pumping dilema(sp?)

FtrMrsC

I've been pumping on my commute both ways and once during my lunch break. It isn't feasible for me to do it more. I'm only getting 8oz altogether and LO is eating 3,6oz bottles at daycare. We've been supplementing with formula. I only work 3 days a week and ebf the other days. My question is this, would it be terrible of me to stop pumping on those 3 days? It's so much extra stress and I'm seeing so little result. I am concerned about my supply but has anyone had theirs survive going 3 days a week with 9 hrs in between nursing?

PunkyBooster

It's not terrible but do not be surprised if your supply nosedives.

DallasHorn

It's not clear how old your LO is from your signature, but my initial reaction is that 3 - 6oz bottles is way too much BM. You do not keep giving more and more BM the way formula amounts are increased. In all 3 of my kids, they never did more than 5 oz bottles of BM and that was only once they were 5 months old. So you need to do what makes sense, but at the same time, you might need to adjust your expectations about what you expect to get out. Perhaps you can still pump at lunch, but not during the commute.

Also, this would be hard while driving, but doing breast massages and compressions really do result in getting more milk out.

FtrMrsC

DallasHorn said:

It's not clear how old your LO is from your signature, but my initial reaction is that 3 - 6oz bottles is way too much BM. You do not keep giving more and more BM the way formula amounts are increased. In all 3 of my kids, they never did more than 5 oz bottles of BM and that was only once they were 5 months old. So you need to do what makes sense, but at the same time, you might need to adjust your expectations about what you expect to get out. Perhaps you can still pump at lunch, but not during the commute.

Also, this would be hard while driving, but doing breast massages and compressions really do result in getting more milk out.

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He is almost 6months. They are doing 6oz of formula but 4 of BM. Does that make sense?

EMOmamma

Could you skip the commute ones but still get a lunch session in? You might not get much but it would help keep your supply and keep you from getting uncomfortable/plugged ducts.

ETA If not don't stress about it, ya gotta do what ya gotta do

jf198400

I would also try to keep your lunchtime pump. I think you will be too uncomfortable if you go that long between feeding.

ebp913

I would definitely pump at least once a day on your work days if you want to keep BFing. If you don't mind stopping all together I think you could not do it and just adjust slowly but I would worry that your supply would dip too much overall if you don't pump.  

emberlee3

I loathed pumping while driving. I would try keeping the lunchtime session. It is fine to supplement with formula. DD went from EBF to EFF at 5 months due to multiple food intolerance. I have to say once I got over feeling like a failure, I was one happy mama.

TheBorg7of9

My son ate 3 bottles with 6 ounces of breast milk every day. I had built up a freezer stash so I stopped pumping when he was 11 months. I was still able to bf on weekends, plus weekday mornings and evenings for 3 more months.

agibby

I used to pump on my commute and it was stressful, so I never had much output. Once I started waiting til I got to work and before I left, I was able to pump more. My LO has never had much for bottles at daycare. She will  have 3 - 4oz bottles a day, if that. Sometimes she would only have 2 bottles or even just 1. Then she'd be attached to me on the evenings and weekends lol.

I'm almost at a year, Whew! This is my 4th one I've pumped for for an entire year (patting self on back) and boy, I am ready to be done

Good luck with what you decide to do. I think your body adjusts to the schedule but don't be surprised if you lose some production.