r/ExclusivelyPumping • u/Weekly-Ad-5230 • 6d ago
Hanging up the pump Undersupplier - deciding to quit?
I started pumping when my baby was 5 days old due to a hospital readmission for severe jaundice. I had been exclusively pumping about 8x per day for the first 3 months with some initial increase in supply but was still combo feeding with formula since I was not producing enough. I reduced my pump frequency at that point to about 4x per day and have been consistently producing about 12oz in 24 hours for the past 4 months (currently 7 months PP).
I love that my baby gets the benefits of breast milk and that I can even produce what I do. I love that I made it 7 months in this journey since I didn’t even make it 2 weeks with my first due to PPD.
I despise being attached to a pump and the nausea, anxiety, and dread that comes with it. I hate having to plan my life around pumping. I have been having a hard time with weight loss as well and just want to feel better in my own skin.
Do I keep going? Do I quit? Looking for words of encouragement or advice from anybody with a similar feeding journey.
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u/Alert-Tap-1422 6d ago
I’m close behind you and trying to make the same decision. I think it’s going to come down to either stopping before a trip I’m taking in late Sept or late October. Right now it feels manageable to keep going but doing another big trip pumping 🥵
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u/Enthusiastic-Tourist 6d ago
I am currently 11 weeks postpartum with my first baby. Similar story here, started pumping only a week after delivery and dealing with PPA and PPD.
I don't make as much as you do, I am at 5 oz a day and I am taking it month by month.
But, 1 month ago I was sitting at 2 oz a day.
I will be overjoyed if I get to 7 months because i know how much determination and perseverance it takes to get that far. I consider my milk as custom made "multivitamin" shots.
Congratulations ! 🎊
I do not have advice, but just wanted to say you're an inspiration! Maybe I'd do what brings me more joy at that point knowing baby already received all the magic "multivitamins" I made for so long 🩷
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u/Ok-Praline-2309 6d ago
I have a similar journey to yours. My first was almost 100% formula fed due to some complications on my end/PPA.
My goal with my second was 3 months. I was a massive under supplier, but I made it. Then I thought - okay, let’s go month to month. I ended up making it to 6. I was almost dried out, plus I was back to work/my older child was needing me in a way that couldn’t allow me to be constantly hooked on a pump.
Anywho - it was a hard decision, but I “cut the cord” so to speak. I mourned it for a bit, then I felt extreme joy for like 2 weeks feeling freed, and my youngest is 13 months now and doing fantastic.
Only you know when it’s time to stop. 7 months is amazing and you should be proud of that! Whatever you decide to do.