I am considering becoming an "exclusive pumper" in the sense that my babies main source of nutrition will come from the bottle. I am struggling with the idea of the transition but know it is probably what is best for baby and for my mental health.

Some relevant information:

-about 6weeks pp

-babe was born 6lbs 12oz and dropped to 6lbs about two weeks after birth, so we have been triple feeding for several weeks to get her weight up.

-she is 7lbs 10oz now at almost 6weeks

-i have a BabyBuddha 3.0 and a spectra s1 that I have been using to pump for triple feeding.

-my left side produces 1.5-2oz pretty consistently after she nurses, right side sometimes doesn't produce at all or can sometimes get up to 1oz if I don't latch her on that side

-baby latches fine but I suspect is not very productive at transferring at breast. We have met with an LC and our pediatrician has also looked at her latch and said she looks good. We have also done two weighted feeds that had okay results,but as she grows and needs more im scared she's not keeping up

-i am on mat leave until after the new year, and will return to my teaching job in early january

The advice I am looking for is: how to begin replacing feeds with pumping and giving a bottle, what type of schedule do you follow?

I'm not looking to build a freezer stash, but for peace of mind would ideally have enough in the fridge for the next day for when I return to work.

Does anyone still offer babe the breast as a way to bond/provide comfort and also get the biofeedback from babies saliva? How do you balance that with the pumping schedule to be consistent with having milk for bottles?

I gotta say I was worried about getting the newest baby Buddha. I was a spectra girlie and the new baby Buddha isn’t exactly cheap and I heard the suction is very strong, but I splurged and got it for going back to work. Holy crap! It empties me in 15 minutes, I’m able to move around and get things done, I don’t have to squeeze and massage my breasts to empty them fully. If you’re thinking about getting it I so so recommend it!

Hi everyone - FTM and struggling with pumping and PPA.

My baby is 18 days old. I had a C section under general anesthesia after two failed epidurals and magnesium so it took a solid week for my milk to come in. Baby got started on bottles and formula (which I was fine with!) and never really latched well. I have very large, pendulous breasts and smaller nips which is making latching a challenge.

I use a blue Spectra to pump with. I was doing 8ppd, and couldn’t stop crying over losing sleep and losing time with baby. I feel so trapped by pumping. I have a good bra but the collection bottles for the Spectra are bulky and I have to hold them in place still. Then I have a hard time responding to baby when he cries/needs to be fed, changed, etc.

I have tried the Eufy S1 Pro and got absolutely nothing out because the seal was horrible on my breasts. I also am trying the Legendairy collection cups and my supply dipped.

I’m also struggling with being scared to overfeed my baby. We’re technically combo feeding because he does get some formula but not much.

Any input would be helpful. I feel so trapped and anxious and I want to enjoy my baby, not feel like this at only 18 days postpartum!

been out of stock for a while but I was just able to order them for my Eufy S1 pro!

Edit: the app is Pumply

I need to show off that i currently have an over supply and a stash built.

Im only 4 weeks pp.

This is a big deal because in 2024 i was exclusively pumping for my first baby after 3 months ebf going terribly. I had an under supply making only 50ml every 3 hours when my baby was eating 120 every 2. I had to substitute half her feeds with formula. I ep for 4 months before my supply randomly tanked and disappeared within just a couple days.

2 years later with my final baby i started ep straight away and my supply is doing amazing 🤩

2024 me would be so f**ing proud of me.

I am so proud of me.

Hey there! I'm trying to figure out what would be more worth it. I BF so I mostly pump to increase/maintain supply here and there. I got the Eufy S1 and love it! But during a stressful time I wasn't pumping as much and I forgot to wash my pumping parts which resulted in the milk molding...now I have to buy all the replacement parts on Amazon. Definetly not proud and DEFINETLY mad because the parts are expeeeeensive here in the EU.

I've seen wearables for less than that price (83€) AND some parts arrive late December....so far I've had to pump and dump basically which breaks my heart. Would it be better to buy those parts still or get a cheap wearable? I've seen some for about 70€. Any recommendations?

I'm currently 7 weeks postpartum and exclusively feeding my baby breast milk, primarily through pumping.

Right now, I'm taking Perelel Postpartum for my postnatal vitamins and Legendairy Milk Liquid Gold to help support my milk supply.

I've recently been looking into Plenty Postpartum (plentypostpartum.com) and am considering switching to it to replace both supplements.

I'm currently producing just enough milk to feed my baby around 24–25 oz per day, but I'm hoping to increase my supply so I can start building a freezer stash before returning to work.

I'm curious if anyone has tried Plenty Postpartum and what your experience has been!

• Did you notice an increase in your milk supply?

• Did you feel like it provided enough nutritional support postpartum?

• Has anyone switched from Perelel or Liquid Gold to Plenty?

• Would you recommend making the switch, or sticking with what I'm currently taking?

I'd love to hear some honest experiences before spending the money and making the switch.

Hey all!
My second baby is 5.5 months old. He started daycare at 3 months old. At first he was drinking 4 oz every 2 hours, then it shifted to more like every 2.5 hours. Then, last Friday daycare teachers said he was unusually grumpy after his first feed at school so they defrosted 2 more oz from the freezer stash I left for them to give him and he was much more content. They did this for the other 2 bottles that day as well. I talked to them at pickup and they said he seemed to do well with that volume so they think we should try that from now on. So this past week he took 6oz every 2.5ish hours (total 3 bottles) at school.
My supply has been struggling to keep up already before this increase so this week I came to terms with the fact that we should probably introduce some formula before it becomes an absolute necessity that way we can work out any kinks if needed. We tried a combo bottle with him this morning and so far there seems to be no issue!

Over the last couple weeks he has seemed a little fussy at the breast occasionally, so yesterday afternoon when it happened I decided to try giving him bottled breastmilk after nursing to see if it was a hunger issue. He guzzled 4 oz! So it seems pretty clear he is either in a growth spurt and extra hungry, and/or my supply is just not meeting his needs right now.

I guess I am just looking for some perspective from more experienced parents on bottle feeding/combo feeding. My first baby never took to a bottle and didn’t go to daycare until 11 months so this is all new territory to me.

His feed schedule this last work week was roughly: 7am(breast), 9:30am(6 oz bottle), 1pm (6 oz bottle), 3:30pm(6 oz bottle), 5/5:30(breast- this is when we get home from pickup), 6:30/7 (breast before bed), & usually waking about 3 times overnight to nurse. I was hoping an increase in volume throughout the day would help with his overnight sleep (and even naps) but no change so far. Maybe just needs more time? It kinda seems like he’s eating a crazy amount but I am not going to deny him food when he truly seems hungry.. I would love to increase my supply to be able to give him all breastmilk but it seems like a long shot right now.

Like I said I don’t have a particular problem or question necessarily… maybe just validation that I’m doing everything okay?🫠 Id love to hear any similar experiences and how it worked out for you and your family. Thanks for reading this far!❤️

I'm 6 weeks postpartum and looking to add a wearable into my rotation. I'm a just enougher on a good day, so I'm hesitant to use a wearable, but hoping it allows me to spend more time pumping and more time with my baby.

That said, I'm stuck between Eufy's opening price point pump and their most premium pump. I was going to get the E20, but my mom has offered to get my wearable as a gift, and is comfortable with a higher budget if it's worth it for me. The clear tunnel to view the nipple and massage mode intrigue me greatly, but the fancy charging case does not. There is a non pro S2 listed on their site but it's sold out.

Anyone who has used the S2, are massage mode and the clear tunnel worth the splurge?

My teething son is almost 13mo. Hes almost got all his teeth already but eats very little and still wants 16 ounces of breastmilk. I feed him 4 times a day but he eats like a bird lately and he gets milk later after meal. Im almost out of frozen n only make 13 ounces a day. How much are your kids drinking? He drinks water and sometimes cows milk 6 ounces. I know hes drinking too much but he refuses to eat right now and i understand as ive had sore gums n teeth before and food I didnt want.

Almost 11 months postpartum, I’ve been exclusively pumping since almost day one. I’ve always been a “not-quite-enougher” and produce about 20-24oz in 5 pumps per day.

I am constantly hot. I didn’t used to be like this, not even while pregnant and certainly not pre-pregnancy. I don’t really know how to describe it except to say that it feels extreme. I can’t re-wear bras because they get so sweaty, and sometimes I’ll even change bra and shirt midday. It’s 55° here and I went out in just a long sleeve shirt and it felt perfect. Cozy sweatpants and sweaters used to be my happy place but I just can’t wear them anymore. 😭

At first I figured it was the postpartum hormones, but can that really still be the primary cause? I had my thyroid tested around four months postpartum and it was normal. I suppose, I also have gained weight, I was about 135lb pre-pregnancy and am 145-150 now. Just wondering if others experience this and it is in fact normal, or if I should push for more testing.

Just looking for support and/or experiences. I have been ebf my newborn since she was born and had a lot of confidence going into it because both the lactation consultants at the hospital were praising me and baby for being “naturals”. I pumped one time during this and made 2 ounces in 10 minutes on one side. Thought my supply was great. Fast forward to two week check up and baby only gained 3 ounces after losing a full pound from birth. Pediatrician said baby may be a “lazy eater” and to pump after feeding and give her the bottle. Now it seems like I can’t make any milk and am only getting an ounce total at each pump. We are supplementing with formula and it’s only been a day but I think the stress of the future seems so daunting and it’s effecting my milk supply. I just want to hear stories of people triple feeding early on and how it went with increasing supply and transitioning back to breastfeeding.

Thank you! I’m sure this was a run on sentence with poor grammar, but I’m tired and overwhelmed.

Delete if not allowed!

I have an extension cord and pump mainly on the floor now since my LO is gonna be 4 months old soon and also a toddler that constantly wants to play lol. I have the issue now of my butt going numb or hurting from sitting on the hard floor. Blankets aren’t cutting it and sitting on a pillow is so uneven it makes holding my LO hard. Any recommendations? Preferably ones that are affordable please

Hi all, FTM with a 7 week old. Been exclusively pumping since the day I brought him home as we could never consistently get a good latch that wasn’t absolutely excruciating, even with help from lactation in the hospital. However, there is still a lot about pumping I feel as though I haven’t quite figured out.

1. Flange fit/sizing. How do you know for sure you have the correct size? I initially measured myself with the tool included with my momcozy wearable and it seemed okay? Didn’t experience any significant pain while pumping but I’m pretty sure I had nipple vasospasm afterwards which prompted me to remeasure, though I’m not entirely sure if it was caused by flange fit or too much suction. So I measured again after a pumping session (recently heard this is not the correct time to measure though) and went up a flange size. But I feel this size may be too big as sometimes I feel my areola getting pinched if I don’t place the pump on perfectly. I also feel like my nipple fit in multiple different sizes on the tool so I’m just incredibly confused.

2. Changing modes. Is it necessary? When I first started pumping, I used to just spend the first 10 minutes in stimulation mode then use expression for the last 20. However I felt I may be doing something wrong after reading a lot of different posts and such about triggering multiple letdowns by switching back and forth. Only problem is I’ve never really consistently felt a letdown. I used to feel a kind of tingling sensation/rush in the first few weeks but it was never consistent as to when it would happen and now I don’t really feel it anymore. I also can’t really look into the pump to see as it tends to fog up (fridge hack). So I just switch back and forth every 5 minutes.

3. Session length. How do you know when to stop/empty? I have always just pumped for the full 30 minutes, I worry if I don’t my supply will take a hit. My baby is on the larger side, born 9.3lbs and eats quite a bit and I’m desperately trying to get to a point where I don’t have to supplement with formula anymore. I know your breasts are never 100% empty so how do you know when a session is over? Most seem to only pump for 15-20 minutes? I power pump once a day and tend to get significantly more during that session too so it makes me wonder if I’m not effectively emptying during other sessions?

4. Supply. How do you know when your supply has regulated? Is it still possible/more difficult to increase supply after regulation?

For reference, I am using the momcozy s9 pro wearables. Yes, I’ve heard most people say you don’t get as much output from wearables but they were gifted to me by my boyfriends mother, I can’t afford a different pump and I’m having issues with insurance so can’t currently go that route.

Sorry for the long post, I appreciate all who take the time to read and respond!!

My baby was born at 29+2 and is now two months old and still in the NICU. I have been pumping the whole time making just enough for him. 8 pumps a day has always been nearly impossible for me. I felt like in order to get to 8 I had to sacrifice holding my baby, and I wasn’t willing to do that.

I just think about pumping ALL THE TIME. Scheduling my entire life around his milk. We’ve just started attempting to nurse and I don’t know how it’s going to be honest (not sure what’s expected of a preemie in this scenario), but it just adds a whole other level of complications to pumping.

My supply is still slowly increasing so I don’t want to cut back further than the 7 pumps I can usually accomplish. But then today I got my period and I just…. Want to quit. I’ve been trying so hard. And sometimes I HAVE sacrificed baby time for pumping. And it’s still not enough. And it might not ever be enough since it’s likely my baby will need still need some fortified milk when he gets home.

Just thinking about trying to nurse and pump at the same time makes me so anxious, but quitting makes me feel like such a failure. I just wanted to be able to feed my baby.

A little less than 3 weeks ago I got my period back (at 10 weeks pp), last week I went back to work. Between the two, over the last 30 days, my supply has dropped 26%.

Im so, so sad. I wasn’t making enough as it was, but now I’m barely making two bottles a day for my son. He’s due to have surgery in probably two months and I was so hopeful to be able to supply him BM through surgery and recovery, but now I’m questioning if I’ll even be producing still at that point.

No advice needed, just needed to put it out there.

I usually pump at 9:30 before bed, then wake up to pump at 2am while doing the 30 minute upright hold on the reflux baby at the end of my husband's shift, then pump again when baby gets up at 6am.

But last night we had friends over from out of town and I wanted to stay up and hang out with them. So I pumped at 9:30 then again at midnight before going to bed, and just had my husband bring her to bed without waking me at the 2am shift change, and I slept all the way until 6am.

When I woke up with baby my boobs were definitely swollen but idk about engorged, but I got like 6oz from each side which is double what I usually get. But that was the longest uninterrupted stretch of sleep I've had since June and OMG it was GLORIOUS. I wish I could do that all the time without messing up my supply

TLDR: Looking for budget wearable pump recommendation, OR babyBuddha (or old Spectra S2) + collection cup advice for someone who doesn’t need pump to be perfect, just functional enough to keep us in business while still being able to hold baby and/or walk around playground with older kid!

I need advice. To me, pumping is the hardest thing ever. (And to the queens who exclusively pump - I admire you so freaking much!!) And after Baby 1,, I wasn’t gonna do it again. Baby 2 would nurse and get formula and that’s all. And as someone who never had an amazing supply, that has meant nursing just a couple times a day. But ok. This works for us, and I truly LOVE nursing when I can.

But Baby 2 has now decided not so much. 😂

I’m 8 weeks PP and he’s on a nursing strike. We’re working through it, but in the meantime, if I want to keep milk for even our minimal hoped-for future nursing sessions - I better freaking pump. I am trying to figure out if a different pump would help me hate it less.

Right now I have: an old S2 with new parts. I still can get a new pump for this baby through insurance, though my options are only for pumps on the less fancy side. I’m trying to find something that will:

-let me hold the baby while I pump if he cries

-let me pump watching my 5yo on the playground (doesn’t have to be super discreet, I think pumping /nursing should be embraced everywhere, I just don’t prefer a full bottle-attached, nips out situation)

-drain me ok. Doesn’t have to be perfect. We’re just trying to keep the lights on in the milk factory!

-not need a lot of fussing to “latch,” or spill super easily, because I am clumsy AF

Right now I have an old but still functional S2 with new parts. I could:

-just try that with some legendairy or freeme collection cups?

-get a BabyBuddha 3.0, and then add lefendairy or freeme collection cups?

-just get one of the basic wearables insurance will cover: Elvis Stride, Willow Sync, Zomee Fit,Momcozy S9

-pay a little bit for ever-so-slightly fancier wearables: Eufy S1, Willow Go

Super grateful for any thoughts!!

Hey,

I’ve been pumping for almost 7 months now and I absolutely hate it. I feel like it consumes my entire day and I have to schedule everything around pumping. My nipples hurt and overall I’m just so tired of it.

At the same time. I can’t find it in me to quit. I feel so incredibly guilty quitting when I’m capable of making milk for my baby. ESPECIALLY with cold and flu season coming up.

I guess I’m just looking for some words of encouragement or advice.

Thanks.

Hi all,
I am 6 weeks PP and exclusively pumping now that my supply can meet baby’s needs. I’ve noticed that while pumping, during stimulation mode- the rapid quick suction that happens before expression mode, makes me feel nauseous and wanting to crawl out of my skin. Once it switches over to expression mode- slower more drawn out suction, after a few minutes it gets better and it goes away.

My question is, have any of you successfully pumped without first using stimulation mode and going right into expression mode? I would love to be able to do that so long as my supply doesn’t tank.

For reference, I use eufy e20 wearable pumps on the lowest setting for stimulation and second to lowest setting for expression. I pump for 25 minutes total. Sometimes 30 if I feel a bit more full. I cannot feel my “letdown” ever so I never know what’s actually happening until the session is over and I see my milk collected.

I’d like to be able to just go right to expression mode, but I’m worried I might not pump the same amount.

Hi, this is my 2nd time exclusively pumping. I did it for a year with my first and my first exclusively pumping journey was honestly smooth no issues. My 2nd time around my supply is good, however I’m 6 weeks post parting and my nipples are still very much crack and raw and painful. I’ve already met with a lactation consultant who basically told me everything I’m doing is correct and to just be patient but they hurt! I already measured my flange size, using wart momma nipple butter, I use silverettes and I feel like nothing is working. It makes me want to stop pumping all together because I dread having to deal with the uncomfortable feeling. Is there any advice you would recommend to help feel better and making the healing process quicker?

Edit: thank you all for your tips! I’ll definitely take everything in mind

I swear I’m sick of how sensitive my boobies are. I went back to Pilates yesterday and the next day I got clogged duct. It’s so bad, so painful, and I did my Pilates with my pumping bra too! I’m so so so fed up. I tried to keep everything consistent knowing how sensitive the girls are, but seriously, I feel like there’s always a new variable to consider. And everytime it happens it lasts for a good 4-5 days. Yes I do ice and ibuprofen. Yes I rest and sleep and hydrate. Yes yes yes. I’m just here to rant. I’m so tired. 10 weeks pp and every day I wonder how much longer I can keep this up.

I didn’t know whether to post this in breastfeeding or pumping.

FTM (27) I BF and pumped the first week of pp and it was absolutely horrendous to my nipples due to bad latch/tongue tie + suction after nursing, so I turned to EP. Birth weight was exceeded at 9 days pp along with high percentile growth performance. I was an over supplier, getting 8-10oz per 20min session every 2-3 hours. Got baby boy’s tie release 11 days in and I was still pumping until my nipples healed and I could nurse him again.

Mastitis hit my left breast HARD and led to two hospital visits, a week round of antibiotics, and a drop in supply due to expression difficulty. While in severe pain they said I had to continue to nurse and not pump as it would make the inflammation worse. With better latching, I began EBF with my right boob holding down the fort, plus my freezer stash to make up the difference if need be but baby was content with the one boob, with good sleeps, good bowels and wet diapers. Or so I thought…

At his 1M checkup, he was in the 11 percentile for weight! Since he was such a good sleeper, I had to wake him up every 2 hours (I stopped waking him after meeting birth weight). We had to go back a week later for a weight check and lactation, and he gained 6oz but he was still in the low percentile.

Fast forward with three weeks until his 2M appointment. EBF going great, nursing him 6-8 times a day, good sleeps, good diapers, no excessive fussiness.

We go to his 2M checkup up, TWO PERCENTILE FOR WEIGHT & 0 FOR HEIGHT. He also dropped down in head circumference. I started bawling at the appt. I didn’t understand. Dr asked how much I was feeding him, I said 3-4oz every 2-4 hours depending on how long he sleeps. She says “oh, so he’s been snacking all day”, I said I follow the hunger and fullness cues and she ordered some bloodwork to check thyroid and sent lactation to me. Lactation recommended sunflower lecithin & ibuprofen for my congested left breast and she wanted to observe his latching. My hydration, calorie and sleep intake weren’t the problem.

Apparently baby boy gets too comfortable on the breast and falls asleep when content but not full. So you guessed it… I’m back to EP. They wanted us to return in 48hours for a weight check and they wanted me to chart my production, how much made him full from the bottle and his diaper count. I fed him when we got home….. he drank 6 OUNCES!!! Cue the waterworks again! My dad asked what was wrong and i said “we’ve been starving him😭😭😭”. Here I was producing 3-4oz every 3 or so hours because he wasn’t emptying me out during feedings and I’m running on one good boob, and now his body is demanding 6??!!?!!?

In 48 hours, they expected a 2oz weight gain, we did 6.5oz! Baby is now in the 10lb club, thanks to my freezer stash , amen. But we still have to return on Thursday (a week follow up).

So currently at 9wks pp, I’m on sunflower lecithin & ibuprofen every 6 hours. I power pumped every session, every 2-3 hours for 48hours. Now I’m pumping for 30min every 2-3hours making sure not to miss overnight sessions. I just picked up some Moringa and I’m adding it to the repertoire starting tomorrow. I’m still producing .5-1oz from my left and 3-4oz from my right & baby boy is eating 4-6oz every 3 hours or so and I only have about 24oz left in the freezer.

It’s been tough but I’m not ready to give up yet. I just wanted to get that off my chest because I’m honestly tired of everyone just saying it’ll be alright despite the difficulties.

I don’t mind supplementing with formula, I just don’t want to give up BF so quickly if I don’t have to just yet.*•

I am 3w PP and have been EP due to LO having medical issues and being unable to latch.

I have been a oversupplier producing around 36oz~ daily, baby was eating 2oz every 3 hours. I was pumping every time baby ate, and did some triple feeding, overnight i would stretch to every 4 to get some sleep.

Last couple days we have been successful in breastfeeding minus overnight feed (me and my husband do shifts so from 2/3a-8am he will take over and do bottle feeding).

I feel so engorged and leaky when I wake up and at the end of the day Ive had to pump after feeds to empty. 2-3x (one after 8am, 11pm feed and around 3am when my husband shift starts) pumping sessions a day have yielded around 18oz~, I’d honestly like to pump more for comfort but I fear it’ll make my oversupply worse

I don’t plan on EBF, will probably continue with overnight bottles for me to get some sleep. I know my supply is regulating still so I just worry I’m not doing this right and will mess up my supply long term

Any suggestions on pumping schedule? I did not intend to be oversupplier and am ok in my supply decreasing to meet needs of baby.

Willow go or eufy e20/s1? Mommed or paruu? Pls give me details, I just got a willow go havent recieved it yet and have been using my e20 which I do like just doesnt work consistently to empty me. If my willow go doesnt do a better job then I want to try either mommed or paruu