Forcing myself to breastfeed out of fear

[Anonymous]

I’d try pumping as much as you can accommodate on your schedule and supplementing with RTF liquid formula, which is made differently and not subject to the recall. Since it’ll just be a supplement you won’t need as much of it.

If you go with the generic powder formulas, which seem to be a lot more available right now (I just saw a picture of a full pallet at Costco) could you mix prepared formula and breast milk in the same bottle to get him used to the taste?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The other issue is he eats more frequently with the breast. He will eat every two hours with breastfeeding but goes 2.5-3 hours when he gets a bottle. One day I had help and pumped most of the day and he was able to go longer between feedings and seemed happier with the bottle.

This part is normal with breastfeeding. They don't stay as full as long.

[Anonymous]

OP, I would encourage you to keep trying formula. I agree that babies are finicky little creatures, and you can give them the same thing 15 times before they suddenly decide they like it. In the meantime, if you do want to move to exclusively pumping, we can help you figure it out (it's not hard), but a lactation consultant can also be really helpful.

When I first started, I pumped every time baby ate to ensure I had milk for the next feeding. I left the milk out (it can sit at room temp for 6 hours), which was handy. Pumping every 2-3 hours was tiring and time consuming, but I really wanted to get my supply stabilized in a way that would mirror baby's feedings. Around 3-4 months, I got to a point that I could pump about 5-6 times a day (and still have sufficient milk for daily feeds) and dropped pumps from there. Around 4.5 months I dropped the middle of the night pump, which was wonderful, but it did noticeably reduce my supply. I think around 6 months I was pumping around 7-8 am, 12 pm, 5 pm, and 10 pm, but I don't think I could have only done 4 pumps per day at 3-4 months without impacting my supply. Everyone is very different when it comes to pumping/supply, so a lot of this is trial and error. The trick is to just have as much milk pumped as baby needs, and figuring out what that amount is. For me, I always fed baby the bottle until he refused it and made sure that my pumping was in excess of that (I'd freeze the extra). Doing this, rather than targeting a particular amount, was helpful because babies aren't consistent in their needs (e.g., the amount of milk baby needs at 3 months may not be the same amount baby needs at 5 month).

As far as supplies, you don't need anything additional. However, to help my sanity, I got a second set of pump parts and a ton of bottles. This way I felt like I wasn't in an every-3-hour cycle of washing bottles and pump parts. I would still hand was pump parts as needed, but would wash everything in the dishwasher every 1-2 nights. Around six months I started using the "refrigerator hack" for pump parts and using the same set twice.

Do you have questions we could help with?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would encourage you to keep trying formula. I agree that babies are finicky little creatures, and you can give them the same thing 15 times before they suddenly decide they like it. In the meantime, if you do want to move to exclusively pumping, we can help you figure it out (it's not hard), but a lactation consultant can also be really helpful.

When I first started, I pumped every time baby ate to ensure I had milk for the next feeding. I left the milk out (it can sit at room temp for 6 hours), which was handy. Pumping every 2-3 hours was tiring and time consuming, but I really wanted to get my supply stabilized in a way that would mirror baby's feedings. Around 3-4 months, I got to a point that I could pump about 5-6 times a day (and still have sufficient milk for daily feeds) and dropped pumps from there. Around 4.5 months I dropped the middle of the night pump, which was wonderful, but it did noticeably reduce my supply. I think around 6 months I was pumping around 7-8 am, 12 pm, 5 pm, and 10 pm, but I don't think I could have only done 4 pumps per day at 3-4 months without impacting my supply. Everyone is very different when it comes to pumping/supply, so a lot of this is trial and error. The trick is to just have as much milk pumped as baby needs, and figuring out what that amount is. For me, I always fed baby the bottle until he refused it and made sure that my pumping was in excess of that (I'd freeze the extra). Doing this, rather than targeting a particular amount, was helpful because babies aren't consistent in their needs (e.g., the amount of milk baby needs at 3 months may not be the same amount baby needs at 5 month).

As far as supplies, you don't need anything additional. However, to help my sanity, I got a second set of pump parts and a ton of bottles. This way I felt like I wasn't in an every-3-hour cycle of washing bottles and pump parts. I would still hand was pump parts as needed, but would wash everything in the dishwasher every 1-2 nights. Around six months I started using the "refrigerator hack" for pump parts and using the same set twice.

Do you have questions we could help with?

OP here. Thank you for this.

He eats every 1.5-2 hours during the day and every 2-4 hours at night. I don’t think I can pump every 1.5-2 hours. I don’t know how much I make but I can start pumping fully tomorrow ( we have 1 24 pack of 8oz bottles left) and see how much I get. I do pump twice and I usually get 4oz in the morning and 4oz at night. We feed one bottle of pumped milk and I freeze the rest. I have about 200 ounces saved up.

My questions

- Is every pumping 3 hours reasonable! Can I take a break at night? My husband usually feeds one bottle at night so I can sleep 4-5 hours.
- I have the Spectra ( blue). Is that a good pump or should I find another one?
- What kind of bottles do you mean? I have an extra set of spectra bottles and 6 pack of Medela 5oz bottles. Should I get more bottles?
- We use the Comotomo bottled and have 4. Should we get more of those?
- The CDC website says breast milk can only stay out for 4 hours at room temp and 4 days in the fridge. I don’t ever leave the milk out because he eats it warmed up, but where does the 6 hours come from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would encourage you to keep trying formula. I agree that babies are finicky little creatures, and you can give them the same thing 15 times before they suddenly decide they like it. In the meantime, if you do want to move to exclusively pumping, we can help you figure it out (it's not hard), but a lactation consultant can also be really helpful.

When I first started, I pumped every time baby ate to ensure I had milk for the next feeding. I left the milk out (it can sit at room temp for 6 hours), which was handy. Pumping every 2-3 hours was tiring and time consuming, but I really wanted to get my supply stabilized in a way that would mirror baby's feedings. Around 3-4 months, I got to a point that I could pump about 5-6 times a day (and still have sufficient milk for daily feeds) and dropped pumps from there. Around 4.5 months I dropped the middle of the night pump, which was wonderful, but it did noticeably reduce my supply. I think around 6 months I was pumping around 7-8 am, 12 pm, 5 pm, and 10 pm, but I don't think I could have only done 4 pumps per day at 3-4 months without impacting my supply. Everyone is very different when it comes to pumping/supply, so a lot of this is trial and error. The trick is to just have as much milk pumped as baby needs, and figuring out what that amount is. For me, I always fed baby the bottle until he refused it and made sure that my pumping was in excess of that (I'd freeze the extra). Doing this, rather than targeting a particular amount, was helpful because babies aren't consistent in their needs (e.g., the amount of milk baby needs at 3 months may not be the same amount baby needs at 5 month).

As far as supplies, you don't need anything additional. However, to help my sanity, I got a second set of pump parts and a ton of bottles. This way I felt like I wasn't in an every-3-hour cycle of washing bottles and pump parts. I would still hand was pump parts as needed, but would wash everything in the dishwasher every 1-2 nights. Around six months I started using the "refrigerator hack" for pump parts and using the same set twice.

Do you have questions we could help with?

OP here. Thank you for this.

He eats every 1.5-2 hours during the day and every 2-4 hours at night. I don’t think I can pump every 1.5-2 hours. I don’t know how much I make but I can start pumping fully tomorrow ( we have 1 24 pack of 8oz bottles left) and see how much I get. I do pump twice and I usually get 4oz in the morning and 4oz at night. We feed one bottle of pumped milk and I freeze the rest. I have about 200 ounces saved up.

My questions

- Is every pumping 3 hours reasonable! Can I take a break at night? My husband usually feeds one bottle at night so I can sleep 4-5 hours.
- I have the Spectra ( blue). Is that a good pump or should I find another one?
- What kind of bottles do you mean? I have an extra set of spectra bottles and 6 pack of Medela 5oz bottles. Should I get more bottles?
- We use the Comotomo bottled and have 4. Should we get more of those?
- The CDC website says breast milk can only stay out for 4 hours at room temp and 4 days in the fridge. I don’t ever leave the milk out because he eats it warmed up, but where does the 6 hours come from?

This sounds miserable. Why are you doing this??! Just FF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d try pumping as much as you can accommodate on your schedule and supplementing with RTF liquid formula, which is made differently and not subject to the recall. Since it’ll just be a supplement you won’t need as much of it.

If you go with the generic powder formulas, which seem to be a lot more available right now (I just saw a picture of a full pallet at Costco) could you mix prepared formula and breast milk in the same bottle to get him used to the taste?

OP here. I’m going to try exclusively pumping and see if that’s better for me and the baby. He is usually fussy most of the day and wants to eat every 1.5-2 hours. The feedings take 30-45 minutes with him super mad the milk isn’t coming out fast enough. Then he will on and off cry while eating. He eats every 2.5-3 hours with the bottle and seems more happy and content during that time.

He only eats 4oz of formula a day. A 24 case lasts us about 6 weeks. I will keep trying the powder but will be stocking up on as much liquid formula that I can find every week to hopefully have enough to last him through a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would encourage you to keep trying formula. I agree that babies are finicky little creatures, and you can give them the same thing 15 times before they suddenly decide they like it. In the meantime, if you do want to move to exclusively pumping, we can help you figure it out (it's not hard), but a lactation consultant can also be really helpful.

When I first started, I pumped every time baby ate to ensure I had milk for the next feeding. I left the milk out (it can sit at room temp for 6 hours), which was handy. Pumping every 2-3 hours was tiring and time consuming, but I really wanted to get my supply stabilized in a way that would mirror baby's feedings. Around 3-4 months, I got to a point that I could pump about 5-6 times a day (and still have sufficient milk for daily feeds) and dropped pumps from there. Around 4.5 months I dropped the middle of the night pump, which was wonderful, but it did noticeably reduce my supply. I think around 6 months I was pumping around 7-8 am, 12 pm, 5 pm, and 10 pm, but I don't think I could have only done 4 pumps per day at 3-4 months without impacting my supply. Everyone is very different when it comes to pumping/supply, so a lot of this is trial and error. The trick is to just have as much milk pumped as baby needs, and figuring out what that amount is. For me, I always fed baby the bottle until he refused it and made sure that my pumping was in excess of that (I'd freeze the extra). Doing this, rather than targeting a particular amount, was helpful because babies aren't consistent in their needs (e.g., the amount of milk baby needs at 3 months may not be the same amount baby needs at 5 month).

As far as supplies, you don't need anything additional. However, to help my sanity, I got a second set of pump parts and a ton of bottles. This way I felt like I wasn't in an every-3-hour cycle of washing bottles and pump parts. I would still hand was pump parts as needed, but would wash everything in the dishwasher every 1-2 nights. Around six months I started using the "refrigerator hack" for pump parts and using the same set twice.

Do you have questions we could help with?

OP here. Thank you for this.

He eats every 1.5-2 hours during the day and every 2-4 hours at night. I don’t think I can pump every 1.5-2 hours. I don’t know how much I make but I can start pumping fully tomorrow ( we have 1 24 pack of 8oz bottles left) and see how much I get. I do pump twice and I usually get 4oz in the morning and 4oz at night. We feed one bottle of pumped milk and I freeze the rest. I have about 200 ounces saved up.

My questions

- Is every pumping 3 hours reasonable! Can I take a break at night? My husband usually feeds one bottle at night so I can sleep 4-5 hours.
- I have the Spectra ( blue). Is that a good pump or should I find another one?
- What kind of bottles do you mean? I have an extra set of spectra bottles and 6 pack of Medela 5oz bottles. Should I get more bottles?
- We use the Comotomo bottled and have 4. Should we get more of those?
- The CDC website says breast milk can only stay out for 4 hours at room temp and 4 days in the fridge. I don’t ever leave the milk out because he eats it warmed up, but where does the 6 hours come from?

This sounds miserable. Why are you doing this??! Just FF.

OP here. Did you not read the thread? There is a formula shortage and I can hardly find the liquid one he eats. When I do, there is a limit. I would not be able to fully feed him formula with the shortage. Other parents are speaking up about it because they’re all having trouble finding formula ( even powdered) for their babies.

[Anonymous]

You do not have to pump every three hours overnight. See how it’s going and how your breasts feel at night.

I rented a hospital grade pump. I don’t know about your pump specifically.

I personally think four bottles are fine.

Good luck, OP. I hope you find exclusive pumping as manageable as I did. Meanwhile you can try to stick pile your baby’s favorite formula.

[Anonymous]

Damn, I could write this one myself. I am doing the same with my 4 month old. Breastfeeding never worked out for a variety of reasons and I planned to FF. He will take both the Enfamil NeuroPro liquid and powder formula, but it’s hard to find it on shelves, and when I do, there is a limit. I switched to exclusively pumping at 1 month. He gets 4-8 ounces of formula a day. I have slowly been stockpiling formula each week to hopefully stop pumping at 6 months.

This is what I do

- I pump every 3 hours on a schedule. Think 7, 10, 1, 4, 7, 10, 1, and 4. Sometimes I do skip the 1am pump because my baby sleeps 11 hours and I don’t want to get up. This is where I feed a little more formula or frozen milk if I don’t pump as much at the 4am feed.

- I have a Spectra but I also have a hands free pump. There are many options on these but I like the Elvie.

- I also use the Comotomo bottles. We have 10 of them but now he only uses 5 a day.

- I had two sets of pump parts and bottles. I had two sets of Medela bottles ( one 5oz and one 8oz) to keep my milk in the fridge.

- I follow the CDC guideline of 4 hours and 4 days.

[Anonymous]

Another exclusively pumping mother here who does not find pumping bad at all. I’m in such a routine now that it’s just a part of my day.

[Anonymous]

I’m sure you have but worth throwing it out there: have you tried nipple shields? Mine was a terrible nurser at first but she did much better with shields. I agree with everyone else that’s under normal circumstances I’d say dump breastfeeding yesterday but unfortunately here we are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would encourage you to keep trying formula. I agree that babies are finicky little creatures, and you can give them the same thing 15 times before they suddenly decide they like it. In the meantime, if you do want to move to exclusively pumping, we can help you figure it out (it's not hard), but a lactation consultant can also be really helpful.

When I first started, I pumped every time baby ate to ensure I had milk for the next feeding. I left the milk out (it can sit at room temp for 6 hours), which was handy. Pumping every 2-3 hours was tiring and time consuming, but I really wanted to get my supply stabilized in a way that would mirror baby's feedings. Around 3-4 months, I got to a point that I could pump about 5-6 times a day (and still have sufficient milk for daily feeds) and dropped pumps from there. Around 4.5 months I dropped the middle of the night pump, which was wonderful, but it did noticeably reduce my supply. I think around 6 months I was pumping around 7-8 am, 12 pm, 5 pm, and 10 pm, but I don't think I could have only done 4 pumps per day at 3-4 months without impacting my supply. Everyone is very different when it comes to pumping/supply, so a lot of this is trial and error. The trick is to just have as much milk pumped as baby needs, and figuring out what that amount is. For me, I always fed baby the bottle until he refused it and made sure that my pumping was in excess of that (I'd freeze the extra). Doing this, rather than targeting a particular amount, was helpful because babies aren't consistent in their needs (e.g., the amount of milk baby needs at 3 months may not be the same amount baby needs at 5 month).

As far as supplies, you don't need anything additional. However, to help my sanity, I got a second set of pump parts and a ton of bottles. This way I felt like I wasn't in an every-3-hour cycle of washing bottles and pump parts. I would still hand was pump parts as needed, but would wash everything in the dishwasher every 1-2 nights. Around six months I started using the "refrigerator hack" for pump parts and using the same set twice.

Do you have questions we could help with?

OP here. Thank you for this.

He eats every 1.5-2 hours during the day and every 2-4 hours at night. I don’t think I can pump every 1.5-2 hours. I don’t know how much I make but I can start pumping fully tomorrow ( we have 1 24 pack of 8oz bottles left) and see how much I get. I do pump twice and I usually get 4oz in the morning and 4oz at night. We feed one bottle of pumped milk and I freeze the rest. I have about 200 ounces saved up.

My questions

- Is every pumping 3 hours reasonable! Can I take a break at night? My husband usually feeds one bottle at night so I can sleep 4-5 hours.
- I have the Spectra ( blue). Is that a good pump or should I find another one?
- What kind of bottles do you mean? I have an extra set of spectra bottles and 6 pack of Medela 5oz bottles. Should I get more bottles?
- We use the Comotomo bottled and have 4. Should we get more of those?
- The CDC website says breast milk can only stay out for 4 hours at room temp and 4 days in the fridge. I don’t ever leave the milk out because he eats it warmed up, but where does the 6 hours come from?

- I think pumping every three hours will be fine. See how it goes and you can adjust as needed. Everyone has different experiences with this. Some people find a set schedule easier (e.g., every three hours), but some people find it more difficult because then you are a slave to that schedule and you might be dealing with baby when it is time to pump. It can be really hard to pump while handling the baby. I tried to pump during naps, but could also manage to pump while feeding a bottle (though I found this annoying, at least the pumping wasn't hanging over my head).
- Yes, the blue Spectra is a good pump. If you do decide to stick with lots of pumping, you might consider getting a second smaller hands free pump. I also have the Baby Buddha, which is smaller than the Spectra and I can wear around my neck. I wouldn't get a second pump unless you decide you are going to stick with it, though. Also, research the hands free pumps if you do go that route. Some are not as strong and won't pull as much milk.
- I have extra bottles that work with the Spectra (these are great and you can put date/time on top: amazon.com/Maymom-Wide-mouth-Storage-Collection-SureSeal/dp/B01LXW0JIP/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1P6RUCO35U5GP&keywords=maymom+bottles&qid=1651972984&sprefix=maymom+bottles%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-3) so that I can refrigerate/store pumped milk. I also have about 12 bottles that my baby eats out of (he uses Dr. Brown's) so that I have enough for a full day and can wash in the dishwasher nightly rather than constant hand washing. This is personal preference, but I found the washing to also be time consuming.
- Different people will tell you different things on how long milk can stay out. I've heard 4, 6, and 8 hours. Six is common. Two lactation consultants I worked with talked about the "rule of 6." Milk can be: unrefrigerated for 6 hours, refrigerated for 6 days, frozen for 6 months. I think A LOT of people follow 6 hours, but if you're more comfortable with the 4, stick with that.

Pumping involves a lot of trial and error and finding the "hacks" that make it easier for you. Some people find washing bottles and pump parts easy, some find it a pain. Some people are pros at feeding baby a bottle and pumping at the same time, some find it impossible. Try to find the shortcuts that will make it easier for you to sustain if this is the route you want to take.