At the end of my rope - EPers pls come in

Shamlet123

So I am 25 days from hitting my goal of 6 months and today I think I've reached my breaking point.

I started crying tonight b/c I think its time for me to stop EP'ing and have mixed feelings about it. I just can't keep this up anymore. I think about how I am so limited in what I can do, how long I can be away from my pump.

I watch DS playing by himself from across the room b/c I'm stuck to this f-ing pump. And now that I'm working again, what little time I have with him, I don't want to be pumping. Basically, I'm miserable and its time to quit.

So what do I do? Do I need to wean myself off? Are there any tips/advice for making it easier on myself?

I'm not worried about DS b/c he already has had formula b/c I have supply issues too, he'll be fine.

KerryHS

I knew that I coudn't handle nursing and working full time so I always planned on being done by the time I went back to work.  The way I did it was to drop one feeding a week for 5 weeks.  (I still nurse in the middle of the night because that is just easier).  I started by replacing the 11 pm feeding with formula because that way my husband could give the baby a bottle and I could get a long strech of sleep.  Dropping a feeding a week helped me from getting to engorged.  It was a fairly gentle way to switch the feedings.  Also, since I am pretty sure this is my last child, it helped with the emotional part of stopping nursing.  Anyway, that is what worked for me.  Good luck. 

Cheryl12

I totally understand what you're going through!  I am only at 4 months of EP'ing and I feel the same way.  I am going to stick with until 6 months and then start dropping a pumping session a week to wean myself off.  One of my friends told me that would be the easiest (and most comfortable way to do it).  hth!

MrsDe2008

Shamlet123:

So I am 25 days from hitting my goal of 6 months and today I think I've reached my breaking point.

I started crying tonight b/c I think its time for me to stop EP'ing and have mixed feelings about it. I just can't keep this up anymore. I think about how I am so limited in what I can do, how long I can be away from my pump.

I watch DS playing by himself from across the room b/c I'm stuck to this f-ing pump. And now that I'm working again, what little time I have with him, I don't want to be pumping. Basically, I'm miserable and its time to quit.

So what do I do? Do I need to wean myself off? Are there any tips/advice for making it easier on myself?

I'm not worried about DS b/c he already has had formula b/c I have supply issues too, he'll be fine.

Unfortunately, I don't have any advice for you, but I just wanted to say that I totally relate! Pumping is a B!tch! I want DD to have the best I can give her, but this it taking it's toll on me as well. I'm not back to work yet and won't be until the end of July (when DD is close to 8 months old) But, I'm done at the 6 month mark. I'd really like to hear the answer to your questions, so I hope someone has some insight.

Nhev

I just wanted to say way to go! I was just telling my fianc? that I don't know how EPers do it! I kind of hate pumping....luckily I'm home with her so she doesn't need bottles often, but I pump 1-2x a day. When Amelia stayed at my cousin's overnight, I got a tiny feel for what it's like pumping all day and it was HARD work! So once again, good for you for doing it for this long. You're a trooper

Shamlet123

Nhev:

I just wanted to say way to go! I was just telling my fianc? that I don't know how EPers do it! I kind of hate pumping....luckily I'm home with her so she doesn't need bottles often, but I pump 1-2x a day. When Amelia stayed at my cousin's overnight, I got a tiny feel for what it's like pumping all day and it was HARD work! So once again, good for you for doing it for this long. You're a trooper

Aw thanks. I'm really happy I made it this far and I should be proud, but right now just a little emotional about it.

Soap1

I EPed with DS1 for 6 months and it was very, very hard!  DS2 nurses and it's so much easier.  The downside is I hardly ever pump I bottle (after 6 months of pumping with DS1 I don't even want to look at the pump again), so he doesn't really like to take one.  Annoying.

Anyway, kudos to you on making it this far!  Have you considered just dropping one or two pumps a day and supplementing with formula if you aren't making enough?  That way you're still providing some BM.  I remember going from 5 pumps a day to 4 really felt liberating. 

I also took Domperidone/Motilium to keep my supply up, and it allowed me to pump 4 times a day and still be able to make enough for DS1 to get BM exclusively.  It's available at www.inhousepharmacy.biz if you're interested.

If you decide to stop all together, I recommend dropping one pump every other day.  Some people wean more slowly, some more quickly.  It'll be kind of painful but it's so amazing to have your boobs back to yourself and to put away that dang pump!

Just don't do what I did and get pregnant 2 weeks later