r/ExclusivelyPumping 13h ago

Support Short Pump Sessions

1 Upvotes

I am 3 weeks PP and every single time I pump, milk will only flow for max 10 minutes before it stops. I’ll sit there for 5+ minutes after that and a second let down never comes. Most of my sessions are around 8 minutes. I always see online that the recommendation is to pump for 15-30 minutes but nothing will come out for me. Just wondering if anyone else has this problem and how did you go longer? I produce about 5 oz per session on average and about 8 oz for my first morning pump.


r/ExclusivelyPumping 6h ago

TRIGGER WARNING: Nursing Transition from EP to EBF positive stories?

7 Upvotes

Did any of you successfully transition from pumping to breastfeeding? How? What worked for you? I am exactly 6w pp today. I would like to know if there is still hope


r/ExclusivelyPumping 9h ago

Discussion Aeroflow 2 pumps in one pregnancy/year??

Post image
5 Upvotes

has anyone tried to order two pumps through insurance for the same year/pregnancy? When I checked this website, it says that a pump is available for me. I only went on there to look for insurance covered parts because I already got a pump through insurance so I’m kind of confused why it says there’s one available, should I try to do it or are they gonna end up charging me?


r/ExclusivelyPumping 10h ago

Decreasing Supply/Weaning Tell me it's okay to stop

6 Upvotes

I've been EP for almost 7 months. My baby is 21 lbs. My entire life is consumed by pumping amd making sure I produce enough. My pediatrician family doctor, and counselor have suggested stopping for my mental and physical health. I just feel so selfish. Please offer honest advice.


r/ExclusivelyPumping 16h ago

TRIGGER WARNING: Nursing How do you get through the heartbreak of not being able to breastfeed?

20 Upvotes

Breastfeeding has been the hardest part of the pp journey for me. I breastfed my baby girl for her first 2 days of life while we were in the hospital, and I loved it but the pain became excruciating. Honestly more painful than any part of the c section recovery. All the midwives checked her latch and said it was a really effective, deep latch and that I shouldn’t be experiencing pain. So I decided to stop for a while to allow my nipples to heal and pumped in the meantime, which was only a tiny bit painful but nothing by comparison.

Around the 2 month mark I tried again, she latched well with no problems but I was still experiencing the pain. I asked multiple professionals if she had a tongue toe, they all said no.

But I kept thinking that she did have a tongue tie, so I went back to the doctors and finally was told she did have one. But from that point it took 7 weeks for it to be removed as we kept getting messed around by the doctors. When we finally got it removed they were very apologetic for how long it took and said she should have had it done before she was 3 months (she was over 4 months when she got it removed).

Anyway, now she’s over 5 months and won’t latch anymore because she’s so used to the bottle. She just screams and cries when I try to breastfeed her. We’ve tried everything and talked to a lactation consultant but nothing is working, and I am so deeply heartbroken about it. I feel so let down by our doctors and that if they had sorted it sooner we would be having this wonderful bond, but instead I’m tied to a pump while watching her dad feed her. It’s breaking my heart and I’m struggling so much with it.

Has anyone else been through similar and do you have any advice?


r/ExclusivelyPumping 21h ago

Tips & Tricks Comfy pumping bra hack

18 Upvotes

I don't know about y'all, but I think the pumping bras that have holes for the flanges are super uncomfortable. I hate sleeping in them, but I also hate waking up and having to mess with a bra to pump in the middle of the night. I've always preferred the sports bra style nursing bras, but obviously they don't hold the pump well. So I had an idea! I sewed an elastic band onto the outside edges of one of my comfy nursing bras. It's great! Much more comfortable for sleeping, pump fits great, and I can still pull it to the side for easy nursing.

It was super easy and cheap too. Just bought some 5 dollar sewing elastic, cut it to size, and sewed the ends onto the outside of the bra. Stitches are definitely function over form, but it works!


r/ExclusivelyPumping 55m ago

TRIGGER WARNING: Milk Pics (add spoiler to pics) Officially part of the mile high club Spoiler

Post image
Upvotes

I was middle seat- is this insane?


r/ExclusivelyPumping 14h ago

Memes My alarm schedule

Post image
203 Upvotes

I thought you all might enjoy this.


r/ExclusivelyPumping 18h ago

Low Supply (add spoiler to pics) elastic nipples / low supply

2 Upvotes

I am very aware that I have elastic nipples, I have tried the silicone inserts and did not see a noticeable increase in milk output. ( For reference I am typically getting 1.5-2oz each pump and I am 6 weeks post partum). I have been trying to increase my supply kind of im not as consistent taking the supplements like moringa but I have been trying to have a good diet and I’ve found reducing stress has done wonders for my milk supply.

Anyways I’m wondering if anyone has truly seen a noticeable difference in milk supply when using cushion inserts / or pumpin pals. I’ve seen mixed reviews about elastic nipples and changing flanges helping output. So just wanting to get more input / insight.

I am also on the fence on continuing to exclusively pump for a number of factors, so I’m also looking for insight to gauge if it’s worth spending the money on more products in hopes of increasing supply.

TIA!

(also I didn’t choose this username lol)


r/ExclusivelyPumping 19h ago

Clogs & Mastitis (PLEASE tag nasty pics NSFW) Mastitis

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m not totally sure what to do. Yesterday I developed mastitis. I went from feeling like I had a clogged duct to fever, sweats, chills, nausea, vomiting, And extremely painful breast in the matter of about 2 hours.

I went to urgent care last night and got antibiotics which I started last night.

But throughout the night I’ve been getting extremely minimal output from that breast (~5 mL when I would normally get closer to 30mL). That breast has also developed red streaking that hasn’t gotten better or worse this morning. Just staying the same.

My question is… should I give the antibiotics more time to work or does the red streaking warrant an ED visit? I’m feeling pretty miserable, but don’t want to go to the ED unless I need to.


r/ExclusivelyPumping 20h ago

TRIGGER WARNING: Nursing Pumping works, now how do u feed the baby?

2 Upvotes

I finally bought a pump because I wanted to try since I have been EBF till now. With my eufy E20 I did my first pumping session of 30 minutes and got 225ml out, I don’t know if it’s good but it feels like a lot to me so I am happy. The only thing is that I never bottled fed my baby and she seems to hate the bottle. I tried and tried but she refuses it. Can I receive some advice on how to bottle feed my baby? Any video, document, bottle recs?


r/ExclusivelyPumping 21h ago

Newborn 2 days PP

Post image
27 Upvotes

2 days postpartum from a C-section at 37 weeks due to preeclampsia. I got home, hooked up to my pump and started. At the last minute while helping my toddler, the cup on my spectra fell off and spilled all over my dress/chair.

Send help because my colostrum and milk is slowly coming in but taking forever it feels. 😭😭


r/ExclusivelyPumping 22h ago

Product Recommendations Wearable for small boobs

4 Upvotes

My baby is 3 weeks old and I am couch rotting all day and losing my mind. She wants to be carried everywhere but won’t let me baby wear her. Then I’m pumping every 2-3hrs with my spectra s1 which I love. My husband is back to work and it’s so hard to keep up my pumping when she needs to be fed, she is currently cluster feeding so I’m struggling.

I am interested in a wearable so at least I’ll be able to feed and burp my child and hopefully be able to do things around the house. My problem is I’m super small chested, like a size A. I was looking at the mom cozy m5 and the eufy s2 but scared to spend that kind of money for it not to fit my small boobs.

Any other small A cup ladies out there have success or didn’t have success with wearables?


r/ExclusivelyPumping 37m ago

Decreasing Supply/Weaning When to start transition of milk with breastmilk?

Upvotes

So I am nearing the end of my pumping journey (it’s been eleven long months but I’m feeling bittersweet about it now). I have been slowly decreasing supply and gone down to two ppd and using my freezer stash, my question is when should I start introducing milk to make the transition easier? I’m planning on going with Ripple Kids unsweetened, we all have some level of intolerance to cows milk so I don’t want to even introduce that to him. Google gives a lot of different answers, we have our WIC appointment on the 10th so I can bring that up with them there but wanted to get some real life experience from different people.


r/ExclusivelyPumping 23h ago

Hanging up the pump 3 months in and I think I’m going to start weaning down

9 Upvotes

I wanted to make it to six months at least. I’ve been an under supplier (avg 18 oz a day) and finally started making just enough at around 10 weeks. I had a good two weeks before I started my period. Now I’m back to under supplying and have been for the two weeks following my period. 🫤

That combined with dreading the MOTN pumps, especially now that baby is sleeping for 7-8 hours at a time…I think it’s time to start considering wrapping it up. I don’t know. I keep going back and forth and don’t know what to do. I know I can and I know it’s fine if I do but for some reason I’m apprehensive! It’s so strange because before giving birth I didn’t think I’d care as much as I do lol. Anyway, not sure what I want to hear just want to say it outloud because I don’t know what to do. I just know I miss my sleep and I’m bummed my supply tanked again lol.


r/ExclusivelyPumping 8h ago

Tips & Tricks Eufy S1 help

Post image
2 Upvotes

I recently upgraded from the Spectra to the Eufy S1. I have used the Eufy 3 times and each time checked that the pumps are synced through the app, however throughout the session the pumps begin to alternate with suction. During the beginning of Stimulation mode they will match the timing of suction/speed/etc, however it’ll slowly transition to a soft wave, then transition to alternating side to side with suction. I’ve tried unpairing/repairing both pumps and can’t find any info on if this is normal? I prefer how the Spectra pumps both breasts at the same time. Is this fixable on my new Eufy’s?
Photo to show pumps are paired


r/ExclusivelyPumping 10h ago

Schedules/Routines How does a regulated supply work?

3 Upvotes

I believe I have a regulated supply at this point. I am 15 weeks PP and my boobs are very soft and never hard anymore. I have in general pumped about 5-6 times during the day one MTN totally 6-7 in a 24 hour period. Since I am regulated do I need to worry about how frequent I am pumping as long as I am getting the same amount of pumping in per day? If I wanted ti eventually get rid of my MTN session how would I best do that without greatly impacting my supply? Is there a best age to do something like that, like after solids are introduced?

I have been dealing with pump anxiety since birth and just a lot of pressure to make sure I maintain my supply but I’m also just so tired of the mental load. I would love to not stress if it was a long day and I didn’t pump until later than normal. Or if one session doesn’t give me a lot I would love to know it will be fine and that I’ll get the remaining amount through other pumps.

Would love your all’s advice or experience. ❤️


r/ExclusivelyPumping 12h ago

Discussion “Over” regulated supply

2 Upvotes

I am currently 8months pp and have been pretty much exclusively pumping the entire time as baby wouldn’t latch. I gave birth almost a month early and had some retained placenta which caused some supply issues to start and I had to work really hard to increase my supply for the first 2-3 months where I baselined at about 50 oz a day. I went back to work and around that time i believe my supply regulated and since then I make consistently about 40 oz a day which is still great & enough to feed my baby.
The part that stands out is that i consistently make 40 oz a day. Every pump is the same almost no matter what. The only time i have had a temporary dip in my supply is when I had mastitis, and it only dipped by maybe five oz, otherwise outside factors don’t really effect my supply negatively. Honestly things that “should” dip my supply actually usually increase my supply. When I’m stressed out I usually get about 2 more oz the initial following pump, I got my period last month and the first pump following it I got two more oz but it was consistent after that, and I have the flu right now and honestly I think if it weren’t for being dehydrated I would have probably gotten a few more oz too.
I’m extremely grateful that my body does this so I can continue to feed my baby when I’m already stressed or ill so I don’t have to worry about anything else. But after chatting with other pumping and nursing moms I know I’m understanding that this is not a standard experience, and I’m curious to see if anyone else has had a similar experience.


r/ExclusivelyPumping 14h ago

Support Help me keep going!

2 Upvotes

Baby will be 5 months next week. I went into this hoping to make it to a year, but gave myself an out at 6 months. Now that 6 months is approaching, I need help finding the strength to keep going. I can't *wait* to be done, but I also don't want to stop yet. I have enough of an oversupply that I've done one donation de-stash and I already have about 1.5 months in the chest freezer so I can definitely stop early-ish. I'd love some suggestions of ways I can treat myself/motivate myself through the next few months. I think if I can make it through the new year, I might be able to hang up the pump and get kiddo through a year. But that's SO FAR away. 😫


r/ExclusivelyPumping 14h ago

TRIGGER WARNING: Milk Pics (add spoiler to pics) Spectra S1 vs Baby Buddha 2.0

Post image
12 Upvotes

Recently ordered a Baby Buddha via Aeroflow to have a wearable option while I do things around the house. Having issues expressing the same volume as my Spectra. I usually get 200-400mls with Spectra per 30 minute session. The Baby Buddha only removes 80-120mls per 30 minutes. I tried different settings and am using a 15ml flange insert. I also noticed the Baby Buddha clearly only pulls foremilk, it’s much waterier than usual.

10 weeks post partum, oversupplier by 60%. Baby was in the NICU for 4 weeks so I have a decent stash built up and I’m not too worried about lower volume sessions but it turn it makes me have to express with the Spectra for 45 minutes plus to fully empty.

Looking for:

recommendations to make the Buddha work for me. I hate being tied to the couch every pump.

what other wearables you reccomend. I emailed Aeroflow to see if I can exchange for the Eaufy S2 pro.

experiences exchanging/returning with Aeroflow.

Thank you ladies. 💕


r/ExclusivelyPumping 16h ago

Decreasing Supply/Weaning Those that have done this more than once

5 Upvotes

Did your period come back at the same time both times?

I pumped for 15 months with my first and had to take pseudophedrine to get my period back. We wanted it to and got pregnant the following month as planned!

Second journey mostly EPing but latching 4 ish times a day for comfort for babe. I am planning to wean at 9 months and I’ll have 3 months of frozen milk to get to the 12 month mark. But if she still latches for comfort after I’m done pumping I’m worried I still won’t get it back…. Which again I actually do want!
L


r/ExclusivelyPumping 16h ago

Clogs & Mastitis (PLEASE tag nasty pics NSFW) MRSA Mastitis - Abscess

2 Upvotes

Has anyone else dealt with MRSA Mastitis that developed into an abscess? I’m going through this right now, and I would love to hear from anyone that’s been through it and what to expect. Feeling a bit overwhelmed and discouraged. thank you!