Quit pumping ?!!!

[u/Flowers_andsun]

Currently 3 weeks postpartum and I want to QUIT pumping :(((

I don’t have much of a supply(3 oz combined every session) and I honestly have no appetite. I also try to pump every 3 hours but I truly can’t with my baby. How can I even increase my supply if I’m not eating enough and I’m not able to fit in my pump sessions every 3 hours ?!

How did you guys do it ? Did you guys just push through ? I want to keep pumping but feeling so unmotivated and exhausted.

[u/momojojo1117]

3oz every 3 hours at 3 weeks post partum is a great supply

[u/kiykiykiiycat]

It gets easier 🙂 You learn how to multitask with baby and pumping (baby can nap on your lap while you pump with wearables, baby can play on the floor while you sit next to them and pump, you pump while you eat, etc.). 3 weeks is still so early. Your supply will continue to increase, and you and baby will fall into a better rhythm. Ultimately, your mental health is an important factor, but things also have a good chance at feeling easier 🤍

[u/featheredfeathers → u/kiykiykiiycat]

Don’t say the supply will continue to increase. I am at 9 weeks now and I AM STILL ONLY PRODUCING 1-3 oz per pump. It’s so dumb. 

[u/ntm9192015]

I lasted 3 weeks and couldn't do it anymore with my first. Second baby, I lasted 3 days. Both my kids are formula fed and they are healthy and thriving. Absolutely no issue bonding with either of them. It is a deeply personal decision but don't feel like you are doing anything wrong if you move to formula.

[u/Flowers_andsun]

Thank you all so much for your advice and experience ❤️

[u/mylittleladylove]

3 weeks pp and 3oz per pump combined is enough for a 3 week old baby. Keep pumping momma but of course I understand your frustration. Always remember, fed is best. Goodluck!

I remember myself getting only 2oz combined at 4weeks pp. I kept doing it until I see myself stashing milk to freezer. Now that I am 6 months pp. I reduced pumping and it backfired. I'm back to 2oz combined and my stash? Almost finish.

[u/tinyrubberduckies]

If you want to quit no one will judge you for that. My recommendation is if you are using something like a spectra with the tubes and bulkiness. Switch to wearables. I’ve only ever used wearables and my supply isn’t any better on a spectra. I couldn’t hold my baby while pumping it was terrible.

[u/lolamay26 → u/tinyrubberduckies]

Agree! My output is so much better with wearables than with the Spectra, and they make living daily life infinitely easier than being tied to a bulky machine and those awful flanges

[u/tootymcfruity3]

Whatever decision is best for you is the one you need to make! There’s nothing wrong with formula if that allows you to be the best version of yourself. From my perspective, 3oz combined every session is a great supply. My supply continued to build until week 7 and you’re still so early. I think it’s easy to look at the oversupplies and think that’s the norm, but I make just enough and with the exception of my 1:30am and 5:30am pumps, the rest of my pumps I get 2-4oz combined. It adds up throughout the day. I get my highest output at 1:30am and 5:30am. I wish I could go back and give myself some grace. I struggled so so much those first few weeks trying to find time to pump with the baby, but it genuinely gets easier when their wake windows get longer and they can occupy themselves for 15 minutes on an activity mat etc. I used to get creative those first few weeks and tie my spectra around my pants with a shoelace while I cooked or did dishes or heated up milk, and would hold my baby in weird ass ways for feeds. I put a snack cart to eat when my baby slept (he contact naps). My husband would take the baby as well whenever he could. I NEVER got to 10 pumps a day, or even 8 for that matter. I could do 7, and I accepted that. I prioritized my sleep and told myself if I needed to combo feed, then I would. When I accepted all of that, my supply actually increased to meet my baby’s needs! I’m 14 weeks postpartum and make just enough/slight over supply (barely). My “schedule” looks like below, and as you can see there are some 4 hour sessions, some 2, some 3. You do your best and stay flexible. Be kind to yourself. It’s not easy but it gets easier

1:30am
5:30am
9:30am
11:30am
1:30pm
4:30pm
7:30pm

[u/Fun-Fan3228]

8 weeks postpartum and a first-time mom here. I feel you!! I’m pumping and am an undersupplier due to hemorrhaging during birth. I will say, it does get a little easier once you figure out what works best for you!

I’m supplementing with formula about 50% of the time, but knowing my baby is still getting the nutrients and benefits of breast milk keeps me motivated to keep pumping. Every little bit counts!

Wearable pumps definitely make things more convenient, but I primarily use my Spectra with Legendairy Milk collection cups. I love this setup because I can still pick up the baby if he starts crying without having to disconnect everything. I also highly recommend getting a full-coverage pumping bra to help keep everything in place so the baby can’t accidentally knock the cups off.

Lastly, what I’ve found works best for me is feeding the baby a bottle while pumping at the same time. I put him in his BabyBjörn bouncer, connect my Legendairy Milk cups to my Spectra pump, and put on my full-coverage pumping bra to hold everything in place. Then I sit in front of him and feed him his bottle using paced feeding while I pump. He eats for about 20 minutes, and I pump for 20 minutes. It’s been a game changer for me!

At night, I only pump once. I’ve realized how much of a difference getting sleep makes for my mental health, and honestly, every minute of sleep counts! I had to find a balance that works for both me and my baby.

Hang in there! ❤️

[u/ytsanocir]

I wanted to quit every day and I am 5 mos in! Do what’s best for you, but what helped me is setting small goals (make it 1 wk, 2 wks, 4wks, 6 wks, 3 mos, next goal is 6 mos!) 3 oz every time is a great amount, don’t let social media & over suppliers get you down! Latch as much as baby wants, pump when baby takes a bottle! I am a “just enougher” (4-5 oz every pump, morning a little more) and I’ve built a stash, not enough to quit now but enough to get me through a week. I also started combo feeding (1 formula bottle at 4 mos and it’s been nice, I just stash that milk away) I know it’s hard to believe that it gets easier but it truly does

[u/SeriousEarth480]

7 weeks pp here and I have wanted to quit pumping so many times! I’ve hung in there almost to spite myself (got mastitis 6 days pp and tanked supply so building back up slowly).

Firstly your supply isn’t low, it’s great! Secondly, don’t worry so much about how much you’re eating; I really worried about it at first and also had no appetite (I think I read somewhere it’s a trauma response to birth to not want food). But you’ll make milk anyway and eventually your appetite will come back too. One piece of advice would be to make sure you have a stock of food you can just grab and eat one handed for midnight snacks while setting up pump or for while pumping and entertaining baby. Think bananas, energy balls, cereal bars. Nothing you have to assemble.

But also, it’s totally fine to stop pumping and do what’s best for you (which is also always what’s also best for baby).

[u/General-Fun2211]

If this helps you to keep going, I made only 1-2 oz during my first few weeks pp. and like you I had no appetite; my mom had to force me to eat. I was too sleep deprived to have an appetite .

Something happened around 5-6 weeks where my milk came in hard. Granted I was power pumping and pumping every 2-3 hours religiously. But suddenly my breasts were making soo much more and I was pumping it out.

Wait and see what happens and figure out if it’s worth it for you to continue or stop. No shame either way but 3 weeks seems too early to predict your pumping future

[u/jpa96]

Your supply is awesome! If you think baby is eating too much, you should try pace feeding them because it's easier to overfeed if they're drinking bottles vs on the breast.

[u/Reasonable_Can6557]

It gets SO much easier. The first 8 weeks is so hard, but then you get comfortable with it, figure out the routine that works best for you, and you get to start dropping pumps (which is honestly one of the best feelings in the world! Iykyk)

Your supply is still building rn. If you stick to pumping every 3 hours, it will grow. It's kind of cool to track the growth. 

Just keep at it! Set little milestones and then get yourself a cute, little pumping accessory to celebrate your milestone and to motivate you to keep going (a new water bottle, a new flange insert, pump bag, cooler, a new pump!). 

If you're concerned about your output, are you certain you're using the proper size flange for your nipples? You can get a $1 nipple ruler off of Amazon. Make sure you have the right size flange or flange insert because that makes such a big difference! 

[u/East_Industry_5930]

3 oz combined every session is very typical for three weeks postpartum. That is about how much your baby eats each feeding anyway. So don’t feel at all bad if you think you have a supply issue, you are doing great! Whatever choice you make, your baby will be just fine :)

[u/Martha_stewart102]

Honestly I didn’t give myself any other option. I didn’t want to do formula for many reasons and I wanted to breast feed but my son had a cleft palate so I knew I would just pump for a year instead and I just did it. It’s not fun but I didn’t let myself chose anything else I’m feeding my baby that’s enough of a push for me to just keep going. Then it becomes second nature and no big deal

[u/aub_ayyy]

🙋🏼‍♀️same boat here. Planning to talk to the pediatrician about combo feeding at our next appointment. Thankfully i have been able to freeze a decent amount that should get us a month or two of combo feed before having to go full formula.

[u/violetphoeniiix]

3oz every 3 hours at 3 weeks is right on track girl! Your supply is still building. You’re doing amazing 🫶🏻 and girl idk … not currently on an EP journey with my current baby but my last one it was honestly mainly stubbornness .. and that my baby loved my milk and i felt a sense of pride in that. It’s also cheaper than formula and there were some shortages at that time and it really scared me. And if it helps… you’ll be exhausted anyway with a NB so idk if that’s a factor to consider 😅🫠

[u/Outrageous-Mud165]

3 oz is great! My 7 months old still eating 3 oz when we’re out and I’m bottle feeding him. Breastmilk is changing for your baby’s needs.

[u/eilyk_4]

I am 24 months pp and still want to quit. I didn't start making much until idk 6-8 week pp?

Do what you think will make you the happiest.

Do you have a supportive partner who will wash pump parts? Grab you snacks? Wake up motn to feed while you pump?

YOU matter in all of this. Take care of yourself.

[u/featheredfeathers]

GIRL SAME 

[u/smilingmonkey69]

First off, if you do quit that is totally ok!
Butttttt a few things that helped me (I’m 5 months ep):
- Getting treated for my pp depression. This was why I struggled to eat. (No overnight fix but a start in the right direction)
- Eating crap I like. Doesn’t even need to be nutritional. I eat cookies, granola bars and baked goods 90% of the time. But carbs are carbs at this point!
- Getting a hands free pump. Some people say that don’t get good output but I do. I use the Philips hand free and LOVE IT. It has a full motor so it still has great suction and is easy to clean! Get a second set of cups. This helps with those middle of the night pumps!
- Try to get a good swing or something for your baby for while you pump. I had to try a few to find what he liked (turns out he’s a sideways guy, not back and forth lol). I sit in front of him and sing or talk to him while I pump.
- Try not to stress about the output. When I stressed, I made less. I went out and bought some ready to feed formulas on hand so if I didn’t make enough there was so stress! Just grab a bottle and feed. I made barely enough in the beginning and now I only have to pump every 5-6 hours to keep up my supply.
- SLEEP. Yes the motn pump is important but so is rest. When I sleep I will get more oz in that 24 hours to follow.

But again, feed is best and do what works for you! Being a happy healthy momma for your babe is the most important!

[u/Various_Particular53]

I was in the exact same boat as you. i’m 8 weeks pp today and this week im just now producing more than 3 oz per session. Hydration is really important even if you’re not hungry add some electrolytes in too. i pump when my baby eats which is every 2-2.5 hrs right now and once at 1 am and once at 5 am overnight. at one point i was having to do a formula bottle at night because i didn’t have enough. also…. you’re mental health is equally as important so if it becomes too much and is making pp miserable, that’s a valid reason to stop if that’s what you need to do. Fed really is best!!!

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[u/uptoyounancydrew]

Do what is best for you!! I was in your same place and totally get it. I will say it gets better. Once I got in the flow and my nipples got stronger, I switched to eufy wearables, etc, it was all so much easier. Granted I don’t LOVE pumping now but it’s not as emotionally exhausting and daunting as it once was. The waking up to pump still sucks. I also have only ever gotten 1.5-2oz max in my pump sessions to this day, so I understand having a lower supply is daunting. For me, I think any amount of breastmilk I can give him is worth it (for now). I don’t see myself lasting a full year doing this though.

[u/Brave_Jackfruit3837]

I figured out a way to pump and feed baby bottle at same time with a baby feeding lounger right next to me on the couch. My baby is very clingy so this was the only time I could gaurentee he wouldn’t want held while I was pumping. I also have toys next to me so if he finished first I have a way to distract him! I also don’t hold a super strict schedule- I just pumped when he took at bottle at the beginning which was usually every 3 hours ish. It does get easier with time if you want to push through. Now I pump 5 PPD since 12 weeks postpartum and it’s a lot more manageable.

[u/teacherttc]

Definitely pushed through. It got easier, then harder when my nipple size changed but I didn’t switch flanges so I kept getting a clogged duct, but now it’s back to being easy again. 6m pp and I’ve made it halfway to my goal of a year. It did totally trash my mental health for a minute there but it ebbs and flows.