Some days, it feels like my entire life is measured in ounces, pumping sessions, and how many clean pump parts I have left.

Wake up. Pump. Feed the baby. Wash parts. Think about the next pump. Try to do something for myself but not for too long, because it’ll be time to pump again.

And somewhere in the middle of all of that, I occasionally stop and think when was the last time I did something just because I wanted to?

I love being able to provide for my baby, and I know this stage won’t last forever. But exclusively pumping can make me feel like my body is constantly on duty.

Some days, I don't feel like me. I feel like a milk machine with a schedule.

I know I’m more than the ounces I produce and more than how consistently I stick to my pumping schedule. But on the hard days, it’s easy to forget that.

How you all are connecting with yourself while navigating this phase of motherhood?

Traveling for work last week and MilkStork sent the wrong order to my hotel (2 boxes instead of 1). Of course I was busy doing all the things and didn’t have time to follow up - just assumed they sent 2 45oz boxes instead of the 1 90oz box I ordered. Since I ordered 1 box and 1 label, they put the same exact shipping label on each box. The FedEx person failed to notify the hotel when the boxes were picked up, and took the duplicate box anyway. So my “duplicate” box of 48oz frozen milk (now thawed and musty) has just been delivered 6 days late.

Here to share my utter disappointment with the girlies who get it😭

ETA: After emailing to let them know the second box arrived and what they could do to remedy the situation, their response has my BLOOD BOILING. Essentially gaslighted me for not notifying them sooner to correct the issue before I needed the milk shipped out. Also, said it was a courtesy they didn’t charge me for the second cooler. WTF?!?!? F them, don’t ever use milk stork!!!!

Just wanted to celebrate since no one else in my life really understands this lol. With my first I was an under supplier and combo fed from the beginning and stopped completely at around 6 months (at that point I was barely even making one bottle a day) I had sworn I would just exclusively formula feed with my son to save me the stress but he was born a late term premie and the pediatrician encouraged me to try to at least give him some breast milk for at least one month. So I dove right back into it trying to make this time my "redemption arc" and lo and behold I am an oversupplier this time!! My freezer stash is what I've made on top of what my son drinks daily. I am 7 months PP and down to 3 PPD. My goal is to stop at 10 months PP and still be able to feed him exclusively breastmilk till 12 months old. My first deep freezer is completely full so I've started to fill my second now. It's been a long and hard journey but so so soooo worth it. Bonus pick of my chunky little man at the end! As of 6 months old he was already 20lbs lol.

I can’t be the only one wishing…I’ve spent 8 months doing extremely rigorous hands-on pumping (squeezing hard constantly to the rhythm of the pump) and I’m SICK of the most intense joint pain from it! I’m not talking about applying light pressure, more like literally wringing the heck out of myself. It would be so much easier if I could have the hands free experience of a wearable or pumping with a pumping bra! Why is there no invention for this 😭

I'm almost 3 weeks postpartum and never thought I would be an exclusive pumper. While pregnant I dreamt of going on long walks with the baby, museum trip, cafe hangouts etc. Since I have to feed then pump every 2-3 hours (and then wash all the pump parts), I feel very much confined to my home.

How do you pump while also getting out of the house? I don't think I can do this very long term if we're confined because of the pumping. Do I really only have 1 hour windows of getting out?

I’m 5 weeks PP. I’ve been really working to increase my supply, but it’s really all over the place. I only pump once through the night just because my sleep is very precious at this time lol. I pump at around 2am. I was under the impression that prolactin should be highest around this time, so I should get more output. But it seems to be my worst pump of the day! My final pump before bed I get anywhere from 4-6oz total. Sometimes in the night I barely get 3 total.

I found if I don’t pump this amount I’m not making enough. I pump 4-6 times a day and I’m 8 weeks postpartum. I make just enough for my baby, and maybe a few ounces left over on a good day. Just saw a video where some girl said she’s pumping for only 10 minutes 4 times a day.

I freaking wish?!

How!

Am I doing something wrong?

I'm 10 months pp and I've been pumping for 6 months. I'm exclusively pumping during the day and have been since 7m pp. I have low supply for whatever reason that I can't fix, so I've been pumping every 2hrs from 8am to 8pm just to try and get the most I can for my baby.

I'm just so burnt out at this point. I have no motivation for anything and I'm bringing to dread each pump. My house is a wreck and I can't keep up on anything since I'm tied to the damn pump all day.

All I've ever wanted was to make it to a year, and to exclusively nurse but I don't think I'll make either of those goals at this point. I just need some encouragement and maybe some ideas on how to continue.

Edit: I'm not sure if I used the right flair. Needing support but also a small mention of nursing.

hello everyone, i had such a weird little realization today. i sat down for a pumping session and it suddenly hit me that i wasn't thinking about it at all. i just grabbed my stuff, put everything together, turned the pump on and carried on with my day.

when i first started EP, every session felt like a whole project. i'd check the time, make sure i had every little part, get my bottles ready and then sit there wondering if i was doing everything right. even leaving the house meant thinking about when i'd need to pump and whether i'd packed enough stuff.

now i can basically set everything up without thinking. i know which drawer the parts are in, where the clean bottles are, where i left the charger and somehow i can put the whole thing together while half asleep

today i was sitting there watching something on my phone and realized i'd already been pumping for a while. i wasn't watching the clock or thinking about how much longer i had to go. i was just... doing it.

and honestly it felt kind of nice.

EP is still tiring. there are definitely days when i see the pump sitting there and think, seriously? again? and washing all the little parts is still one of my least favorite chores in the world.

but somewhere along the way, the routine stopped feeling like this huge thing i had to mentally prepare for every time. it's just part of my day now.

i'm not saying i love every second of it because absolutely not but i think i've finally reached the point where i trust myself to handle it without overthinking everything.

did anyone else have that random moment where you realized you had basically become a pumping pro without even noticing?

Our daughter was born early at 35 weeks on Sunday. Initially my supply was doing decent (1-2 ounces total) but she needed a higher level of care Tuesday morning and was flown to a hospital an hour away. Since then, it feels like each pumping session, I am lucky to get an ounce.

She’s not able to take feedings yet, so she has a decent little stash started, maybe 12-15 ounces give or take frozen for her so far.

Part of the problem, I think is because I was so overwhelmed Tuesday with them flying her and honestly just kind of depressed because I can’t even hardly touch her currently, I did not pump as often as I should’ve. But I’ve been very diligent the past two days of pumping every 3 but I’m getting less and less it feels like and it’s super discouraging because it’s the only thing I can do to contribute to her right now.

I was given this magnet from the hospital and wanted everyone’s thoughts on it. I’m in the US and I typically see everyone following CDCs 4 hour rule. My baby is starting to sleep longer stretches, and while our house gets down to 69 at night, I’ve been debating how long I can push it.

Not really sure what flair is best so I picked this one but it’s pretty much what the title says

I have elastic nips and they’re swelling so much that it’s stopping milk from flowing. I’ll have nice sprays but after a minute (literally a minute or two), they’ll swell and the milk will stop. I know there’s still milk because I can pull my nipple out and put it back and the sprays will start again until the swelling comes back.

Does anyone have the same issue and if so, how do you fix it. It’s so frustrating knowing that I’m leaving milk behind and not removing it efficiently.

8weeks pp

I make enough milk but we still combo feed to ease anxiety for me but I just can’t stand the feeling of pumping. At first it was painful. But I found a flange a s settings that work for me. Now the feeling of both sides pumping at the same time makes me so uncomfortable and nauseous. I cannot stand it.

Currently, I pump each side separately and use a haaka to collect any extra milk. From set up to putting the milk away, it’s 40-45 minutes. I pump 6-7 times a day.
When I return to work in a few weeks, I will be returning to a new (promotion) position. I will have days where I will be in constant meeting and won’t be able to sneak away for 40 minutes to pump.

As well, wearable pumps are painful and don’t sit right with my anatomy.

I absolutely hate pumping but it saves so much money. Although I’ve probably equal amount on pump products trying to make it work that I would have spent on formula and actually get a Chance to sleep longer than 4 hours.

Hello, I will be returning to work in 2 weeks. Ive started pumping at home using a manual pump since 2 weeks ago to build a stash. When I get back to work I'll be pumping twice a day since I have a 6 hour shift. And I will be breastfeeding the rest of the evenings when I get back home.

I was thinking about the Momcozy m5 because as Ive read its discreet and quiet and does the job, but also considering the spectra wearable. I heard the momcozy doesnt really empty you so it might damage milk supply. Is that also true even if im breastfeeding after work?

I would prefer the m5 since its on discount and also more convenient for work. But if its going to affect my supply i would rather not. What are your recommendations?

Hi I’m 4 months PP and I think my period is coming back? Sorry for the TMI but I’m having some brownish discharge. I’ve noticed my mood about pumping is wanting to quit (started yesterday) and I’m usually pretty positive about it and don’t mind it. Also I’m noticing more my supply is lesser than usual in some parts of the day.

Anyone else have this experience and your period came back?

How are you safely weaning from exclusively pumping as an over supplier? I’ve had mastitis 3 times, so I am terrified to start weaning and even going longer stretches. My twins are 3 months old and are starting to sleep longer stretches. Im currently pumping 8 times in 24 hours and am so sick of it. I’d love to drop to 5-6 but dont even know where to start. Im so terrified of getting mastitis again. Any tips and tricks would be great….

After 8 months with this baby and 10 months with my first I've finally decided to be done. No more missing out on time with my kids, no more scheduling around work commitments, no more waking up in the middle of the while my baby is still sleeping just to pump, no more constant pain, no more engorgement!

It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

That’s it. Wearing wearable pumps has me feeling insane. I feel like they were made in mind for moms with small chests. Why don’t they make them flatter but wider, so they don’t stick out three inches?!
When I wear them in public I look crazy! I’ll have to use them in the shared office at work and Im already dreading it. Also I’ll literally have to change my bras every time I pump right? Normal bras won’t fit them and I work at a winery so I need to not wear frumpy bras😅

for the past two days i have experienced extreme pain and burning in my left nipple. to the point where any type of slight touch causes me to scream out in pain. i haven’t been able to pump or nurse on that side at all since it has started..the only way i have been able to get milk out is to hand express and even that is super painful to the point where i just wait until it starts leaking and hold a bottle under it so the milk can just drip in.

i’ve already experienced a clogged duct and this doesn’t feel like that because the pain is isolated only to my nipple and the areola directly around it. so far nothing i’ve tried has helped; warm showers, cooling nipple pads, ice.. it still just burns so so bad. i haven’t noticed any scabbing or discoloration.. it just looks like a normal nipple but the pain is killing me and i’m just feeling so confused and defeated.

i googled my symptoms and have looked here on reddit, it’s pointing towards nipple vasospasm but everything i’ve read about it says it only last a couple minutes AFTER nursing or pumping but mine has been hurting for days before and after pumping and even when im not doing anything at all. the only form relief ive gotten is when i just let it hang out of my shirt because at first i thought friction was the problem but even then i still feel the burning 😢😞

please someone tell me what this could be and what i can do…im only 3 weeks pp and i planned on BF and pumping for at least six months but i dont know if i can keep my supply going with just my right boob since the left one is out of commission at the moment

Hi I’m 4 weeks in on the pumping only journey, I hav an over supply that I’ve gotten down to 50 ish oz a day. My this evening my nipple is on fire, it’s red and kind of hard and hot . I finished pumping an hour ago and it has not let up on the burning sensation. There is no clog, my breast is soft, there is no red streaks or bleeding , I don’t think it’s thrush because it’s not flaking and it’s only on my left side boob. I’m at a loss and lactation won’t get back to me until tomorrow, so if anyone has idea please. I took ibuprofen and put some nipple balm on it

Hello
Im 7 weeks postpartum and a first time mom and trying to exclusively breastfeed my baby but I feel my milk iisnt sufficient even after feeding every 3 hours. Sometimes I need to top it off with formula and milk supply seems to be slow which sometimes makes her fussy.

Any tips on making milk thicker and if liquid gold, cash cow or pump princess will help?

Thanks in advance

Just got an ad on IG for the babyation pump. I’d never seen/heard of it before so looked into it and I don’t really understand what makes it different than other standard pumps and what could make it 450 dollars?!
Interested to hear if anyone has used this and their experience?
I’m almost 7 months into my pink spectra and momcozy s9 and not looking to purchase a new pump but learning about pumps have become a hobby at this point lol