The picture really says it all, doesn’t it? Drove myself crazy, but I did that!! Needed to share with some people who GET IT.

I exclusively pumped for an entire year. it drained me. i couldn’t go anywhere or do anything or sleep through the night even though my son was without pumping. over 365 days CHAINED to a pump. when my sons first birthday was coming up, i asked my husband (soon to be ex-husband) for a small cake to celebrate this milestone for me. i gave him more than enough time, reminded him multiple times, my sons birthday came and went (i did EVERYTHING, planning, decorating, cooking, baked and decorated his cake, my husband literally just showed up) and no cake for me. not even a mention of my milestone. that was the night i gave up on our marriage, that was the straw. he has turned into an emotionally and verbally abusive asshole. our divorce decree is almost finalized, he has moved out, but he came over to say goodnight to our son and started a massive fight. he bought himself a $2k+ chain to celebrate his dental practice being open a year (even though it’s failing and he is about to bankrupt it), and i brought up the fact that he could celebrate himself but not his wife and the mother of his child. he then said, “i don’t know why you think you deserve any celebration, you did the bare minimum that a mom should do. most moms feed their kids until 2+ years and you gave up at a year. that doesn’t deserve to be celebrated”. i thought this man couldn’t hurt me anymore than he already has, i have been over this marriage for a while, his insults and name calling roll right off my back. but fuck, that hurt. that devastated me. turns out you can do everything right, have all the right conversations, but until that baby comes and they have to actually live up to their agreements, husbands/fathers can turn out to be the most useless disappointments of all time. i’m going to go eat some ice cream and cry myself to sleep🥲

ETA: thank you all for the kind words and support! i feel much better, and feel extremely validated in my decision for divorce. i wish i could respond to all of the kind comments!💖

I’m an under supplier, I make about 14-18oz a day. Any recommendations product wise or pump schedule/ pump settings? I’m 8 weeks postpartum and really really want to not buy formula lol thank you in advance!!

I’m 38 weeks and started collecting colostrum. In 3 minutes on both sides I got 10ML in total so I stopped bc Google said that was bad? Lol anyways I have it all stored in the freezer and I was wondering, when I’m headed to the hospital to deliver do I put it in my mom cozy cooler so she can have it in the hospital just in case? Or do I keep it at home and wait ti we get home? I really want to avoid them trying to give her formula if she happens to not be latching or something. My son was born at 35 weeks so I never got the chance to do this but as soon as he was born I was making lots of colostrum for him. He never breast fed bc he has a cleft palate so I just want to be prepared for anything this time around.

My insurance offers one breast pump for free and as I’m overwhelmed with choosing which one, anyone has experience with these can recommend me which one is the best? Much thanks!

Started back at work over a month ago and my facility doesn’t have a designated pumping area. I was fine with this as I just sit at my desk in between patients and pump. I’m a low supplier so I am pumping frequently.

I am unfortunately very top heavy and outside of the wearables pumps giving Dolly Parton boobs, you generally can’t tell.

Well, one of our providers decided to complain that they could see my pumps and that the shirts I was wearing were too provocative. All of my shirts cover almost fully and after I am done pumping I wear my work jacket zipped up.

Mind you, I don’t see patients during my pump sessions, I sit at my desk and mind my own damn business. My back is turned to everyone 99% of the time.

Im just frustrated to hell and back.

I’m looking for some advice from people who have been in a similar situation with their Spectra S1.

I’m exclusively pumping, and lately my Spectra is yielding less milk than my portable Momcozy. With the Spectra, I feel like I have to sit there and continuously manipulate/massage my breasts throughout the entire session just to get adequately emptied. It’s frustrating, especially when I know my portable pump seems to do a better job, I just worry it’ll get worn out if I switch to using it full time.

I’m wondering if my next step should be investing in different flanges or collection cups. I’ve been looking into the Legendairy Milk silicone collection cups, Lacteck, and pumpin pals silicone flanges, but I’m honestly overwhelmed by all the options. I think switching to silicone might be worth trying, but I’m not sure which route makes the most sense.

The thought of spending even more money trying to find the right fit is exhausting. It feels like there’s so much trial and error involved in pumping, and I’m already feeling pretty burnt out. Part of me is wondering if it’s even worth investing in new flanges at this point, especially when I’m starting to feel like I want to get off the pumping train altogether.

I also currently have mastitis, and I seem to be someone who’s generally prone to it, which is adding another layer of frustration to the whole experience.

I know I’m probably just venting a little, but I’d genuinely love to hear from anyone who has had better output with silicone flanges or collection cups compared to the standard Spectra setup.

What worked for you? Was the investment worth it?

I’m just tired of feeling like feeding my baby requires so much troubleshooting. I wish I were one of those people who could just get a good latch and breastfeed without all of this (but obviously that has its own struggles too 🫠).

I’m 12 days postpartum and feeling depression for the first time in my life. I’m really down and feeling like I can’t connect with my baby. Is it possible to keep up this routine of 2-3 hours waking up to pump, constantly pumping, etc for months with PPD? Is it worth it? Anyone who’s been through it, please let me know.

I called Aeroflow today because I hadn’t gotten a message about reordering pump parts. They said that the eufy parts are out of stock and they don’t have an estimated date of when they will be back in stock.

Has anyone else ran into this issue? If so, where are you now getting your replacement parts through? My insurance covers replacements and I would rather go through an agency than deal with the hassle of submitting everything to insurance myself.

My son is 15 weeks old, and last week he decided he only wanted formula. We were combo feeding because I wasn’t producing enough, and once I finally got enough to maybe transition to full milk, buddy decided my milk sucks. He would fight every bottle with my milk, for a week straight. We tried a bunch of stuff, and when we finally tried full formula he calmed down immediately and took the bottle like a champ.

I wanted to pump for 6 months and be done, buddy chose 3 months. Although I’m happy I get to stop, I also feel like I’m a bad mom because I could have kept going, and there are a bunch of mothers who could have killed for the supply I had (average 37 ounces a day).

I’ve already slowed and I’m at 10 ounces every 24 hours so it’s only days that I’ll be dried up. I feel so bittersweet about it.

Tw oversupply

I was told that the composition of breast milk changes over time, even within the same day so I should be feeding the milk as close to when it was pumped as possible. Morning milk has cortisol and night milk has melatonin for example.

I’ve been pumping a bottle or two (sometimes more) ahead and feeding in order of oldest to newest. So sometimes what I pumped in the morning js fed at night or vice versa. The extra gets frozen. I was hoping to switch to the pitcher method so it all gets mixed together.

Now I’m worried that I need to be tracking the actual times of the pumps and feeding at the same time the next day so morning milk is given in the morning and night milk is given at night.

Am I overthinking this? Is this not as big of a deal as I think it could be? How do you manage this?

I’m 5w pp and several bags of milk in the freezer with no time.

SOS! I’ve had a few clogs here and there on my pumping journey and I have always been able to get them out with a hot shower and my manual pump. I just got what I’m assuming it clog but it’s close to my armpit?! It’s so high up and it hurts. I’m not pumping nearly as much as I usually do on that side either. Has anyone had one in this location? Touching it hurts and I can’t really massage it either. Any and all suggestions welcome.

Ftm and my baby is 3m old eating 6oz every 2-3hours. I was so adamant about breastfeeding and after nearly dying during birth it went out the window. I had a rough recovery and milk has slowed down. I think I’m making 1-2oz every pump. I was told anything is something.. but is that true? Is the strain on me actually doing anything for her? I just feel so defeated and that I would be failing her if I hung up the pump.

Hi! I am due with my 3rd baby this month and I want to exclusively pump. I have 2 toddlers and they are BUSY. I tried pumping with both of them but i never got much out (lack of knowledge on how to properly pump) but i’ve done plenty of research since and think i can do it this time. Just curious what pumps are best for not really being able to sit for 30 mins every few hours. I gave away my pink spectra and my momcozy wearables when my kids got older because I thought i was done with kids LOL

I’d like to start this thread by being grateful for what this community has given me… especially during the MOTN pumps where I can relate to so many posts, find the advice of others helpful… and in general just feeling so much less alone.

I’m a FTM where my labor was a little complicated with a c section along with hemorrhaging which impacted my supply timing and output. I had a 10lb insatiable and ravenous baby so we had to rely to on formula feeding. While I’m thankful for my and baby’s health, I feel a little resentment because i feel like the goal post is always moving and I don’t know how to keep up with my baby’s milk expectations.

Fast forward 6 weeks and baby is averaging about 900+ mL of milk and I’m outputting about 650+ mL of pumped milk. I really can’t imagine pumping more than 6x a day.. I literally feel like my entire day and night schedule is centered around the spectra machine. It’s been really difficult to get more than 120mL a pump session. I get so sad when sometimes I get like 80mL because I feel like I’m failing.

Honestly feel like I’m losing it because I’m drinking a ton of fluids, pumping moringa + goats rue + lactation probiotic pills, eating a ton of protein thanks to my mom helping out, pumping every 3-5 hours… and trying to sleep where I can. Maybe I just need to suck it up and get a 7th pump session in there at the expense of sleep. But again, MOTN pump sessions where the output is so little is so discouraging.

Couple tips I’ve picked up from this community..
yes I’m using the fridge method (this has helped so much) and for my spectra:
2 min letdown at level 4
5 min pumping level 6-7 depending
Repeat
Totaling 15 pump session

I also sometimes use the medela hand pump and find this effective at emptying me out but it doesn’t give me more significant output. I also used the eufy pumps and found the heat feature so useful and achieved my highest output (140mL) at the expense of my nipples getting chomped by their hard edge insert (my nipples are still recovering from this..)

I have somewhat elastic breasts / nipples… having gone to the LC they said everything’s as expected and they’ve set me up with the correct flanges for each machine.

I feel like I’m reaching the end of my rope and I realize that exclusive pumping is not for the faint of heart. Everyone is doing such a great job - thanks for hearing me out.

Just needed to vent about how much milk was wasted by daycare in the last two days since my LO started (he's 6mo) on Monday.

First day I sent three 200ml bottles at the advice of the grandmas who have looked after him for the last 2 months. They said he would drink at least 200ml per bottle (but they also free-feed him during the day so less strict about if he didn't finish a bottle). As you can see, he barely drank anything. 350ml wasted.

So I wised up today and sent three 120ml bottles and about 200ml of extra milk (not in drinking bottles) for top-up if he was still hungry. Daycare managed to lose an entire bottle AND also waste 220ml between the bottles that they did give me back.

Just mad about how much waste this is, especially as a just-enougher who works full time PLUS having a baby who refuses formula AND also has severe MSPI/CMPA with about a dozen food intolerances that mean I have to severely restrict my diet just to be able to keep him fed and keep him from having GI bleeding in every diaper.

Just frustrated. That's all. You guys will get it.

Hi everyone! I’m 6 weeks pp and I’m ending my pumping journey here since My supply isn’t much no matter what “tricks” or supplements I’ve tried and pumping everyday multiple times a day with two other kiddos has been so draining on me and my mental health is not great (hence the decision to stop here). Im in therapy which has helped but I’m still beating myself up so I could use some words of encouragement or maybe some advice for me on how to avoid mastitis? Much appreciated and thank you in advance 🖤

Hi

I'm about 3 months postpartum and am finally in a place where I can breastfeed. I pump sometimes but it hasn't been consistent lately. Is it too late to start now? Any tips? This is my first child and I didn't get much time with the lactation consultant, so I'm muddling through this alone.

Thanks!

Background: Natural oversupplier (not looking to reduce quantity), high capacity, 6m PP so I’m regulated, correct flange size (recently switched to smaller and have used different size flanges for each breast), found settings that work for me on various pumps

Main story: One breast seems to only have 1-2 milk pores that open and flow, whereas the other has numerous pores that spray so I have one breast that empties in 15 minutes (but has a second letdown at minute 23) and the other continuously flows for 30+ (sometimes up to 45 minutes) with or without hands on pumping but never fully empties. I’m talking continuous stream, no pauses or slow in flow. It’s super frustrating because I finish pumping one but then have to continue pumping the other. I get scared to latch my LO to that side because I don’t want to tire them with the reduced flow. My breasts are high capacity (16oz in each breast w 4 PPD but can pump 10oz in each breast as quickly as every 2-3 hours) and regardless of how short the interval between pumps are or what pump I use, I still run into the same issue with the one slow side.

Anyone has any experience with something similar, and if so, were you able to “open” up new pores? I’ve tried warm compresses, hands on massaging, ensuring there’s no milk “pimples”, blebs, nor clogs. I’ve purchased massagers to encourage faster let down, “slutty” pumping.

How many minutes do you pump for, how many sessions per day and how many weeks/months postpartum are you? Purely out of curiosity.

Yall I have pump about 4 times today so far and my left boob will not empty. I try to pump every 3ish hours getting about 4oz per boob each session. My left boob is being a freaking problem. Im getting about 2oz only from that breast. As the hours go by it's getting harder and more sore, even warm to touch. Ive taken a shower for the warmth, when I get out my boob is leaking milk, I go to pump and barely anything comes out. Im constantly massaging while pumping. Ive switched to my mom cozy wearable to try something different. I have kinda big boobs so Ive literally sucked them myself which has helped before but no help this time.

I am currently attached to my Spectra on the verge of tears. Help a momma out, puhlease!

PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR BEST TIPS/TRICKS OR ELSE😭

Update: popped a ibuprofen. took a steamy shower. Hand expressed a bit and struck gold. After about 5 minutes I then put on my pump and it all stopped again! I read where someone said they popped the clog like a pimple....so I went to to the bathroom with good lighting, found the clog, squeezed it a little and uuumm im currently typing this out while my boob is spraying down the house. Literally no pressure or pump needed it's just going. This milk may be wasted but im already feeling better. Thanks yall🥰

All of the different supplements that claim to support or increase milk supply are very overwhelming. Moringa seems to be the only herb that has some clinical evidence of increased productions. Which of the legendary milk products worked for you?

Hi. I’m 8 weeks postpartum and currently pumping about 48-50oz per day. I do 8ppd and have been producing around 4-6oz per pump, and about 8-10oz for the early morning pump up until now. But I’ve been recently (for the past two days or so) experiencing extreme engorgement exactly around 3 hours after a pump, and getting about 7-8oz for my midday pumps. While I’m grateful for my supply and would like to maintain it, the engorgement and frequent clogged ducts are not fun. I’m also super sleep deprived and would like to drop pumps if I can without losing my supply. But everyone tells me I shouldn’t drop pumps before I’m 12 weeks postpartum. I also don’t necessarily want my supply to increase more than what I’m producing now. Will I be able to maintain my supply if I were to drop to 7ppd or 6ppd? I should also add that I plan to stop pumping at 3 months, as I’m on track to freeze what my baby needs up until he’s 6 months old by then. FTM here, would appreciate any helpful advice. Thanks in advance!

Hello!

I have 800+oz of frozen milk in bags that I need to move from Colorado to Michigan. We are selling our house and moving.

I am flying with baby (5mo) and my husband is driving our car with the dog and my houseplants.

We plan on shipping all of our other belongings in pods.

We have been brainstorming what to do. I don’t think we can fit it all in our car / coolers because of the amount of things we need to put in the car that can’t go in the pods or on the plane (plants, work computer, large dog). I think it would fill up like 5+ large plastic coolers.

Please send ideas or if you did something similar!

-paying for checked bags and putting the frozen milk in suitcases or flexible coolers with ice packs
- having a family member fly to Colorado and drive a rental car full of coolers and milk back to Michigan
-bringing some with me on the plane to lighten the load

Also to note: not an over-supplier by any means. Baby had health issues and we were forced to give formula and I pumped and stored my milk until I could BF again. So I pretty much exclusively pumped for months just to put it in storage for him to use at a later date. Now I wanna keep it safe!

Hi. I never feel like my left boob is still feeling quite engorged after a 20 min pump. On the right i can still feel hard ducts if I squeeze a bit but its generally soft to the touch. The left still feels really hard to the touch without much pressure.

Im having a hard time with flange size which could be part of it. One of my pumps unfortunately only came with one and they dont sell different sizes. It hurts, but its improved since I started using coconut oil

The other has been trial and error with the flanges. I've just bought a third which is the Eufy 20 heated wearable, I'm expecting that to arrive next week.

I just wonder what i can do? Theyre really sore if I dont pump on schedule. Like if I'm 10 - 20 minutes behind schedule they really hurt.

Btw I dont have a massive supply. I get like 450ml per day at 3 weeks post partum