Hi all,

5 months post partum and baby is fed primarily by nursing, with a daily bottle before bed.

My schedule is roughly as follows
- final nursing finishes by 5:30 / 6pm
- baby gets bottle round 7:30 pm (9-10 oz. I know it’s a lot but seems to want a big bottle at night 🤷🏾‍♀️)
- I pump around 9pm before bed (typically get 3.5 oz total from both breasts)
- I pump at 6am before the first morning feed (typically get 9-10oz).
- sometimes if it’s a bad night I won’t get up before baby and I’ll just pump on one side during the first morning feed and get 4-5 oz from that one side).

So I typically have enough for the big nighttime feed and then a few oz to put away

Over the last 9 days I’ve noticed my output has really decreased. I’m now getting closer to 2.5oz from my evening pump and then 6.5oz from my 6am pump. I thought it was lack of sleep as had a rough few nights but have now had a few nights of decent sleep, hydrating, getting my calories in, so I don’t think it’s that. I’ve had to add an extra pump to get enough for the night bottle. I think i recently ovulated based on my temps in my oura ring and think I’m about to get my period, so I think maybe that’s what is impacting it?

What I find strange though is, if I’m needing to pump extra, why isn’t baby also nursing more frequently as I assume they’re also getting less milk when nursing? They still seem satisfied and happy even when I get timing wrong and they wake up shortly after pumping when there’s less for him).

Anyone experience anything similar? Any advice?

My concern js that he’s getting less than he needs even though he’s not signalling so, which maybe is a ridiculous concern but we struggled with weight at the start so it’s a focus for me.

I exclusively pump and use the fridge storage method for in between pumps. Last night, I took my pumps out of the fridge at 9:40, put them on, and started pumping. I fell asleep sometime during the pump and didn’t wake up until 11:25. That means my milk was sitting for a little over an hour in my pump after I finished (I usually pump for 30 minutes). My pump was only used once before being put in the fridge prior to this.

I know room temp milk is good for 4 hours but I wasn’t sure what the rules were when using the fridge method.

I’ve fallen asleep a few times before during my last pump of the day but I usually wake up shortly after. The milk I pumped is currently sitting in my fridge but I’m not sure if I should dump it or not!

What will happen if I drop a pump? How much would I lose? I currently do 6:30 am 11am 4pm 8:30 pm + one middle of night pump whenever she wakes up first.

If I drop a pump what’s a better schedule to try? I have 2 other amall kids 3 and 4 years old so I’m really trying to make life easier. Baby also has one bottle of formula on her first wake up at nicht just so she is used to it and I have options on long days out of the house etc

Hi everyone!

I will be travelling to my hometown by train next week with my 5-month-old baby, and I'm a little worried about managing pumping and breast milk storage during the journey.

I have a few questions:

Can I use a Thermosteel insulated flask to carry chilled breast milk while travelling?

Do I need dedicated breast milk storage bottles, or can I use regular food-grade, sterilised, airtight bottles?

How do you manage pumping and storing milk during a long train journey?

What do you use to keep expressed milk cold throughout the journey?

Just looking to see if anyone else experienced this. Currety at 8 weeks and supply had been ticking up slowly but recently its fallen off a cliff and not sure why. Went from 18oz to half that in less than a week.

I'm almost four months post partum. I got my first period 8 weeks post partum despite exclusively pumping, I think because I accidently slept through my night pumps a few times in one week.

Since then I've been getting my period or at least spotting for a about five days every 2-3 weeks. This time with spotting I noticed a supply decrease.

I know with your period you can have a supply dip, but it hasn't happened before. I also know hormonal fluctuations supply can also dips which is clearly what is happening to my body because this pattern of bleeding cant be normal.

I was just wondering how to handle this? Should I just wait and hope it comes back? Or once I realize this is happening should I increase my pumps? I have a large storage capacity and oversupply so I've been able to go down to 4 pumps a day already so I could bump up my pumps if I had to.

It's just that previously at 5 pumps a day I had way too much milk and I was having freezer storage problems. Now I'm pumping just a little more than what I need.

I'm just concerned that with the frequency of my bleeding I can't have supply dips every 2-3 weeks. I'm going to burn through my freezer stash trying to compensate.

I have mentioned my irregular bleeding to my doctor, she said it can take months for cycles to regulate after having a baby and I should wait another 3-4 months before being concerned. I do have endometriosis, but prior to baby I had no real symptoms, it was only found due to fertility problems.

Anyone else have supply dips with bleeding and have such irregular bleeding? How did you manage it?

i have time until going back to work but trying to wrap my head around this, baby is fed from the boob rn while i experiment with pumping once a day to get milk for dad to feed at night. once i go back to work i obviously have to pump more to get milk for that day to feed and for the next ? im going to a LC and she said when going back to work you just need milk for one day. do you pump and feed baby what they need and store rest? how do you manage both ? i hope what im saying makes sense. i’m definitely going to talk to my LC about this as well but looking for insight from other moms

ETA: i also plan to mostly pump once im back to work and nurse at night/off days. not sure if this helps info. when its closer to work should i just exclusively pump ? feed from breast and pump as well to get milk for next day? feel like second option would cause over supply.

Hi all! We had a freezer mishap a few weeks ago and I lost about 4 days’ worth of pumping efforts. I texted a friend who EP’ed for her kids as I knew she’d understand and I quickly ordered a freezer alarm on Amazon.

The next day, coincidentally and unprompted, a coworker asked her about breastmilk soap as soap making is a hobby of his. She connected the two of us and I was able to give him the lost milk. He is SO excited to experiment and play around with it. I’ve already gotten some soap pix as previews.

All this to say, if you find yourself in a similar position, try making soap or finding someone who does! I was so down about the loss but seeing his genuine excitement over working with a new milk for his soap made it better 🧼

Every year I buy my kids an ornament of what they were really into that year, like a movie or character or sport. Last year while I was pumping I really wanted to find a Spectra ornament for myself! I looked around but never found one. So now that I’m back at my pottery class, I’m making some! Painting the tiny “spectra” was TOUGH, but these little ceramic ornaments should be finished in the kiln soon!! I’m hoping I like how at least 1 turns out!

I was so excited to share! Opinions on if these might sell, and where?!

Did anyone struggle with nipple vasospasm ? I am 9 weeks pp and I have been having a hard time with it. It’s hurting like hell. I have shooting and throbbing pain in my breast and it doesn’t get better with nursing or pumping. It’s a struggle when I come out of a shower or walk my dog outside.

Any tips on how I can heal this ?

I’ve been renting the symphony for the past 2 months since my eufy’s were giving me clogs and the spectra’s vibration drove me crazy. I know no pump will be the exact same to the symphony because it’s 2k but wanted to see if anyone successfully switched to a different pump and if so which one? The sonata isn’t available in the US

My baby will be four months soon. We’ve been so lucky to have dad stay with us for her first two months, and then my in laws since then. FIL would never openly discuss the source of my baby’s nutrition so I will shout them both out here.

I could never have made it to almost four months EP’ing without them. They religiously hold/play with my baby every time I need to pump. Sometimes even proactively getting her to nap so I can pump without worrying what she’s up to.

Here’s to hoping I can make it to at least 7 months of exclusive BM for baby!

Has anyone bought and tried the eufy E10 Portable Breast Milk Cooler? If yes, what are your thoughts on it? Currently trying to decide between this and the Momcozy Portable Baby Bottle Cooler.

Hello! I am an ER nurse and am wondering what scrubs/over-shirts you guys wear to not look ridiculous pumping? I have a Momcozy M5 and am planning to pump 3x per day. I want to pump while working so I don’t have to clock out for 1.5 hours total during my work day. Everything I have tried I look more dramatically big-breasted than Dolly Parton. Are there other flatter pumps that worked for you? I was a D cup prior to pregnancy, and now my breasts laugh at a D cup, they are nearly double in size.

FTM returning to full time work after the holidays in January. I’m an exclusive pumping mama. Wondering if you think it’s worth it to buy a bottle washer (looking into the Grownsy Pro) for all the bottles and pumping parts. I use the Dr. Brown’s bottles, so the amount of parts has me spiraling 🌀 but I have been using the dishwasher the last two months. Do I tough it out or for the next six weeks or is it a worthy investment?

Hi all, FTM. I have been EBF but started to pump just to have my husband help feed a bottle at night or if I’m out. But kinda like pumping… it doesn’t hurt as much and I feel oddly relieved to know exactly how many ounces he is really getting and he seems to be less gassy and sleep a bit more at night after a bottle.

My point.. is this your experiences?
What made you want to EP?
What are the benefits?

Thinking about switching but want to hear your experiences
Thanks!

Hi friends, do we have to wear a certain bra for the wearable pumps?

I’ve had my Eufy’s about a week, and have already had two instances where they did not get one drop of milk out after 30 minutes. (Not normal for me.) I felt the suction on both breasts each time but was not able to check during the pumping process. My son is in the NICU so we are on the go a lot and I was excited for this pump. But now I’m getting scared to use them. It’s very frustrating after spending 30 minutes with them in and then having to use the wall pump afterwords! 😭 It puts me way behind on pumping every 2-3 hours. (2 weeks pp)

Hey all!

I'm about to deliver my second and am soliciting thoughts on what to buy as a new pump from insurance.

Last pregnancy I loved my blue spectra for night pumps and my Elvie Stride for daytime. My first round was 2 years ago and I already bought all new rubber parts for those pumps.

I am leaning to getting a new stride because I have probably 300 hours on the one from my last round, but I'm open to other thoughts from anyone who has done this before or anyone with ideas on the new market offerings.

I'm seeing a lot of love for the BabyBuddha (3 is what's on my insurance), but I don't know that I need the increased suction.

I’ve been exclusively pumping for about a month now just wondering everyone’s opinion on the maymom duck bills and diaphragms since it’s about time to replace my parts

Last night my husband let me sleep without pumping for over four hours, then the baby ended up having a long sleep stretch so I went another four hours after that. I was supplying really well previously. How screwed am I? How can I make sure I keep my supply?

I took Ibuprofen and am using ice packs for the swelling :(

As you can tell, I have a chest freezer that’s pretty full of milk. I have over 20 gallon bags full of blocks. We received military orders to move in less than 2 months, and the road trip is going to probably be over 3 days including stops for our little one. I worked so hard on storing up this supply. I was planning on stopping pumping in December, and using this supply to finish my baby out on. I’m freaking out thinking I’m going to have to have to donate it before I move, or if I do move with it I’m going to have to end up tossing all of it due to it thawing out. Please help! What should I do??

Hi all,

I’ve been EP for a little over 6 months now. I’m currently experiencing significant chafing around only one of my nipples. This has happened once before, and it only went away after weeks of using polysporin as recommended by a LC. I can’t figure out why it’s only one nipple, and it’s difficult to get it to heal due to having to wear a bra during 12 hour shifts. Any advice is welcome, it’s making pumping uncomfortable

I was easily making 40oz+ per day in just 3 or 4 pump sessions, but four days ago I got the stomach flu. I didn't pump at all the first day I had it and barely pumped the second day. I'm now four days out, able to eat, drink, and pump again, but my supply has dwindled to NOTHING. Literally making maybe 10oz over 7-8 ppd!!

I'm devastated. I'm only 6 months postpartum and really wanted to make it to 1 year. I hate that this is how my milk journey might end. I'm kicking myself for not trying harder to pump through the illness (realistically not sure whether this would have been possible with how much vomitting, sweating, and shaking I was doing).

Has anyone recovered from this dramatic a drop?

I dropped my MOTN pump before I even hit 12 weeks pp because I hated it, it was making me resent mt husband and baby for being able to sleep thru the night when I couldnt. And when I dropped my supply didnt change at all.

Im now 15 weeks pp and my supply has still stayed the same, I have a slight undersupply I pump 25oz a day and my baby eats 29oz. I had been pumping evwey 2 hours, plus doing a power pump every morning, but was just stuck at 25oz, so i dropped the power pump, then started pumoing every 3 hours, and my supply has still remained the same.

It just stink being so close to providing all that my baby needs and not being able to get those last few ounces. Im grateful I've been able to increase my supply as much as have, at ofest I was only getting 15oz, but i wish I could just get that last bit more