Motivation to keep pumping

jahjbmr

Anyone have any awesome motivating advice or something? I EP and I am sooo sick of it. I started work at its so hard for me to pump there so I only can do it once a day. Then I need to pump right when I get home and I want to be playing with my baby. My door at work only locks from the outside at my school because It is broke. So I have to wait for someone on their prep to lock me in.

I wanted to EBF for 6 months and don't want to quit pumping this early but I feel like I live by the clock and am attached to this stupid thing.

I feel like I have no good reason to quit though, I produce a ton of milk and will feel bad when I quit like I was just lazy.
I also have soooo much in the freezer I am trying to find some dry Ice to move it 3 hour to my moms chest freezer. We are moving there soon. So really I have enough for like 2 months if I stop now.

Someone motivate me to keep going

MonsterBean3815

I don't know if I'm the most motivating person to respond, but I wanted to tell you that I literally had this exact conversation with my mom today.  I'm just getting burnt out on EPing, but feel sooooooo guilty because I produce tons of milk.  The thing that keeps me going is knowing that my milk is exactly what DS needs, and I think finding the right formula would probably be a PITA.  It may not be, but this is what I tell myself to make myself keep going.  Also, I try to think of all the women who want so desperately to feed their LO BM but can't because of supply issues.  This reminds me of how lucky I am that my only issue is not being able to directly breast feed.

i ultimately believe that you need to be happy and take care of your baby in a way that works for you, so making the choice to stop would not necessarily be a bad thing if it helps you be happier with your LO!  Good luck to you! 

babyboyL2013

I am doing the exact same thing. I am a teacher too and I go back in a week. Thankfully it is only for 2 weeks before summer break because I am worried about pumping there. I just keep telling myself that my BM is the healthiest thing for baby and be needs it. Plus it's free! :. Hang in there!

llarkinburns

I don't EP, but there were times I've wanted to quit BFing. I decided my goal is just to get through today and reevaluate tomorrow. It seems less daunting that way. Good luck and know that whatever you decide will be just fine!

jahjbmr

Thanks everyone! Yes only 3.5 weeks of school left here. I hope to make it to at least that. Then I feel like I don't want to be attached to it all summer. One of the main things keeping me going is that so many cant because of a supply issue so I feel like the B!tch that had plenty but quit because I was too lazy.

I only made a plan to for 6 months anyways so that is still my plan I think with everything I have in the freezer.

Just trying to make it through the summer. Although we got 16 inches of snow in our state so it doesn't feel like summer, maybe that's my problem!

emriley84

Can you pump on your commute, so you don't have t pump right when u get home? I'm a nurse and work 12hrs and I do not want to pump when I get home after being away so long. I got a hands free bra and the car adapter. I set everything up before I leave work, throw a nursing cover on and drive home, then my pumping is over.

What motivates me is the money I'm saving on formula, the extra calories I get to eat, and the health benefits for me and LO. GL momma!

tilsonc

I felt the same way. I am probably not the best person to talk to as I just quit. I just weaned as I went back to work and travel. There was no way to make long day trips where I was gone 12-15 hours and be able to pump between meetings. I would have not been able to save the milk either as it gets so hot here. I was only able to produce about 2/3 of what she needed so we had been supplementing for a while. I am so glad I am not hooked up to the pump anymore!! I have so much more time to spend with LO when I am home and its been a nice break. I am also losing weight now that I stopped BF.

ann_jeremiah

emriley84:

Can you pump on your commute, so you don't have t pump right when u get home? I'm a nurse and work 12hrs and I do not want to pump when I get home after being away so long. I got a hands free bra and the car adapter. I set everything up before I leave work, throw a nursing cover on and drive home, then my pumping is over.
What motivates me is the money I'm saving on formula, the extra calories I get to eat, and the health benefits for me and LO. GL momma!

Exactly what I was going to suggest.

Rhea77

Wow, pumping while driving is impressive! I can't imagine doing that! But one thing I do to save time is pump while putting on my makeup, blow-drying and straightening my hair before work in the morning.

I too, however, am struggling with motivation to continue. Just about everyday I curse the stupid pump and tell DH I've had enough. Two mornings ago, I couldn't find one of the parts to the pump. I got mad and told DH I was officially done, I couldn't do it anymore. Then I immediately put my head down on the bathroom counter and started bawling like a lunatic because I felt like a failure. But a part of me felt relieved, like I finally had an "out" to quit. But while bawling, I saw the pump part that had rolled under the counter. I was like "Dang it! Guess that means I have to keep pumping." DH is completely baffled by the emotional rollercoaster that surrounds my decision to pump or quit. It is a day-by-day thing for me right now.

cullmk10

I just read this and found it very motivating.. Just had baby #1 in Feb. and went back to work a few weeks ago (as a teacher).  I work with male Juvenile Delinquents and feel very uncomfortable pumping at work because I am one of only three women who works at the school. These last three weeks with dropping the number of times I'm pumping my milk supply has diminished significantly.  we've been supplementing for a few months and it's got to the point where less than 50% of his bottles are BM.  I spend hours pumping to get just a few ounces and was starting to feel like it wasn't worth it.  However, I should say that I have a manual pump (as that's what my insurance company would pay for).. but after reading this discussion board have decided to try pumping in the car. I used half of my first paycheck to buy a new electric pump, and a hands free bra. I have an hour commute each way and hate wasting the time in the morning and when I get home pumping when I want to be spending time with the baby (and his daddy! :x ).  Thanks for the motivation to keep up with it!  I know that it's what's best and hopefully changing up the routine will make it less frustrating!