https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 08:28:38 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2797705 Wed, 17 Jan 2018 15:00:54 +0000 codeitall 2797705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My SIL had the same issue with her daughter. After a couple weeks where my niece mostly drank pumped bottles, she literally would not breastfeed. Like she totally forgot how it worked and had no interest.</p> <p>So SIL hand-pumped when she felt like it and slowly transitioned her to formula. First she mixed the bottles 3/4 milk to 1/4 formula, than 50/50 and 25/75 and finally fully formula. She pumped when she was feeling too full (but just enough to take the edge off, not fully empty) and used the milk to supplement the formula or donated it to another mom till her supply was gone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2797697 Wed, 17 Jan 2018 14:51:13 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2797697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son was a preemie and I was so Dad not to be able to bf him, but I did pump. He was still having trouble eating and when we added formula he did so much better because it was a bit thicker. So for 12 months I pumped and gave formulA (mixed). I felt like he was getting my milk which made me happy but I also didn’t have to worry about my supply because I used so little of it. And anyone could feed him. So it really was free if even though it wasn’t what I had planned. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2797603 Wed, 17 Jan 2018 07:35:13 +0000 SweetiePie 2797603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ssmom: Hi there, I wanted to check in and see how this is going for you. I’m due in about 7 weeks and still extremely conflicted, even after meeting my old LC. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788405 Sat, 25 Nov 2017 08:29:27 +0000 Becky 2788405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Breastfeeding DD2 was really stressful for me, as was pumping (this also came after a very easy time breastfeeding and pumping for DD1 so I knew what it *could* be like). I struggled with supply, and not getting paid pump breaks at work meant I had to work longer and thus miss time with family. My daughter was incredibly fussy at the breast. We went on a trip when she was 5 months and didn’t have a big freezer stash, and when I gave her that first bottle of formula to see if she would take it, it was so freeing. Feeding and pumping were so stressful and taking up so much time and mental energy that is was negatively effecting me and taking time away from my family. I am a huge breastfeeding proponent but never think it should come with a risk to your mental health or quality of life. I remember reading this blog a while back about this Mom who was using donated milk while trying to build up her supply and working on her son’s feeding issues, and taping tubes to her nipple while he fed. Meanwhile she wasn’t spending time with her son and husband and it was effecting those relationships, and the baby wasn’t gaining weight. She talked about it like breastfeeding was more important than relationships and a healthy baby. I think we really need to take the heroism out of it and realize that it is HARD and there are other things we can do to have healthy happy babies and families. </p> <p>Also just keep in mind all the things you are doing right to make your kids lives happy and healthy that maybe some other mom who is extended breastfeeding isn’t doing—safe sleeping places, safe car seats, a smoke-free home, healthy food, etc. Breastfeeding is only one component to a huge puzzle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788388 Fri, 24 Nov 2017 18:11:57 +0000 SweetiePie 2788388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This sounds a ton like me last time. I’m now conflicted on what to do with my 2nd due in March. I’m actually meeting with my old LC this week to preemptively discuss my feelings and my options. Like is it possible to only pump 2 times a day and that’s it. Formula for all others. Or BF twice a day and that’s it. I’m not worried about a freezer stash. Or should I just skip entirely and go all formula. Since BF/Pumping truly was a huge source of my ppd and ppa last time.<br /> Last time I quit both BF and Pumping by 5/6 weeks. What she had me do was stop Pumping and feeding to empty. Instead I used a hand pump and just pumped to comfort. I also had a ton of supply. Every time I pumped I got 12oz total (6oz per side). It took maybe 2 weeks to entirely dry up but after only a week or so I noticed that I was producing less and felt less pain/engorgement.<br /> Lecithin worked wonders for plugged ducts.<br /> I was also told altoids/peppermint helped dry milk up, so I popped those like crazy. Not sure if it actually helped.<br /> I have a friend right now who also had BAD ppd/ppa with her first and BF was a big part of that. She just had her 2nd and told me to bring a tight sports bra to the hospital, at home do cabbage leaves, and to keep breasts away from the shower stream (avoid nipple stimulation and the shower hitting your nipples is stimulation). </p> <p>Also, another close friend was seeing a therapist for extreme ppd/PPA and she had an EXTREMELY negative response to BF. She was told she had D-MER, which I hadn’t ever heard of. Here is some info on it.<br /> <a href="https://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/d-mer/" rel="nofollow">https://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/d-mer/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788366 Fri, 24 Nov 2017 10:01:55 +0000 Mamatimes3 2788366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I couldn’t handle waiting it out so I quit cold turkey with both my boys and didn’t even try with my 3rd. They are totally bonded to me - babies don’t care where the milk comes from. </p> <p>I wore super tight sports bras and tried to minimize any contact to my chest. Honestly, it hurt for a day or so and was uncomfortable for a couple of days. But it worked pretty quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788345 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 19:49:44 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2788345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m going to have to wean my 3 month old sometime in January for medical reasons. Your health is important too! Fed is best! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788343 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:21:21 +0000 ssmom 2788343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Littlebit7: thanks for your encouragement! Today was day 1 of the combo approach, nursed her in the AM and pumped all day...I’m hoping to eventually stop pumping at some point! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788342 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:20:10 +0000 ssmom 2788342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Charm54: thank you for sharing your experience! It really is comforting to know that everything turned out great for your girls, especially since I have 2 girls too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788341 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:19:11 +0000 ssmom 2788341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: thanks for sharing your experience. I’m still too scared to wean intentionally but knowing about Sudafed is useful if it comes to that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788340 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:18:25 +0000 ssmom 2788340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaBear87: thank you so much </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788339 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:18:08 +0000 ssmom 2788339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@fuzzypeaches: you’re totally right. Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788338 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:17:51 +0000 ssmom 2788338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: thank you so much for your advice and encouragement! The idea of people judging is in my mind but at this point I know I shouldn’t care! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788337 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:16:42 +0000 ssmom 2788337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: thank you, I agree! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788336 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:16:28 +0000 ssmom 2788336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@thepicklemonster: Hi, oh my gosh I literally teared up reading how it all worked out for you and what a relief it was. Thank you for sharing your experience!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788335 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:15:29 +0000 ssmom 2788335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: thanks so much. That is so incredibly true! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788334 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 17:15:10 +0000 ssmom 2788334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ALV91711: thank you for your support! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788327 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 13:12:38 +0000 Littlebit7 2788327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do what's best for you! If you aren't quite sure what that is, maybe try a combo approach. Offer the breast..if she refuses or looks disinterested pull out a bottle of formula you already have prepped (but hidden)<br /> That way you are still "trying" to BF which might address your feelings of regret but also you're being kind to yourself and acknowledging that formula might be the solution (which is totally 100% ok!!). Baby will make her choice and take the burden off of you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788322 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 11:21:59 +0000 Charm54 2788322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I EPed and Formula fed both of my girls and have zero regrets. It worked for my family and both my daughters are happy, healthy, intelligent kids who are perfectly bonded :happy: </p> <p> :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788311 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 09:59:16 +0000 ShootingStar 2788311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if BFing is causing this much anguish, it’s not good for either of you. I stopped nursing both of my kids around 6-7 months. With LO1 my supply tanked and I kinda blamed myself for quaint it and not doing more to try to increase it. But then with LO2 it tanked again right around the same time. And that time I was still pumping the same amount of times and nursing and it just did it anyways. I enjoyed nursing and occasionally had moments of sadness that it was over. But I hated pumping so it also was a big relief. </p> <p>I don’t have much experience intentionally weaning, but I was also hugely impacted by taking Sudafed (the real stuff). I would also decrease pumping, just enough for comfort. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788308 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 09:44:34 +0000 MamaBear87 2788308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hugs! A fed baby and happy momma is best for everyone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788305 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 09:24:26 +0000 fuzzypeaches 2788305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Happy mama makes for happy baby and a better bond.<br /> Fed is best, if bf is making things hard for you then to me it’s a no brainer. 🤗 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788293 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 01:46:00 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2788293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ssmom: my first lo I tried and it just didn't work out. My second lo I had medical reasons not to bf and I just had the confidence from my first lo being ff and healthy so it was very freeing. A lot of my guilt with my first had to do with others' comments, plus I had nasty PPD/PPA. My second was also an easier baby but I enjoyed his babyhood so so much. Do what you have to do and my advice is just don't look back! (And anyway, breast milk til jan isn't nothing, give yourself some credit there!) I know it's hard but just do whatever you decide with confidence and even if you get comments from others they tend to follow your lead if you give off a confident vibe. Or at least that was my experience. So don't look back and just enjoy your baby and focus on all the many other parenting things!! ❤️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788292 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 01:39:18 +0000 birdofafeather 2788292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>no advice, but you absolutely have to take care of your mental health! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788286 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 01:02:34 +0000 thepicklemonster 2788286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a horrible time trying to BF my son. I hated it and it just didn’t work. I cried during every feeding. Finally an amazing LC told me I don’t need to suffer and I could try exclusively pumping. That was a bit better but still painful for me, and I found it hard to keep pumping while also trying to get out and about with baby and sleep as much as I could (for my sanity). I stopped after 8 weeks and switched to formula. It was like a switch flipped in me. I felt like my old self again and my son thrived on formula. I bonded so much more while happily and comfortably bottle feeding him than I had at the beginning. My DS is 14 months now and I have no regrets. I could have probably pumped longer and didn’t even have a good reason to stop, except I was so depressed and it helped to take one more thing off my plate. But I don’t even think about it.<br /> I weaned off pumping by first cutting down a minute at a time from each pumping session then eventually cut out one session at a time. I also used cabbage. It’s all a blur but I think it took about a month to taper down.</p> <p>The feeling of putting my pump away was amazing.</p> <p>Hugs. It all seems so huge and black-or-white when you’re in the thick of it. . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788284 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 00:45:51 +0000 jhd 2788284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Big hugs. Do what is best for your family. A happy mama is so important. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788281 Thu, 23 Nov 2017 00:29:23 +0000 ALV91711 2788281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hugs mama. You need to do what's best for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/majorly-conflictedebfpumping-to-pumpingformula#post-2788277 Wed, 22 Nov 2017 23:23:48 +0000 ssmom 2788277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m 8 wks postpartum with LO2 and have been breastfeeding her and pumping (I breastfed and pumped for LO1 for exactly one year). Although my postpartum depression has gotten better compared to the first 3 wks, breastfeeding and pumping are still triggers of it and I feel like I’m in such a bad place right now. It’s like a switch went off when she turned 6 wks and she just hasn’t seemed interested in breastfeeding. I also have oversupply that has led to a number of plugged ducts which are insanely time consuming to treat. I’ve been forcing myself to keep breastfeeding, thinking it would help me bond with her more but I gave her a bottle myself for the first time today (usually DH or my MIL do the bottle feedings), and it felt so freeing! I wasn’t anxious or stressed about how she’d Latch, if she’d nurse enough, whether she was going to fuss and fight me (which has been happening a lot lately—after she has latched off one side, I offer the other and she will sometimes cry bloody murder and it makes me feel horrible).<br /> I feel like I’m getting closer to understanding the root of this part of my PPD and I don’t want to breastfeed any longer. This makes me sad and nervous (what if I have regrets?) but I am about to lose my sanity! I am going back to work in January and want to wean from pumping and slowly transition to all formula. I am seeking advice/input on how to do this, and I would love to hear any personal experiences that may be similar. If anyone has any words encouragement, that would also be greatly appreciated! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottle-refusal-at-6-months#post-2731171 Tue, 02 May 2017 00:04:18 +0000 Kitkat 2731171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS was a little younger, but basically the same story. We have a bottle every once in awhile with no problem, got lazy with it and stopped, and then he refused when it was time to go to daycare at 4 months. He finally just realized that he had to take the bottle if he was going to eat during the day and now has no problem at almost 7 months.</p> <p>I would pick a strategy and stick with it...I kept going out and buying new types of bottles and I think it made it worse/confused him. We finally just picked one and stuck with it and he eventually took it. </p> <p>Good luck...I know that guilty feeling and it sucks, but it will work out. One thing I read that helped me is that babies are stubborn, but they're not self-destructive, so they will not starve themselves. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottle-refusal-at-6-months#post-2731128 Mon, 01 May 2017 19:27:12 +0000 FaithFertility 2731128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD refused bottles and a straw cup worked around 6.5 months </p>