Is pumping really worth it in the end?

[Anonymous]

I’m sure this has been asked a million times but I wanted to ask because it’s unique to my situation. My 5 week old was born full term and at a healthy weight, but struggled to breastfeed efficiently due to a combination of sleepiness and poor latch/transfer. My plan was to pump until he was able to successfully get all he needs from the breast. He has yet to master nursing and still struggles to feed. I’m pumping 7-8 times a day with a really good supply. We have tried formula and he will take it but prefers pumped milk. If you were me, would you continue to pump with the hopes he will eventually get it, or just give up and formula feed?

[Anonymous]

I haven't heard you express a reason why you would stop. Is it too much for you?

[Anonymous]

No, formula is fine.

[Anonymous]

I pumped for 2 months and then as baby grew, so did her mouth and it was easy to go back to breast

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I pumped for 2 months and then as baby grew, so did her mouth and it was easy to go back to breast

Same. Something eventually clicked and it was worth it.

[Anonymous]

I would try keep it up for at least three months and after that don't worry about it.

A friend of mine had to go back to work after three months of maternity leave and was trying to decide whether to pump or formula feed once she had to go back to work. A member of her husband's family who was the head of the American pediatrics association or whatever it's called told her it was totally fine to stop pumping and formula feed. She thought it was more important that my friend choose whatever was right for her, the mom, than worry about pumping after three months of breastfeeding.

If it bothers you a lot, I think it's fine to stop now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would try keep it up for at least three months and after that don't worry about it.

A friend of mine had to go back to work after three months of maternity leave and was trying to decide whether to pump or formula feed once she had to go back to work. A member of her husband's family who was the head of the American pediatrics association or whatever it's called told her it was totally fine to stop pumping and formula feed. She thought it was more important that my friend choose whatever was right for her, the mom, than worry about pumping after three months of breastfeeding.

If it bothers you a lot, I think it's fine to stop now.

I should clarify - the head of the pediatrics association is a pediatrician who is very well regarded

[Anonymous]

I'd give it till 8 weeks and also drop to 6 pumps per day ASAP (skipping middle of the night if you can) because your supply is good/established.

My situation is kind of different (34 weeker), but my baby couldn't nurse productively at all at 5 weeks and transitioned fully to breast by 8 weeks.

[Anonymous]

You could pump a bit less to reduce the burden and mix formula and BM. I exclusively pumped for about 6months with my #2 who did not nurse. I actually came around to liking it. DH put her to bed every night. I got more reliable sleep than with #1 who nursed.

In the end baby will be fine either way. Happy mom Happy baby, If you are miserable..stop.

[Anonymous]

I exclusively pumped for 8 months. Definitely wish I had gone to formula sooner.

[Anonymous]

I was in a similar situation and my first kid got breastmilk until 10 months and my daughter until 8 months, with significant supplementation. She is now 18 and has a very weak immune system and other non-genetic health issues that I blame on a combination of c-section, not breastfeeding enough and of course our crappy environment/food supply. Does breastmilk prevent all bad things? No. But in a world filled with negative health inputs, any defense you can give them is worth making an effort for, IMO. Also, you will spend the next 15 years trying to minimize chemicals and processed foods in their diet, meanwhile formula is the mother of all processed foods. FWIW I am a full-time working mom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't heard you express a reason why you would stop. Is it too much for you?

My biggest reason is I don’t want to pump long term. The plan was just to pump until he would successfully take the breast. I don’t think I would want ti pump long term if that’s my only option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, formula is fine.

I know it’s fine. We are using Similac Organic Ready Feed. He takes it but he prefers pumped milk. I can’t do the powered stuff so ready feed is what we will be using if we go with formula.

[Anonymous]

I pumped for 4 months or so x3 with my kids (one set of 35 weeker twins who had latch issues, and then DC3 was not gaining sufficient weight with BFing alone). Both times I had hope they would eventually latch (the twins- never did) or that EBFing would eventually be established with good weight gain (with DC3..and it never was)

Honestly I did not find it worth it at all, and wish I’d stopped even sooner than I did. However, I did not have a good supply either- had supply issues and was never pumping more than 75% or so of their intake (even with my singleton). The pumping made me more stressed out, get less sleep, contributed to mild ppd issues etc. I also did not have a ton of support either time (no family nearby, DH works fairly long hours etc).

I think it totally depends on the person though. I have friends who have exclusively pumped for longer, and say they are glad they did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I pumped for 2 months and then as baby grew, so did her mouth and it was easy to go back to breast

Any tips and tricks? I put him on the breast multiple times a day. Sometimes before his feed and sometimes after. He tires easily if he has a good latch. Otherwise it seems like he just comfort nurses or gets a top off.