I am hate pumping but can’t quit

[Anonymous]

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

OP here. The pediatrician said to try 1 formula a week.

[Anonymous]

So you don’t give pumped milk during that week?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you don’t give pumped milk during that week?

OP here. I do. We try a bottle of formula everyday for a week. He hasn’t like any of the 5 we tried. He gets very gassy, fussy, and spit ups. He doesn’t have these issues with breast milk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you don’t give pumped milk during that week?

OP here. I do. We try a bottle of formula everyday for a week. He hasn’t like any of the 5 we tried. He gets very gassy, fussy, and spit ups. He doesn’t have these issues with breast milk.

OP here. We give the same formula everyday for a week. The pediatrician said try each formula for a week until we find one he will take.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

1. Are you actually trying to solve a problem here or are you just venting (and/or humblebragging)?

2. Look up the reasons oversupply is a concern. Unless you’re looking into a second career as a wet nurse, you’re going to need to taper down pumping soon.

[Anonymous]

I know! Self service gas stations are the pits. Maybe I’ll move to New Jersey.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

1. Are you actually trying to solve a problem here or are you just venting (and/or humblebragging)?

2. Look up the reasons oversupply is a concern. Unless you’re looking into a second career as a wet nurse, you’re going to need to taper down pumping soon.

OP said share in her misery. It sounds like she needs a place to vent where others will share in their displeasure about pumping. We have all been there. Breastfeeding/pumping sucks.

[Anonymous]

OP, I pumped for a year. Once you get to 12 weeks, in my experience, you can really start tapering down the number of pumps per day. My sweet spot was 4x a day and I produced 32-40oz daily on those 4 pumps. Life is a lot better when you’ve cut down the pumping.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried European formula? My daughter liked HiPP better than my breastmilk!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried European formula? My daughter liked HiPP better than my breastmilk!

Also, they make a great dairy free option (my daughter ended up being allergic to dairy) and other options for sensitive stomachs.

[Anonymous]

OP, congrats on the new little one and the good supply. I breastfed my child who had food sensitivities for a long time. If you continue, I'd suggest re-framing it as a "choice" not something you "have" to do. A hands free pumping bra can help a lot as can a partner who washes bottles, etc. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried European formula? My daughter liked HiPP better than my breastmilk!

OP here. I’m not comfortable importing formula. I’ve researched it and it’s not advised.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I pumped for a year. Once you get to 12 weeks, in my experience, you can really start tapering down the number of pumps per day. My sweet spot was 4x a day and I produced 32-40oz daily on those 4 pumps. Life is a lot better when you’ve cut down the pumping.

Same! If you want to do this, it is possible. That being said, looking back now, I probably wouldn't do it again. But hindsight is 20/20 and no one could have told me that at the time. It's hard and you are doing great - hang in there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I pumped for a year. Once you get to 12 weeks, in my experience, you can really start tapering down the number of pumps per day. My sweet spot was 4x a day and I produced 32-40oz daily on those 4 pumps. Life is a lot better when you’ve cut down the pumping.

Same! If you want to do this, it is possible. That being said, looking back now, I probably wouldn't do it again. But hindsight is 20/20 and no one could have told me that at the time. It's hard and you are doing great - hang in there.

I was hopping on to say the same thing. I exclusively pumped for both my kids for a year…and between weeks 3-8 I was POSITIVE I was going to quit and just use formula. The pumping was making me miserable. But once I hit 8-12 weeks it somehow became more manageable (I also dropped to 5 pumps a day), and I was able to keep it up. That said-if you hate it and it’s impacting your mental health you should not do it. I e already decided I won’t for child #3 if there is one. However long you pump for, it’s an amazing thing and you’ve done great. You should feel so proud of yourself for doing something so hard. Sending you so much love and you figure out what’s right for you.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a good wearable pump? I hated using the Spectra I had with my first baby. I got a Willow Go for my second baby. He rarely needs a bottle but I find it easy enough that I’m pumping once per day just to donate it to a milk bank. It’s as efficient as the Spectra, in my experience.