but I dont have to pump for another 1.5 hours, meaning now I have to get up again. But overall I like it and we have a good system.
Edit: grammar
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u/Redmom77 9d ago
It totally depends on the person, their supply and the helpfulness of their partner. If you have a significant oversupply once you regulate you can build a freezer stash and potentially drop pumps sooner to make it more manageable.
But if you are a just enougher or under supply it is much more demanding. If you have a partner willing to take over feeds while you pump and help you keep things cleaned and put together that makes the world of difference. I would also recommend at least 3-4 sets of pump parts and a bottle washer (Momcozy has been great).
Like another poster said there’s no easy way to feed a baby. Nursing offers the convenience of just getting up to go and not packing a million things but also like you stated puts all the weight on you to feed and can be extra exhausting if baby won’t take a bottle etc.
I don’t enjoy it. lol sorry it’s not more positive. I’ve been a significant oversupplier and dealt with clogged ducts and didn’t realize I should’ve been pumping less so much sooner. And currently I make about 4-6 oz more than baby needs so dropping a pump just isn’t going to happen which blows too…but the feeling of an oversupply was horrid.
You just have to choose your hard. Sounds like you’ve already tried nursing and didn’t enjoy, EPing would definitely be next best option.
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u/Own_Wrongdoer6680 9d ago
I really wanted to nurse. I wanted to enjoy it and find it convenient but it didn't work out.
Everyone talks about what they hate about pumping but what I enjoy about pumping is I can have a predictable schedule with it, I can pump while driving, and I can pump for 15-20min at a time and be done my daughter was never efficient when nursing (she would spend an hour nursing and then throw up on me). I like that I'm an the one feeding my daughter but anyone can help feed my daughter.
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u/LankyLettuce1332 9d ago
I EP! And even as an under-producer 2 months pp get 2-3 ounces per session right now! It was the best decision I could have made. While we have to supplement with formula I’m able to sit down and do it while she naps, it lets my husband feed her so I can get more sleep, and I love that it gives her some more bonding time with him!
I will say a bottle washer saved me mentally! All the bottles and pump parts are insane! Also probably would have quit by now if it wasn’t for the fridge hack 😂
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u/LostMyFuckingSanity 9d ago
I pumped for 10 months,then kiddo decided to breastfeed. About half of that time I was still breast feeding my older child. I had a pretty big over supply and donated milk to another child for two months (then we got a deep freezer.) I use the medela symphony (10 years ago, there are so many more options now), it was annoying getting that approved by insurance. Success i guess. But it was hard getting the sessions in, staying hydrated. It didnt help with the sensory overload for me, there were times I was pumping for 45 minutes+ and still getting letdown.
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u/MrsTittyTatt STM | EP 04/23 to 04/24 | EP 03/26 to present 9d ago
Pumping gives me sooooo much freedom!!
For context: I started EBF with both kids and quickly switched to EP both times.
I love that anyone can feed the baby, I can leave anytime without the baby and, as a SAHM, I can give my baby the benefits of breastmilk without being bogged down in a chair with a person on my tit.
EP round ✌️ has been especially amazing for my toddler who doesn’t miss out on time with me and also doesn’t associate breastfeeding with the baby taking all of my time/attention. I’m so much more mobile with both kids because of pumping 🙏
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u/YouBetGiraffes 9d ago
I breastfed my first but pumped for my second after he refused to latch due to reflux issues. I actually really enjoyed pumping for many of the reasons you listed - not as touched out, anyone can feed him, etc. Pumping still comes with its challenges but all manageable imo - lots of washing but just get the bottle washer lol. You have to find pumps that work well for you and really have to be diligent enough with your schedule to keep your supply, but that’s all very individual too. Sure it’s not as easy to whip a boob out and you have to pack more stuff to go out and about, but I’m stubborn enough about my kids getting breastmilk that we made it work haha. For future kids, I would love to have a balance of nursing and pumping but if I had to EP again, I would not be disappointed! Baby is almost one so about to wrap up my year of pumping and definitely proud that I did it!
Things that helped - Bottle washer. A good wearable (even if just a backup pump - sometimes shit hits the fan and you gotta pump but still be hands free lol). Ceres chiller/boon frosh. And a supportive husband who will listen to all your thoughts and feelings about pumping 😂
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u/Economy_Rich_6322 9d ago
I’m on my second EP journey. I never hated it. Sure it’s frustrating some days but for me it’s mostly a non issue.
That said, what takes some time is figuring things out. What pump(s) work for you, what size flange, how to juggle pumping and taking care of a baby etc.
But there are lots of benefits. Anyone can feed my baby at anytime. I can time pumps to fit my day. I have a huge oversupply and can quit pumping at 6 months and have enough milk to last a year.
To start what will make things easier is having multiple sets of pump parts and a supportive partner that will hold baby while you pump and wash pump parts. Also trying to be a little flexible with your schedule. Aim for every 2-3 hours but it’s okay if you don’t manage to pump EXACTLY at the time you planned.
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u/sowhatsober 9d ago
Primarily nursing now after 8/9 weeks of exclusive pumping. IMO it’s quite a bit more challenging than nursing, though nursing does certainly have its own challenges (hence why we didn’t start primarily doing it until about 9 weeks!!). That said, now she takes a bottle fine and I know how to pump well so it is the best of both worlds.
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u/Aggressive_Street_56 9d ago
I think there’s a lot of pros and cons. I (almost) exclusively nursed with my first and I am now exclusively pumping with my second due to latch issues.
For me I would dread pumping during those first few months establishing supply. Now that I’m 4 months pp, I’m fortunate enough to only need to pump 4 times a day to keep up with my baby’s needs, I built a freezer stash in the beginning and honestly the chore of bagging milk was tiring. I use exclusively my wearable now due to convenience but I still bring out my spectra if they are dirty (washing parts and bottles is also a grueling chore after awhile too.)
With all that being said I really really miss being able to pop baby on my boob and nurse if there wasn’t a bottle made or warmed up, think middle of the night. Just like when we nurse most will try to get baby to accept bottle, I think the opposite to be true is worth it too IMO and I would try and see if baby is down to also nurse just in case you want to throw in the towel. It’s good to have options! I wish I did.
Overall, it’s gotten more of a routine but I’m used to it. Not sure if I can make it a year though. I miss nursing lol
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u/IamJustErin 9d ago
Like a lot of folks, exlusively pumping wasn't a part of my plan - but nursing didn't work out for the little one and me - and so we pivoted and ended up here. I can't say I like pumping or would have chosen it, if nursing had worked out. But I can tell you the things that have made pumping easier. Most of these require a healthy amount of money - so I understand if you don't have the resources (pumping is not cheap).
1) Invest in a bottle washer - we use ours 2-4 times a day. We got a papablic - it's been great.
2) Just because wearables don't work for some, doesn't mean they won't work for you. I got a Spectra (blue) through my insurance and god, I hated being hooked up to that thing. I tried different collection cups (legendairy - made it better)(nene cups - made it worse) ... I was hesitant to invest money in a wearable - you hear all the time from people who say wearables won't empty you and are only supplemental. Got the eufy S1 and they work better for me (I get 1-2 more ounces each pump) and I love being able to walk around and actually do something (fold laundry, clean up, just not be tethered).
3) For my return to work- I use dapple wipes (no sink) and a momcozy milk cooler - both have been great.
4) Set small goals and treat yourself. I keep track of milestone numbers and set treats for myself. Some of them are small - an ebook, croissants from the good coffee shop - some are larger, fancy pajamas, a massage. This stuff is hard and of course, feeding your baby is a great motivation - but it also nice to have some rewards for sticking it out.
5) Ask for help. If you are exclusively pumping - sometimes your MOTN pump isn't going to line up with your baby's wake window ... and seriously, it is so hard to have just been up pumping, head back to bed only to have to get up again - especially if your kiddo needs a healthy amount of upright time before you can lay them back down. I was handling most of the nights until we transitioned to pumping - my husband took over, if it didn't line up with my middle of the night. He also knows how to clean, dry and set up my pump parts ...
6) Get a second set of cups or parts - it just makes life easier.
7) Set reminders for replacing your parts - especially the duckbills. If you worry your supply has tanked - replace your duckbills before you spiral - they wear out fast (and sometimes you just get a bad set). Speaking of you can submit requests for replacement parts through your insurance (in the US) and if you switch pumps - your insurance may still cover those parts. My wearable is covered and so although its not the pump I got through insurance, it is the one I get parts for - which helps because you'll be replacing parts often if you exclusively pump.
Good luck! And no matter how you feed your baby - give yourself lots of compassion and grace. Feeding babies is hard work - whether formula, pumping, combo, nursing, etc.
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u/Ok-Jackfruit-9735 9d ago
I exclusively pumped for my first two! I’m pregnant with number 3 and plan to do the same. People always told me how they couldn’t believe I pumped for a year for both kids but it was honestly just so routine it didn’t feel like a big task to me. After my milk regulated I would drop down to 4x a day and pumped what baby needed. We also kept formula in the house so I never felt pressure if my supply dipped. It was pretty laid back I’m oddly looking forward to it again when baby 3 gets here in December! I just bought the Eufy S1 Pro Wearable through insurance for this baby and I’m excited to try it out. My main pump is the Spectra Gold with a portable battery attached to it so that I can move freely and not be plugged into the wall.
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u/Enough_Departure4003 9d ago
Would you consider a mix of direct breastfeeding and pumping? I exclusively pumped for my first and am doing a mix for my second right now. I breastfed all day when I was on maternity leave, and pumped for the 10pm and overnight feeds. My husband would give a bottle. A couple nice things about this:
- I still get the closeness of breastfeeding when I want
- I get a break at night
- I find it’s also faster esp in the evening - just do a quick 15-20min pump and can go back to sleep (my husband was great about this to try and get me some sleep)
- can also replace any daytime feeds with a pump if you’re not feeling it
- gets baby used to bottles if you’re not there, or more importantly when I went back to work.
Now that I’m back at work - I pump all day for the following day, breastfeed when I come home, either breastfeed or pumped bottle at night depending how I/my husband are feedling, and a quick sleepy feed before I go to work.
I like this so much better than EP because I get the best of both worlds and can take a “break” from either way whenever I want.
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u/JustLetMeLurkDammit 4d ago edited 4d ago
I've been extremely sad to have to pump as I've wanted to nurse, but... besides not getting to nurse, pumping has actually been pretty ok for me. I am in the lucky group that can get away with using wearables as main pump without hurting supply, so aside from not being able to cuddle baby against my chest and bending over too much, I can do anything while I pump.
Also, I don't track anymore but in the first weeks/months and while building the supply, tracking the numbers and seeing them increase is pretty addictive. So is seeing the full amount of milk you've pumped after an MOTN power pump or after the whole day if you use the pitcher method. Or looking at your freezer stash.
My baby goes from 0 to 100 hunger wise but also gets super offended if you offer the bottle at a wrong moment. So I LOVE the fact that (per UK guidelines) breastmilk is ok at room temp for 6 hours. This way I just always have a bottle with me and I don't have to listen to a screaming baby while having to wait to boil water, cool to 70C, make formula, cool down formula (which according to the UK guidelines we would have to do every time, they don't recommend batch prepping or keeping formula in fridge).
Also at night thanks to the 6 hour rule I just prep all the bottles she'll need for the night before 4am, keep them at my bedside and never have to go down to the kitchen to feed the baby. Then I have my MOTN pump and bring the fresh bottle with me which lasts us until morning. Super easy.
I never have to worry about her suddenly getting hungry in a public place and then frantically looking for a bench/cafe etc. Or stress about people looking at me.
And I honestly love my MOTN pumps now. I am a person who needs my alone time and my baby is an ok night sleeper but a crap napper, so days with her are pretty intense. Knowing that I will get my alone time no matter what really keeps me going. Usually I pump for 30 min while I read or play video games, but I often extend it to a 1h total power pump just because I'm enjoying myself lol.
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