The temptation to give up is great

megaloo27 · May 2012

So I just got my period and my strength to keep pumping is wavering. At the end of the mo th we will be traveling and I can imagine that will be difficult. Pumping on a plane? I don't want to think about it. Hopefully we will have enough time on the layover so I won't have to. Also traveling with breast milk and other liquid medications, I'm hoping we don't run into a tsa agent on a power trip. Plus AF has hurt my supply:(. I actually had a noticible boost in supply right before it started, I wonder if that is the hormones?

kiwiadiremWed231308 · May 2012

I understand that feeling. I had SUPER low supply from day one and finally gave up a couple of days ago when I could no longer pump 1/2 oz during a 45 min session. That said, I had no trouble traveling with liquids and meds through several airports. I had all of my milk and formula in gallon size zip top bags, meds in another and my reqular 3oz size limit liquids/gels in the quart size bag. I just put them all in the bin at security. They checked them out, but I had no trouble at all. Good luck!

bpwife&mama · May 2012

If you check out the TSA website they state that they do not bother people carrying breastmilk, formula etc. anymore. We are flying next month with formula and I checked it out to make sure.

beccajanedowning · May 2012

Megan you have been an inspiration to me to keep going. Every time I want to throw in the towel (or burp cloth) I think about how long you've been pumping for your DD.

I've decided to keep going until I can't pump at least half her intake for the day. Then I'll give up. I commend you on doing this for so long. I had no idea how much harder than breastfeeding (time wise) it would be.

megaloo27 · May 2012

Aww, thanks:) I'm thankful that my supply is enough to feed her. Honestly we can't afford formula and we would have to go on WIC. Luckily my baby isn't too "piggy" and only eats 27-30 ounces a day. I can't believe some babies are eating 8 ounce bottles! I could never keep up!

jnickers98 · May 2012

megaloo27:
Aww, thanks:) I'm thankful that my supply is enough to feed her. Honestly we can't afford formula and we would have to go on WIC. Luckily my baby isn't too "piggy" and only eats 27-30 ounces a day. I can't believe some babies are eating 8 ounce bottles! I could never keep up!

My DD will usually take 7-8 oz at a time, but only takes 4 bottles a day (usually 28-30 oz/day. I've been wanting to quit pumping for almost a month now, but the guilt makes me keep saying "one more week".

DataJane · May 2012

I want to quit all the time. The only thing that is keeping me EPing currently is that my sister-in-law asked if she could borrow my pump if I was done using it when her baby is born at the end of this month and I told her I was planning on going til 6 months so she went out and bought her own. Now I would feel like a jerk if I quit! I make about 33 oz.a day and it is never enough for my hungry guy so he gets some formula too.

MrsRucinski85 · May 2012

I have a bit of a lower supply but dread the thought of giving up. I now make just under what she eats a day and pretty soon my freezer stash will be used all up and I will have to start supplimenting Sad

Pumping sucks. I honestly hate it and pumping in itself makes me want to quite BUT I am really determined to hit six months at the very least.

I recently went on vaca. I didnt pump on the plane I just nursed A. It would have been too much of a PITA to actually pump I think. As far as the TSA, I had no problem at all with bringing a bottle of BM. I actually had two bottles of BM on my flight home... they have signs up all over the place that state the liquid requirements dont apply to BM/Formula. - Now what did get us caught up with the TSA was my husbands insulin pump. *enter rolled eyes here* it took forever and they had to bring him into the special little room to search him more and blah blah blah that was a PITA.

IDK about the supply going up before AF, sorry.

GL with whatever you decide mama!

Mlewis2319 · May 2012

Your supply will fluctuate throughout your cycle, most likely decreasing as AF arrives, once she leaves your supply should slowly go back up and then go back down and AF nears. Supply is related to hormones so as your hormones go up & down so will your supply.

Even if AF does not arrive, your body will still go through the motions and your supply will go up & down.