Pumping at work & Unhappy bottle baby

jessib10 · May 2014

So I have a couple of issues... The first and most important issue is that I am unable to pump enough during the day while at work to fill my baby's needs for the following day, and my stash has ran out, and I am having to supplement. I give props to the mommies who EP, because being attached to that pump all day is so difficult. The crazy thing is, when I get home, and I get to nurse baby finally, I have the biggest let down happen ever. We both feel satisfied. But its driving me crazy not being able to produce enough at work.. I have only been back for the last couple of days, but please tell me it gets easier, and I'll soon be pumping enough to keep up with the demands of my LO.

Secondly.. My LO will take a bottle, but doesn't like it. Or routinely wants more, and seems unsatisfied even when eating 3-4oz at a time. I feel like it's because it didn't come from the "tap", and it's not as emotionally satisfying to her. How do I handle this? It's driving me crazy knowing that she's having such a difficult time being away from me... And while she's not crying all day, she does apparently cry quite a bit surrounding feeding times.

Last issue, is that we've been having to supplement with formula since she's been busy pigging out on my freezer stash, and she was not happy about it. My sister, who watches my children during the day, said that it took her literally 2 hours to finally take the formula. She cried the entire time. I mean--I can't blame her. I wouldn't want the formula either, it doesn't smell anything like the real stuff.

Is this normal stuff for moms who go back to work?? Because some days I don't know how much longer I can suffer through this.

BootsOrHearts · May 2014

Pumping is a bit of a learned thing, play around with pump settings, flanges, compressions, etc to find what works for you. It does get easier!

BootsOrHearts · May 2014

Oh also try different formula types they all taste different. We plan to switch to baby's only brand, it has vanilla in it and doesn't smell nearly as bad as the reg stuff, but most importantly he likes it! You can also try mixing BM with the formula to get baby used to the taste.