I am hate pumping but can’t quit

[Anonymous]

I had to switch to pumping for a variety of factors and I’m over it. I’ve been pumping for about 1 month and it’s very draining. I make a large amount of milk and have been able to freeze + donate milk to a friend. It’s been really great knowing I have a freezer stash + helping out a friend in need, but I’m just not sure it’s worth it. I feel like I’m controlled by pumping and always have to watch the clock. I then feel guilty because formula is not working for my baby - we have tried several - and it causes him lots of gas + crying. I also feel guilty because I’m able to make milk and I know several people who struggled with it. Any advice or encouragement? Share in misery?

[Anonymous]

Why are you pumping more than you need? Pump just enough to keep your baby fed and no more! I hated pumping and security felt like it dominated my life when I had to do it; the few months my kids were in daycare before they turned 1 were some of the worst. I loved breastfeeding and my kids did great with that but pumping was a disaster and in never produced much milk. Don’t push yourself; I should have switched to formula, especially with the my second child, but I didn’t want to actually lose my supply and subsequently lose the option to nurse to sleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you pumping more than you need? Pump just enough to keep your baby fed and no more! I hated pumping and security felt like it dominated my life when I had to do it; the few months my kids were in daycare before they turned 1 were some of the worst. I loved breastfeeding and my kids did great with that but pumping was a disaster and in never produced much milk. Don’t push yourself; I should have switched to formula, especially with the my second child, but I didn’t want to actually lose my supply and subsequently lose the option to nurse to sleep.

OP here. I was told by my LC to pump until empty because breastfeeding is supply + demand. I’m only 5 weeks PP and my supply isn’t established until 12+ weeks.

[Anonymous]

The more you pump, the more you will make. So pump less. Don’t feel guilty bc of people who can’t produce. We use formula and our babies turn out great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you pumping more than you need? Pump just enough to keep your baby fed and no more! I hated pumping and security felt like it dominated my life when I had to do it; the few months my kids were in daycare before they turned 1 were some of the worst. I loved breastfeeding and my kids did great with that but pumping was a disaster and in never produced much milk. Don’t push yourself; I should have switched to formula, especially with the my second child, but I didn’t want to actually lose my supply and subsequently lose the option to nurse to sleep.

OP here. I was told by my LC to pump until empty because breastfeeding is supply + demand. I’m only 5 weeks PP and my supply isn’t established until 12+ weeks.

Unless you have low supply and your baby isn’t getting enough to eat, your baby is the demand. You don’t have to stop cold turkey if you want to maintain a slight oversupply and build up a bit of a stash but it sounds like you’re doing way too much right now. Cut back until it’s more manageable.

[Anonymous]

You absolutely *can* quit, you just don’t want to. At least own the decision you’re making. Nothing worse than someone who whines about their situation, but refuses to change it.

[Anonymous]

How I do you make? How often do you pump? How much ounces do you have in the freezer?

Maybe stretch your pumping?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You absolutely *can* quit, you just don’t want to. At least own the decision you’re making. Nothing worse than someone who whines about their situation, but refuses to change it.

Have some empathy. Between hormones, lack of sleep, and all the "you must" advice new mothers get, it is a struggle for many people to make their way through the fog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You absolutely *can* quit, you just don’t want to. At least own the decision you’re making. Nothing worse than someone who whines about their situation, but refuses to change it.

Did you actually read the entire post? Baby has not tolerated formula well.

OP, if you haven't tried Alimentum, I'd suggest that, which worked well for my sensitive kid. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

OP, I sympathize. I didn't like pumping either.

However, I would not recommend stopping until you can identify a formula that works well for your baby.

If you don't, you'll be trading one set of annoying issues (pumping) for another (gassy, crying baby).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How I do you make? How often do you pump? How much ounces do you have in the freezer?

Maybe stretch your pumping?

OP here.

- I make on average 50oz a day but that varies.

- I pump 6-7 times a day.

My current routine is 7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm, 10pm, and sometimes one middle of the night pump if my son decides to wake up.

- I have a little over 500oz + I donated 100oz to a friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You absolutely *can* quit, you just don’t want to. At least own the decision you’re making. Nothing worse than someone who whines about their situation, but refuses to change it.

Did you actually read the entire post? Baby has not tolerated formula well.

OP, if you haven't tried Alimentum, I'd suggest that, which worked well for my sensitive kid. Good luck.

OP here. We have tried 5 different formulas including a non-milk one and he doesn’t do well on it. I eat lots of diary and my milk doesn’t seem to bother him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How I do you make? How often do you pump? How much ounces do you have in the freezer?

Maybe stretch your pumping?

OP here.

- I make on average 50oz a day but that varies.

- I pump 6-7 times a day.

My current routine is 7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm, 10pm, and sometimes one middle of the night pump if my son decides to wake up.

- I have a little over 500oz + I donated 100oz to a friend.

At their max intake, babies eat 32-40oz a day. How much is your baby eating now? I would cut back on pumping — either decrease the length of your sessions or drop a session — until you’re making no more than 40oz a day. Assuming your baby is entirely bottle fed; if you’re also nursing, cut back more.

[Anonymous]

Good lord op your baby is fussy on formula because you keep changing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How I do you make? How often do you pump? How much ounces do you have in the freezer?

Maybe stretch your pumping?

OP here.

- I make on average 50oz a day but that varies.

- I pump 6-7 times a day.

My current routine is 7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm, 10pm, and sometimes one middle of the night pump if my son decides to wake up.

- I have a little over 500oz + I donated 100oz to a friend.

At their max intake, babies eat 32-40oz a day. How much is your baby eating now? I would cut back on pumping — either decrease the length of your sessions or drop a session — until you’re making no more than 40oz a day. Assuming your baby is entirely bottle fed; if you’re also nursing, cut back more.

OP here. He eats on average 28oz a day. Sometimes less, sometimes more.

I don’t mind making a bunch of milk because I’m hoping that he will eventually take formula or I can freeze enough to get him to 1 year.