I hate pumping

PeachLove25

This may sound ridiculous, or perhaps insensitive to those who EP... so I want to apologize if you find offense. However, I'm really struggling and I don't want to feel like this!

I EBF... for the past 5 weeks or so I pump in the morning on the side LO doesn't eat in order to build a stash and/or we give one bottle a day. It's nice to have DH's help. There are also times where I feel like LO didn't get enough so I give her a pumped ounce or two in order to top her off. (Growth spurts)

Lately, I absolutely loathe pumping. There's no physical reason... I get enough milk, it only takes 10 minutes or so, etc. But lately, for some reason, I seriously dread it and I've been skipping it unless I'm replacing a bottle feeding. It's to the point where thinking about it gives me anxiety.

Anyone else feel like this? Any way to get over this hurdle? I'm about to quit and say screw a freezer stash.

breadpudding

I'm sorry you're feeling this way. I personally haven't experienced this exactly but pumping gives me anxiety in other ways. I want to pump but I hate boiling 100 different parts and bottles everyday so that they will be properly sanitized. And I hate worrying about if I'm storing the BM properly. I've been avoiding pumping but I know I need to start. Do whatever works for you and don't stress yourself. GL.

cattuccino

Multiply those feelings about 6-8 times a day and that's the day of an EPer such as myself lately.
Not offensive - I really am not enjoying pumping, but loved when she'd BF on the beginning.
If BFing is going well then don't pump! You don't *need* a freezer stash if you don't plan on being away, going to work etc...you will make what LO needs.

Take a break from it for a few days it so. Perhaps only pump if you want to have a bottle and have your SO take over a night feeding. Associate the pumping/bottle feedig with positive outcomes (more rest, a night with friends etc) and maybe that will help.

MissDemeanor

I only pump when I'm feeling too full. Confession: the electric pump scares me, so I only use the manual one. Since I only pump every other day, if that, I still kind of find it fascinating. In a weird way, like how zit popping or something is interesting. My boobs make MILK.

MamaAllison

@JA82406‌ you know you only have to boil the pump parts before the first use right? After that you can soak in warm soapy water and rinse, or use Medela steam bags (those are really easy and they say they kill 99.9% of germs).

As for storing you can easily remember the 5-5-5 rule: 5 hours at room temp, 5 days in the fridge; 5 months in a deep freeze.

I've found that with ALL baby related things adding something new seems very stressful and overwhelming until you do it for a bit, and then it comes as routine eventually.

OP I'm sorry pumping is stressing you out. I've also gone through phases where it seems worse than before! Try to distract yourself with your phone or a good TV show

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ahare2009

I hate it as well, especially the 3x a day I have to pump at work.  My workplace is small, so I am using HR's office.  Every 3 hours I have to go kick him out so that I can pump.  Talk about being able to pump discreetly.

karich

@JA82406‌, you don't have to sterilize after every use! That's too much work!
If you really want to, Medela sells microwave sanitizing bags. Few minutes in the microwave beats boiling. But again, it's not necessary. Soap and water work just fine.

I also hate pumping and will actually make all kinds of excuses on why I can't/don't have time.

funchicken

I hate pumping with a fiery passion. Since I SAH, I don't have to do it. I can leave DD for two hours between feedings, so I just plan to be back in time. When she starts eating solids, she'll be able to go even longer. DD2 never wanted to take a bottle, so around 10 months I would leave her with food and a cup of water and I could go out for 4-6 hours. 

I feel for all the moms who are EPing. I did it with DD1, and I don't think I could ever do that again.

slwprincess

I have had this with all 3. I try to get over it but I'm pretty sure I have D-MER (Google it). I feel depressed and hopeless while pumping. Then I only get an ounce or so and that makes me feel worse. It ends up hurting my supply. After discussing it with my Ob, LC, and pedi we all agree that pumping is not good for me. I really don't pump often- only when necessary. If DD needs a bottle while I'm away, she gets formula.

hangerland

I felt that way with breast feeding. My LO is 5 weeks & I stopped BF at 4 weeks. I woukd just cry every time she wanted to nurse or whenever it was time. Then I would feel guilt for feeling that way. It was beat into me that breast is best but I wasn't producing enough, & had hindmilk/foremilk imbalance. I struggled with quitting but once I did I an finally enjoying my maternity leave & my LO is much happier & content.

I don't think I have PPD but I think I had/have some post partum anxiety. Breastfeeding & pumping come easy for some....but for those who are struggling know that you can have a happy/healthy baby who is formula fed. I'm happy I gave it a good attempt, but I feel like a much better & happier momma

sprashley

Yes!!! I EBF'd my older two kiddos as well as this LO and the first time I got the pump out I just felt deflated.  I've always loathed sitting there feeling like a dairy cow, immobile and the sound of it (it says whappo, btw) made me crazy.  So yes, totally been there.  I have no help with how to get through it as I just dealt with it until we were done BFing at one year. 

breadpudding

@MamaAllison‌ I don't want to thread jack so I'm going to PM you

JackieP1023

I dislike pumping, too. I have somewhat of a stash built up-and I pump at least once in the morning when I work (I work anywhere from 4-6 hours). Basically, once I have enough to replace the bottles she eats, I'm done pumping. I save the stash-building for the weekends (pump the opposite side in the mornings) and my WFH days (usually one per week). If I don't get enough to replace feedings, I'll pump again once I get home. It seems to be working for me so far.

As for sterilizing, I boiled the first time, and got the medela steam bags. I wash everything daily (use the medela pump wipes when at work-wash when I get home), and use the steam bags once a week.

karich

sprashley said:

Yes!!! I EBF'd my older two kiddos as well as this LO and the first time I got the pump out I just felt deflated.  I've always loathed sitting there feeling like a dairy cow, immobile and the sound of it (it says whappo, btw) made me crazy.  So yes, totally been there.  I have no help with how to get through it as I just dealt with it until we were done BFing at one year. 

Your description of the pump "talking" made me LoL. DD1 always says "why is it saying "let go?"

sdlaura

Yep, I skipped pumping last night when I was supposed to because I hate it. For me it's a time thing - I would much prefer to be sleeping, and DS is a bad sleeper so I'm always worried about pumping right before he needs to eat. I'll be fine with it when I go back to work and it's replacing feedings, though. I would choose FFing over EPing.

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atencle

I am not a fan either. Last week my father in law passed away and so my milk supply got totally out of wack with everything going on and so now I am having to pump after every feeding to build it up again! Ugh, one or the other is fine but both feeding then pumping is killing me!!

inluv4life2

The pump has just become a way of life for me. I've figured ways to be mobile (battery pack for power with pump in a backpack hands free bra) and get things done around the house. And I car pump almost daily. I drive 20 mins to get anywhere so I use that "wasted time" to pump.

I will say that I don't LIKE pumping but I feel empowered that I'm giving LO BM as we work to get the kinks out of our breast feeding process. But I'll be really glad when I don't have to do it 6 times a day!

eg214

I'm glad this was posted. I despise pumping also and have been saying that to anyone who will listen. I just don't know how the hell you EP'ers do it. Hats off. My problem is it pisses me off bc I don't feel I get enough out. It takes me two sessions to make a feed and I have to do hands on pumping to really get anywhere. I think I might have to FF when I go back to work. No way can I pump enough to have a stash for a sitter.

It's also hard to find a good time because LO eats off both and wakes every 2-3 hours. When she's awake its near impossible bc she wants my attention.

I know LO gets plenty when she BF's but when I pump its a nightmare.

versed

WildFlower26 said:

I hate pumping and so I don't do it. Well I do it as little as possible. I will start pumping one week before I go back to work for that first day. After that she will always just get the previous day's milk. No more than necessary.

This is my mentality, too. I'll be pumping enough at work, so I'm not going worrying about a stash. I wasted way too much milk when pumping for DS1.