Supply Issues and Pumping Encouragement/Commiseration

Jmorgan971 · September 2014

Hi ladies--I've commented and lurked a bit but never posted. I'm EBFing my five month old and pumping 6 times a day to cover while I'm at work. He starts daycare on Monday and my supply has gone down after the long weekend where I 1) did not pump in addition to nursing (always hurts my supply) and 2) drank a bit at a wedding and used my freezer stash without pumping when he took a bottle. I know what affects my supply and have been able to bounce back with additional pumping, power pumping, water, and co-sleeping. I'm also going to rent a Medela from BRU this week because I'm about to punt my dinky APY into Lake Michigan.

So! I'm not looking for advice, just commiseration from other moms that dealing with supply issues and pumping sucks big time. I love nursing but pumping is the worst. I just close my eyes, do the pumping, and tell myself it'll all work out. But can't lie, it gets me depressed and stressed every time my supply dips. My son better never get sick or have super strength after all of this!

kristynachicago · September 2014

Ugh, I can totally relate. I also have an EBF 5 month old and I work full time, so I pump during the day.

I agree - I LOVE nursing, but pumping is hard work. I'm constantly worried about how many ounces I'm going to produce, if I'll have to add yet another pumping session to my day in order to make up for an shortages, if I miss my bus to get home, will my care provider have to give LO a bottle from my freezer stash - the list goes on.

I just try and remind myself that this is all temporary, and when I'm done nursing (and unfortunatley, at this point, pumping and nursing are a package deal), I will miss the bonding time with LO. Keep it up, mama, putting up with the pump is sooo worth all of the wonderful milk you're giving your LO!

BootsOrHearts · September 2014

Yup pumping sucks, pun intended. I think you will like the rental pump. I never could get shit out of my medela double electric. That thing is a piece of trash. When I travel I just use my manual pump.

FWIW, I found using breast compressions really helps get the milk out. If it's something you want to try, google 'hands on pumping'. Before I started doing that I was getting plugged ducts and had low supply.

Jmorgan971 · September 2014

Haha--yes, pumping literally sucks. Sometimes not as much as it should. Stupid APY.

Compressions have really helped me out, but in these really low supply times, it's like squeezing milk from a stone. I'm also thinking LO has gotten a bit lazy with his eating since he's been on the bottle during the day. All in all, it's a crappy snowball effect... Fingers crossed the rental brings these puppies back to life!

dizzycooks · September 2014

I don't usually post here, but I am just going to say what I was thinking while reading your post. If you're not pumping to replace feedings, you can't wonder why your supply suffers. Sometimes you supply is poor just because, but if you start skipping pumping/feeding sessions and subbing with a frozen bottle then your body is going to think you don't need that milk.

Jmorgan971 · September 2014

Well, there is no wondering about it. I know exactly what affects my supply. (Which, ahem, is explicitly stated in my post.) I understand the rules of supply and demand and made my choices accordingly. So while I *can't* wonder what happened, I *can* voice my frustrations about the demands of motherhood and in this specific case, pumping. Just as you can choose not to commiserate or encourage and instead be, well, pretty judgmental. Oh, what a time to be alive! Best of luck in your future endeavors.

dizzycooks · September 2014

There's nothing to be upset about. If you don't pump, you won't make the milk or have it to replace a meal with in the future. There is nothing wrong with that. If you feel pumping is too demanding or takes too much time or whatever then decide how much you want to pump/nurse and adjust your plan accordingly. If you need to supplement to do that there is no shame in doing that, especially if it reduces frustration or stress on your part. If pumping is too demanding then make some changes.

Ladyburd · September 2014

The journey of motherhood is full of finding balance. I too work FT and EBF my DD. I also hate pumping with a passion! There have been days when I feel stressed out when looking at the 2 oz I've pumped in 20 min and others when I'm impressed with my yield.....& some how it all works out. There are days when I have pumped to the max and others when I find myself behind due to various reasons. What I hear from you is that you are committed to continue the breast feeding journey, you love nursing your baby, and hate pumping! I am with you all the way.

operaghost · September 2014

I have no advice, just sympathy. I went back to work after 12 weeks, this is my 4th week back and my supply is starting to tank. I try and do 3 pump sessions during the day but today I was in a meeting that lasted All. Day. (no lunch breaks or anything beyond a 5-min bathroom break) and I had no time to pump. This happened last week too. I don't want to give up nursing just yet but it's so hard to find time to pump during the day.

Jmorgan971 · September 2014

Thank you @Ladyburd‌. I appreciate your support! And you're right, 2 oz. seems like nothing one day and everything the next. Somehow we make it through.

@operaghost‌ I've been in similar situations at work. It's so so hard. You're torn between doing your job well and fulfilling this need as a mom. I hope your supply bounces back. 3 sessions a day when you can do it is awesome.

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