and then I think I'm calling it quits on pumping. Most days I only get about 1 oz per session. On a good day I'll get 4 ozs per session, but that's with me massaging my breasts, going back and forth between the expression and let down phases AND leaning over to let gravity do its work. Today I only got 1 oz and that was from two 20 minute sessions. Are you kidding me, what the heck is going on with my supply?!?!
Maybe it has something to do with the time I forgot to pack valves, membranes and shields; or the next day when I had meetings and presentations offsite but left my pump at Headquarters; or was it the day that I packed valves and membranes but forgot shields? That being said, I was still able to manually express, which honestly seems to be more efficient than using my pump anyway. Maybe if I pump more than 2 times a day, resume taking Fenugreek supplements and drinking Mother's Milk Tea my supply would increase.
With cold and flu season just around the corner I'm sure any amount of breast milk would be good for Nathan. But is 2 ozs daily enough; is it even worth it? This is where I'm torn and feel guilty about quitting. Although I'd still nurse when I get home from work and when/if he wakes at night.
But let me know your thoughts. If you breastfed and pumped, when did you know it was time to stop nursing?
Quit when breastfeeding brings on stress or anxiety. No need to feel guilty if you decide to quit. You've nursed Nathan for seven months, and that's VERY GOOD! Nathan is thriving and will continue to thrive, whatever you decide.
ReplyDeleteI stopped pumping when the stress of pumping was interfering with the quality of my relationships. I pumped for all feedings and I was just too tired to enjoy those around me. That's when I knew it was time to quit. I made it 5 months.
ReplyDeletewell u know my story...i stopped nursing for a different reason than supply. nursing/pumping consumed me day and night. had a child who refused the bottle, but i still pumped 24/7 in hopes of him taking it via bottle but still he refused. also the older he got the more he wanted to eat and i became his human pacifier at night. i was getting NO sleep. so all of that became stressful and i felt guilty for not being able to handle it all but then again i realized i endured it for 9 months of his life so then i didnt feel as bad. if you pumping and getting 2oz...its really not worth it at that point. some women have trained their bodies to nurse only at night and no pumping during the day and they still had enough supply to nurse at nights. just an idea.
ReplyDeleteI stopped after 6 months. Zoey was teething and irritable and did not want to nurse. I had a great supply, but was tired of missing lunch time outtings at work, so I would miss out on pumping to go to lunch with friends. Plus I was tired of sitting in the bathroom for 20-30 minutes out of my work day. The more I missed my break and lunch time pumping the less supply I seemed to have. (Danielle)
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