Exclusively Pumping

I was able to pump colostrum and feed it to the baby.  The nursery nurses brought me 2 oz collection bottles that I could pump directly into.  I would then add formula to it, put on one of those individually wrapped bottle nipples, and feed it to the baby.  Sucking it up in a medicine syringe and feeding from that also works.  When Cate was first born they had me feed her 15 ml every 3 hours and every few feedings or so we would increase it slightly.  She was 8.7 when she was born and 8.0 when we left.  I didn't have to add the formula...no dr. or nurse even suggested it.  I knew ahead of time that was how I would do it because that's how I did it 6 years ago when I EPed for my older daughter.  If I hadn't added the formula she would have lost more weight similar to a baby that nurses and the only reason I added the formula was because I didn't want her to lose too much weight as I waited for my milk to come in because who knows how long that could take.  But with each pump (every 3 hours for 20-25 minutes) I got more and more and by the time we left the hospital I no longer added formula to her breast milk (she was born on a Monday afternoon and we left on Thursday afternoon).  Also, the day we were discharged she was slightly jaundiced and no one said anything about continuing the formula and when she was rechecked and rechecked and rechecked no one said anything about supplementing with formula and only said to push the breast milk and it took a good 3 weeks to clear up :)  

The biggest tip I can give is when you are in the hospital ask to try different size flanges and then ask for an extra set of the size you like and ask for an extra pumping kit to take home that way you have extra of all your pumping supplies :) and ask for some lansinoh cream.  Get as much stuff from them as you possibly can because you will need it :D

And congrats on expecting a new little one.  We have lots of mommas who have chosen to EP a second time around and we have a few twin mommas around too :D

when i was in the hosptial they did not offer the formula I bf  and pumped colostrum i only got droplets and offered that .. they told me to use my finger and scop it out of the bottles in to lo mouth.. that held him over for hours. until the 4 day when he would not stop screaming.. i figered i was not making enough milk so i asked for formula.. i still pumped then toped him off with formula.. i did this for one week then my milk came in.. i kept doing this as i realized i still was not making enough milk.. i'm now on dom.. medication and finally make 16 - 25 oz.. since lo is not 9 months that is all he takes daily so i'm finally meeting his needs.. mind you i still need to suplement sometimes.

any way i gave colostrum for 3 days.. no formula at all and lo did drop a 7oz.. at birth he was 6.7z

 

Jayden Born January, 14, 2009

Chelsey

I got colostrum from the beginning too. Both DH and I gave the first droplets to Daina off of our pinkies, after we'd trimmed the nail nearly to the quick and filed what was left smooth.

As more was produced, I was at about 1/2 an ounce after 24 hours, we used a medicine syringe, but still had her suck on a finger while we dripped the colostrum in.

Oh! And I don't know how much she lost originally... she was 6lbs 9oz at birth and was 6lbs 15 oz at her 2 week check up.

Kate

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