I ee'd but not by previous choice. We had attachment issues and it was just the way we ended up. It was pretty much straight from birth, prob about day 3. It's a hard road and TBH I would have preferred for dd to feed from me, but it is doable if that's what you choose to do. You need a good double pump and some research (check out the exclusive expressers thread on here and the ABA) and you'll be on your way! All the best.
I tried bf but DD just wouldn't latch so I expressed for 4wks. For me, it was hell. I hated it. I was using an electric pump but still that didn't make it easier. When she was feeding every 2 or 3 hours I'd feed her, change her, try to get her sleep then have to express. By the time that was all done she was wanting to feed again. It seemed like an extra step that needed doing (at a time when I really didn't need extra steps). I also felt like it really restricted me going anywhere or doing anything because if pumping wasn't done regularly my supply decreased dramatically.
If your dedicated to doing it though, go for it. This was just my experience. I'm sure there are others out there that it worked for.
I exclusively pumped for my last two because they where very premature. (I wasn't very good though )
I used a Madela symphony pump. I could double pump to save time.
I hired mine through the hospital but a lot of chemist high them out as well and you just buy the pumping pack (cones and tubes)
I was very glad when they came home at 9 and 15 weeks old to be able to BF them and get rid of the pump...as PP said it is hard work.
I exclusively pumped for my DD1 for a total of 18 months, she has special needs and was in hospital for 3 months from birth and underwent jaw surgery. When my DD2 was born she was in hospital for 16 days and underwent open heart surgery so again I pumped and it took 6 weeks to wean her from her naso-gastric tube and onto the breast, now at 13 months she is still breastfed.
I have a grow double pump, although I was not a fan of double pumping I loved my pump, it has served me well and still no problems.
I would not think twice about exclusively expressing again if I needed to however feeding from the breast, for me, is so quick and easy so if I had the choice I would personally feed straight from the breast
I ee'd for my DS (bad attachment, low supply, mouth-breathing, flat nipples). My supply actually went UP when I stopped BF'ing and just EE'd. My mother (who had 5 of us including twins - me & my bro) once commented that by EE'ing I was effectively doing the same as feeding two babies. That opened my eyes. At the time of starting EE'ing it was a MUCH easier option that trying to feed (which was an ineffective & frustrating nightmare).
This time around I am BF'ing my daughter who doesn't have the mouth-breathing allergy issues & has a wonderful vigorous suck. We're feeding with nipple shields, she's gaining at the "boy" rate (90th percentile) and it's awesome. I went through hell & out the other side to get there as she couldn't latch prior to my milk coming in (hand-expressing 2 hourly around the clock following a c-s) but then it was great from pretty much day 7.
My decisions to avoid EE like the plague this time was mainly due to the work involved. Yes you do get a little more freedom... but you spend SO much more time getting milk from you to baby. I won't mince words, it's a LOT of work. There's also much great risk of not being able to maintain supply. I would also say that you need a very supportive partner to do it as well. So saying, if it's want you need or have to do (for whatever reason) it can be done.
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Exclusive pumping ; )
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