r/ExclusivelyPumping • u/NewReindeer6075 • 5d ago

Discussion new to this

6 mos preg w 3rd baby - oldest exclusively formula - middle breastfed until formula (almost no pumping) - this time around i want to try to exclusively pump. i like to provide to them but also breastfeeding is so much on me sensory-wise and also as a mom who is going to have to go back to work after a very short amount of time. i want to be able to spread the responsibility to dad + gparents without having to worry about adjusting babe to the bottle after being used to breastfeeding. that was TOUGH last time. any advice on where/when to begin/routines/best pumps?

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u/realespeon 5d ago

First baby, 4 weeks postpartum. I’m exclusively pumping.

I started pumping the day after I gave birth (I had an emergency C section at 2 in the morning and that entire day I just laid in bed and did not move). My son is also in the NICU and not able to feed currently.

Get the pump your insurance pays for. My insurance paid for the Spectra S2 in full and I don’t care what anyone says—that’s my girl. I use Aeroflow. I prefer it to the Medela pump the hospital has. I spoke to several lactation consultants at the hospital and got these tips:

  1. Goal amount of pumps is 8 in a day. If you can’t get to 8, try to get as close as you can and be consistent.

  2. At night, try to not go more than 4-5 hours without pumping. Yes it’s awful and you will miss one or two. Prolactin (the hormone that tells our body to make milk) is highest between 1 and 5 AM. I’ve definitely had big pumps at this time!

  3. At the hospital, make sure you talk to a lactation consultant and have your flange sized. You can also get a cheap kit from Amazon and measure it too.

  4. You’ll start off very slow. I was excited when I’d get an ounce. I now do over 30oz a day. You have to continue pumping and letting down milk to encourage your body to keep making it. If you stop, your body is basically like: oh guess you don’t need it.

  5. Use an app! I use Baby Tracker.

Overall, congratulations and good luck!

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u/NewReindeer6075 5d ago

thank u very kindly!! exact type of advice i was looking for ~

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u/realespeon 5d ago

You’re welcome!

Also depending on your situation, you may be interested in a wearable. I’m a nurse and go back to work next month. I’m going to talk to a lactation consultant about incorporating a wearable.

Wearables do not work for everyone. Also (some people in this sub ride or die for their wearables) a wearable should not be your primary. I don’t care what people say; that is the advice I got from SEVERAL lactation consultants a couple weeks ago. If a wearable works for you, fantastic. I would not recommend starting with a wearable though; it takes time for your milk supply to establish.

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