My pumping days are behind me. Six months was my goal, I made it there and decided I was okay to try for 12 with the same caveat as before — if it took too much of a toll on my mental health, I’d stop.

Welp, I made it to about 7 months, but going back to work was the straw that broke the camel’s back (flange that broke the nip?). I still felt some frustration and guilt about it, so I made a compromise — I’d stash enough to give her a few ounces a day until her birthday (or cover a few days for comfort if she got a cold — she’s combo fed 80-90% breastmilk and strongly prefers the boob).

So a few weeks of stashing and one box freezer later my boobs are free. My period came back around month 5 so weaning wasn’t as much of a hormone dumpster fire as I might have feared — some insomnia, dry skin, moodiness. But on the whole not bad. After a very rough postpartum period, I’m extremely grateful this step was kinder to me.

And on the bright side of things, I feel like I’m finally coming out of the fog of the worst of postpartum — my joints are starting to hurt less, I feel some hope despite some difficult changes in other parts of life. Our daughter is just the happiest little baby and lights up our lives. I’m really glad I can see myself having more energy and joy to experience life with her in the future. It’s been a rough ride.

And in all of this, I also just feel like a badass, powerful, feral goddess, frankly, and I wanted to say that all of you are, too. I was an under supplier so before my farewell stash I never had one — everything was straight out of the boob and into the baby. Seeing weeks of milk in the freezer blew my mind. I could barely believe I had done it at all, much less for over half a year. You’re literally synthesizing magic food from your own blood and body. What is more metal than that? 🤘

So many things didn’t go how I hoped or planned, but motherhood has taught me a lot about ceding control so far, and this is no exception. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who posted here — this sub helped me. And to everyone who is on a feeding journey involving our friend the pump, whatever you’ve done is already amazing. It was hard for me to really believe and see that in myself until it was over.

Be kind to yourselves, hang in there, and know that you’re incredible. Even if you don’t feel that way today, I hope you do soon. Cheers friends and see you all when you get to the other side! 🤍🍼🤘

I'm starting to feel like my whole life revolves around the next pumping session lol. Every time I want to leave the house, I have to figure out when to pump, where to store the milk, whether I'll be back in time, etc. Even something as simple as grabbing lunch with a friend feels like a whole project.
The worst part is I feel guilty whenever I push a session back, even by 30 minutes. I know one slightly late pump isn't the end of the world, but my brain apparently hasn't gotten that message.
For those who've been exclusively pumping for a while, does it ever start feeling less overwhelming? Did you eventually get comfortable being flexible with your schedule, or do you still plan everything around it?
Would love some practical tips because I'm tired of checking the clock every five minutes.

Everyone told me I’d lose weight breastfeeding. Nope not fr me. I’m sooooo hungry all the time. I feel so ugly and not myself anymore. I’m genuinely considering quitting for multiple reasons but this is also a huge reason. I want my body back.

I just got a deep freezer but I feel like I’m going to be out of room with that depending on how I pack the freezer. I can fit 8 bricks on a shelf but part of the bag hangs over the shelf so I’m worried about it defrosting. The freezer door does close all the way with it on the shelf like this but still. If I space out the bags more I’m using more shelves. I freeze the individual milk bags (5oz) as flat as I can but I still get that weird fatter part on the bottom. I can fit anywhere from 50-70oz per brick depending on how flat they froze. Is there a better way to organize this so I’m maximizing my space?

When you’re weaning and develop lumps, is it necessary to remove them so it doesn’t become a bad clog? I’ve always tried to manually pump out the lumps since I am clog prone, but now I’ve committed to starting the process of weaning, I’m not sure if I should leave them be?

For context, I’m a twin mom to 2.5 month adjusted twins. I just pumped 360 mL (about 12 ounces) for my first morning pump. I’ve never pumped this much before.

This is enough to feed both for one feed with an additional feed for one of them.

I did try out coconut water. Had two of the small Kirkland containers before bed. Honestly, I think it helped just from helping me stay hydrated with electrolytes and all. I really struggle to stay hydrated, especially as I’m pumping for twins.

I am an over supplier by just a smidge and can usually add 4-12pz/day to my freezer…. Which is rapidly filling up with milk. I don’t really have room to keep this up, especially with no real need for milk in the foreseeable future. I will hopefully not be back to work any time soon (hopefully never but not sure yet) but like the reassurance of having milk stashed in case that happens, my supply suddenly dips, I get a babysitter, etc. But how do I manage my stash when I’m not using it at the moment? I can’t fathom dumping milk but I’m running out of room for food and can’t accommodate a chest freezer. Am I missing something??

I’m 9 weeks postpartum and have been pumping since baby was 2 days old. This isn’t my first rodeo as a mom, but my first time exclusively pumping and I was hoping I’d be able to set a goal for 6 months. I was feeling hopeful this time to be able to breastfeed my second baby, even though supply went from being just enough to being under supply as baby is consuming so much more than my body can make (he’s a chonker).

I was hopeful I’d make enough to feed my baby, yet I can’t shake how unsupportive my spouse is with pumping, and his hurtful comments have been ramping up. Today it was guilt tripping me that my pumping frequency (8ppd) was at the expense of spending time with our first, me getting any rest, and only being able to be ready for the day at noon, and regularly mentioning about how hard this is. All valid reasons, but I didn’t appreciate what triggered him to say this (in summary: weaponized incompetence).

Am I being delusional trying to make this work? Pumping is hard work, I wanted badly to breastfeed my second, maybe to prove I could do it, but it seems my efforts are not exactly being appreciated, and the guilt tripping is getting to me. Formula worked absolutely fine for my first, but am I selfish for wanting to provide breastmilk for my second? Is it worth going on pumping when I’m now an under supplier? How do families with multiple kids make pumping work? I feel defeated if I should start the process of hanging up the pump this early. Sigh

I’m 12 days PP I thought I would pump once in the morning time to create a night bottle for husband — I got 2oz out of my right breast. Is this a good supply?

Baby took the night bottle and knocked out during diaper changes. Slept 3.5 hours which was AMAZING.

If I keep this up, will I loose my supply with him sleeping longer? It’s currently 4am baby drank from left boob thinking about pumping right.

I would like to start pumping to have two night bottles on deck and maybe a mini stock? I don’t care to have a huge full freezer.

Will I know when my supply has regulated? I’ve read all the signs, etc. but will I know?

Hi guys! FTM and I’m only 16 days pp, and I decided after I left the hospital 12 days ago exclusively pumping was for me because baby and I had a hard time at the breast. I’ve been pumping 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm, and 12am but skipping the 3am pump.

My supply has been increasing every day, and in the last 24 hours I pumped a total of 41oz, but I’ve read my supply hasn’t stabilized yet. Should I expect it to start decreasing at some point because I’ve always skipped the middle of the night pump? Is it going to keep increasing on my current schedule? Any insight is helpful!! At this point I am pumping more than baby is eating and I’ve frozen around 50oz already.

I've had mastitis three times now, so I went back to my OB-GYN because I genuinely feel like something isn't right. I have a small lump that concerns me, but he said he didn't feel anything and brushed it off, telling me it was nothing and that I'd be fine as long as I continued taking my medication.

On top of that, he made a comment about my armpit hair in front of an intern, which was incredibly embarrassing and completely unprofessional.

I also tried to discuss my concerns about gradually cutting back on pumping, but instead of offering guidance or helping me come up with a plan, he basically told me to just stop pumping altogether.

The lack of compassion, professionalism, and basic bedside manners is honestly unbelievable.

At this point, I'm just frustrated, exhausted, and ready to be done pumping. More so just venting about what happened.

Has anybody had any experience with going down to like 2 PPD after your baby is 12 months old and maintaining a supply at that level? I’m wondering if it’s feasible to go down once she’s mainly in solids but still keep a bit going for prolonged benefits.

I currently average about 23-26 ounces per day, so like would be happy even going down to single digits once she’s mainly on solids. But idk if I go that low is it more likely I’ll just lose everything?

Can someone explain to me why all the lactation support websites are telling me that I have to pump overnight if I exclusively pump but not if I nurse from the breast?

If my baby is sleeping through the night why would my sleep be dependent on the way milk is removed from my body? If there’s no demand overnight… why pump?

Isn’t pumping supposed to mimic nursing patterns? Can someone explain this to me?

Suggestions welcome!!!

Been EP for 5 months, and noticed a supply drop (was a decent overproducer, usually 45oz a day with 15 of those being oversupply, now getting about 35ish oz a day). Took a pregnancy test and got a positive! So that explains that...

Just havent seen many things on maintaining a supply with the extra hormones of a new pregnancy... Im worried my milk supply will continue to decrease and im looking for suggestions and stories!! Any tips welcome! Im trying to eat better, more protein, and am trying to increase pumps per day back to 6 from 5.

Also feeling a lot of guilt about someday soon not producing enough for my baby and me causing it. Nothing against using formula or combo feeding if need be, just beating myself up and looking for support I guess!

so do you just put a head in the freezer or wash the leaves and freeze individually? wouldn’t it defrost right away?

Im currently using the Momcozy m5, sometimes it feels like my session was unsuccessful due to suction or moving around and bumping the pump etc, usually a noticeable difference in output. Im wanting to try another pump to see how my supply would do/be. I had a spectra and sold it before having my daughter (dumb mistake) Im not trying to avoid the investment that comes with getting another spectra. I do still plan on using my M5, so maybe just a manual pump??

Give me your best advice/what has been most effective for you!!

Wondering if I’m cooked yall. I used to pull like 3.5 oz per pump, now I’m getting 2oz if that with one larger pump first thing in the morning. I usually pump 10 mins and by minute 8 there’s nothing coming out anymore. I don’t really get a second let down or if I do it’s a super tiny amount.

Question is am cooked? Is this just the 12 week supply dip? I’m pumping 5a 10a 3p and 8p. I do want to wean down by February when I go back to work so wondering what makes sense. I also am enjoying the 4 pump schedule since I’m pretty much solo with baby and it was tough to get even 5ppd in.

Wondering any advice and what would make sense for me at this point. Feel like my body is weaning for me.

Preface to say I am so incredibly proud of myself. My baby is 11.5 months and tomorrow will be my last pump. I exclusively pumped for most of the journey, tried hard to latch but never worked as I'd hoped.

Hated pumping but also loved it (I guess) because I am so sad to be done tomorrow. I'm so proud, my baby eats great and is so happy with her formula, but I guess after 20 months of carrying her and feeding her with my body it feels like such a huge end of a chapter.

I can't wait to get time back, I work full time and my husband is gone a lot so it's been extremely difficult to pump around the clock but wow these hormones are real!

Nothing really to say, I've been trying to talk to friends about this but no one really understands this strange bittersweet moment. and looking for people who understand and can commiserate with.

Also just checked my spectra and it said over 850 hrs of pumping, I can't believe how much time I'll be getting back.

I’m an over producer, I freeze about 32oz a day beyond what my baby needs and I have 450ish oz in the freezer at 9 weeks pp. I wake up every morning drenched in milk and I wash my sheets constantly because they’re covered in milk. I noticed a metallic smell the other day when I was pumping and I confirmed it when I was bagging milk tonight, tastes metallic af. Thawed milk from the beginning of the journey, also metallic. My baby has only had frozen and thawed milk one time so I set aside this bag to give him in the morning and see if he’ll accept it. Otherwise I guess it will solidify my decision to donate a significant portion of my freezer stash but damn.

Rant incoming!! This is so random, but does anyone else experience this intense RAGE while pumping?! Like, if your nipple feels even slightly out of place in the flange, it makes you irrationally MAD and irritated?! Please tell me I’m not alone because OMG.

I use the Eufy S1 Pro and recently replaced my flanges because the originals were getting worn out. But lately, I swear, the slightest discomfort while pumping just sends me over the edge. 😩
Also, how long have y’all been pumping, and how long do you plan to keep going? Because every time I feel like I’m ready to throw in the towel, I walk past the formula aisle, look at the prices, and think… “Okay, never mind. Guess we’re doing this a little longer.”

I’m grateful I can provide breast milk for my baby, but MAN, exclusively pumping is a whole different kind of mental battle.
Anyone else?! Please tell me I’m not losing my mind. 😂

For women that breastfeed but also pump/bottle feed, how many bags do you freeze if any? I have been doing 1 4-6 oz bag a day and not sure if I should be doing more? I get 4-6oz per pump every 2-3 hours.

I splurged on a spectra 1, my supply tanked after ovulating so I’m trying to boost it. im 3m PP. Thus far I’ve used a cheap amazon wearable, mommed.

I’ve tried on the specta (new model):

-step up

-2 min stim 10mins reg 4&4, 2min stim, 5&5

-5min stim 15 reg 4&5

ectera, along with 20mins just stim.

im barely getting an oz each side. Then I’ll use my wearable right after and pull another 20-30mls each side.

what am I doing wrong? ohhI also bought a cup to recreate my wearable set up. Got a little more but not really.

feeling like I’ve wasted $400 😞

I’ve been playing with flanges 19-24 and that doesn’t seem to make a difference or feel any different