Anyone exclusively pumping?

Question

I had trouble getting my daughter to latch in the beginning after my c section but was dead set on breastfeeding for a year. Since she got so frustrated and so did I, I decided to pump and bottle feed expressed milk. It has been sooo hard. I am shocked and extremely proud of myself for making it to 9 weeks/2 months pumping every 2-4 hours to feed her breastmilk. I know it's the best thing for her but it's killing me and getting harder and harder to put her down to pump. Anyone else doing this? I feel so stressed. I am actually considering going to formula but feel so guilty for wanting to. She's developing beautifully and so smart, it makes me feel like I'm doing something right. First time mom and stay at home for a year. Anyone else? I try to latch her sometimes but now she has developed a preference for the bottle nipple 😩

Answer

Yep right there with ya! I've always kept her beside me propped up while I pump and she'll usually just hang out or I use her pacifier to keep her quiet. It is getting more difficult the more active she gets, but if she needs to cry for a bit, then so be it, pumping has to happen. Check out the FB group Exclusively Pumping Mamas, there's so much support on there! Keep up the great work, I'm going on 8 weeks tomorrow and am so proud of it!

Answer

I am also exclusively pumping.  I try to feed and change her first so she is happy and a bit sleepy from a full belly.  Then I prop her up next to me and she either chills or goes to sleep.  I really want to make it to one year and it seems so far off.  However, I tell myself I've made it this far and it isn't so bad so I think I will power through to the one year mark.  I also freeze my excess so I won't have to keep pumping for a year but she will still get breastmilk for a year.

Answer

You can train your boobs! I have trained mine. Lol I pump when I wake up sually around 7, 12,5, and 10. It was so tiring to wake up at night to feed my son and then to go pump. Your boobs will adapt to not pumping at night. My supply hasn't gone down. I pump around 35-39 ounces a day!  Try your best. It's very exhausting and I was hoping to breastfeed my baby for a whole year but if I'm realistic it will be six months. I have my reserve already so I'm hoping I can stop in two months! Best of luck to you!

Answer

I was doing the same thing for issues with latch and I'm almost 9 weeks I was told by his doctor that you can dry up quicker by just pumping since it's not the same and also feeding by the breast itself has many benefits than just breastmilk so I was inspired to quit bottle feeding expressed milk and I bought a nipple shield and he latched on right away ... now it is difficult but I started when I was engorged so that he would have the same full nipple as a bottle and it worked ! I was able to feed him without a bottle and I breast feed him all day now but he still won't breast feed at night and I'm guessing because he's extra fussy at night and gets too lazy to breastfeed so he gets around 1-2 bottles now but other than that I'm using a nipple shield and pumping after because nipple shields can decrease supply but don't give up!!! It is such a relief to not have to make bottles and just feed him with out the wait and he loves it so much because he just smiles so hard after breastfeeding I wish you and your baby luck ! Don't get discouraged I've seen people who had babies who were premature and bottle fed since birth and had inverted nipples and everything and started breastfeeding at two months and now exclusively breastfeeding with no nipple shield... it's a journey and we all have to learn but please don't give up! You can do it

Answer

I am pumping and feeding expressed milk. My baby falls asleep to quickly at breast and have tried everything to keep him awake and he would wake up every 2 hours. Now I'm bottling expressed milk he drinks 150-170 ms every 3 to 4 hours. But yes feeding at night and then having to pump sucks. My nipples are sore from pumping so much. Because he is taking much more now I supplement with formula which I am not ashamed of. During the day I will try and pump every 4 to 5 hours or anytime he eats. So tiring I know

Answer

I was exclusively pumping for some time and then it became too much so now I breastfeed her and pump once in the morning. Now I don't have to worry about washing bottles or pumping after every feed at night. Originally I started pumping because she had a shallow latch and was making breastfeeding painful; it was unbearable at times. She's 6.5 weeks now and her latch is so much better. I just give her a boob at night, she nurses for about 15 minutes and she sleeps until the next feeding.  Since I had been bottle feeding for some time she got used to it and didn't want the boob, but that issue we resolved fairly quickly. Don't give up!

Answer

I'm right there with you. My little guy was in the nicu for a couple days, they gave him bottled breast milk and after that we just never got breastfeeding going. He's 8 weeks today and I love the fact that he's getting breastmilk exclusively but the pumping and feeding is just exhausting. Sometimes he screams while I'm pumping and I have to try to comfort him without picking him up, those times are the most tempting to just quit. That and in the middle of the night when I have to pump as well as feed him so it's twice as long being out of bed. My goal is to make it to six months. I work from home so it does make it easier than if I had to leave. Every day I just have to give myself a pep talk that a few tough moments are worth it in the long run to give him the best possible start. We can do it!! Do you have a freezer stash going? I'm lucky enough to make a good bit extra so I at least know if I really can't handle anymore it at some point he has that for a while. Good luck mama, hang in there!

Answer

I was in the same boat you are. I was exclusively pumping and it got to be so much stress. I went back to work, which made my supply go down and I was so frustrated. I wanted to do what was right for my son and I knew breast milk was so much better for him. I felt like I would be giving up on him if I switched to formula. I finally caved last week and started giving him formula. Now I am done pumping and I feel so much better. He is doing great on formula and I am so much happier now that I get to spend time with him instead of being hooked up on a machine. I'm not trying to push you either way, you just have to do what is right for you! Good luck!

Answer

I also exclusively pump. This is my second baby, but first time giving breast milk. It is very hard at first and at times I miss pumping sessions. I hate that it controls my life. I can't leave the house for longer than 2-3 hours or bringing my pump. Since I have been back to work it has gotten better. I have a lot of milk stored so I don't feel so bad when I wait longer to pump. Don't feel bad if you can't keep up and have to switch! Just do the best you can.

Answer

I am.  The pumping and bottle washing sucks and I get none of the sweet bonding moments.  If you don't want to put your baby down to pump,  just wear a hands free pumping bra and put your baby in a baby carrier.  I have used both my Tula and my Boba while pumping.

Anyone exclusively pumping?

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