Exclusive pumper-want to quit

Re: Exclusive pumper-want to quit

• jaqualls member

  January 2014 edited January 2014

  I had a really hard time with this as well. I still am in all honesty. My LO just hit 9 weeks today, there have been days that i havent showered just to be able to grab a nap. I ended up just buying a manual pump. It takes more work but i can do it anywhere. I have learned to use it one handed so i can make and eat lunch while pumping. Try not to do to much as well. Just accept some chores are not going to get done. I know its not the best but i also dont pump as often at night. I wake up a little engorged but honestly the slepp i get (even how little it is) is well worth it. Hope some of what i said helps and i sincerely hope you find what works for you. Ps: i also found if i wear my LO she sleeps for longer duration. To get some chores done i will put on the ergo and things get done. I have also taken to napping on the couch propped up by pillows and having her in the carrier against my chest. Jess

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• dunvilles member

  January 2014

  Is there a reason you are EPing instead of BFing? (not being snarky, just curious) I found BFing to be MUCH easier than formula feeding and a huge amount easier than pumping/bottle feeding.

  Also, I was always told "don't quit on a bad day."

  
  
  
  
  
  

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• roo1oo member

  January 2014 edited January 2014

  I was there, in your exact shoes. I ended up switching to formula only and don't regret that decision. I had to go back to work eventually, and while yes, I could have continued to pump at work, I could feel my sanity slipping away for the exact reasons your mentioning. If not pumping anymore makes you a happier momma, that is way more important for your LO than getting breastmilk. Your child will not grow up all f-ed up just because you fed him formula, so don't let anyone tell you you HAVE to continue to feed breastmilk exclusively.

  
  

  Just be forewarned, the switch to formula is not without its own trials. Get some samples from Similac, Enfamil and Gerber (if you don't have them already), stock up on some gas drops, and expect LO's routine to get thrown to the wind for a bit, even if you switch over gradually. Mine was fussy, gassy, and rather unhappy for about 1.5 weeks after I switched to nothing but formula. Once his system got used to it he was fine again. 

      

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• VegasGal1978 member

  January 2014

  I EP as well. I understand. I have been where you are. It isn't easy. I found my sanity (or at least some of it) as we got a schedule going. This of course is dependent on your LO. Sleep schedules should normalize soon so finding time to pump can only get easier. I use the milk maid app for my iPad. This helped me tremendously. It helped me keep track of my pumping schedule. That in turn helped me see how much good my efforts were doing. It has helped me keep going. If you feel like you need to stop, that is okay. Your sanity matters. A happy mommy is much better than an unhappy one. Hang in there. You are not alone.

  Can't figure out the signature thing, so here's the short, short version.....first daughter born on November 10, 2013. She was conceived through the magic of IVF after 2+ years of TTC.

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• roo1oo member

  January 2014

  wedding06 said:

  I would highly recommend feeding while pumping.

  Yes to this! 

  I tried it with my LO and decided that holding him while feeding him was more important to me than giving him BM. This is totally a personal decision though as lots of people who EP prefer to feed and pump at the same time.

  Another thing I did was only pump once at night. I pumped right before I went to bed, and would pump during one of LOs nightly feedings. This would depend completely on LO, because if he drifted off right after I fed him, I'd go back to bed too. Usually there was one feeding that he'd be up for an hour or so afterwards, so I'd play with him while pumping. Worked for us for a bit. But those night time pumping sessions were the toughest.

      

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• Stephanie2167 member

  January 2014

  I feel you. I'm currently pumping for twins and I pretty much despise having to do it. I try to nurse them once a day but they just tear up my nipples so pumping really is less stressful for me (especially at 1am and 4am).

  As for all the other things that need to get done, I just do what I can when I can. Like today, it was either nap or shower. I napped. I haven't showered in days (my husband left for training on Sunday for two weeks so it is just me, the twins and my 3 year old). I'm hoping to pump for at least 6 months and then go as far as I can with what I have frozen.

  Sometimes I wish I could work more on getting them latched, but with two and a 3 year old, I just can't find the time. So pumped milk it is for now.

  

  
  

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• jaqualls member

  January 2014

  I have also been told to try BF again every so often that if it is a latch issue or if the baby was just to small that time can change those things and sometimes it just works out of the blue. My girl was a preemie and couldnt suck as needed then we had the latch issue, she only wanted the nipple and yeah needless to say, ouch. Best of luck

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• cocopuff09120 member

  January 2014

  I also say yes to pumping while feeding. I've worked it out now so that I can prop my feet up on an ottoman so that I can lay LO in my lap elevated to feed him then I put him in the center of my chest between the pumps to burp him. It's a bit difficult to get used to, but once you get the hang of it it is ideal. You get to cut down on time AND hold your baby while feeding them! Also, definitely get a pumping bra that works for you. I chose to get a couple of pumping tank tops and I love them!

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• slh6363 member

  January 2014

  You need to do what is best for you and your family. If that means formula, that's what you need to do. With that said however, I EP and can say it does get better! We are now at 15 weeks and it has just become part of my daily life and doesn't seem like such a burden anymore. It drives me nuts how people say just try BFing again and see a LC. Well that doesn't work for us all. People make EPimg seem impossible, but it is not! My original goal was to make it to 3 mths and now that we are here I am going for 6 mths, with a year being my ideal goal. I found that a hands free bra and pumping while feeding really saved time in the beginning. However I do admit I prefer to cuddle with my LO while feeding so if DH is home he will feed him or entertain him while I pump, or sometimes just get extra things done around the house so we can cuddle and feed and then I'll pump after. Hang in there! I can honestly say things are SO much better at this point!

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• cocopuff09120 member

  January 2014

  Last week I posted a board about some of my eping concerns. There were a lot of wonderful suggestions. It should only be back a page or do if you want to take a look.

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• Gleiter4cats member

  January 2014

  I am also EPing ans supplementing due to latch issues and low supply. I feel your pain. I try to pump before he needs to eat so that I can hold him to feed. This is my personal feeling that I like to cuddle while he eats and cannot get it to work while on the pump. Many times I have felt like going completely over to formula but I try to get through one pumping session at a time and not look at the process for the whole day. I also have been able to stretch it to every four hours at night so that I am getting some sleep. I found I was not getting any extra by pumping every two hours verses every four...this has been great...sleeping for 31/2 to 4 hr!! You also may want to try Turing your vacuume on to get LO to sleep a little longer during the day. Mine likes this and it gives me time to get a few chores done. Good luck to you and if you have to give it up try not to beat yourself up. Easier said then done!

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