EE - finishing & big thank you. Sorry it's long
Hi everyone,
I just want to share my story, it's a success story of sorts, or perhaps a story of picking up the pieces when BF didn't work out. I also want to extend my thanks to people who supported me in my attempts to BF and the offer of encouragement, without this support I wouldn't have persisted with expressing and come to the decision to EE. I also want to thank the people current and past EEers who visited me in the EE forum and shared their pearls of wisdom in terms of how to manage practically and emotionally.
I started EE after 9 weeks of problems with BF. I had vasospasm and DS had a bottle when I left hospital. After that I worked with an LC to try and get DS back on the breast but it didn't work. He cried every time I put him on the breast and eventually cried when I tried giving him EBM. There were also concerns about his weight gain. After 9 weeks I decided DS and I had hit the end of the road and I was concerned about the impact of him crying at every feed, so I decided to EE afterall I had been on the pump for 9 weeks. Later he was diagnosed with a milk protein allergy.
The initial days of EE were really mentally difficult as I learnt how to pump in a way that was efficient and fit with my lifestyle. There was also the coming to terms with failing at BF. I just took one day at a time. I had hurdles to cross as my supply dropped and I went on Motilium which had a great effect once the dose was correct, I had burst veins 3 times (I think it's probably a pumping problem) and blocked ducts to clear several times a week.
I trawled through the EE forum and learnt from the people who had gone before me with EE in how to cope with life whilst expressing and how to manage all the unique issues both mentally and practically.
Once I hit 6 months (which I never dreamt I would) I really hit my stride and could begin dropping a pump a month until I only was doing it 4 times a day. I developed the confidence to pump in parents rooms, at work and in the car. It became so easy to fit it in with my lifestyle and DS having a bottle and becoming efficient at expressing meant my return to work was simple in terms of feeding. The last 6 months went so quick.
I'm now at the point where I have enough frozen EBM to see me through to 12 months so I have decided to stop EEing.
To any ladies who are currently on the breast pump I just want to say I know how hard you are working and you are doing an amazing job for your little bub. Wishing you all the best in your journey. xoxo
