Stopping EPing?

tetiananina · July 2013

So after reading some interesting articles of breast feeding while pregnant I learned that if you are at risk for preterm labor, Jackson came natural at 35 weeks you should stop by 20 weeks. And my milk supply has tanked. I'm still pushing through but when do I just stop? If I make it til I'm 20 weeks then Jackson will be 10 months and I should have at least 1 month if not 2 months of supply in my freezer. But I would be lying if I didn't want to stop now. I'm exhausted. I'm only getting about 5 oz every 5 hours. Jackson typically eats 3 to 5 every 4 hours or so which means I'm already using my freezer stash. I know at the end of the day he got BM for at least 9 months most likely 10 and I feel great about that but also disappointed for the fact that I for sure thought I would at least be able to EP for a year. And now that isn't going to happen. It breaks my heart.

ProfessorPedals825 · July 2013

Growing a person is exhausting! You need to make sure you're getting plenty of rest to help the next little one grow and grow. Maybe there's a way for you to slowly wean off the pump? P just turned 4 months, so I've gone to pumping every 4 hrs. When she turns 5 months, I'll pump every 5 hrs, and so on and so on. Maybe over the next 10 weeks, you can make this slow transition? Go to every 6 hrs next week, every 7 hrs the following? Good luck and don't be too hard on yourself. You've done an amazing job of EPing!

KikiCohen · July 2013

I had to EP with DS for several reasons. I made it exactly a month and couldn't take it anymore. It was wearing me down mentally and physically due to my supply and his eating habits. It was also hard for me to make the decision to switch to formula, but at the end of the day I knew it was better and more important for DS to have a happy, sane mother.

As others have said, growing a person is hard work and you need to consider the needs of that baby too. (hugs)

adoxyinherear · July 2013

You have done AWESOME making it as far as you have! And for keeping up now with first trimester exhaustion. I know you'll make the best decision for everyone. *hugs*

FreyaWin2382 · July 2013

mkc5869:
I completely understand your disappointment. I think I would feel the same way. BUT...you are currently growing a human! You need to get as much rest as you can. Yes, you may feel guilty for Jackson but you also need to be as healthy as you can be for new baby. Don't be so hard on yourself. You have EPed for almost 9 months. That takes some serious dedication and I commend you for it. Good luck with the decision. (((HUGS)))

All of this!

katigox · July 2013

FreyaWin2382:
mkc5869:
I completely understand your disappointment. I think I would feel the same way. BUT...you are currently growing a human! You need to get as much rest as you can. Yes, you may feel guilty for Jackson but you also need to be as healthy as you can be for new baby. Don't be so hard on yourself. You have EPed for almost 9 months. That takes some serious dedication and I commend you for it. Good luck with the decision. (((HUGS)))
All of this!

I second all of this, too!
I've said it before, and I'll say it again ~ you are doing way more (raising your DS, and being pregnant, and working), than I could even imagine doing myself. I really hope you aren't too hard on yourself, bc you are a rockstar!

GL with the decision making and T&P for your poor nerves

awesnap · July 2013

You have done an awesome job. EP is not easy and 10 months is fantastic. I did want to mention that after stopping EP I had crazy hormones for a couple weeks. I wasnt pregnant and everyone is different, but it wasnt something I was prepared for or knew about.

tetiananina · July 2013

Thank you Ladies. I think I just bought myself another month. I wish I thought of this sooner. I pump while I'm driving to work and from. It's about 30 minutes. I use my nursing cover and drive. I'm not stopping anything but multi tasking. If I can get 1 more month out that's one more month of BM for Jackson and I'll be done with my first trimester too. Plus it will be nice to give my boobs a little break before I start all over again in February.

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