I think I might stop pumping

ocnfish4 · October 2013

at this point, 6 weeks pp, I'm getting half an ounce to an ounce and a half at each pumping total. It just doesn't seem worth it. I hate to stop bc I paid over $200 for the medela pisa and it seems like a waste. But it would free up time in my day, I wouldn't have to take it to work, and I could go ahead and start the regular bc pill.

anyone think it matters? I think I'm kind of looking for someone to tell me I'm not failing if I stop now. I know baby will be fine on just formula, that's not my worry.

barnratash · October 2013

No advice really but just wantes to let you know you're not alone. I have this issue also.

Pockety · October 2013

Obviously you know that breast is best. Still, it's best for the baby to have a mother who loves the time she gets to spend with him, and who is mentally in a good place. If bf or pumping is putting you in a bad place, don't feel bad about stopping. With DS, I made it to 3 months before mental exhaustion from keeping a strict dairy and soy free diet, along with pumping, was turning me into a crazy person and not a good mommy. So we switched to formula, my son thrived, and he got his happy mommy back.

aml8979 · October 2013

My LO didn't latch but I decided to pump and give him 100% BM but this is exhausting. Every 3 hours I spend
An hour feeding him and then pumping. Not sure how long I can put
Up with it. I agree to do what makes
You happy. I gave up trying to get
Him to latch bc it was stressing me out so bad.

Jennybenny5785 · October 2013

I am in the same boat as you so you are not alone. I just stopped yesterday. I went to my 6 week PP visit this morning and had her put me back on the regular BC pill as well.

ocnfish4 · October 2013

yes, my little one has never been able to latch. I have been pumping all along, but he still is getting 90% formula.

tinab3 · October 2013

I was in the same boat as you and as time went on, I was getting less and less milk. It was so stressful and I opted to stop and things are so much better now. As it was, my baby was getting so little breast milk and was heavily relying on formula anyway. It was so frustrating because I was planning on EBF, but that just wasn't in the cards for us. Overall we are doing much better after stopping. Whatever you choose to do, will be the right decision for you and your family. Don't worry, you aren't failing!

AppleMuffins · October 2013

Pumping is hard. I hated it. Even my dh noticed and was mentioning yesterday how things are much easier now that I don't have to pump all the time (dd wouldn't latch, but now she's taking the breast with a nipple shield). I can imagine it would be even harder when all that effort seems to be for nothing when you're barely getting anything. It's very stressful. I like pp's idea of setting a date and if by then things haven't picked up, then quit. You aren't a failure or a quitter. 6 weeks is a long time to try after getting so little. If you want to be extra extra sure you've done all you can, maybe speak with a lactation consultant or attend a la leche league meeting in your area if possible to see if they have any last bit of advice.

KMD1106 · October 2013

I am 8 weeks pp and am sort of weaning to quit now too. I don't think it'll take much weaning because I am getting .5-2 oz per session. I tried everything I could, pills, cookies, tea... and it just never happened. I set a date for 2 months because then she'll get her shots and doesn't need antibodies from me as much. Her 2 month appointment is on Wed and I plan to be completely done pumping by the end of the week. I know it's such a pain to pump and get nothing. As long as out babies are fed, that's what matters!

ocnfish4 · October 2013

And now that I'm thinking more about it, he rarely finishes a bottle anyway. So the little I am pumping feels like it's being wasted. I think I will stop now. I'll have a little more time with him before I go back to work, and save myself some stress and hassle.

missmuffin87 · October 2013

Pockety said:

Obviously you know that breast is best. Still, it's best for the baby to have a mother who loves the time she gets to spend with him, and who is mentally in a good place. If bf or pumping is putting you in a bad place, don't feel bad about stopping. With DS, I made it to 3 months before mental exhaustion from keeping a strict dairy and soy free diet, along with pumping, was turning me into a crazy person and not a good mommy. So we switched to formula, my son thrived, and he got his happy mommy back.

I wish someone had told me this when I was going through this with my DD! I pumped for 7 months only ever getting a couple ounces max. Looking back, it makes me so sad to think of all the cuddles I missed out on because I was pumping, stressing over ounces, and for what? Formula is just fine, and she was getting mostly formula anyways.
This time I went into it knowing I would not do that to myself again. BFing/EPing is just not for me and I am so happy with my decision. You are not less of a mom if you don't pump. You need to do what is best for you and your baby, and that is not failing, it's succeeding.

AlejandraN2 · October 2013

I'm so glad you posted this. I'm currently having the same debate with myself. I'm 7 weeks pp and also only getting half an ounce to an ounce a session. So she gets one bottle of bm a day and the rest formula. Like you I wonder if it's worth it. I'm actually renting a hospital grade one and I thought about not renewing for this month but I ended up doing it. I think I'll also give myself a date - most likely her 2 month appt. I don't think you are failing at all. The fact that so many of us are going through this helps me at least not feel as bad. And I like the idea of more cuddle time.

Tally879 · October 2013

I think you should do whatever you need to but thought I'd share my experience. Lo wouldn't latch at all. We started using the nipple shield and that help him learn and then we were able to switch to straight breast it took a good four weeks going to a lactation support group to get him to figure it out. Lactation cookies and the mothers milk tea really improved my supply. But I agree that pumping blows and if latching has no hope I'd give up too.

waterfall11 · October 2013

Only you know when it's time to quit. DD1 and I struggled with BFing a lot and by 8 weeks after 3 days a week at the LC I was physically and emotionally exhausted and it was best for my sanity and relationship with my daughter that we switch to formula. You are not failing! Sounds like you've given it your all and your baby is lucky to have you!

Kristonita12 · October 2013

I'm also so glad someone posted this. I switched to FF early and felt so guilty, but honestly, I'm in a much better mental place, I have a thriving, chubby little baby and I spend so much quality time with her both while bottle feeding and during cuddles. Now that in back at work, I am so appreciative of what little time I do have with LO when I get home that I'd hate to be sitting around stressing out with my breast pump instead of snuggling her. Good luck and know that whatever decision you make, just the fact that you have put so much thought into it proves that you're a great momma.

kailet · October 2013

I had supply issues from the beginning as well. I was putting in so much effort trying to improve my supply that it was just making me miserable and I knew I had no hope of ever being able to stop supplementing. I quit last week right around my 6 wk appt. I talked with my husband and my doctor about it and it made me feel better. I am still trying to come to terms with it and I'm still sort of beating myself up about it a little.. but I am starting to feel a lot happier overall. Sometimes all you can do is let it go and move on. Enjoy your baby.

I think I might stop pumping

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