How do you do it?

Question

My son is only 2 weeks old and I already feel like quitting. I can't see us doing this forever, I mean how can we? How can we pump every 2 hours and have a normal life? My lack of sleep is overwhelming. My husband tries to let me sleep, but I have to pump soni might as well be up and let him sleep.
This is our 7th baby... meaning we have 6 other kids who are in sports, school, scouts etc. We have to drive 30 minutes just to get to Wal-Mart. There is just no way this seems logical to me. I feel like I'm locked away pumping most of the time. I've tried doing it in the living room but that's not for me either.
So I'm asking, how do you do it? Is there some trick I'm missing here? Am I just only supposed to sleep 3 hours a day until I give up? Miss out on everything my other kids do for year? Only order in food and never leave the house?
By the time I pump, feed the baby, get him settled, wash the pump parts, I can get just about an hour of sleep before doing it again and then being up at 6 to get the other kids ready for the day. 
Maybe because it's just being tired and done right now as I pump again.... but this just seems like something I can not do.

Answer

First, let me just say, you are an amazing woman! You do an incredible thing for your baby every day you pump and provide your milk, even if you stopped today, you have done something great for her that will never be taken away. That being said, what is good for momma is generally best for baby, and only you know what is good for you and your family. Don't feel guilty about whatever decision you make or if you change your mind later. You are doing what's best for your family! If it is encouraging to you, take heart knowing that mothers who breastfeed exclusively, who pump exclusively, who formula feed exclusively, and those who do half and half still find that feeding a newborn is difficult and exhausting. It gets easier, but it's never easy. I had my first 2 months ago and it's a challenge, but I can't even imagine the sacrifices you have made caring for your 7th. Again, you are amazing! If you want a little encouragement to keep pumping a little longer, know that you won't ALWAYS have to pump every two hours. When your supply regulates, you can space out to a schedule that is more reasonable. You only have to maintain your sanity until then. Or you can pump enough to keep some supply while supplementing the rest with formula. Any breast milk you can give your little one is helpful! Some moms supplement at night so they can have help and just maintain enough supply to feed during the day. You just have to give yourself time to figure out what works, even if that's exclusively formula. Don't feel shame about any decision you make. Happy momma and fed baby is best, whatever that picture looks like. Best of luck on your journey ❤️

Answer

I felt this exact same way. Then I stopped breastfeeding and pumping and life did a 180. I felt so guilty bc I was only doing it to save my sanity, but my sanity was more important than listening to ppl ask why I “gave up” breastfeeding so soon.

Answer

If you’re exclusively pumping, you can establish your supply (6weeks) and then cut back on the number of sessions. If you have a good supply now, it’s probably okay to pump every 3 hours. The pump parts don’t have to be washed continuously if you put them in a ziplock in the refrigerator. The milk won’t spoil and then you can wash them later in the day. I do a lot of pumping when we’re out because I hate feeding in public. So it’s no big deal to me to just pump one side and a time while eating out or at an amusement park like I did yesterday.  I can go up to 8 hours now without pumping or feeding at night. Eventually you can train your body (after about 9–10 weeks) to go longer at night without pumping. It hasn’t ever affected my daytime supply. 
But no one is shaming you if you want to quit. I imagine it would be incredibly difficult with 6 other kids to keep up with.

Answer

That’s how I feel too but as my milk became more established I didn’t have to pump so often. Now I pump every 3 1/2 to 4 hours and my last pump of the day is at about 10 at night and then I don’t pump again until about 6 am. My baby is 5 months and sleeps through the night. I felt the same way in the beginning and still hate pumping but it has become a lot more easier.

Answer

You are not alone! I felt this way until about six weeks. Once my milk was established I was able to get into a routine allowing me to pump every 4 hours and then a longer 8 hour stretch at night (pump between 10/11 and then in the morning between 5/6). I am on week 12 and I am so grateful I stuck with it. That six week hump was one of the hardest things to get over, but I’m glad I did. 
I have a ten year old daughter and I found myself needing to pump while bringing her to her after school activities. I know I might get flack for this but I do pump while driving. It’s the most efficient use of my time. I pump on the way to work and pump on the way to piano lessons. Hell, I pump pretty much anytime I get in a vehicle that my boobs get excited when I sit in my car. This allows me to spend all of my non driving time with my friends and family. Get yourself a sturdy hands free bra and a cute infinity scarf and no one will ever know. 
Stick with it! You got this!

Answer

Is baby eating every 2 hours? I ended up only doing 5 ppd which averages out to about every 4 hours. It works for me. There’s a fb group called exclusive pumping moms private group that I found to be a great resource.

Answer

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