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Breastfeeding
katie4253
member
Feeling a little burned out on pumping...
katie4253
member
I was doing so great, and I was SO motivated. But, the last week has really tired me out. I have a lot going on personally. Went from working to being a SAHM (not entirely by choice). I *can* pump as much as I want, but I haven't been pumping as much as I was when I was working or before I went back to work, even. I pump about 6-7 times a day. I know I should pump 7-8 (like he eats), but I cannot bring myself to do it!
I was pumping between 30-33oz a day. Now I am pumping 25-30oz a day. He is nursing once a day (usually) now, so he probably takes about 1-2oz a day when he does that. Our nursing session is usually about an hour after he eats and then he goes to bed.
This morning I was SUPER engorged. It hurt so bad. But, then I only pumped 9oz. I usually pump 11-12 when I am that engorged.
I am still making much more than he drinks a day because he has to have 2 bottles of high calorie formula a day. But, if I was just giving him breast milk I'd only be making 3-6 ounces more than he drinks a day. I have a HUGE freezer stash (1500oz). So, I think that is keeping me from wanting to pump more a day as well. I know I have it to fall back on once he starts taking breast milk only.
There is no real point to this, except that I am feeling discouraged. I want to pump a year for him. I've been doing it for 3 months. I'm 1/4 of the way there!
Born at 31w3d due to severe IUGR & Placental Insufficiency--2lbs 3ounces
We'll miss you sweet Debbie Girl (4.21.12) and sweet Cindy Girl (8.9.12)
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Feeling a little burned out on pumping...
That is an incredible freezer stash!!!!!!
Just remind yourself that as he gets older and eventually starts solids, he won't need to eat quite as often and therefore you won't have to pump as often. Also, can you pump both sides at once? (I'm assuming you're not if you're doing 7-8 times a day)--that way you could space things out and pump 4-5 times a day instead and chances are you'd still be getting about the same amount.
FYI, I basically do 3 pumping sessions a day now that LO is over 9 months, and when I pump both sides I get about 10 oz total (although sometimes in the morning I get 8-9 oz from one side). When LO reaches 11 months I plan to cut down to only 2 pumping sessions and start using my freezer stash. Hopefully you'll get to the point that your little guy can use some of your stash and you can cut down even further!
So just remind yourself that you are not going to have to do this forever and that it is soooo good for your DS! Good luck.
He's growing up, but he'll always be my baby!
Nathan--11/4/10
...big brother to...???? Due March 2014!
The 6-7 times a day is both sides. I am afraid to drop more pumping sessions because when I dropped a pump overnight I dropped 5 ounces. Right now I pump: 6:30pm, 10-11pm, 6-7am, 9-10am, 2-3pm, 5-6:30pm. Sometimes I throw another in there too.
My guy won't start solids until 4-6months adjusted. So, he has 3-5 more months before we start trying any solids.
We'll miss you sweet Debbie Girl (4.21.12) and sweet Cindy Girl (8.9.12)
His latch is crappy, so no. We are working on it. But his preemie status made it 100% impossible until this week. When we brought him home at 6 weeks and I tried to BF he would scream bloody murder. I dropped it for about 3-4 weeks and tried again. He latched out of the blue this week. I'm hoping he'll keep getting better. But, I'm not holding my breath. He was too pissy to BF yesterday. He has to be in the mood to try. Sassy little thing. LOL!
We'll miss you sweet Debbie Girl (4.21.12) and sweet Cindy Girl (8.9.12)
I see...it sucks feeling like you're tied to the pump all the time! Hopefully your unintended SAHM status might have a silver lining in that you can practice BF more like PPs said. I'm still absolutely amazed by your stash, though...if nothing else you can definitely fall back on that and give yourself a little break, although I know that won't do anything for your supply.
Maybe think about starting a countdown for yourself? and remember that you don't HAVE to BF for a whole year if it's causing you insane amounts of trouble/stress... might help to reward yourself sometimes (if you aren't already--bath, manicure, glass of wine after pumping) for doing such a good job providing for your LO too!
He's growing up, but he'll always be my baby!
Nathan--11/4/10
...big brother to...???? Due March 2014!
I also felt it was much easier to pump at work than at home, since you have to entertain LO while you pump at home. But I also don't see any reason why you should be pumping more often - think about your goals and find a balance.
Your little guy is adorable! Talk to you doctor about nipple shields. I was never told about them but two of my girlfriends had bad latchers and one did not stay latched on and they started using those shields and that really helped them! Good Luck and remember any little bit of BM he gets is so good for him!