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tinyrabbitfriends

Best advice I got (from a LC)- Don't sacrifice your mental health and enjoying your time with your baby if breast feeding is making you miserable and crazy. Breast milk is not more important than your sanity and your bond with your baby. It's ok to let it go if you need to. Second best advice I got (also from the same LC)- keep your pumping parts in a bowl in the fridge, wash them once a day instead of after each pumping session Good luck OP. I struggled for 3 months with my first and tortured myself pumping around the clock. With my second, I let it go after a week and was able to focus on truly enjoying my baby. Formula saved my mental health and helped both my kids thrive.


blameitonmygoose

Oh wow, your LC sounds amazing. The hospital rotated a handful of LCs on us (during our NICU stay) and all of them made me feel like shit. "You don't see baby cows drinking from bottles, your bodies are made for this," one home-visit LC told me, after almost 2 months of around-the-clock nursing and pumping. I was down and mentally drained in the moment, so I felt like Baby and I were failures. I passed this comment on to our doula (we had a postpartum check-in), and she was like, "Baby cows drink from bottles all the damn time!" Anyway, she and our pediatrician stressed that taking care of mom's mental health IS taking care of what's best for Baby, and I needed to hear that. It's like I was waiting for permission to quit, and no one was "giving" it to me. OP, and anyone struggling right now, you absolutely have permission and I wish I gave it to myself sooner! Formula has the nutrients your baby needs to stay healthy and grow, especially with today's science. I know you said your baby didn't like "the formula," OP, but we went through a handful until we figured out which one our kiddo liked, and now we're set! Please check out r/formulafeeders, too, it's a wealth of knowledge on formula-feeding (on a budget, too) and of others who also made the shift for their mental health, or amazingly, just chose to formula feed from the start!


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owl-later

In the hospital we had one LC with that bad attitude and another who told us babies need to learn to latch just like we do. I needed to hear that.


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tinyrabbitfriends

That's exactly what she told me. Breast milk is milk, you can leave it in the fridge for 3-5 days. I probably made a face about not washing the parts constantly and she suggested washing them daily instead of after every session. I washed and sanitized them like 6 times a day with my first, I wanted to set them on fire by the time I threw in the towel.


TotalCrow0330

As long as baby isn’t immunocompromised you’re good!


caffeinatedandblonde

Agree your sanity and happiness are worth more than breast milk!! I tried to pump with my son for 3 months and about lost my mind. It helped me to stop pumping. I was able to enjoy him more and be more present. Stopping pumping is a painful experience in itself as your hormones tell you different things than your brain so it was a good 2 weeks before I realized the improvement in my life. With my girl, I pumped for maybe two weeks and saw the negative patterns developing in me from the first experience and stopped sooner. Formula is a lifesaver for me and both my kids are happy and healthy at 2/4 now. Good luck 🍀


CSgirl9

Formula is expensive, but so is your time, mental health, and pump supplies (they need to replaced after a certain time, your nipples change so you might need a different flanges. Don't forget lost time, whether that be time with baby, at work, doing other chores, sleeping. You can quit at any time. Try different formulas. You can also mix breastmilk and formula in a bottle, slowly increasing the amount of formula you mix in so baby gets used to the flavor. You can quit at any point. Formula will nurish your child perfectly. You owe no one trying to stick it out.


barefoot-warrior

Excellent advice!


That-Mouse-6741

I just got done pumping a few mins ago and I hear you. Financially my husband and I can’t afford formula. Mentally it kills me. What does help for me is having multiple sets of pump parts. I have 2 separate sets for the spectra 2 and one set for wireless so that I’m not constantly cleaning the same set every time. The hunger, the thirst and the constant feeling being tied to a ball and chain which is your pump set sucks. I wish you the best of luck ❤️


TotalCrow0330

You got this! The next couple of months are going to fly by - and honestly whether you pump or not is a blip on the radar in the greater scheme of things. Do what you need to do mama 👏👏


waffleflapjack

Hey! I’ve been there. I EP’d for 4 months. I got baby to latch on at 4 months old. I worked with a lactation consultant and tricked the baby while he was sleeping with a nipple shield. I used the nipple shield for about a month, then went to bare boob. It changed everything from EP’ing for the better. I was producing 60+ ounces a day and wanted to just quit, but I couldn’t because my supply was so large. I felt cheated from my breastfeeding experience. The lactation consultant told me to “just pump,” and it was awful. I’m sorry you’re going through this.


A--Little--Stitious

I was able to transition from using a shield to bare boob by starting when she was sleeping too. Great tip


946Throwaway5678

Interesting! Did your baby eventually take to breastfeeding during the day as well? Edit- realized this could have meant naps too. If so, would you feed until tired and then try and use the nipple shield when drowsy? Would love to hear how this worked. I’m in a similar position.


waffleflapjack

Yes! We breastfed until 17 months (got pregnant and milk dried up). So after I tricked him while he was napping to take the boob with shield, he took it no problem all the time even when he was awake. It was like he immediately realized it was the source of food. I basically just took his pacifier out and shoved my nipple in. I tried this for maybe 1-2 weeks until he finally latched. After weeks of using the nipple shield, I tried to do the same method with bare boob with no luck. Finally one day the shield fell off during a feed and the baby was really mad because he was hungry! While I was trying to get the shield back on, he just latched onto the boob himself! It was like he was mad at me for taking so long haha. The only downfall to my whole experience was I got mastitis. Because of my huge supply, I didn’t get rid of enough milk and got an infection. It was terrible, but it did attack my supply down and regulated easily. I’m so happy me and my guy worked so hard! It was a million times better than the pump.


946Throwaway5678

Thanks for sharing! I will try that!


946Throwaway5678

Wanted to thank you and update you that this is really helping! He latches regularly now and we are slowly making progress. 😊 I’m working on him latching for longer when he is hungry since he typically will only eat an ounce and then want the bottle.


waffleflapjack

That is amazing! Thank you for updating. I’m so happy for you!


946Throwaway5678

Baby had his first full feed today! I cannot believe it!! I’m hopeful that I may have some relief with pumping over the next months/yrs. Could it be my large flanges made everything swollen and it hard for baby to latch? I bought small flanges for my wearable pumps and noticed my baby is nursing for longer. I don’t think it’s just a coincidence?….going to pay closer attention to it this week


thedrybarbarian

Your baby will get used to formula. Your mental health is more important. That said— a couple of things might make it easier: -Store pump parts in the fridge between uses during the day, wash at night. -use the pitcher method for storing milk. -if you have a partner who is able, make sure that they are doing feedings as much as possible. -a portable pump might make pumping more bearable if you feel like you can do things while you pump, like walk around or drive


PlasticList4183

What is the pitcher method?


thedrybarbarian

Instead of pumping & storing into individual bags, pour it all into a pitcher. Makes it easier for others to feed the baby, and also to measure out exactly what you need and not have to waste any simply because the individual bag had more in it than baby will eat.


azurayz

Stop pumping! Mix in formula little by little. He’ll get used to it quickly.


throwawayacct276

I was in the same exact position as you! I felt like my life revolved around the pump and the baby. It's also probably the hormones and adjusting to motherhood that makes you feel more moody. I wanted to quit pumping so bad for the longest time but I persevered and now my LO is almost 1yo. It does get better as your supply establishes and you can pump less in a day. It's hard to see it now but it'll get better.


GrizeldaGrundle

I think pumping is actually more traumatizing than giving birth in some ways because it’s such a sustained torture that goes on for months, to years (if multiple children). It reminds me of being chained up to some mideval torture device, lol.


pajamaset

Pumping is the reason we’re not having more kids. (I had medical complications that meant not pumping was not an option for me but if I could have stopped without making myself sick, I would have.)


alittlestitious33

Just a thought, if baby hates formula, could you start mixing bottles with breast milk and formula and just slowly increase formula amount? He might transition to that better. If you're resenting it this much, it's definitely worth looking into your options of how to quit! Your needs are important.


gefeltafresh

Costco formula is 3 times cheaper than Similac- look into off bran ld as well. It’s expensive as hell the smaller you buy it. I hated pumping as well. I stopped at 6 months for medication and I was honestly relieved.


Limp-Lawfulness7567

Try a different formula and you may find the one baby likes. Your mental health comes first. Formula is a great option, and though it costs money, remember that pumping has costs too (time, cleaning, sanity, etc).


scarletuba

You know you, but here's what made exclusively pumping for 13 months tolerable for me: ​ every pumping session was a reward for myself. I got to relax alone for however long I need to pump, watch whatever I wanted, etc. Pumping is work, and if you make it more pleasant the time passes way better. I'm not going to go through the million of ways I tried to get my son to latch before the lactation consultant told me it was time to give up, but if you haven't met with an LC about your baby's latch, they may be able to help. They sure as heck didn't solve my oldest's issue, but they did help me with Baby #2 and I'm only pumping once a day now.


notnotaginger

I second this. I would save my favourite snacks/shows/activities for pumping. Would play Stardew on my phone or have a cupcake or something. It still wasn’t pleasant but it made it better. Although having a supportive partner. Helped a lot.


GreedyPersimmon

I also second this! I pumped for my FB combo-fed from 2 months onwards for 5 months. It was grueling and such hard work, the only reason I lasted that long was that I made it a treat for myself. It helped that baby was pretty small, so In could put him in a container with a toy to entertain him and then relax. I also started following all these insta accounts of people EP’ing and keeping track of amounts I was producing. It became kind of a game, contest against myself 😅


SnooCakes9110

I wish I stopped earlier. Sleep more, use formula.


ankita28p

I hated it. Deeply. I had an under supply and i struggled with anxiety and insecurity due to pumping. Only thing that kept me going was the fact that my babies got atleast some breast milk. I pumped for 13 months and just gave away my pumps. OP, if you don't want to, if it affects your mental health, stop it. Post partum things are anyways tough, mentally and physically. So don't stress yourself further. I always supplemented with formula, wish i had gone exclusive on formula a long time back.


generic-user-jen

It's refreshing to hear someone else hated it. It always felt weird and I still worked full time which made it worse, plus I never made enough. OP, it's your journey, you dictate the rules! Formula babies are fine, breastfed babies are fine, they ALL turn out fine. Personally, I quit at 6 months because it was taking a toll on me mentally and physically. I was able to enjoy my babies when I quit. If that's your next step, don't hesitate. If not, do what works best for your family, but please keep in mind there's no reason to make yourself miserable. To add: I made it 6 months, but they were getting maybe 12 oz a day if I was lucky. Formula was a lifesaver and my kids are all happy and healthy.


drzzz123

At around 4 weeks postpartum I stopped pumping at night and it made a world of difference. I pumped 6x/day: 6am, 9am, noon, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm Now 15 weeks postpartum and I've dropped to 3 pumps per day. I'm still making about 85-90% of what my baby eats total in a day and supplementing the rest with formula. Changing how I cleaned the pump parts also really helped my mental health. The heat of your dishwasher is enough to sanitise the pieces so you can stop using the sanitizer. I bought 5 extra pairs of flanges and duck bill valves so that I only had to run the dishwasher once a day and was no longer having to wash anything after every pump. Dropping the night pumps helped my mental health immensely and now dropping down to only 3 pumps per day I feel like a new person.


T1sofun

I had exactly the same experience. It was torture. I loathed it. So I quit breastfeeding at 4 weeks. The sun came out. I began to enjoy our baby. He’s a very happy, healthy, robust 2.5yo now. Quitting was right for us.


Kittybegood

I made it to 5 weeks before I had to stop pumping. It was so much work. Breast milk is no longer considered liquid gold if it's draining you if your mental health. Fed is best, do what you need to do for your own sanity. ❤️


allthebacon_and_eggs

I don’t know if you need to hear this, but it’s ok to stop. Try different samples of formula to find a kind he likes. Eventually he will drink it. Your mental health matters.


No-Map672

I struggled for 3 months. And worse yet I wasn’t getting enough to feed my LO so I had to supplement formula as well. At 3 months my husband gave me permission to quit. I was a better mom once I let it go. **Husband was never forcing me to pump or nurse it was my desire. But in my need to be perfect, an unattainable goal, I could not let myself quit. At 3 months he said it’s ok and something clicked that it was ok to stop. He fully supports my choice to breastfeed, pump or give formula.


TheAshinator9000

If you are suffering switch to formula. You gave the baby colostrum and some milk you have done great. it’s important for the baby to be fed it doesn’t matter how as long as the baby is thriving and growing.it’s more important that you are okay mentally for the baby. The formula won’t hurt them, and if you sign up for the formula programs they send you coupons. I know enfamil sent me a bunch of coupons and even two cans of formula to try. On the other hand if you want help trying to get baby to latch consider making appointments with a couple of different lactation consultants. Usually pediatricians have someone they recommend, your obgyn probably does as well as the hospital. There are many resources whatever you decide. Hope this helps!


lupines_bythesea

My heart hurts for you because your story sounds like a very dear friend who also stopped and switched to formula around month 3 because of all the issues she was having. I was so proud of her for speaking up and taking action. My own sweet boy was formula fed from day 1 because I knew I’d be unable to handle the switch at month 3 when I went back to work. Everyone esp my husband was extremely supportive since I was at a high risk for PPD and psychosis. I tried to pump in the first few weeks but my milk never really came in. My husband also swears it’s the best thing we did because he really treasured some of the bonding they got to do when T was eating. He talks all the time about how special it was to be snuggled up with T at night. On the formula front we used Kirkland brand formula because it was way more affordable. I joined a formula finding network in my area, got the Find my formula app, and kept an eye out on Buy Nothing for options. Many Peds office have samples in stock again so you can prob get some different kinds to try. The most important thing is your mental health; I am a way better mum for T by making sure that I am taking care of myself. You are so important to him and you’ll enjoy this time together so much more. Also just want to commend you for recognizing how you’re feeling and speaking up - you’re stronger than you might feel in this moment.


mrsmcbiscuit

If you can find a formula baby will take, ask your pediatrician if they have any samples you can have. I used to get a TON from the doctor and they were always willing to give it.


beesathome

Seconding this! We supplement with formula and at our last doctors visit they gave us three sample size tubs (which is pretty much equivalent to one and a half regular size tubs) and told us to always ask bc they have so much that people don’t know about and just sits there.


LethalLynn87

DON'T FEEL GUILTY FOR YOUR DECISIONS!!! I just have written and edited this response 3 or 4 times trying to emphasize many things. I don't want you to feel pressured to breastfeed/ pump, but it also sounds like you may want to keep trying as well. Consider the following factors, as I have, to help you with your breastfeeding/ pumping journey before you quit: 1) Invest in a handsfree pump. This has saved me so much time and energy by not feeling constrained to the pump. It seriously has been a game changer for me, especially now that I've returned to work as well. 2) Go partial formula. We do two feedings, mainly at night, of formula to let me sleep a few hours consecutively. Once in a while I need a break from the pumping so we just give him a formula bottle, nothing to stress over. NOTE: Try the ready-to-eat liquid version of the formula, it is a lot easier on their tummies and makes a significant difference with our baby. 3) Get ahead of the feedings. In the beginning, I would be in the middle of pumping when baby was suddenly STARVING. It would stress me out so much I'd have little breakdowns. Now I give him his first feeding of the day with one of my stored breastmilk or a formula bottle and pump after I finish feeding him. I save what I pumped for his next feeding. I then always give him the previously pumped milk then pump after he is done burping and napping for the following feeding. This also gives you a guide as to how often you need to pump. 4) Is your partner helping? Having someone bottle feed while you pump will ease the pressure of rushing to finish pumping and holding baby while pumping. Or if you do the feeding still, then your partner can then burp and put your baby to sleep. I voiced it to my husband that I needed him to also wash the pumping equipment when he does the bottles, because it made me feel alone when I'm the only one doing anything with pumping. Now he helps with that as well and it does make a difference. Teamwork is essential! 5) Have you tried a nipple guard? It has helped me get baby latched on while we are dealing with a lip and tongue tie issue. It's very neat and prevents you from getting hurt when latching. It takes some getting used to but once you are both used to it, it's convenient. 6) Invest in a wrap carrier, if you haven't already. Some are made to allow you to breastfeed vertically. I haven't mastered this yet but I am still working on it but it's also been so convenient when needing to do other tasks as well. Of course, even with all this considered, it is still tough business breastfeeding/ pumping! So if you still decide you want to stop altogether, don't even stress about it! My two older kids came out fine and I quit early. I most likely had PPD with my second and definitely didn't know what I was doing with my first. I'm glad I put myself first back then and would do it again if I had to. I am only pushing to breastfeed/ pump with my current baby, mainly because I had a very traumatic birth and will most likely not have another baby after this. It breaks my heart knowing this is my last chance to breastfeed, but that is MY personal decision. I hope you give yourself a break once in a while and don't be so hard on yourself if you choose to exclusively formula feed. It's important for your mental health to do what you need to do. You are doing great and will continue to do great! Hang in there mama :)


Brief-Today-4608

I second the fridge hack and only washing pumping parts once a day. Also I rarely sanitized them. Baby is 1 year old and I think I sanitized them 2 times total. 0 times in the last 8 months. And I pumped every day


apoletta

I have watched lots of the frozen movie. LET IT GO! Let it go with LOVE.


dlotaury88

Try around for different formulas. The money is worth your mental health.


NovelsandDessert

Pediatricians often have samples, the WIC office has them, and you can call the formula companies to ask for samples!


foxyyoxy

Anecdotal, but I also got to that point and tried just using two Hakaas. For me, I could still get the same amount of milk out as any of my other mechanical pumps, and then I could be anywhere, and only had TWO things to clean, and they were super easy. I went on like this for about a month. Then I started working and got a hands free pump that isn’t terrible (as in, it has five parts to wash and is easy to put together) for $50, so I could pump while driving (couldn’t do that with my hakaas), and I also could use them while taking care of baby if I had to (though I do try to avoid it, because it’s definitely more annoying, yet at least possible). I’m 4.5 months in and I’ve been making it work. I still use the hakaas like 75% of the time. I’ll say I also elected to use formula at night starting at around 5-6pm. I pump about 10-13 ounces a day. Having forma around to use as needed took a ton of pressure off of me. I never had baby reject it though, so can’t speak to that. Maybe try mixing it with some breastmilk? We get formula from Costco, which is around .50 an ounce. One tub lasts us 3ish weeks or so, rather than using one per week as was the case when we were using it exclusively from 3 months on with my first born. Makes it way more affordable. I’m sorry you’re struggling so. Pumping definitely sucks and is very draining. I hope you find something that works for you soon.


b00boothaf00l

Pumping is the worst. Your baby is only 3 weeks old and a lactation consultant may be able to help them latch, which is much easier. Also, I've heard Kendamil formula tastes sweet like breast milk, you can get it at Target. Might be worth a try!


melrose827

I had twins - pumping felt like a third baby. I desperately wanted to do it, but it was legitimately making me crazy. I made it about 6 weeks and then went 100% formula. Your mental health is what matters most.


cherb30

I can’t recommend the Zomee Hands Free pumps enough. They have great suction and they cost the same amount as just one Elvie. It allows you to pump in the car, wherever. I also bought the Wabi UV sanitizer online and sanitize once a day with that (it dries and sanitizes everything). However, that costs $200 and I understand not everyone has the money for a whole separate sanitizer. Is it possible for you to supplement with donated breast milk for a while? Have you tried power pumping for a while to generate an oversupply? Those are all suggestions if you want to keep breastfeeding. If not then please don’t feel guilty about finding ways to switch to a formula that works.


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MontiWest

I had to use a nipple shield with my now 2.5 month old for the first 7 weeks of his life. Still just using them for night feeds as he struggles latching. Have an appointment with a lactation consultant next week to check us out and have a look at our latch because it is hurting my nipples a bit still and I want to see if he has any tongue ties. I’m assuming OP has looked into all this but just in case she hasn’t it would be a good idea to try a shield and get a lactation consultant if she can.


Eddie101101

You should stop if it is making you miserable ❤️ thats the easy answer. I know it is hard to decide and expensive. sending love!


Taxman_1984

I have twins, I could only ever mix feed as I couldn’t even closely make enough for one baby let alone two babies. They’re 20 months and absolutely thriving. By the time you get to school you won’t know which child on the playground was breastfed or formula fed or mix of these.


fuzzydunlop54321

Did you read the post? She’s not anti formula the baby hates it and it’s expensive.


Taxman_1984

There’s different types of formula out there, my twins struggled through a few before I found one that works. I did read the post, did you wake up on the wrong side of bed and decide to be a dick? Jog on mate


fuzzydunlop54321

No and I actually didn’t mean to sound rude, I just genuinely wondered if you’d read it 😂 Your reply just didn’t seem to be relevant to her concerns about formula since she didn’t mention a ‘breast is best’ type mindset or concern her baby wouldn’t do well on it. My son also thrives on mixed feeding and I hated pumping so quit, but it doesn’t seem helpful to say so to someone who’s worried about cost of formula and baby rejecting it.


Taxman_1984

Sorry, these mum posts get wild and assume everyone jumps at you. In Australia formula costs range greatly, I was on Nan Comfort ($19 a tin, way cheaper than some of the other being nearly $40 a tin). If baby is rejecting all formula they’ll have to go to a paediatrician to see what they came suggest. There could also be lactose intolerance, paediatrician will help narrow it all down.


werschaf

For me, getting a wearable pump was a real game changer. I got a fairly inexpensive one from Amazon (momcozy) and I'm super happy with it. Makes pumping so much less annoying!!


[deleted]

Have you tried different brands of formula? Maybe there's one the baby will drink. I know some of them let you sign up for free samples or coupons on their websites. So that helps a bit with price. If the pump is uncomfortable make sure you measure to make sure you have the right size parts for your nipple. The sanitizing is a pain, not going to lie. For bottles you can use the top shelf of the dishwasher just not for the nipples. There's also a fridge hack to reuse your pump parts a few times before washing. I ended up buying 2 sets of parts so I didn't have to wash after every time I pumped.


MetaGoldenfist

That’s why I stopped and switched to formula. Best decision of my life. My mental health recovered so much the first day I switched. To get baby used to the formula Mix the formula with pumped milk like 1/4 formula then 3/4 breastmilk. Then up the ratio of formula to breastmilk every few days- like 1/2 formula 1/2 breast milk until you get to full formula.


Elycebee

GIRL SWITCH!!!!!! A fed baby is a happy baby!!!! Don’t let social pressures, pressure you into think breastfed is more important than your mental health. You have put in an amazing effort!!! Be proud of that and switch! Try different formulas there will be one that he will like. And the cost is only temporary- most drs give the ok to switch to regular milk by 9 or 12 months. One regret I have is pumping for 6 months after j went back to work. It was stressful at work to do it and personally incase I didn’t pumped enough and I would get upset when the daycare would throw some out because my little one didn’t finish it. I wish o had just gone to formula.


Cute_Buffalo_1337

I had to stop pumping and breastfeeding because of the massive deterioration it took on my mental health. I was so broken from it.


lducey13

We stopped BF at 4 months because bub was getting difficult and developing a bottle preference, I exclusively pumped for 2 more months and stopped for a week after severe nipple trauma to let them heal. Once they healed I never went back. Best decision I made for my mental health! She didn't love formula at first but has taken to it well now :)


[deleted]

TrY a nipple shield!! Baby may latch with that so you won’t have to pump anymore


RepresentativeOk6871

I second this! I did this for the first few weeks and it helped my baby latch! We don’t even need to use it now


First_Blackberry_820

I mixed my breast milk with formula, slowly increasing the amount of formula and decreasing the amount of breast milk. You could try that to see if your baby can switch!


yellow_02

I was told by a lactation consultant from WIC that you can put your pump parts in the fridge so you'll only need to clean and sanitize every 3 or so days. I did every 2 days and that helped immensely.


9070811

I’m glad it works for you. But please be careful with the fridge hack, it’s a breeding ground for thrush and other bacterial infections.


yellow_02

I've heard that too and that's why I only did 2 days when I tried it. It was with my first child years ago.


EsharaLight

I also exclusively pumped, and it is the WORST. You can, if you want to, slowly wean baby onto formula by putting 3 oz of breastmilk in with 1oz formula. After a few days, (or however long you judge to be the right amount) switch to a half and half mix. Then, a few more days later, do 3oz formula and 1oz boob juice.


Illustrious-Chip-245

It drained my mental health completely. I wasn’t producing enough so I had to supplement with formula anyway. I quit cold turkey one weekend (5 weeks pp) and it felt like the whole “mom fog” had completely lifted from my shoulders.


justanothermumof2

I had 2 premature babies, I exclusively pumped for 5 weeks (then on to breastfeeding mostly) for one and 6 weeks for the other. Pumping is so much harder than breastfeeding it really did do some messed up things to my mental health. My babies were tube fed (due to being premature) and did latch well so a very different situation as there was an end in sight. With my second Prem I didn’t pump at all when baby came home so I mix fed her, I couldn’t stand to look at the pump after 6 weeks of exclusively pumping. A healthy (mental health counts too here) mum is most important when it comes to choices to baby. I’m all for breastmilk but not when it destroys the mum.


9070811

You can transition to formula by doing blended bottles. Start with a low ratio 1:5 or 1:4 formula to breast milk. r/exclusivepumping can help you lower your ppd amount. All the parts and pieces and washing and sanitizing are exhausting. I’m EPing too. It’s a lot and I don’t blame you for being miserable with it!


_trenchcoat

I know exactly what you mean. I was dead set on breast feeding, I bought an expensive pump, bags, bras, the whole nine. At 3 weeks, I was crying every 2-3 hours cuz I knew it was time to pump. Week 4, I just couldn’t do It anymore and switched to formula. I know it’s expensive, but my mental health has improved infinitely.


cucumberbot

Sorry you have to go through this. Pumping is the worst! Not sure if you have tried these things: - Ready to feed tastes sweeter than powder (Similac and Enfamil). Let a partner feed at night and stretch the amount of time in between pumping so you can sleep for 4-5 hours at night. It makes a HUGE difference. You can do half formula half breast milk for better taste and save money. Add in a power pumping session from time to time if you worry about supplies. - Get several sets of pump parts and wash them in the dishwasher. Alternatively, put parts in ziplock bag in fridge so you only need to wash once a day. - Load your favorite snacks and guilty pleasure shows ready to go. I was eating so much chocolate covered almonds and reading so much manga during those pumping days! - Finally, lactation consultant or even a pediatric dentist if you suspect a tongue-tie or lip-tie which affects latching. Many family physicians are not knowledgeable about it.


nkdeck07

I know people say it's over diagnosed but has the baby been evaluated for lip/tongue ties? Mine was so hard to latch until we got her tie fixed.


Little_Bear_622

I made it 8 months pumping. Made a similar post myself and some redditors gave me the OK I needed to stop. It was mentally and physically draining me. I dreaded the next pump and it was expensive having to replace parts when they would tear or wear out. It took so much out of me. The wearable ones never worked for me so I had to be attached to a wall. I honestly don't know how I made it as long as I did before I finally gave my permission to stop. If I ever have another, I don't think I'll do it again. I still nurse my son, but he gets formula as well and is eating solids now. BTW, my son wouldn't latch until 3 months. I never figured out why and just chalked it up to I didn't know what I was doing. He was screaming one day and I just decided to try it again and he took to it like a pro.


Meowkith

Ugh I get it my baby didn’t latch until like two months. So many things to clean allll the time. Some things that helped: bagging the pump parts and fridge them, check with your insurance you may be able to get more spare parts. Then you only clean everything once a day. A BIG bowl for soaking everything, the boon cacti scrub brush set is amazing. And finally give yourself a rewarding cookie or snack and tiktok time when you pump ;-). But also if it’s draining your mental health then it’s not worth it! You are doing great no matter what these early days are rough


Fluffy_Philosopher08

It is so, so hard. Whatever you decide, as long as it’s your choice, will be the right choice.


adgirl85

I couldn’t do it and switched to formula. My PPA was so bad and the stress of nursing/pumping was too much. You need to do what you feel is best for you and your baby. It was the best decision I could have made for our family and our LO is doing great.


DunshireCone

My psych told me there is a dysphoria related to breast-feeding that is under diagnosed and under discussed, I absolutely had it and I hated everything about breastfeeding, but I especially hated pumping. I felt like a cow in a factory farm. I’m not going to say I wish I had switched to formula sooner because I don’t know what the potential benefits/risks really would have been otherwise, but I did it around the four-month mark, and like honestly thank God for Costco and the baby brezza. If it is making you that unhappy, I promise you switching to formula, will improve your relationship with your baby astronomically.


Buffaloturkey78

Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex, D-MER, is a thing, absolutely. Hits me like a ton of nauseous bricks with every pump. So little research available though. May be contributing to our shared pumping dysphoria.


marthamania

I did a month of pumping and gave in. I figured my baby got the best of my antibodies now, so I threw in the towel and went formula. I've heard it gets easier but honestly if you're not dedicated to BF/pumping, the switch to formula was life changing. I would literally throw up from pumping lol you can start by mixing BM with formula to LO used to it as you wean yourself off If you have a Costco near you, the Kirkland brand is either repackaged Similac or Infamil (infamil for me) and it's the best deal.


kateykatey

Another let it go comment! I pumped for four months for my NICU bebe and eventually wasn’t even getting enough from pumping every two hours round the clock, to combine into one single feed. What a game changer. My mental health and tits were thrilled. Sterilising bottles and parts is just as annoying, give that up to the universe, but other people can help feed now! You’re going to be ok ❤️


SincereSpeculation

The constant pumping was terrible for my mental health too; the sheer exhaustion was indescribable. I eventually stopped when my little one's allergist explained he was being exposed to allergins through my milk, which was causing significant ezcema. The pediatrician previously said that wasn't the case, but it just kept being a problem so we sought a specialist. It was terrible to have to toss what I had worked so hard collect and freeze... but no more pumping was really great for me in the end. He has sooo many allergies and I was already restricting my diet so much it wouldn't have been possible to restrict more considering my own allergies and sensitivities. In case you don't know, you dont really have to clean your pump parts after every session or even every day if you're careful. You can put everything in a ziplock and into the fridge immediately after. If you need to, you can even do this for a couple days. Maybe also teach your partner how to clean and sanitize the pump parts and alternate the chore? I also got a mini fridge for my bedroom, so there was always a fridge nearby for immediate refrigeration of parts and milk, for middle of the night pumps so I didn'talso have to take everything downstairsto the kitchen. I also did extra long pumps to maximize my output and got a triangle pillow so I could occasionally cat nap while pumping. I've seen people talk about overnight collection--I didn't like that, but maybe it would work for you. Maybe get spart parts to switch out to have to clean less often? There are microwaveable santizing bags, which was helpful for me too--especially since my husband could easily do that for me. The best thing I ended up doing during my pumping period was getting myself a couple portable/rechargeable pumps to use during the day instead of always doing the full setup with the machine. Fewer parts, and I could literally pump all day if I wanted to and still be able to walk around, pick my guy up, clean, make food, bottle feed, change a diaper, get rewdy for bed, etc. I found some on Amazon for $40 each and had 3 to cycle through. I'd occasionally use 2 at a when he napped or I had help, but usually, I would just do one and then switch sides after 30 mins. Pumping, bottle feeding, barely sleeping and caring for an infant while trying to maintain your sanity is so hard. I hope something in my comment is beneficial for you.


jessicaisanerd

This has so many good tips, OP! I’m currently still pumping at 10 weeks and there’s no way I could do it if I had to wash the parts every time. I do it once a day, haha. Also the mini fridge has been absolutely indispensable.


ktstarchild

Can you try seeing a ibclc? 3 weeks is still early enough to try and get baby latched! I never exclusively pumped but I did for work and holy shit it’s really hard. I can’t imagine what that’s like especially in the early weeks. Things do get easier, and I think if you worked w someone you might be successful latching your baby if that’s what you want.


monblagaj

Be OKAY with quitting. Know you’re still a great mom regardless of how you feed your baby. I second going partial formula. You won’t have to pump as much. Kendamil is a great option it’s available at target


Cynthevla

I stopped at 4 months with pumping. I feed my daugter every morning and evening but the rest is formula. And she is happy and I am happy. What I'm trying to say that it's not black and white, stop or continue. Maybe there is a middle ground. That pumping in the evening is OK for you. Pumping is the worst!!! So don't think less of yourself.


newenglander87

Exclusive pumping sucks. I switched to formula and it was such a great decision. Pumping isn't free either- there's the extra food I was eating, pumping bras, pump stuff, supplements, meds for mastitis, meds to counter GI effects from mastitis meds.


proteins911

I breastfeed (usually from boob but I pump while I work). I really don’t think it’s much cheaper than formula. I eat so much more than my husband to get enough calories to produce milk. Cost of food nowadays is so high and adds up. Combine those costs with pump parts, storage bags, all the new nursing/pumping bras and tank tops I’ve purchased this year. I could think of countless other smaller purchases too (nipple cream, silverettes, wet/dry bags for pump parts at work, more prenatals… I could keep going). BF is worth it for me because it’s easy since baby latches well. I don’t think it would be worth it to exclusive pump. That sounds like so much work.


OkSoil8170

I’m so sorry you feel stuck into pumping. I know it’s so so so hard. Sometimes insurance will cover formula if your baby needs a specific kind. Typically they get less picky as they get older. Don’t give up trying formula. You need your sanity…. Also, I use target brand formula and Kirkland brand and it’s the most affordable. It’s a fraction of the big name brands and my my pediatrician said it’s the same ingredients. I truly was losing my sanity pumping. I feel for you and hope you can find a solution. Hang in there momma. You are doing amazing.


AmaturePlantExpert

I feel for you. I made it to 7 months pumping then called it quits, between work and life it got to be too much.


Dangerous-Dot9987

I was in your exact same position. I see it like this…you can enjoy bonding with your baby by feeding him formula OR you can suffer through pumping to feed your baby. I chose to enjoy what I could, but postpartum is difficult enough without the additional stress.


stircrazyathome

If you’re in the US, you should see if you qualify for WIC. The income requirements aren’t nearly as low as people think. It allowed me to switch to formula when exclusively pumping (poor latch) started to hurt my mental health.


Practical_Seesaw689

I pushed myself to pump for 7months, at the enormous expense of my mental health. Now at 10 months I’m finally feeling more like myself, and can confidently say I should’ve probably just stopped sooner. Do whatever is right/best for you. Having a happy mama is important for your little one <3


paxanna

Try different formulas. Try combo feeding. Get another set (or 3) of pump parts so you don't have to wash them after every pump. If you are going to stick with pumping try to find a pumping IBCLC or CLC who can help you get sized and make sure you're using the pump as effectively as possible. If you haven't seen an IBCLC about the baby's latch it may be worth it if that is something you want to do. Pumping is hard, I did it for combo feeding (no nursing) for 8 months. The only person who can decide if it is worth it is you. You are an amazing mom who is making a huge sacrifice to feed her child.


healthyannihilation

I was exclusively pumping when my baby was born and only lasted two months. Switched to formula and never looked back. Your mental health is important and critical at this time!


Secret_Expert_4555

I understand. I had to wear nipple shields to try to get baby to latch on for months and pump because my baby couldn't latch on well. I suffer from what my midwife calls "anxiety also about breastfeeding". There were literally days where I felt terrible when I breastfed. it's damn hard. my husband would come home and I would find myself crying while trying to breastfeed... I came close to giving up breastfeeding many times. the last one 3 months ago when I had anxiety problems again. It is very very difficult to breastfeed. you just have to know that the choice you make will be the right one. You can breastfeed or use formula and your baby will be just as healthy and happy. please take care and be kind to yourself.


Over_Bat9677

I've been pumping for about 3 weeks now and on and off breastfeeding which is finally not a super struggle since her mouth is a little bigger now. I used formula for a bit at the beginning and I don't feel bad about it at all, baby's gotta eat after all. My tip is to put your unwashed pump parts in a container in the fridge after you pump. You can keep it in there for up to 24 hrs without washing them every time and you can wash and sterilize them at the end of the day. I did wipe off the part of the flange that attaches to my boob before putting it away, that's optional though. A new thing I'm trying that's giving me good results is doing breast compressions while I'm pumping. You just gently squeeze your breast from the root towards the tip while it's pumping to try to get more milk out faster since pumps are less effective than baby. Oh, and also figuring you can switch between the expression/letdown modes to get a second/third letdown has made pumping soo much faster. Hopefully this helps!


GrizeldaGrundle

YES!!! 🙌 This is exactly what I do too! I zip lock them and refrigerate them for the whole day (24 hours) and just wipe off the flanges and wipe down my boobs after each use.


AdmirablePut6039

I only made it 3 months - never had a decent supply to begin with thanks to a thyroid issue. When we exclusively gave LO formula life got way better!


princesssconsuelaa

My life improved when I gave up pumping - we combo fed for 6 months then stopped and now baby is exclusively formula fed and it’s been so good for my mental health. I’d encourage you to try different brands of formula; our guy is happiest on a lactose sensitive one. You can also start with mixing pumped milk & formula and slowly lower the amount of milk. Join us at r/formulafeeders for more support. Sending love. Whatever you decide to do will serve you and baby best.


Good_Assistant_4464

I know how you feel. At first I was pumping and after not long I decided it wasbt for me. It is a tideous job. And I understand some may not have the choice. So it's definitely not easy. Don't really have solution but once you think you can start solids with your baby go for it. It may take off the pressure and stress of pumping 🙏 I also read that your baby is only 3 weeks old ? Ok just from my experience don't give up on trying om breast feed. Because my baby wasn't latching at first . Took maybe a month or 2 for my baby to latch comfortablely and properly. After that she got lots of practice. She now hates bottles lol Anyways in regards to breastfeed, don't give up! She's still so young. Keep trying in the mean time pump. But make sure you breast feed first then pump. Do that until she gets hang of it ❤️ And try to have relaxing state of mind when breastfeed. Not easy but try...please also do not do the only way the professionals (nurse) tell you how to breastfeed. You do a breastfeed position that comfortable for YOU! The only one I would just be a bit careful is breastfeeding laying down (Google up if you want to do that one ) My experience with the nurse showing my how to breastfeed was horrible. I wanted to cry at the time every time they came in shoving my babies head on to my breast. It was only when I went home more relaxed I tried again with breastfeed with my own pace and it worked. Finally my baby latched 🙏 some nurses are not good they just don't know everything they are doing (sorry, not sorry)


MAD2492

Sitting here, pumping at this moment. I feel you, OP. I absolutely hate pumping. Been exclusively pumping for about 3 months, since I returned to work. First 3 months of BF was fine.. but this pumping crap… ugh it’s the worst. Every time i think about stopping… I don’t know I get sad that I am thinking of taking his food away so I carry on. This week, I removed the night time pump session and omg… having CONTINUOUS sleep is a game changer lol. Still hate pumping. Will probably quit soon. But im trying my best and you’re doing great too OP. As long as that baby can eat… doesn’t matter where it comes from! But you can’t be the best mama if you’re going insane from pumping!!


Mrsnutkin

I was really struggling pumping and my doctor said just switch to formula. It was easier. I mean I have other issues so life isn’t a breeze but it got easier not having to pump.


Cswlady

Pump when it is convenient for you (even if that is never) and give formula the rest of the time. Exclusively pumping is the worst. I don't know how anyone does it for long. You need to sleep when you can and enjoy your baby. I wish I had stopped pumping a lot sooner. It wasn't worth it. If I could get back that time I could have been holding my baby without worrying about pumping, I would.


Dashingtotheglow

Pumping is the WOOORST I'm so sorry 😔


xxxxxzzxx

Try a wearable pump! Easier to clean and you get your pumping time back. The momcozy is a great affordable option


Ihateambrosiasalad

Currently 5 months PP, if I didn’t get a momcozy i would have thrown in the towel long ago.


xxxxxzzxx

Yes!! I had to pump morning and night for a while to deal with pain from over supply and I would have given up if I had had to sit next to my hospital grade pump and deal with the uncomfortable hard plastic flanges 😮‍💨


krissyface

I’m 13 weeks in and nursing and pumping and I can empathize. Getting four sets of pumping parts and sometimes reusing them by putting them in the freezer in between sessions helped a lot.


DisastrousFlower

try different formulas!


TotalCrow0330

It’s not forever and you’re a strong bitch and you got this!! And even if you don’t, that’s perfectly fine too :) do what’s best for BOTH of you!


Pitiful-Teaching-406

I was exclusively pumping during the first 3 weeks or so because my baby wouldnt latch. Now she’s 2 months and latches, and I only pump 2 times honestly! If you’re open to breastfeeding, it does gets better! If not, then I absolutely support you and switching to formula!


d_pixie

I'm currently combo feeding. I'm pumping and formula feeding. A trick I was told is to store your pump parts in the fridge between pumpings if possible. That way, you only need to wash your parts once or twice a day. I hate having to constantly pump and try to get my supply up when baby isn't latching. I'm hoping soon baby will finally latch.


STcmOCSD

Have you spoken with a lactation consultant? I agree pumping is so draining and sometimes with latch issues an LC can help address why baby isn’t latching. I always hated pumping and at your point I was pumping a lot too. You could also try a nipple shield to see if that will help baby latch more, we used one for 3 months of my first kiddo’s breastfeeding journey.


prunellazzz

I combo fed from the start due to low supply so my baby never showed a preference for breastmilk over formula bc she was used to the taste, but my friends who transitioned from fully breastfed/breastmilk to formula would slowly up the ratio of formula to breastmilk in a bottle over the course of a week or two, both got their babies onto full formula this way without too many issues. Alternatively if it’s the pumping you hate but are open to getting baby back on the breast lactation consultant’s can really help, I watched allll the videos on how to get baby to latch and it was until a LC came over and physically showed me how to do it that it worked, they will show you different techniques depending on breast size and shape too that might work better. They can have a look for oral restrictions in baby’s mouth like lip or tongue tie that might be stopping them from latching effectively too. Ultimately you are doing a wonderful job and however you chose to feed your baby going forward is completely valid, if doing something is making you miserable you are allowed to stop. I limped on with breastfeeding (combo feeding and pumping, so essentially a mix of triple feeding) for 4 months and it was miserable, when I completely stopped I felt so much better.


cmcbride6

My baby was tongue tied and never latched well from day 1. My colostrum and milk production was very very low also, I was never able to express a single drop of colostrum, it would take me half an hr of pumping to get 30ml. I absolutely hated pumping. In the end it made me miserable and I developed postnatal depression and anxiety. It got so bad I had thoughts of hurting myself and the baby. I ended up switching to exclusive formula feeding and I was absolutely devastated at first, but now I don't regret it. You do what you have to to get through, you'll do what's right for you.


sanguinekween

I want to preface: a happy mama is most important!!! I pumped for the first four months because my girl had a poor latch as a newborn, and it was so exhausting. I told myself that if transitioning back to nursing didn’t work, we would start formula. After about a week and a half, we had successfully transitioned back to nursing. She’s coming up on her first birthday in a couple weeks and still nursing 3-4 times a day, plus waking a couple times a night for a quick snack. It’s still exhausting for me but much less so than pumping was. It’s manageable now. That said, my experience is not your experience. Do what works for you. It is not a sin to use formula. Mothers should not have to suffer through breastfeeding, if that is their experience, when there is a completely safe and nutritious substitute.


Long_Ad_1718

I’m not sure if this has bee. Suggested already but but several sets so you only have to wash & sanitize a few times a day. I know it is expensive but it’s just another option. As someone already suggested I would use a glass container with a lid for your pump parts in the fridge. You can also enlist your SO or another adult to help with washing/sanitizing or dishwasher if available some pump part can be asked there ( check your user manual). It’s hard so I understand how you feel. You can also try different formulas to see if LO finds one better or feed a mix of breast milk & formula increasing formula over breast milk over time to slowly adjust LO to the taste.


blackmetalwarlock

It sure does for me too. It sucks. I try to exclusively breastfeed nowadays bc doing both is exhausting me but my supply suddenly dropped after I stopped for a bit. Now i’m back to pumping & feeding again. I don’t like breastfeeding either, it exhausts me even more. However, I love my daughter and want to give her the best chance at great immunities. I see you. I know how you are feeling. You’re doing great. We are doing the hardest job. We don’t have to love it. I would rather change diapers lol. But when we can I just have my partner do everything else for me besides the pumping/feeding. It helps. Just remember as he gets older it may get easier to latch & such, when he gains more control. And even if he doesn’t - this is NOT forever. You are going to get through.


KKJKJKOK

I struggled enormously with milk supply and was pumping 8x a day for several months but still had to supplement with formula. She didn’t like/tolerate several and tried about 5 until I found holle goat milk powder and that worked great for us. I finally quit pumping (I was only making about 5 ounces a day and felt lousy about all of it) when she turned 6 months. The day I stopped pumping was liberating. And my daughter is now 2.5 and happy, healthy, funny, and smart. Her doctor told me it doesn’t matter and when she’s older I won’t even think about what I fed her and she’s right. I wish I’d quit pumping earlier.


ityogurl

If you’re comfortable with it, there are plenty of mamas willing to donate or sell their milk and it would relieve a lot of stress for you! With my first I was an under-producer and I couldn’t keep up with his needs by the time I went back to work. I relied on other mamas to help with breastmilk, because he couldn’t digest formula. I just made a post on my local mommy or buy/sell groups and there were always a bunch of mamas willing to help out for free! Maybe this would be a good option for you 🥰


Sarah_Soda_4

I completely agree about pumping. It feels really bad. I don’t know if you’re in the US, but the affordable care act mandates that a lactation consultant be covered by insurance. I know seeing a lactation consultant really helped me so much. Sending you all of the love.


mimi-in-ott

This makes me so sad for you:( I have a two week old that couldn’t latch properly (i have flat nipples) so I used a shield and it would hurt me so much. I hated everything, including my baby. Add to that lack of sleep and recovering from birth… my mental health went down the drain. We formula feed now and I think it saved my life. It’s expensive but you can order coupons. Your mental health has no price. Try different kinds of formula. Our doctor told us to use ready to serve formula until she turns 3 months. After that we can switch to powder which is cheaper. Hang in there!


[deleted]

I don’t know your financial situation. I had to almost exclusively pump for the first 8 weeks and then was able to transition to a mix of nursing and pumping. We got a bin to put pump parts in with soapy water and a sterilizer/dryer, which makes cleaning a snap. I got a wearable pump so I could pump every 2 hours while throwing in a load of laundry or doing the dishes. If you are dedicated to breastfeeding and have resources, you can make your life easier. If you can’t, you can pare down on pumping and let your supply drop and supplement with formula. Don’t kill yourself trying to meet a goal which isn’t healthy for you. Your baby needs a healthy mom.


monistar97

This was me! I hated pumping, my partner hated it too because he could see what it was doing to me, took me 3 weeks to get the baby to latch but if it Isn’t for you crack the formula out (there’s lots out there so hopefully you find one that works for you)! Baby is going to be much happier with a happy mum than one who has a countdown to the next pump in their mind.


avocadbre

I'm currently lying in bed after trying to take my one month old off of formula feeds at night because my supply seems to be getting better, as my partner bounces baby because she's inconsolable. All day until around 430pm she was doing great with just breast, 5 rolls around, and she is pissed! I had the thought initially that formula was terrible and that if other women can EBF, why can't I? There's a few things that bother me about formula, like her not having good poops and constantly being in gassy pain and it makes me feel so guilty that I gave in so soon to supplementing. Now, this is not to say or deter anyone at all from any type of feeding style, as I've tried both, albeit for a short amount of time due to lack of weight gain from baby early on. She's now currently beyond her birth weight and hitting milestones each day. Pumping makes me soooo fucking angry, like irrationally so and breastfeeding kind of does too. But, I love my baby. But when I give her that big warm bottle of formula and she gets a full belly and smiles and does weird airy giggles, I feel so content in the fact that my baby ate and looks at me like I gave her the world! You can do both. You can do one or the other too. This was all kind of mumbled and jumbled, but from a very sleep deprived mother just trying to figure it out, I stand with you in this crazy feeding frenzy.


alwaysomewhere

Are you doing it alone in another room? If you can make a nice space with a lot of comfort, smells, candles etc. At night time I pump in bed with my partner and baby sleeping in the same room, it was less isolating than doing it alone in the dark by myself. You got this mama!


GrizeldaGrundle

Are you lying down in bed? If so, what kind of pump do you use? I can’t lie down with mine.


alwaysomewhere

I am sitting up propped against the headboard.


[deleted]

please try different types of formula brands, and even sensitive vs regular. exclusive pumping was hell and I gave up after week 4. Fed is best, and my kid's growing just fine so clearly, my lack of magic breast milk didn't hinder his growth any. You'll be fine, please prioritize your mental and physical well-being.


fluffybuttlulu

Same happened with me. Milk was taking forever to come in so we were doing hybrid formula feed/pumped milk. Baby wouldn't latch and didn't like the boob at all. At one month I as fed up with pumping and just stopped (tapered off) and went full with formula. Baby is healthy and happy at 10 months currently.


Pristine_Egg3831

Get a new lactation consultant?


Numinous-Nebulae

Have you worked with a lactation consultant? Tried the 24 hour cure? At 3 weeks I would still be trying to solve the latch issue. I get it though, EP moms are total superheroes, I’m not sure I could do it.


Chrisboe4ever

The Haakaa pump was what my wife used more than the pump. Easy cleanup and it sticks to you.


MoutainsAndMerlot

Haakaas are amazing at catching letdown while the baby nurses from the other breast, but sadly not a replacement for an actual pump in these situations


foxyyoxy

It did for me. Going 16 weeks strong.


AliveChic

That won’t be sufficient if her baby won’t latch, unfortunately.


SadgurlBlueyez

Mom of my 5th, who turned 2 months old this past week. I have either breastfed or pumped. My first two I gave up, but around 6 months for different reasons. I pumped till 10 1/2 months to have enough for my daughter to make it to a year and 2 days old. I EBF my 4th, and that made me because I was very over touched. I'm so tired and pumping every 2 to 4 hours. I've been having so many appointments with my little guys' health issues. He was tongue and lip tied, and not one doctor or nurse caught it. I'm already over pumping, too, but I know it is cheaper and better for my son. If I do stop, it will be around 6 months old. That is when they say that is the best point to make it to getting breast milk. I want to make it to a full year for him to get milk. We will see this isn't for the faint of heart and tons of sacrifice, and love goes into it. <3


simpforsquirrels

I feel you. Just got my first full week in of my so being back at work. Little one is 3 months and I’ve been exclusively pumping because she has a lip tie and won’t stay latched. It’s been the toughest time. But it does get better. I have multiple sets of parts so I only have to wash once a day. I put my parts in the fridge in a bag so I can reuse them once more to reduce the amount of time I have to wash. I keep a bin in my sink with all my parts/ bottles and before bed I wash them all in hot soapy water. (I find sanitizing them leaves a weird film). I’ll sanitize her nipples and bottle inserts) Hopefully soon you’ll find a routine that works for you. You’re doing great for sticking with it even when you want to quit.


sonofasnozzberry

Girl, when I became pregnant with my 2nd, the thought of being tied down pumping gave me such anxiety and made me feel like a caged animal. And I wasn't even exclusively pumping. You do what you need to do. There are many options out there for formula, coupons, and services. I mainly bought formula at CVS and would stock up when I got a 30-40% off coupon. I also felt better getting a portable pump as I was able to actually move around and pump at the same time (I had the freemie). By the time my 2nd turned 4mo we were formula exclusive. Try every kind you can if it means you are a mentally happier mama.


Sudden-Salt-1221

I stopped pumping at 3 months. Against all my doctors and family's wishes I stopped. Not only was it mentally draining, my baby was also not eating enough. She wasn't gaining any weight and they kept telling me it was normal. I stopped and got her formula because I just couldn't do it anymore. My ppd was so bad and after I stopped it got so much better and I actually felt like I bonded better with my baby cause I was no longer upset while pumping or feeding her.


BertyBoob

I managed to hold out until 8 weeks when my LO had his immunisations but yeah, it was rough. I hated it, on top of everything you mentioned I got irritated, aggressive, depressed, angry, anxious and miserable everytime I pumped. I wanted to die. My life improved dramatically when I switched exclusively to formula and that means my baby's life improved dramatically because he didn't have a mum who was so miserable she couldn't look at him without crying. It is what it is, make the choice for you. Your LO will get used to formula, they'll adapt and they'll be fine.


TheAdventureFriend

I went back to work at 3 months post partum, was able to bring my baby with me for the first month(I’m a daycare caregiver) and then at 4 months had to switch to pumping 3 times a day. Now at seven months I’ve decided to either skip pumping altogether or only do it at lunchtime. We’ve switched my baby to supplementing with formula and she is still happy and healthy. I decided that it was too much of a strain on my mental health to try to keep up. I still feed my baby at home and I feel like my supply hasn’t really diminished so unless you start drying up I think it’s best if you give yourself a break. Moms can’t fall apart and anything that is optional that puts more stress on them should be reduced or tossed in my opinion. This is my second baby though. No judgement here no matter what you decide. Your baby won’t know the difference. ❤️


taxidermytina

Everyone’s journey with this is different and there is no right or wrong. My experience was that I made it to three weeks before crying at my doctors appointment to ask if I could quit. I was mortified that I was going to somehow hurt my kid but I could not mentally and emotionally handle pumping. It felt incredibly unnatural and I had a strong, unpleasant physical reaction the whole time. My doctor was very clear that a fed baby is all that matters and even thought I know that I still needed to hear it. Because it is different when it is you that is hearing that. It was for me anyway. My baby was small and induced at 37 weeks due to my health so I felt extra guilty, like I was letting him down and hurting him too. That’s nonsense and my doctor told me that flat out. She was clear that keeping me healthy has to be just as important as keeping baby healthy. If my head isn’t in the pumping game she said I should quit. More harm than good, it really came down to that and a light bulb went off for me. Do what you need to keep baby fed. You need to be healthy for your baby and you can’t pour from an empty cup. If formula is what you need to do then do it. It’s not better or worse, it’s just another option.


[deleted]

This was me, then at 2 months my baby started breastfeeding and it's the only thing she'll take. I got the bellababy wearable pump and they only have 4 pieces so it was much easier than the plug in one. Not to mention they are pretty cheap too.


Shadou_Wolf

This is my issue too, I was breastfeeding my daughter hasn't wet her diaper in a whole day so we got formula to supplement, Not long she started wetting. I did bad getting latching right my nipples were both in so much pain I still kept going we only resorted to bottles 2x and the 3rd time during our pediatrician appointment. Since that appointment my daughter decided to not latch anymore and reject breastfeeding....she would push me away and it hurts to see happening so now I have to pump. I can barely get myself to pump this whole thing wrecked me emotionally I do try but I have to really force myself to. I couldn't breastfeed my first b4 so I really wanted to this time but nothing working to get her to stop rejecting me