The days are ticking til EFF

Stasi · December 2012

I feel like I'm getting closer emotionally to making the transition to EFF. I'm not sure how open I've been on this board, but I've struggled with breast feeding and more recently EPing my LO. Currently, I'm only pumping about 12 oz. a day, sometimes more, sometimes less and I obviously supplement with formula. My goal is pretty modest, which is to keep pumping and supplementing until her 3 month "birthday" which is in 13 days. After that, if I make it, i would like to go until I return to work on Jan. 7.

I've never had an issue going to all formula, and I'm lucky because LO has no digestive issues when she gets bottles of straight formula. I guess it's tough for me because its something I wanted to excel at and never quite got it right. I know a lot of you have been or are currently in this same position.

So, anyone out there that transitioned to EFF...any advise for the emotional or physical transition? I can go about 10 hours without pumping before I feel engorged and even then it's never that bad, but I'm still worried about mastitis.

Thanks!

mrsjenni · December 2012

I know a few people get mad when I link to my blog (ha!) but I seriously just wrote a whole long post last week about making the VERY difficult decision to quit breastfeeding and switching to formula. There's a link to the BFing post in the update I posted this morning, if you're interested.

I had a really hard time finally deciding that it was okay for me to quit. I think the most important thing is to make sure that you're ready to make the switch (you don't want to regret anything, it's not really something that's easy to go back too!) My sisters and DH were all telling me it was okay for like 2-3 weeks before I finally was able to pull the trigger and quit. As soon as I made the decision and followed through, I felt A MILLION times better. The hardest part is just pulling the trigger, honestly.

As far as the physical part of it, it hurt. Bad. I pumped for relief after about 15 hours or so and then pumped again 24 hours after that and that helped me not want to throw up. Tight sports bras, lost of advil and even more wine.

GL mama!

thebanich · December 2012

With DD I didn't have any struggles until I went back to work and then my supply tanked and I had to work HARD to get enough for her to have one or two bottles the next day. At about 4 months I fed her before work and after I got home but had to supplement still. At 6 months I was just feeding her at night before she went to bed but she wasn't really getting much... it was just for comfort until my supply completely dried up. I struggled internally because I felt like I failed her. I cried a few times until finally my mom sat me down and told me that it was not the end of the world. DH did not understand why it upset me at all.

My supply issues this time started before I came back but I'm trying really hard to get it back up. I don't feel as emotional this time because I know I can only do so much.

Just know that it is not the end of the world if you stop. Your beautiful baby girl will be happy as long as you are!

MeatballEsq · December 2012

I second what Jenni said about making the decision. Like Stephers too, my physical transition wasn't hard because I really wasn't making anything.

I also really really wanted it to work out, but it got to the point where I was pumping all the time and only making enough for 1-2 bottles so it didn't seem worth it. And like Jenni said, once I pulled the trigger I felt so much better. Sure, when I see people post about BFing on here I get sad that it didn't work out for me, but it wasn't for lack of effort.

GL hun. I hope you decide what is best for both you and your LO. Like Anita always says (and told me at the time I was struggling with the decision), you are making the decision to feed your baby, no matter which way you go, so it's the right decision. Hugs.

kelbel527 · December 2012

I agree with what a lot of the other ladies on this, and just wanted to chime in as well. I am exactly where you are, in that part where you're ready to quit, but not quite there. I know for a fact, it's going to be really really hard when I return to work in 2 weeks, so I am just trying to make it until then. (I pump less than half of what DS eats the few times I've been away from him, so I don't think I'll be able to keep up when he's at daycare).

With DS1, I made the decision quickly in frusteration. Often, I went back and wondered if I had just known more, could I have done it longer. Since it's not something you can easily switch back to, just make sure you are sure.

GL with your decision and don't worry about it once you do. You're doing the best you can, and even making it this far has been good for your LO.

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