Is it time for me to quit?

Question

Baby stopped wanting to latch when she was 3.5 months old, I’ve been pumping since then and supplementing with formula. I still pump when it’s time for her to eat but it’s taking me around 2.5 days to make a 5oz bottle... 💔 I keep buying supplements, chugging water, swallow oatmeal but I think my body just knows that the baby doesn’t want it anymore... I’m so heartbroken, I really wanted to get to 6 months. My LO is 4.5 months now and this is getting so exhausting. I would continue doing it if I was still able to pump out the 3ish oz per session like I was before! Now I’m lucky to get 0.25oz all together each session... is it time to quit?

Answer

If you are heartbroken and exhausted, I’d reconsider the decision to pump. Not based on how much you’re pumping but based on your mental health. I pushed so hard to pump until six months but I didn’t realize how much life it was sucking from me. It wasn’t worth it in the end and I regret the decision to keep going at the expense of my own health and well-being. Do what you need to do to stay well. If that means that you keep pumping, great. If that means you stop, great. Your baby will be fine and healthy either way.

Answer

Try pumping every 2 hours instead of when she eats. Baby always empties the breast better than a pump, so the more you empty it the more your body will produce. Also try power pumping

Answer

I can only imagine how hard it is for you. Since going back to work I’m lucky if my son latches once a day. He prefers bottles now. We even introduced bottles while I was in maternity leave and still breastfed so he wouldn’t stop latching, but then recently he just refuses the breast. 
We see the pediatrician next week to see if he met his goal weight because he wasn’t gaining enough with the breastmilk he was getting so we had to increase his intake which has definitely sucked. 
I pump every 2 hours and am frustrated at only getting 2 oz a session. It’s definitely hard and to be honest if I was getting any less than 2 oz a session I would more than likely stop switch to formula. My husband has tried to get me to stop because he sees how frustrated and hard I am on myself. I am pretty stubborn but when it comes to my baby’s health I know I’ll have to introduce formula to keep getting him to gain weight. So sadly I think our journey might end soon but I will try to manage to at least pump enough for a few bottles a day or something

Answer

Have you talked to a lactation consultant? Sometimes they can lack interest for a few days but will relatch.

Is it time for me to quit?

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