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11-27-2012 at 3:00 PM
SLWoody
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SLWoody is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 6:23 AMNewbie

Pumping - thinking of throwing in the towel

When my LO was born two months ago I just knew everything was going to go great with breastfeeding... right. Long story short she was having to work too hard at the breast to get the milk so she was not gaining weight quickly enough. Her pediatrician suggested I pump and bottle feed. After I started doing this I discovered that I wasn't making enough milk for her (poor baby was hungry :() so I pump and give her breast milk all day and feed her two formula bottles during the night. Anyway, she is now two months old and I am considering quitting pumping. It takes up so much time that I would rather spend with her. I am also going to be going back to work next week and my time to spend with her will be slashed in half. I am wondering if it is worth it to continue pumping. By the time I pump and wash everything that is 30 minutes of time gone. Also, in the middle of the night when she wakes and I feed her, get her back to sleep, pump and wash everything I'm up for almost an hour and a half (two or three times a night). I just don't know what to do and am looking for some help.
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11-27-2012 at 3:13 PM
stephersj
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Whatever you decide to do just know that it is fine and as long as you are feeding your LO and she is healthy you are doing a great job.  

I tried to breastfeed but was having similar issues.  I went from breastfeeding and supplementing with formula to pumping and supplementing with formula because I could pump no more than 2 ounces at a time.  My supply never increased no matter how much I pumped/what I did.  I went back to work on the 12th and decided to stop pumping because I wanted to be able to spend time with my daughter when I got home after being away from her for 12 hours instead of stuck to the pump.  It was the hardest decision I have ever made and I have struggled with not breastfeeding and then not pumping since she was a little over a week old.  I felt really guilty and it was really hard but I know I made the right decision and now that I am not connected to the pump constantly I feel infinitely better.  She is happy and healthy and gaining weight now and I am able to enjoy my time with her instead of worrying about the next time I am going to pump.   
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11-27-2012 at 3:28 PM
SLWoody
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thank you so much.i feel I like my mind is already made up but I feel guilty.  
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11-27-2012 at 3:36 PM
stephersj
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I know exactly how you feel.  I didn't start to feel less guilty until I actually quit pumping and I cried when I gave DD that last bottle of pumped milk.  I honestly feel like I was/am still grieving.  It does get better though.  I know that it doesn't matter what I say those feelings will still be there but you have absolutely no reason to feel guilty.  You have to do what is best for you and your LO.
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11-27-2012 at 3:42 PM
suzienickl...
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suzienickles36 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 12:09 PMNewbie
Don't feel guilty I had to do the same thing and even formula feeding takes time and preparation but I can now enjoy my baby more!
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11-27-2012 at 3:58 PM
Randa&Jerm
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SLWoody:
When my LO was born two months ago I just knew everything was going to go great with breastfeeding... right. Long story short she was having to work too hard at the breast to get the milk so she was not gaining weight quickly enough. Her pediatrician suggested I pump and bottle feed. After I started doing this I discovered that I wasn't making enough milk for her (poor baby was hungry :() so I pump and give her breast milk all day and feed her two formula bottles during the night. Anyway, she is now two months old and I am considering quitting pumping. It takes up so much time that I would rather spend with her. I am also going to be going back to work next week and my time to spend with her will be slashed in half. I am wondering if it is worth it to continue pumping. By the time I pump and wash everything that is 30 minutes of time gone. Also, in the middle of the night when she wakes and I feed her, get her back to sleep, pump and wash everything I'm up for almost an hour and a half (two or three times a night). I just don't know what to do and am looking for some help.

 

Only you can make that decision.  But to offer a time saving suggestion, have you considered getting extra pumping parts that you don't have to wash in the middle of the night every night? Perhaps just rinse them out or even put them in the fridge until morning and you can just get back to bed quicker?  That's what I did with my girls when I had to pump at night.  

Have you tried other things to up your supply so you can have enough milk to not have to supplement?  Just some ideas.  I'm sure you will make the right decision for you and your LO. 

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11-27-2012 at 5:13 PM
Liz5663
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Randa&Jerm:

Have you tried other things to up your supply so you can have enough milk to not have to supplement?  Just some ideas.  I'm sure you will make the right decision for you and your LO. 

 

I was going to suggest this.  I am also a low producer, however I have spoke with a lactation specialist and was told I needed to drink more water (I was already drinking approx. 8 glasses daily) and try Fenugreek capsules.  I also drink the mothers milk tea and eat oatmeal.  I don't think it made a HUGE difference, but it did make one.  I am now nursing 3/4 of the time and formula feeding 1/4.  I want to be able to provide as much of the health benefits as I can from breastfeeding up to 6 months (if possible), because the immune system is much stronger then.  

 

However, you have to do what works best for you.  Do not feel bad about any decision that you make.  

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11-27-2012 at 5:48 PM
Idani
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The same exact thing happened with my first. I gave up around two months and honestly, it was best for me and baby.  I was happier, he was happier and things went smoother from there.  This baby I didn't even attempt BF and went straight to FF. I can't tell you the difference in my recovery process. I feel 1000X times and feel so much better mentally and emotionally.  There is nothing wrong with FF and if it helps your LO gain weight and be healther then absolutely I would do it.  You need to make sure you are happy/healthy and your LO is. It sounds like you would be happier if you dropped the pumping.
 
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11-27-2012 at 8:18 PM
colemangal...
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suzienickles36:
Don't feel guilty I had to do the same thing and even formula feeding takes time and preparation but I can now enjoy my baby more!

I agree. I felt the exact same way you did. I felt like I was wasting so much time pumping and I wasn't enjoying it and I knew I could use that time sleeping or actually cuddling with my LO. I have been FF for over 2 weeks now and I feel more comfortable with my breasts all dried up and more rested because I'm not up all night pumping. MY LO doesn't even seem to miss it either :)  
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11-27-2012 at 8:43 PM
krissi813
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colemangal85:

suzienickles36:
Don't feel guilty I had to do the same thing and even formula feeding takes time and preparation but I can now enjoy my baby more!

I agree. I felt the exact same way you did. I felt like I was wasting so much time pumping and I wasn't enjoying it and I knew I could use that time sleeping or actually cuddling with my LO. I have been FF for over 2 weeks now and I feel more comfortable with my breasts all dried up and more rested because I'm not up all night pumping. MY LO doesn't even seem to miss it either :)  

exactly! A new baby and work is enough stress. If you are making yourself miserable by pumping, it is not worth it for you or your baby. 
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11-28-2012 at 10:29 AM
Afunky6
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I am just like you; We had trouble with BFing so I switched to EP. The only reason that I am still pumping is because A) I produce more than enough to feed her and B) I'm not going back to work. If I went back to work, I too would probably be done with pumping. Its hard because we can't just whip out a boob or just get a bottle of formula ready, we have to pump and feed a baby which is majorly time consuming.

Whatever you do, just do what makes you happy. If your not EPing and a happier person because of it, then so be it. Your LO will be getting fed and that is the main thing. Like I said, if I was going to work, I would probably be done. Do what you want to, and own it.

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11-28-2012 at 12:01 PM
downwardsu...
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Idani:
The same exact thing happened with my first. I gave up around two months and honestly, it was best for me and baby.  I was happier, he was happier and things went smoother from there.  This baby I didn't even attempt BF and went straight to FF. I can't tell you the difference in my recovery process. I feel 1000X times and feel so much better mentally and emotionally.  There is nothing wrong with FF and if it helps your LO gain weight and be healther then absolutely I would do it.  You need to make sure you are happy/healthy and your LO is. It sounds like you would be happier if you dropped the pumping.

This. I quit after 2.5 months and I can't believe even describe how much happier I am. DS was getting gas from my milk too, family members commented on how much happier he seemed after I stopped.  
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11-28-2012 at 2:42 PM
itsmevkb
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Idani:
The same exact thing happened with my first. I gave up around two months and honestly, it was best for me and baby.  I was happier, he was happier and things went smoother from there.  This baby I didn't even attempt BF and went straight to FF. I can't tell you the difference in my recovery process. I feel 1000X times and feel so much better mentally and emotionally.  There is nothing wrong with FF and if it helps your LO gain weight and be healther then absolutely I would do it.  You need to make sure you are happy/healthy and your LO is. It sounds like you would be happier if you dropped the pumping.

 

This was my experience as well.  I never felt guilty about stopping pumping and breastfeeding as I knew that was what was best for my son and for me.  I was  so happy to have so much more time with my baby and to do other things. It was very freeing.
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Secondary infertility success with IVF, then two losses, one at 14 weeks and one at 10 weeks, then success with IUI and then success with condoms! Who would ever have guessed.

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11-29-2012 at 11:21 AM
SLWoody
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SLWoody is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 6:23 AMNewbie
Thanks to all of you. I think I will be much happier and have decided to give it up.
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