Pumping 2 oz per day - is it really worth it?

Re: Pumping 2 oz per day - is it really worth it?

• AndieTessie member

  November 2015

  Are you able to breastfeed instead of pump? Even with a hospital grade pump I don't get much but I know baby gets more when eating or else she'd be starving. Only you can decide if you want to keep going, either way baby is getting fed and loved.

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• thtrchic member

  November 2015

  She was very steadily losing weight breastfeeding and weighted feedings showed she was getting next to nothing. It appears I just can't make much. Sadly.

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• realsquirrel member

  November 2015

  I just made the decision to quit pumping last weekend when Baby was 6 weeks old. I couldn't breastfeed, so pumped everyday for around 4 hours but produced not much more than 1 oz per day. It was a really difficult decision for me because I wanted to give him my breast milk, but I ultimately decided that the time I spent not bondingwith him while pumping everyday was not worth it. As others have said, only you can make this decision, but I will say that as soon as I accepted my decision, I felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders. I know it was right for us. Good luck!

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• meggipi5 member

  November 2015

  Only you can really decide, but I would say let the pumping go. 

  
  

  There's no reason to beat yourself up about getting her breast milk, especially if she's happy with the formula. You've already given her so much by providing breast milk as long as you can. Way to go!

   

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• Kristyhana member

  November 2015

  I only pump 1-2 oz each time so maybe 6-10 a day. I'm also thinking its time to give it up. It's hard for me to just stop though.

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• aharders89 member

  November 2015

  We had a very similar situation. We had a huge initial weight gain of 7 oz in 2 days after my milk came in, then my LO started losing again. Pediatrician felt that she was burning too many calories working to breastfeed. I tried power pumping, fenugreek, oatmeal, etc and nothing seemed to increase supply. I was breastfeeding her, giving formula, and pumping (only getting 2-3 oz/day) every 2-3 hours and I felt completely overwhelmed. I was upset and crying all the time because I felt like a failure for not producing and the guilt of wanting to give up. Ultimately my husband convinced me it was time to stop forcing the breastfeeding that so clearly wasn't going to happen. Once I accepted that and made the decision to switch to formula a huge weight was off my shoulders. My mental/emotional state definitely needed that. Fed is best no matter what! In the end you just need to do what's best for you and your LO!

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• Dot30324 member

  November 2015

  You are the only persob who can make that decision but if it were me, I'd let it go. 2oz isn't enough for the stress. I'm sorry to say. It will hard at first but once you see little one thriving, sleeping (and you're sleeping) you'll both be so happy. Good energy will happen and you'll shine together.

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• jlawson23 member

  November 2015 edited November 2015

  @Kristyhana That's actually a lot. Baby only needs 1-1.5 oz per hour that you're away from him/her. Not sure if you're pumping for work or just to have a stash.

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• jen83mn member

  November 2015

  Kristyhana said:

  I only pump 1-2 oz each time so maybe 6-10 a day. I'm also thinking its time to give it up. It's hard for me to just stop though.

  Is this pumping in place of nursing or after nursing? Total, or 1-2 oz from each breast? If it's after you nurse, this amount is normal. I pump 1-2 oz. from each breast after I nurse. If I'm pumping in place of a feeding (while baby is drinking a bottle of pumped milk), I'll pump 3.5-5 oz. from each breast.

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• tlc11934 member

  November 2015

  @thtrchic you are not alone. With DD1 I pumped 1oz per week. Week! And I did it for 3.5 months because I felt it was important for her to continue to get my milk. With this DD I hand express about 1oz per day and will continue to do so until I dry up. To me, the extra protection from sickness during this flu season is important. I've had a cold and DD didn't get it so I think it's working.
  
  How stressful is pumping to you? How time consuming? Can you hand express? I hand express 4-5 times per day to make that 1oz bottle but it takes me 5 min per time. If I were pumping for 30 min five times per day to get the 1oz I wouldn't do it.

  

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• duckygirl11 member

  November 2015

  It is totally up to you, and your comfort level. If you think giving up the pump will buy you some sanity, I would say give it up. However if you think giving up the pump will cause you guilt and sadness, I would say hang on a little more. I am pumping about the same as you per day, and I use the pumpEd milk to miss a feeding and get some time away while my husband takes care of him. To me, that is worth keeping up the pump. Just remember, you are doing a great job, and you were doing a wonderful service for your baby by keeping yourself happy. Best of luck mama!

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• Kristyhana member

  November 2015

  jen83mn said:

  Kristyhana said:

  I only pump 1-2 oz each time so maybe 6-10 a day. I'm also thinking its time to give it up. It's hard for me to just stop though.

  Is this pumping in place of nursing or after nursing? Total, or 1-2 oz from each breast? If it's after you nurse, this amount is normal. I pump 1-2 oz. from each breast after I nurse. If I'm pumping in place of a feeding (while baby is drinking a bottle of pumped milk), I'll pump 3.5-5 oz. from each breast.

  No it's not after nursing. It's in place of nursing. So it's not enough. I make enough to give him half BM and half formula during the day. Then at night he's all formula.

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• Kristyhana member

  November 2015

  jlawson23 said:

  @Kristyhana That's actually a lot. Baby only needs 1-1.5 oz per hour that you're away from him/her. Not sure if you're pumping for work or just to have a stash.

  No I'm not pumping after feeding. I feed him bottles of BM and formula so this is all that I produce per day. I usually nurse him at the breast once or twice a day just for stimulation. But it's never enough for him so I have to make a bottle after anyway.

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• imsoexcited915 member

  November 2015

  My feeling is any breast milk is better than none

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• mriandabusto member

  November 2015

  I would give up.
  I was in the same boat; exhausted, sore, constantly pumping and very irritable! The way I see it is a healthy happy baby is all I could ever ask for. I cried constantly for 3 days because I felt so bad like I was starving him. Don't beat yourself up, it gets sooooooooooooo much easier when your formula feeding. I don't regret it, I know what to do with the next one:) I'll get it right the second time

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• jbettles member

  November 2015

  I feel that if you are asking, in the back of your mind you are looking to quit. I don't mean that in a bad way, just an honest way. If you are thinking hard enough about it to create a post, it may be what your heart desires. I agree with the idea that your time would be better spent bonding with LO. Unless I'm at work and HAVE to, I hate pumping. I don't think an ounce or two is worth it. Just my two cents!!!

  

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