Feeling sad/guilty about stopping... 1 year mark approaching

K�

K🌴

Long post... just need to talk...

I exclusively breastfed for 8 months, but when my son dropped from the 25% to the 2% in the span of two months, I had to start pumping.

After doing weighted feeds, we realized he was just a lazy nurser since getting bottles after my return to work. So from month 8 until today (1 week away from 1 year) I’ve exclusively pumped.

He has gotten a mixture of breastmilk and amino acid based formula (severe milk allergy that previously sent him to the hospital).

But lately I’ve been more and more tired (in my Master’s program right now) and going longer and longer in between sessions. I used to pump 33oz every day. Now I’m at 12oz per day.

My son tried pea protein milk today and drank it and he’s doing better and better with solids! So I’m at the point now where I CAN stop, but I just feel so guilty and sad. For a year my son was nourished primarily from milk that I produced. What a blessing to do so!

It’s just a hard transition. I wasn’t expecting to feel sad...

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COMMENT (2)

Mr

Posted at
I just hit that 1 year mark last Saturday. I felt ready to divorce my pump until I tried. I’ve been waiting for this time for what feels like FOREVER.I’m only getting 8-10 ounces out a day now, which is nothing, I know. But I don’t know I’m ready to hang it all up quite yet... it’s like the end to a new beginning.. like my child doesn’t need me in a way now... I don’t know if we’ll be blessed with another so it’s like mourning in a way...I’d like to go out producing more than 8-10 ounces but I suppose that’s good in terms of weaning... Ugh, it’s truly psychological as well! Whatever you decide—wean or continue—Way to go mama!

K�

K🌴 • Feb 16, 2019
Wow! So good to know I’m not alone. I’ve been talking about getting to eat pizza again and drink a Red Bull! My husband got so excited for me when my son drank that pea protein milk because it meant I could stop, but yeah it just hit me... I think I might try to pump once or twice a day just to keep it up. I mean it won’t hurt anything. And maybe one day we will just stop and it’ll be a flawless transition. Haha! Good luck to you and props to you too on all the hard work. EPing is TOUGH!! 😓