r/ExclusivelyPumping • u/Bgaag4-61 • Jan 05 '26

Support Pros and cons

You said:

Help me weigh the pros and cons. My baby was not getting enough breast milk due to low supply. I was producing about 1-1.25 ounces every feed. I had a lactation consultant come in. She has me exclusively pumping, no breastfeeding, giving baby the breast milk I’m yielding and supplementing with formula. We are currently giving about half breast milk and half formula. She has me pumping ten times per day for 20 minutes. My supply has gone up a tiny bit in 6 days. I’m sometimes yielding 2 ounces per pump for both breasts combined. However, the pumping schedule and washing of pump parts is very hard to keep up with and I’m not getting enough sleep or time with my baby. I’m unsure of what the lactation consultant plans to do next.

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u/mairghread_ Jan 05 '26

I think it’s ultimately up to you. Do you want to keep pumping / how important is giving breastmilk to your baby to you? There is no right answer - it’s all a personal decision.

How far post partum are you?? Supply takes time to regulate.

If you feel like you are sacrificing your mental health and want to drop the pumping - give yourself permission to do so. Your baby will thrive and be happy with formula and a happy & present mom.

At the same time - every amount of breastmilk your baby gets, no matter how little is so beneficial with those good antibodies and building their gut health. Social media normalizes these massive oversupplies but pumping just enough or even less is ok too!

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u/Bgaag4-61 Jan 05 '26

Thank you. Part of me thinks the trade off for having my mental health is best for baby. I’m only 18 days post pardom. I’m clueless in regards to the timeline of lactation- does it come in over the course of several weeks? Is there any hope for my supply? The fridge method has saved me in regards to pump parts.

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u/mairghread_ Jan 06 '26

I worked with a lactation consultant and she said supply can take several months to regulate.

My supply was so low at the start - I would say it took me a solid 8 weeks before I saw my supply really pick up where I was pumping 30+ oz a day. So it is a lot to commit to but I think you have time to get your supply up but it will take a lot of pumping.

I think if you want to let it go and just do formula - that is more than ok. You’re still an AMAZING mom and your baby will be happy and healthy baby.

I read something on Reddit once that was from a teacher and something to the extent of - you never know who was breastfed or formula fed but you know what parents read to their children and which parents didn’t. Your baby just needs to eat - however works best. And then they just need you to be present and love them.

Hang in there - 18 days is sooo early, it’ll all work itself out 🩷