pumping - when to give up?

jeffrae · July 2010

My BFing days are numbered. Addy is showing less interest - and only seems to want to in the middle of the night. She might nurse for a minute of so before bed....but I don't think she is getting anything. She is waking up hungry and scarfing down a 4 oz bottle after she goes down for the night.

My pump sessions are down to twice a day - of which I am lucky to get 4 oz. I am thinking of going to once a day but I know I will only get 1 to 3 oz in a session. She takes 4-5 oz bottles. So....my internal struggle....do I just drop all BFing and pumping sessions - and just stick with the AM feeding with Addy?

I have been beating myself up over this for the past month. I want to make it to one year so bad...and it is only SIX weeks away -- but I am seriously driving myself batty!

What to do....what to do....I don't know! :-(

lovesinthehouse · July 2010

I don't have an answer for you, but I think 10.5 months is a huge accomplishment! Whatever you decide, you should be d@mn proud that you made it this far!

labbie1821 · July 2010

Rae with everything you have been through you really need to give yourself a huge pat on the back! I say give up pumping at work since it's only giving you more stress. Enjoy when she wants to nurse and give your body a break. I think you've done an amazing job! Stop driving yourself crazy and enjoy your LO!

Much Love~

veryargylegirl · July 2010

jeffrae:
My BFing days are numbered. Addy is showing less interest - and only seems to want to in the middle of the night. She might nurse for a minute of so before bed....but I don't think she is getting anything. She is waking up hungry and scarfing down a 4 oz bottle after she goes down for the night.
My pump sessions are down to twice a day - of which I am lucky to get 4 oz. I am thinking of going to once a day but I know I will only get 1 to 3 oz in a session. She takes 4-5 oz bottles. So....my internal struggle....do I just drop all BFing and pumping sessions - and just stick with the AM feeding with Addy?
I have been beating myself up over this for the past month. I want to make it to one year so bad...and it is only SIX weeks away -- but I am seriously driving myself batty!
What to do....what to do....I don't know! :-(

Rae- I could've written this myself. I pump only half of what DS needs when I am gone. I struggle so much with seeing our freezer stash dwindle down. I think I've decided to just keep pumping until the stash is entirely gone and then I will nurse him when I am with him and start formula. I wanted to make it to a year also, but I know when he starts DC in October it will def be over. GL to you! I know how you are feeling!

Vandy05 · July 2010

I was going to ask this same thing!!! Kind of wondering when it jsut isnt worth it to pump anymore. I ma thinking for me if I cant get enough for at least a bottle a day then I will stop. Right now (AF is here) I can make 2 bottles and hoping that will go back up. Im with you though fighting for the 1 year mark so much! Hope you make it!

NavyPilotWife · July 2010

You have done an awesome job and giving up pumping a little earlier than you planned won't change that! What are you planning on transitioning Addy to at a year? The pedi reminded me today that turning a year old doesn't magically make cow's milk ok. He told me that it's ok to start giving DD whole milk (I wanted to BF for a year, maybe longer, but because of my pre-term labor with DD the doc wants me to start weaning).

Don't beat yourself up over six weeks! Addy's gotten lots of great BM!

popcorn13 · July 2010

Give yourself some credit Rae! 10.5 months is an AMAZING accomplishment and Addy is a lucky girl. I don't know why we do it but there are so many girls on this board that beat ourselves up over this. I'm guilty of it too. I think no matter what you decide you should be proud and happy!!!!!

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