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I wish I could help. I was never able to get very much from pumping so only fed at the breast.& the only real way for your baby to get exactly the amount they need & boost your milk supply efficiently is when they are allowed to suckle at the breast. I have a relative that decided to BF only by pumping too, but ended up giving up as it brought up too many bad memories (she was abused & that is why could not bring herself to suckle the baby). I really hope your reasons for not feeding at the breast aren't anything as horrible as why she couldn't, but I wish you all the best & if you do decide to bottle feed, do so with the knowledge that you did try & that bubs did at least get some breastmilk.

Hi Denim, I can offer you some thoughts....okay - for our first I exclusively pumped (he only hit my breast once) - long story but b/f with him just wouldn't work...anyways - at my peak with exclusive pumping (taking fenugreek too) - I would get about 12 oz a day - so our first boo got 2 bottles of b/m a day and then we gave him formula for the rest....with our second - we were able to exclusively b/f for the first 5 weeks - this really seemed to help establish the supply - then when we went to pumping and b/f combined I would pump up to 30 oz a day. I think the main difference was that we used the baby for the first 5 weeks to establish supply - then he would hit my boob about twice a day to keep the supply up. I am now at 7 months are exclusively pump - he stopped nursing 2 months ago and I was not able to get him back on my breast...if you were able to establish the supply with him through b/f - then hop over to the pump - that may help...at this time though you would probably need to see a lactation consultant to help you with this. If you are not able to b/f - then focus on what you can do - pump 8 times a day - maybe trying using fenugreek (it helped me quite a bit) and make sure you are using a hospital grade pump (we use the egnell one)....also - give yourself permission to be proud of yourself for getting to where you are now - you have put forth a wonderful effort and it's so challenging to pump exclusively and establish a supply - with our first - what I did (when the supply dried up...) I focused on all the other wonderful things we could do together....my most fave was cuddling with him in bed (in the morning) - with him only in his diaper....I would let him nuzzle and snuggle into me - and let him know my smell...I know this sounds silly and all but I really found this was wonderful bonding time - I used to do this after a bottle of formula! - you are a wonderful mom - for coming as far as you have and trying....do what's right for you and your baby - that's the most important thing.......

i've read you need to actually breastfeed every once in a while to keep the milk from drying up.

There are a lot of ep'ers out there - so far my milk supply has held up for months....with no breastfeeding. I could be one of the lucky ones - there are lot's of forums out there - where women make it to one year ep'ing....it's a really strange thing to be sure! Worth it though - to be giving my little one breast milk.