How long did you exclusively pump for

This will vary widely and totally depends on the individual. There are some methods you can try to increase your milk supply and pump more milk:. However much you get, you are doing great! If you find that you need to supplement with formula, here are some tips for doing that. My biggest struggle with exclusively pumping for an older baby was that it was difficult to do with him underfoot — he would always want to play with my tubing, or a bottle would get spilled, and it was basically a stressful disaster.

Here are some tips how to handle caring for an older baby and pumping at the same time. My thinking on this is that nursing babies do not eat on a strict schedule — while a baby may generally eat every three hours or so, sometimes a nap will go long and he might eat at 2pm instead of 1pm, for example. My suggestion is to test it out for yourself, and pay attention to whether or not you see any differences when your pump times need to vary a bit.

This varies quite a bit. If you believe that breast milk is the best food choice for your child, but you are not able to breastfeed, or you don't want to, what can you do? That's where exclusive pumping comes in. Exclusive pumping is a great way to provide your baby with your breast milk without putting the baby to the breast.

Exclusive pumping is also called EPing and breast milk feeding. It is the process of removing the breast milk from your breasts at regular times throughout the day. You can then give that milk to your baby either by a bottle, tube feeding, or an alternative feeding method.

But exclusive pumping can be time-consuming and exhausting, especially if you continue to pump exclusively for a long period of time. You may decide that you'll exclusively pump before you have your child, or you may breastfeed for a while, then move on to exclusive pumping. There are many reasons women choose to pump exclusively. A newborn will take a bottle of breast milk approximately every 2 to 3 hours.

As your baby gets older, they will take more at each feeding, but go longer between feedings. As long as your milk supply is plentiful, you may be able to go longer between pumping sessions, as well.

At each session, you should pump for at least 15 minutes on each side. It can take a few minutes for your milk to let down , so give yourself enough time.

You also want to try to fully empty your breasts, since this is an important part of stimulating the production of more breast milk. After you drain your breasts and no more milk is flowing out into the collection container , continue to pump for one to five minutes longer. Since breast milk is made based on supply and demand, the extra stimulation will tell your body to make more. You don't have to pump for longer than 20 minutes.

Pumping for 15 to 20 minutes more frequently throughout the day will generally produce more breast milk than pumping less often for more extended periods of time. Pump as much as you can at each pumping session. Then, put the breast milk into bottles or storage containers in the amount that your child takes at each feeding.

Newborns drink less breast milk than older children at each feeding, but they eat more often than an older child will. It's easier to overfeed your baby when you're bottle-feeding. So be sure you're giving your child what they need every day and in each bottle, but not more than that. It can be tough to maintain a healthy milk supply when you're exclusively pumping. It requires a good deal of dedication; you have to pump regularly and, if possible, during the night.

Moms who pump exclusively spend a lot of time attached to a breast pump. So think about buying or renting a high-quality pump that is designed for long-term, daily use. Pumping breast milk is hard work. Eat, drink water, and take time for yourself when you can. Try to make your pumping sessions more enjoyable , whether that means having a treat or indulging in a TV show or great book.

I know you are tired. No matter where you are on your pumping journey, whether you are a week or a year in, you are amazing, and it's okay to stop. Your milk supply may dip before you feel ready, your body may stop, but know that you did great.

Every day that you were able to feed your baby, providing them a part of yourself, is a day you should be proud of. I am thankful to have been able to supply my little one with breast milk for this long and to watch him grow stronger and healthier each day. I hope my story helps you because the stories of other exclusive pumpers were what got me through.

Please comment below to help encourage other moms on their pumping journeys. PS: We designed super-cute, printable door hangers in case you pump at work even if you're working from home right now! Click on this link or the button below to download and print them. I found once my son started sleeping more it made it a bit easier. I grab a snack, watch a video on my phone and go back to sleep. I'm almost to 10 months for my babies and planning on getting to a year and then weaning.

First son stopped wanting to nurse at 6 months so I pumped from months, then used my stash to feed him to 12 months.

Currently 5 months into EP for my twins and hoping fo make it to a year. Currently have enough stash to stop pumping at 11 months. I just pumped for hopefully the last time last night. Baby girl is 9. I almost quit so many times with all sorts of struggles, but it got exponentially easier at around 6 months when I was able to drop to 4 ppd. But keep in mind that you are probably at the peak of the hardest time right now and it will get easier as baby is able to get on something resembling a schedule.

Almost 12 months! I'm in my last weeks of weaning. Like others, I set small goals and each time I reached a milestone 3 months, 6 months, etc. I re-evaluated to decide if I wanted to keep going. I have a lot of supply so I kept at it. It is a really personal decision. Go as long as it works for you, not as long as you think you should go. Feeling ready to drop pumps and supplement if needed! You are all so amazing for keeping it up so long!! Do what you feel is best.

I'm almost at 13 months.