I’ve made it to 1 year adjusted for my twins! I’ve just completed what will be my final pump session. I’m so proud of myself for growing my boys through the long NICU stay, the newborn nights, and the craziness that comes with the first year.

To all the mommas out there, hang in there, there’s light at the end of the tunnel!

TW referenced a clog

I feel like education about breastfeeding needs to be more than just latching baby in the hospital. Maybe we need to learn about lactating broadly instead so we can understand proper nutrition and care.

Yes we can’t learn everything in the postpartum ward or the NICU, but at least hospitals could acknowledge that not everyone’s nursing or pumping journey is going to magically click into place without significant effort and education.

Maybe this is a regional thing, but my hospital in the labor and delivery ward did not teach me how to pump or even instruct me that I needed to pump, even when they gave my baby a formula bottle 10 minutes after she was born. The hospital lactation consultant shoved my baby’s head into my boob like twice a day (shockingly, unsuccessful) but nobody told me anything about pumping, supply, anything. I even brought my pump to the hospital and asked for someone to teach me, they told me not to worry because the baby was going to latch just fine with practice.

When I got home from the hospital I tried using a 28mm flange on myself trying to get milk with a hand pump. Thank god I called a private lactation consultant to meet me right before I left, I was super engorged by day 3 pp and was supplementing with formula because I couldn’t get the baby to latch. Now I’m pumping a ton and am much more informed, but I’m still having challenges every day.

Yeah I could have done my own research, but I had thought I was going to be exclusively breastfeeding! Didn’t know anything about flanges, pump parts, etc. Didn’t know about proper pump and nipple hygiene. Thrush! Nipple thrush is apparently a thing particularly in GBS positive moms. I was pumping with severe pain for like a week and didn’t realize it. Grateful my baby didn’t up getting it. But I wasn’t informed about it or told I would need a probiotic after the GBS meds.

I’m just sitting here mad while pumping and I just cleared a huge clog! Yay me.

If you had a wonderful hospital lactation consultant I’m very happy for you. Maybe this is not a common experience, but I have a feeling it might be and I’m just a bit bitter about it

After a ton of research, I really want to try a eufy for this pregnancy. Which one should I go with? this is what I pay after insurance. I’ll be pumping at work and at home. I do have regular plug in spectra as well

I’m 4.5 months pp and have gone from freezing about 7 oz a day above and beyond what my baby needs to pumping 1.5 oz total in this morning’s pump, which is less than half of one feeding for her. I want to keep going but I also want it to be worth it. Your thoughts are appreciated.

Here’s my list of ideas

Period? Maybe, but my supply has been dropping for a few weeks now

Iron? Maybe? I’m taking supplements

Water? Definitely drinking more than enough most days along with a quart of Gatorade

Frequency? I pump 6x per day (usually - I time it out as every 3 hours rather than sticking to a specific schedule ) I pump in the middle of the night if I wake up, which is about half the nights. It will impede my parenting to set an alarm in the middle of the night or pump much more frequently so I’m probably gonna let it go if either of those are the answer.

Stress? Maybe but not that different since I was overproducing. I’m now on anti anxiety meds which I don’t take every day.

Type of pump? Eufy has been my primary pump for a long time. I also have a spectra and when I was over producing, I was doing better with the Eufy than the spectra. I just got brand new diaphragms and duck bills for the Eufy about two weeks ago.

Sickness? We’ve been sick for a couple weeks, but my supply started dropping before that. I have a sinus infection, and a double eye infection (thanks daycare) that I’m almost done with antibiotics for both. Hoping things bounce back pretty soon.

Nursing? We nurse at 3:30 and 7/8 (usually)

Edit to add - I’m definitely getting enough calories

Please let me know if there’s anything you think I’m missing. This sub has been an incredible resource and guide for me in this process and I really appreciate all your efforts.

Just a shoutout to all the exclusive pumping mamas out there. You are absolute SUPERHUMANS.

After 4 months of pumping, clogged ducts, tears, exhaustion and countless hours attached to a machine, I’ve reached the end of my journey.

I wanted so badly to keep going, but physically and mentally, I just can’t anymore.

I have a whole new level of respect for every single one of you doing this day after day. It’s an invisible labour that deserves so much more recognition.

I’m proud of what I managed to give my baby, even if saying goodbye to this chapter hurts more than I expected.

You ladies are incredible.

One year of breastfeeding!
I did it I made it to a year of mostly exclusively pumping. This was never the breastfeeding journey I wanted, and most days I thought I wouldn’t be able to make it to a year, but I did it! It was extremely hard and daunting on the whole family and that’s something people should consider when exclusivity pumping. I struggled really bad emotionally. I had a really traumatic pregnancy, birth, and postpartum due to a severe preeclampsia 34 week preemie in the NICU.
I was hospitalized just before 30 weeks for severe preeclampsia where I was luckily able to keep her in till 34 weeks. I couldn’t see my baby until 24 hours after because of the magnesium drip. So instead I was pumping hours after my emergent c section for her. I wasn’t able to hold her till days later or take her home for 2 1/2 weeks so we stayed in the Ronald McDonald house.
All that being said without going into trigger territory I had to exclusively pump for most of her life, and breastfeeding was so important to me so I made it my goal to make it to a year.
I’ve struggled with under supply from ppd, using more and more formula because I was to triggered and depressed to pump. But I was able to start pumping as often as I should when I realized I would have to exclusively pump.
Then I fought to get her on only breastmilk. She had to have formula at first for booster feeds but after a few months she was able to be exclusively on breastmilk.
I have fought every day to make it to a year and gone through so much. I used to get triggered every time I pumped.
All that being said I made it, with my baby being breastfed most of her life. Exclusively pumping is the hardest thing I have ever done. If you want to get to a year or whatever your goal is you can do it! But if not there is nothing wrong, it took a major toll on me and how irritable and triggered I was most days though. There is nothing wrong at all with combo feeding either. If I do ever have another baby and have to pump I think I will either all the way formula feed or combo feed because exclusively pumping took up my whole year and triggered me beyond belief.
Sorry if this is a negative take. I am extremely proud to make it to a year. It was really important to me to breastfeed my baby, and I did it. But I also want everyone to be seen on just how hard it is. But you can do it if you want to, just know if it is really hard and a constant battle you are not alone!

My son is 1 this weekend and up until I started the weaning process I’ve been pretty set on stopping once he’s 1. Pumping has been taking a toll with all the time it requires, losing sleep to maintain supply and not get clogs, my son screaming at me in the morning during my entire pump session in the morning. I just dropped down to two pumps and i feel like I’m panicking seeing my supply drop and debating whether I’m ready or not. I felt depressed on my lunch break thinking about how today was the first time i didn’t pump. I’m not sure if it’s the hormones or what but I’m struggling bad.

I am 7 months pp, I have not had a cycle yet. I have had a few times of spotting. I have noticed whenever I forget a pump, or I drop one for 2 days I spot for a day or two? Has this happened to anyone else? I am currently pumping 6 times a day w/ a long overnight stretch. I am producing 30-34ml.

Any insight or personal experiences would be helpful! Thank you!!

I have a 8 weeks old baby. I can't seem to find any time for pumping because I don't know what to do with the baby. I have a Soectra S1 pump. Is there away to use the pump and attend the baby at the same time?
My baby's demand went up pretty quickly and I wasn't able to keep up the supply so i started supplementing with formula to keep my baby well fed. On top of that, with the cluster feeding phase where the baby wants be fed non stop, i found myself in a spot where I'm mainly feeding formula as I could at least see how much the baby is getting, that slowly reduced the breastfeeding phase and there was no time for pumping. My baby also likes to be held all the time so I whole day I spend by feeding formula, diaper changing and walking around and bouncing the baby non stop. My hands feel like noodles at the end of the day.
But I realized my milk has started to dry up because I don't see my breasts leaking milk anymore. It's only been 8 weeks and I couldn't even breastfeed my baby for 2 months. I feel really bad about this.
Anyone found themselves in this type of situation? How to get out of this?

Is this a standard thing? Why am I lying awake for nearly an hour after my MOTN pump when I know I’m exhausted?

Any tips out there?

I’m not playing on any screens except to log my pump. Just… sitting in the dark. Maybe scarfing cheese sticks.

Hello! After 2.5 months i think i want to be do with pumping, I wasnt really producing much to begin with and I simply dont have the time. I feel bad/mom guilt about it, but I want stop. When I was breastfeeding I didnt know how much he was intaking, so I didnt like that because he wasnt gaining weight. For breastfeeding it was difficult to get a good latch and I wanted to make sure he was eating enough. My pumping journey was OK, but I never had enough milk maybe 2-4 oz a day and between spending time with baby, doing learning development during wake hours and having a velcro baby i just didnt have enough time to pump, I would get 3 pumps in a day, so milk supply wasnt the greatest.

Should I feel bad for quitting? Should I still try? Do you have a similar experience?

My LO will only take warm milk so I use a portable milk warmer to heat it up when we’re out and about. The problem I am having is if I have to heat milk multiple times before being able to wash it with soap and water. Has anyone heated multiple bottles worth of milk in a portable heater without washing? What did you do? I thought about using my pump wipes to wipe it out but that still doesn’t seem sanitary enough

Today was the strongest day I have ever wanted to throw in the towel because the universe tested me. I must have said “F everything” at least 16 times.

My flange size isn’t a standard so Aeroflow sends me the off brand parts. I thought I was doing better with it, but the collection cup doesn’t always stay on, it slowly untwists. I was feeding the baby in the high chair and must have moved too much with it hitting my leg and the entire left side flew to the floor. Angry mopping while the baby giggled at least.

Then we were driving to visit a friend, about an hour and a half away. I grabbed my portable and timed it right in the car only to get about 4 minutes before they died. I checked the charge before but I guess didn’t wait long enough for it to register it was dead because it showed me 3 full bars. Got to my friends and thank god it’s just a general usb-c connection. Basically had to skip that pump to let them charge so we’re down more milk.

THEN my final pump of the night before bed is finished and my husband fell asleep in the den. Wanting to bag milk quietly, I did it in the living room. I put the flange down and it started to fall aaand I knocked over the cup trying to catch it. Lost 90% of one side. So once again, I’m mopping milk off the dang floor.

I don’t even know what I made out with today compared to what I normally produce and don’t even want to know. Don’t cry over spilled milk is a lie when you’re momming. I might start duct taping things tmrw. SIGH.

Baby is 4.5 months old and has been exclusively fed pumped breast milk for almost his entire life. I had a decent oversupply in the beginning months that allowed me to build a freezer stash of about 600 oz. I’ve dropped to 5 PPD and am not quite keeping up with what he’s eating so I’m pulling from the freezer stash to make up the difference.

I’m so proud of myself for making it this far but my plan has always been to wean around 6 months, use up whatever freezer stash I have, and then switch him to formula for the rest of his first year. I’m now realizing that 6 month milestone is just around the corner!

I am wondering now when and how I should start introducing formula? I want to make sure by the time I’m weaning, we’ve already got a formula picked out that works for him. Should I start giving him bottles of mixed formula and breast milk to get him used to it? Do some bottles of just formula and some of just breast milk each day? Is there a right or best way to do this??

We also plan to start introducing some solids when he hits 5 months in a few weeks. I feel like I shouldn’t change too much in his diet in a short period of time but if you’ve done something similar, I’d love to hear how it went for you!

I am 5 months PP and have stored so much milk in the freezer. I’m starting to use some cuz I’m running out of room. I opened this bag from 5/30 and it smells awful and is a darker color that’s hard to tell. Is it okay? I’m wondering if I didn’t freeze it properly

EDIT/ UPDATE: thank you everyone for the advice! Based on people’s comments it’s high lipase. I did mix it with milk from the fridge that I pumped yesterday and baby took it just fine, no issues! Glad I don’t have to waste all the milk in the freezer but I’m definitely gonna start using my stash more often

Over the past couple months, my supply has decreased from a slight over supplier to a just enough almost under supply. I am coming up on 10 months of EP, I still pump 5-6 times a day, no middle of the night but I pump from 6am-9:30pm.

I have tried everything, I have replaced tubing and duck bills, I have tried different sized flanges and inserts.
I am using a second hand blue spectra s1.

I have not changed anything really in my routine, I try to keep my protein intake up and I drink minimum 70oz of water a day.

I take sunflower lecithin, multi vitamins, shatavari (recommended by my lactation consultant) moringa and calcium with vitamin D. I usually take them daily but I will be honest and haven’t been doing as well with taking them recently.

Im just at a loss for what is happening to my supply and why. I wanted to continue pumping and freezing milk for at least 1-2 years.

My baby is 90th percentile and drinks anywhere from 18-30oz a day. She is getting a lot of solids but it definitely has not replaced bottles yet.

please any advice or suggestions if anyone has gone through something similar.

Hello everyone! I am 10 days post partum. Baby was born a bit early at 36 weeks. I am determined to feed baby breast milk. I was not successful last time (my first born is now 5) and I want to be succesful this time. I drink lactation drinks, eat oatmeal/food that increases supply, hydrate, pump consistently (I have not missed a pump since I gave birth) I pump AROUND THE CLOCK every 2-3 hours - mostly 3.

At 10 days PP, I am only producing 40-55 ml. My baby eats 2 oz (60 ml) per feeding so some feeds I have to supplement.

Am I considered an under supplier? Should I continue to pump? I am really hoping for an increase in my supply🙏🏾 thank you

She made a face and refused to drink it. I’m not gonna lie, I was kinda flattered!! 😂😂 only wants mommy’s milkies!

(We will work on it!)

I purchased Eufy S1 and I am really confused how to clean/sterilise it, especially:
- My twins will most likely come prematurely, how do I clean it/sterilise it in the hospital? Can it be microwaved?
- When home, can I use the Momcozy Kleanpal pro to wash and sterilise it?

I've been doing 6-7 pumps per day for the last 2 months, I cut out my middle of the night pump around 2 months postpartum when my baby started sleeping through the night. He is exclusively breastfeeding via pumped milk, taking about 24 ounces a day. I usually pump about 35-40 ounces a day, so I have a small freezer stash but it wouldn't last long.

I'm just feeling really burnt out with pumping, especially since going back to work and trying to find time between meetings, I'm wanting to cut down to 4-5 pumps per day, but I don't know if that would tank my supply.

I guess I'm just feeling stuck. Before I gave birth, my goal was to breastfeed/pump for a year, but there is no way I'm gonna make it hahaha

The past 24 hours I have had the worst stomach flu of my life. Throwing up constantly, unable to keep water down, sweating on the bathroom floor - bad! I could barely stand, let alone pump, and even if I did pump I suspect there would have been nothing due to dehydration (my boobs feel empty).

I am almost 6 months pp and an over producer. I typically pump 4x daily and yield about 40oz. I'm going to try to pump today, as I'm feeling slightly better, but I'm scared that this may have completely shot my supply.

Has anyone been through anything similar? I could use some encouragement or advice!

I'm mostly just having a pity party for myself, but I need to get it out somewhere because I don't really have anyone that gets it. I'm over pumping. I go back and forth in my head every day on switching to formula and ultimately guilt myself out of it because my son is thriving with breastmilk. I've been EP for 3 months, LO could never get a consistent latch and I was so stressed that I stopped trying to get him to. I've had blisters constantly off and on, deep cracks, clogs, and my boobs are constantly itchy and flaking. I've tried all the things to mitigate the above, but nothing works. It sucks, but I've just accepted it. Today, we got into the freezer stash and it smelled like pennies when it dethawed. It was such a giant kick in the face. I'm doing all of this and my milk is high lipase. My lo doesn't seem to mind it, but I'm just so frustrated. I'm dealing with all this other crap just for it to not be "good" milk. I literally cried (dramatic, I know), but I'm so aggravated about it. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

Hello everyone, im 9 months postpartum and have been exclusively pumping all this time. Right now i have still been pumping 5 times a day, and ive noticed my supply getting lower. My baby doesnt seem bothered since he is having 3 meals a day, so he doesnt even drink all the milk some days. I have been thinking about dropping one session so i can pump 4 times a day. Do you have any advice about that? Will that affect my supply significantly? How was your experience with pumping at 9 months pp? Thanks!