What does it mean to exclusively pump?It is commonly recognized that breast milk, in most cases, is the best possible nutrition for an infant and more and more women are choosing to breastfeed their babies. But what happens if breastfeeding is not possible? Many people would suggest that the only alternative is to bottle feed formula. But, due to the improvement in breast pumps over the past decade or so, more and more women are making the decision to exclusively pump. Exclusively pumping is exactly as the term suggests. A woman exclusively uses a breast pump to induce and maintain lactation as opposed to breastfeeding. Some women begin to exclusively pump after initially starting to breastfeed; however, due to various problems or concerns switch to exclusively pumping. The reasons for exclusively pumping are extremely varied: latching difficulties, illness of the mother or baby, prematurity, separation, and, for some women, the decision to exclusively pump is made prior to the birth of their babies. The reasons women make the choice to exclusively pump prior to delivery are also very diverse. There is a wide range of normal when it comes to exclusively pumping. The range of experience can extend from constantly struggling to maintain a supply that is sufficient for the needs of your baby to producing far in excess of what your baby requires on a daily basis. Most women can at least meet the needs of their babies and can do so for several months. Many women exclusively pump for up to twelve months or even longer. One of the most difficult aspects of exclusively pumping is maintaining a frequent pumping schedule. However, most women are able to drop pumping sessions and, by adding time to their remaining sessions, continue to produce similar volumes of milk. Many women are able to eventually pump as little as four times a day, and some as few as two or three, without losing significant volume. Regardless of the reason a woman comes to exclusively pump, all women who choose to fed their babies by this method have one important thing in common: a strong belief that breast milk is the best possible nutrition for their baby and a willingness to provide breast milk by any means possible. Copyright Stephanie Casemore, 2004 7 Responses to “What does it mean to exclusively pump?” Leave a Reply |
 
 
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December 23rd, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Thank you for this site. I am still just starting the TTC phase, but wanted to get some information on alternatives to breast feeding. I have thought alot about EP, and now that I have found this site, I am more committed than ever. Thank you for providing this resource.
Monique (hopeful 2010 Mom)
January 20th, 2010 at 1:45 am
Thank you for the site. just delivered my baby girl 5 days ago and am almost ep’ing because of my large breasts and nipples and all of the manipulating needed to get her to comfortably latch on.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Thank you so much for this info. I’m 8 weeks pregnant with my first baby and I really would like to breast feed. My only objection is that I want other people to be able to my baby. My husband really wants to be able to feed our baby from the start. I also have a large family who also want this special time with my baby! I am so glad that there is an option that will allow all of us to be satisfied!
February 21st, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Thank you for this site. I am exclusively pumping due to latch on difficulties as a result of flat nipples and frequent infection using nipple shields. I am able to pump 10-12 oz of milk in less than ten minutes. I do this five times a day. It has been a wonderful experience for me. Anyone can feed the baby, I need not concern myself with nipple shields and nursing in public, it takes less time to feed than actual nursing, and my baby is getting the best food on earth. It is working for us and I am so grateful that I may name my next child Medela. [Just kidding.]
March 5th, 2010 at 9:50 am
Thank you so much for this website. I was breastfeeding until 7 weeks when my son decided that he didn’t want to breastfeed anymore. Since then I have been just pumping. Now he is 3months old and I have had to supplement to keep up with his needs. It’s been difficult and I needed to find other women that want to continue giving their babies the benefits of breastmilk but can’t nurse directly.
March 18th, 2010 at 8:27 am
Thank you for this site . I have been made to feel like such a failure because I have a flat nipple and an inverted nipple and decided to pump exclusively. My baby is five weeks old and I have a freezer full of milk , because I’m afraid my supply will dry up . I’m really not sure how to go about keeping this up , but am committed to giving my baby breastmilk only.
April 8th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Thank you for the support. I, too, have felt the stigma attached to exclusively pumping. However, I have found EP to be the only practical solution for my family. I have twin girls and only one could latch. The other, who was in special care for a week after delivery, took several weeks to latch. So, at first, I was nursing one and pumping and bottle-feeding the other. It became WAY too time consuming. Evenutally, I shifted to EP both babies, while continuing to work on nursing the second one. Now at 14 weeks, I primarily pump and bottle feed, but incorporate one nursing session for each girl daily. What many articles leave out is that EP for multiples is a great option because I’m still providing the nourishment of breast milk, but I can feed both girls simultaneously or have my husband help with the feedings. It has led to a much calmer household, and I still feel that I’m able to bond with my girls.