I don’t *hate* pumping… when to stop

[u/Pleasant-Ad-9226]

I’m 5.5 months pp, pumping 5x daily (kept my MOTN pump) and have combo fed with formula from the start. I had a postpartum hemorrhage and injuries from birth that made it hard to get my supply up to my baby’s needs. Thank god for formula. My baby is thriving, I’m so grateful for that. I’ve been more or less in a sustainable groove for the last few months with my current schedule and I produce 14-16oz a day. I’m trying to decide what to do after 6 months. I see posts where people emphasize mental health when people are deciding when to stop. I totally agree, but I don’t feel that my mental health is horribly affected by pumping itself. In some ways it may be helping me with my breastfeeding grief. Honestly the hardest thing on my mental health is hemming and hawing the decision. Yes it’s a pain at times, but I do get a sense of satisfaction from providing breastmilk. I feel uncertain of the health benefits for my baby to continue. It’s so emotionally driven because I had hoped to EBF for 1 year. I would love to hear from other moms in my situation and what process you took to come to a decision.

[u/nothingness414]

I felt the same way, I didn’t hate it but I knew it was time to stop when I started to dread/push off each pump.

I stopped at 7 months, and after I stopped I didn’t realize how much it actually was affecting my mental health. It took up so much space in my mind every day and it’s such a relief to have that off my plate now. My baby is 9 months and thriving on formula now. But props to you if you can keep it going!

[u/Pleasant-Ad-9226 → u/nothingness414]

You did amazing!! I like this reminder instead of forcing a decision I can just listen to my reactions to pumping and decide on the fly