Exclusive Pumping....how Do You Do It with 2 Kids?

HANDS FREE PUMP!

That is the only way I could get it to work out.

I also bought the medela one hand electric pump. I would use it when I did not have 15 minutes to fully pump but needed to stimulate.

I had the pumping bra that would hold everything in place so I had both hands free. It may not wk for everyone, but I pumped at the table while feeding both of them. The baby would be in his bouncy seat on the table while my older one sat next to me. I also used the TV to help entertain my older one while I pumped. After the 1st 6 weeks I had a good enough supply that I spread pumping out to every 6 hrs when I needed to. I EP for 13 months. I could also put my older one at the table with a craft. The kitchen table worked best for me b/c I could place them both so I could reach them. Best of luck!

Okay... Slightly off topic...

I hurt my back last year. 3 weeks of needing to be completely prone except bathroom trips, ADHD kiddo, homeschooling, no help from Dad (he was annoyed, so stayed gone until I could cook/clean/blah blah blah... I know. A real winner, but I digress).

Do you know what we did those 3 weeks?

Movies and video games and delivered food or microwav food.

And the next 3 weeks that I was super limited?

Movies, video games, and delivered food/microwav food.

It's only SIX weeks. Or less, of you choose, since you CAN choose. :) I just made it very clear to my son that 'sick rules' applied. That wasn't this fun??? It's too bad I'm hurt, but even hurt we can still have fun, make the best of it. My son? TOTALLY stepped up.

He was 8, but he'd done this before at age 3.

I've found, in my own life, that whether it's suck rules, or travel rules, or whatever... Kids step up. They adjust reeeeally well. And it's about 2 days to a week of laughing and saying 'No, silly! We're not in sick rules anymore!'

So my suggestion is to give him the opportunity to step up, and YOURSELF the okay that different rules are going to apply for a little while. That it really IS okay. That things don't always have to be 'normal'.

In our house, it taught my son compassion. And some creative problem solving.

The most PRECIOUS time, though, was at 3. Toddlers have some VERY creative ideas about what someone who needs help 'needs'. Like water poured down your shirt while they 'help' you drink, or every blanket and pillow in the house on your head. And singing you the same songs you sing them.

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Have you had your little one checked for tongue tie? It can cause a lot of issue with latch. It's a simple thing to correct if it is the issue.

I have an older daughter (6) and am EP for my almost 6 month old. Do you have a good pumping bra? If not, you need one. That will allow you to multi-task when you need to. You also need help from time to time - from hubby, grandma, sitter, play dates for the big kid, etc. It will get easier once you have a good supply established. Those first few weeks are brutal, though. Keep trying and let me know if you have any additional questions.

I exclusively pumped for my 2nd. He was on a feeding tube and could not nurse. My oldest was 2 (turned 3). It was difficult, but I got good at multitasking. I would read to my son while pumping. I usually only had to pump 1-2x while my older son was around. I pumped before my husband went to work and he would play with our kids. I pumped mid-morning. I would put on the TV and give my son a snack. Then I would pump when he went down for a nap...sometimes I could squeeze in 2 pumping sessions before he got up. Then, I would pump when hubby got home.

In some ways it was easier because it was on my schedule. When I exclusively BF, sometimes I was doing it every 45 minutes. I felt like I was always lifting my shirt.

I exclusively pumped for about 6 months. My son had 2 open heart surgeries in his first 6 months and I think the stress got the better of me. I dried up pretty quickly.

Do what you can! Your sanity is most important!!

Do you know what the latch issue is? Tongue tie can be clipped. I had latch issues in the beginning with mine (nipples inverted and too big for their mouths) and a nipple shield really worked wonders - have you tried that?

in response to the other question - you do what you have to. If that means there's a lot of TV watching, that's ok. If that means the baby has formula, that's ok too. I exclusively pumped for 1 kid, gave formula to 1 kid, and nursed to kids. My formula baby is by far the healthiest and probably the smartest. So formula isn't the root of all evil - especially if it helps with the feeding and making everyone's lives easier.

I dont pump but nursing takes up a ton of time too. Hate to say it, but I rely on my favorite babysitter, Dora, lol. We watch a lot.of movies, or I try to.set my daughter up with an activity like playdough or painting that she can do while I nurse.

I pumped for 13 months and had a older child at home. Yep, it was hard and time consuming! I left like all I did was pump but it got eaiser as my little one got older. You have to do what is right for you and the family. Hang in there! You are doing a good job!

I didn't EP with my second child, but I did nurse alot and my older son is ADHD. Like others have said, TV unfortunately was often the result. Sometimes I would read a book while I was nursing, but he would get up and go off on his own. I was thankful that he was in a preschool setting for half the day.

I wanted to also encourage you with the nursing. My first boy had latch issues too. He now has low tone and coordination issues so I'm pretty sure that that plus being a tad bit early probably are what caused it. I tried to nurse him for 4 weeks before he got it, and that last week I was pretty much EPing because I couldn't take the mental stress anymore. Don't give up. Every once in a while, put him to breast and try again. Don't do every feeding cause you will end up driving yourself insane, but maybe once a day. Also, make sure the LC you are working with is one who is GOOD. There are many who are not helpful, I worked with one at the hospital that always left me more frustrated than when I came in, but then I went and stayed with my Mom for a while (and she took care of everything else) and went to see an old friend of hers who happened to be an LC at the hospital in the town where I grew up and she was 10x better and got him to actually latch! Then it started happening more and more often until it just worked and everything was sooo much easier after that. I understand wanting to switch to formula, I was on the brink and I am EXTREMELY committed to breastfeeding, but you have to be mentally healthy and able to take it....you will know where your own line is. Try as best you can to keep a positive outlook though, although I know it is hard. I will say the Medela stool and the My Brest Friend pillow helped me immensely with getting him in the perfect position....Boppys and pillows sag and slide down, the MBF pillow is firm and contoured exactly to fit right where your baby should be and never slides or slips.

Good luck! Also, Dr. Jack Newman has some good videos online for latch, although you sound like you know alot about it, here is the link in case you want to check it out: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=...

http://mamaandbabylove.com/natural-parenting/breastfeeding/ I found this blog the other day and I'm pretty sure she mentioned a forum for moms who are exclusively pumping.

I had my share of pumping so I feel for you! Can you get someone to come over and help now and then. You're right that you need to weigh the benefits vs the consequences. If you're going insane pumping, then your deadline is a good idea. Maybe by then you'll have gotten it down?? Also, remember the first 6 weeks are the roughest no matter what, so once you survive these weeks, it'll get better :)

i thought the min for the best bennifets was six months not weeks? do what you have to do but i would continue and your son will adjust. if your going six weeks then your half way done. i say look at your goal day by day. do you have friends the same age as the boy? or family that can take him to the play ground. even if its after work it still would be fun for him. perhaps someone could pick him up for lunch or even if you dropped him off quickly and they brought him back. i would not worry too much about him not getting out and about for the next few weeks. pbs kids on tv and educational games (feeling that you would not want him in front of the tv all day with out some education )

I pump and breastfeed so I cant tell you what its like to exclusively pump BUT I wont breastfeed in public so I can relate to being in a chair either feeding or pumping all day. I have a 2 1/2 yr old and I have insane guilt over the fact that I am constantly telling my older daughter - 'I cant', 'wait a minute', 'I'll be right there', after I feed your sister'. Poor thing is always getting told to hold on. I also felt a lot of guilt when I was still pregnant because she would want to do things that I just couldnt physically do and it broke my heart. The way I cope is to just make sure that I make special "just us time". I will either take her out or wait until the little one (3 1/2 months) is sleeping. Its tough but you just make it work the best you can - you son wont grow up scarred by the fact that he didnt get every minute of every day of your time. And think of it this way =) He has a sibling now so he is going to have to learn to share - it just so happens he is learning to share his time first and not his toys
Good Luck and Congrats

Wow, you deserve an award for being so persistent in doing what you feel is best for your daughter! I would continue until 6 weeks as that is a good goal, but then give yourself permission to quit if it doesn't work. She may learn but she may not. You are doing everything you can. Guilt is for doing something bad or harmful. That is not you. You can wish things were different but it's not the end of the world. Remind yourself that you are doing everything you can and be proud of yourself for your sacrifice. After 6 weeks, just remind yourself of all the other ways you are still a good mom, doing what 's best for your family.

I pumped for 13 months with each child (I have 2) and yes it was hard, and it was usually midnight when I did my last pump (6-7 times a day) but I think it was worth it. My older son was 5 yro and in school, so I don’t think he was affected much by my pumping time on a regular day, but it did if we wanted to go to a movie or the zoo or such, because we couldn’t be out for more than 3 hrs at a time.
I had a double pump, so I was able to be done within 10-15 minutes each time and I did travel and take that pump everywhere with me, but believe me, time goes by really fast.
Good luck to you, I know is hard but try to hang in there because it’s worth it; that being said, you must do what’s best for your family and I’m sure whatever you do, will be the best option.