https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:54:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2166226 Mon, 04 May 2015 11:25:19 +0000 snowjewelz 2166226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CakeLady: Yes! I can't wait for that day either haha! Speaking of which, time to pump, and I gotta do it in the car too since I have to go home to take DD to her check up... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2166225 Mon, 04 May 2015 11:24:31 +0000 CakeLady 2166225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: @edelweiss: Thanks ladies. Formula is the plan, especially since I only pumped 3 oz this morning. It will be a huge relief to dump the pump! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2166107 Mon, 04 May 2015 10:30:58 +0000 edelweiss 2166107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i say formula for the win! you are doing a great job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2165991 Mon, 04 May 2015 09:42:03 +0000 snowjewelz 2165991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CakeLady: I'd do some formula for now! You have done a really great job! With all the different situations I think you've already done your best to keep at it and it's time to put away that pump for good! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2165645 Sun, 03 May 2015 20:04:41 +0000 CakeLady 2165645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: @Mamasig: @birdofafeather: thank you for the support! Since he is still kinda inconsistent with solids and lost some weight while he was sick, I think formula is probably the way I'll go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2165564 Sun, 03 May 2015 16:55:50 +0000 birdofafeather 2165564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CakeLady: I would also add on formula and give yourself a break! You've done great mama!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2165559 Sun, 03 May 2015 16:30:24 +0000 Mamasig 2165559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would probably switch to whole milk. DS2 turns one in two weeks and I just transitioned him this week. As long as there isn't a history of allergies I would do it. But I remember going to DS1's one year visit and then asking if he was already on whole milk. It didn't seem like a big deal to start early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2165554 Sun, 03 May 2015 16:18:27 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2165554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just do some formula! You've done such a great job, adding in some formula will make it a lot less stressful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2165545 Sun, 03 May 2015 15:38:52 +0000 CakeLady 2165545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Updating a month later (DS is 11 months)...</p> <p>So I've managed to keep up with pumping for another month. I'm happy about it but it has been a struggle and my freezer stash is down to about 10 6oz bags since I often end up a few oz short :sad: In the next month I have two overnight trips planned without DS and Im not sure that will cover his needs while I'm gone.</p> <p>To make matters worse nursing and pumping have become very painful - reminds me of the newborn days. I think DS has gotten lazy and has a shallow/toothy latch. He was also really sick for about 2 weeks and barely ate any solids and is only slowly ramping up. He is still nursing or getting a bottle 5 times a day plus once over night. (I'm thinking seriously about night weaning this week.)</p> <p>I did talk to the ped at our 10 month visit and she basically shut me down when I asked about starting cow milk before a year. </p> <p>Do I just give him a few oz of wcm? Do some formula for a month? Give him a bit less breastmilk in his bottles during the day? (He gets 3 5oz bottles while I'm at work) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2129959 Thu, 02 Apr 2015 00:28:38 +0000 gingerbebe 2129959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you can make it or do WCM at 11 months but I think supplementing has saved my sanity in terms of pumping this long. I am 7 months into the pumping game (DS is a sucky nurser) but we do one bottle of formula at bedtime. I'm able to pump once (22 mins) when I wake up, one shorter 15 minute pump around 5pm and once more before bed (22). That gives me everything I need for DS' 3 BM bottles for the next day plus a little bit extra. If I was working that would mean just having to pump once in the afternoon or waiting until I got home. One bottle of formula a day is cheap and really I cannot imagine having pumped this long without that break. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2129662 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 16:01:02 +0000 CakeLady 2129662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mfa_lady: I totally get that!<br /> @MrsLonghorn: It is pretty amazing how each pumping session feels like an eternity, but somehow the last 10 months have flown by.<br /> @littlebittyhouse: 2 years! you are amazing!<br /> @edelweiss: Thanks!</p> <p>I have such warm fuzzies from all of you!</p> <p>I'm definitely going to hang in there until next week when we see the doctor. Hopefully her recco's will help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2129358 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 11:47:50 +0000 edelweiss 2129358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>wow, 10 months that is awesome! only a couple more months. on the other hand, if you are going to hate those couple of months, then don't do it. your LO is going to be great whether he has breastmilk, formula or a combination of both. while moms should be proud of being able to provide breastmilk for however long they want, i think it often crosses the line into too much pressure that implicates that it's somehow "bad" to choose something else. </p> <p>i guess what i'm trying to say is that i support you wholeheartedly either way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2129286 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 11:06:07 +0000 littlebittyhouse 2129286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>one pumping session at a time, mama. its tough and discouraging when you don't make as much as you want to but it is so so worth it. </p> <p>i had a love/hate realtionship with my pump. i pumped 2-3x daily for 2 years bc my LO had a dairy allergy. all the parts and bags and washing....distant memory now and I'm happy that i continued! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2129281 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 11:03:30 +0000 CakeLady 2129281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chillybear: I also try not to pump at home if I can avoid it. I'm not against formula, I just wanted to not have to do it if I didn't have to. We have a well visit next week and plan to talk to the ped about what our next steps should be.</p> <p>@ElbieKay: Definitely talking to the ped about when to introduce cow milk, glad to hear it worked for you. I am SO looking forward to being free of the pump - both physically and emotionally!</p> <p>@MrsKoala: Thanks - I am counting the days! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2129261 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 10:47:57 +0000 MrsLonghorn 2129261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>(typing this while pumping at work...my guy is 6 months)</p> <p>You can do it momma! The days are so long, and sometimes I just want to throw the pump against the wall, but it always shocks me how quickly the months go by. Just focus on getting to tomorrow. Baby steps... You have already come so far, this last little bit is just a tiny fraction of what you have already accomplished.</p> <p>(If you decide to stop, come back and I'll support you in that decision too. Either way, your son will be loved and fed, and that is what matters. He is so lucky to have you as a mommy!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2129198 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 10:16:30 +0000 sungirl 2129198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm at the exact same place. I asked my pedi about introducing WCM early and he wasn't really supportive but it seems silly to introduce formula this late in the game. I think I am going to do the countdown as someone suggested. Good luck Mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2129160 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 09:51:58 +0000 mfa_lady 2129160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: This is so interesting--I have been doing lactation cookies, but I had an avocado for breakfast yesterday and pumped more than the day before! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2129152 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 09:46:20 +0000 avivoca 2129152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Making it 10 months is great! I'm with you on the pumping being a hassle, but what helped me was thinking about it as a little break in my day where I could read things for me without feeling guilty. I also noticed a dip in supply then so I started to eat more foods that would help (for me, that meant avocados, oatmeal, flaxseed pancakes, and tons of water).</p> <p>Great job on making it this far, and if you want to stop pumping, that's totally okay! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2129133 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 09:29:18 +0000 mfa_lady 2129133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whoa! Ten months is so impressive! I've been back to work for 3 weeks (DD is 12 weeks) and it's seriously tough. But, I love thinking about her still getting a little part of me while I'm away from her all day. (Maybe that's super dumb and corny, but it helps. Haha. I say this while my pump is humming away in the background.... :silly: ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2129095 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 09:01:30 +0000 Truth Bombs 2129095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Month 10-11 is the hardest!! it seems like you've been going for so long and you still have so much longer to go. I promise once your LO hits 11 months you will be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and it won't seem so daunting. YOU CAN DO IT! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2129094 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 09:00:04 +0000 Chuckles 2129094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was mostly EP from 5 months to 9 months, and supplemented with formula from 6-9 months. I was only getting about 8 ounces a day from 4 pumping sessions, so I decided to slowly reduce the number of sessions and stopped pumping by 10 months. Since I was so used to the hassle of pumping and reduced the sessions slowly, I didn't think it would be a big deal to stop, so I was surprised at how awesome it felt to put away the pump parts for good. It was such a relief to not have to worry about it anymore. So if you decide to stop, just remember that you've made it really far and your LO will be just fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2129089 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 08:55:42 +0000 MrsKoala 2129089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can do it! I hated pumping, too! If you think about it, you only have 2 months left or about 8 weeks. If you assume that you have 5 workdays per week, you only have 40 more days that you have to pump. Initiate a countdown. It will go by faster than you know! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2129060 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 08:31:44 +0000 ElbieKay 2129060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can have both! I don't think you need to supplement with formula if you made it to 10 months.</p> <p>My ped suggested we try cow's milk at 10 months even though the AAP recommends doing this at 12 months. We did. It was fine. My son is almost 13 months old now, and he passed his 1-year checkup with flying colors.</p> <p>At the time, he was already getting a lot of calories from solids, and we still nursed when we were together (morning, evening, weekends).</p> <p>ETA: I was SO TIRED of pumping by the end. I pumped and worked full time from 12 weeks until 9.5 months. Then I was home for two weeks over the holidays and just nursed round the clock. When I went back to work at 10 months, we switched to cow's milk.</p> <p>I still remember packing up the pump and bringing it home on that last day at the office. It might possibly have been the most freeing feeling I have ever experienced. Ironic considering that I have a husband, a baby, two cats and a mortgage. Everything is relative. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2128991 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 07:49:29 +0000 Chillybear 2128991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know you have EBF'd for the past ten months but since you dropped a pump would you consider supplementing. if your against formula you could discuss with your ped introducing milk or a milk sub. that way you are relieved of the stress of meeting your "quota" for the day. </p> <p>I pumped until LO was 13 months, but had low supply we supplemented with formula starting around 5 months and introduced WCM at 11 months. By the time she turned 1 was lucky if i got 2oz each session and she was easily drinking 15oz daily at daycare. That last month i only pumped to relieve engorgement as I dropped sessions.</p> <p>ETA: I never pumped at home, once every thing was cleaned and packed I was done until i got to work the next day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2128984 Wed, 01 Apr 2015 07:40:54 +0000 snowjewelz 2128984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CakeLady: I feel the same. All or nothing baby! Just feel good about your decision :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2128582 Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:04:28 +0000 CakeLady 2128582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: Already cut a session - was doing 3 at work, now down to 2 (though sometimes have to do a 3rd before bed if I'm short for the next day). I think I need to be either all in on the pumping - if I start supplementing I'll probably just get really lazy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2128579 Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:00:26 +0000 Anagram 2128579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CakeLady: I EPd for 13 months and looking back, I don't think it was worth it. It really just added stress to my life and make work and commuting that much harder.</p> <p>10 months is such an accomplishment. At this point, you can feel great about quitting or continuing! The choice is all yours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2128576 Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:59:39 +0000 birdofafeather 2128576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>10 months is awesome! well done mama!<br /> @CakeLady: can you cut a session to free up more time? then less stress, but your LO is still getting BM? then just supplement when needed? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2128571 Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:56:53 +0000 CakeLady 2128571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: SUCH a hassle. and uncomfortable. I am literally counting the days I have to pump and trying to calculate how many times left I have to pump - but that makes me feel worse... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-some-encouragement-to-keep-pumping#post-2128566 Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:53:07 +0000 blackbird 2128566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hated pumping and quit early on and was glad to give it up lol. I'm not a fan of making myself do things I loathe. So if you quit, it's ok! It is SUCH a damn hassle </p>