Hellobee Boards Topic: Is this worth all the effort?

Hellobee Boards Topic: Is this worth all the effort? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:55:31 +0000 SweetiePie on "Is this worth all the effort?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-worth-all-the-effort#post-1950008 Wed, 19 Nov 2014 00:11:33 +0000 SweetiePie 1950008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I EP'd for the first 4 weeks of my baby's life and I truly despised it. I think it really impacted my relationship with baby and the hormones and sleep deprivation didn't help. I struggled with whether or not to quit - because I actually had abundant supply and no good reason except that I was miserable. I cried the first night my supply noticeably tanked but from that night on I was so incredibly happy. I could spend my free time snuggling with my son, resting, eating, etc - all things that had to suffer because I was tethered to a pump and miserable. I have been considerably happier since that night and everyone around me has noticed. I'm not trying to sway you either way, just sharing my experience. Its your decision and if you feel you need to continue, do it and be proud! But if you decide you want to stop, that's OK too...you can still be proud of the fact that you put your wellbeing first, which also translates to the wellbeing of your baby. Good luck! swurlygurl on "Is this worth all the effort?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-worth-all-the-effort#post-1949729 Tue, 18 Nov 2014 17:31:58 +0000 swurlygurl 1949729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Becksabee: Oh man, your story sounds almost *exactly* like mine. With #2 I ended up quitting after 7 weeks because I just couldn't handle it anymore. I was EPing by then (I returned to work at 4 weeks) and I was too stressed with 2 kids and the constant pumping/feeding/washing bottles and pump parts... I actually had a better supply than I had with #1 (I EPd for 5 months and quit when I was only getting 4 oz after 8 hours of pumping!!!), but I just wanted to stop worrying about scheduling my life in 2-hour blocks. I am SO happy and relieved to have all that time and mental stress back. You should make a small goal, and reevaluate each time you make it. Life is short, and babies grow up too fast to spend too much time stressing out <3 Little Misters Mom on "Is this worth all the effort?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-worth-all-the-effort#post-1949721 Tue, 18 Nov 2014 17:23:22 +0000 Little Misters Mom 1949721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I agree with everyone else that it's not worth a stressed out mom. You mentioned maybe trying to get to 6 weeks. That sounds like a good goal if it's manageable to you. Maybe try to start slowly decreasing the pumps and increasing formula with an eye towards being done between 5 and 6 weeks. LuLu Mom on "Is this worth all the effort?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-worth-all-the-effort#post-1949693 Tue, 18 Nov 2014 17:06:36 +0000 LuLu Mom 1949693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I don't see anything wrong with FF, if it makes for a happy mom (which is why I started doing it exclusively at 10 weeks) then it makes for a happy baby. I was exclusively pumping because DD never would latch, and I was miserable and it hurt to pump. I tried everything to fix it but it still hurt and we were both happier when she switched to FF. Mae on "Is this worth all the effort?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-worth-all-the-effort#post-1949692 Tue, 18 Nov 2014 17:06:12 +0000 Mae 1949692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I let my guilt keep me attached to the pump for 4 months... enjoy my baby so much more since I quit. For me, 10-12 oz/day was not worth the time I spent away from her. But that was just me. It's got to be what you feel is worth it or not. meredithNYC on "Is this worth all the effort?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-worth-all-the-effort#post-1949686 Tue, 18 Nov 2014 17:02:06 +0000 meredithNYC 1949686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I had the same issues with LO #1 and now with LO #2 due in April I am hoping that we have a much easier bf'ing path. However, I have already decided that if we don't, I am not going to beat myself up about it (easier said than done, I know!). After all, my first daughter is doing so well and I enjoyed her immensely more once I stopped spending every second of every day worrying and stressing about my supply. Just remember, no matter what you decide: your happiness matters, too. pregnantbee on "Is this worth all the effort?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-worth-all-the-effort#post-1949655 Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:43:57 +0000 pregnantbee 1949655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ That sounds like a heck of a lot of work for not much output. Ultimately, I truly believe your happiness and less stress for you is more impt than giving any bm to your baby. And I'm saying this as someone who bf 18 months. My sister made the same decision as you, and she's so much happier now. Bluebonnet on "Is this worth all the effort?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-worth-all-the-effort#post-1949605 Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:12:50 +0000 Bluebonnet 1949605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ You need to do what is best for you and baby. If you are interested in increasing your supply, make sure you are getting a lot of protein - that makes a big difference for me. Oatmeal and brewer's yeast (mixed with smoothies, etc) also helps me. Good luck with your decision! 2PeasinaPod on "Is this worth all the effort?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-worth-all-the-effort#post-1949602 Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:12:36 +0000 2PeasinaPod 1949602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Dandelion: This! The second you are more stressed out than not is when I would quit. I had a horrible time initially and switched to exclusively pumping after 3 weeks. By 4 months, he was 100% on formula, and it was the best thing for our family. artsyfartsy on "Is this worth all the effort?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-worth-all-the-effort#post-1949596 Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:10:09 +0000 artsyfartsy 1949596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Dandelion: Agreed. as beneficial as breastfeeding is, it's not worth it if you're so stressed out and unhappy. littlejoy on "Is this worth all the effort?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-worth-all-the-effort#post-1949591 Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:06:23 +0000 littlejoy 1949591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I wanted to EBF, but that wasn't an option once baby was here. I had major supply issues due to genetic issues, and formula was a necessity. I made 1 month my goal, then 6 months, then a year. We didn't make it a year (a few months shy), and my LO is on 100% formula. She's still just as beautiful, smart, big, and happy ... And, it's really nice to not be tied to my pump (only getting mL's at a time, and feeling inadequate). I think breastmilk has so many amazing benefits, and I would have loved to BF exclusively, but I also love that we have such amazing options for formula. I am so thankful for it. Sending encouragement to you. You're doing the BEST for your baby when you listen to your gut. Follow it, and you can't go wrong!! :) Becksabee on "Is this worth all the effort?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-worth-all-the-effort#post-1949539 Tue, 18 Nov 2014 15:35:51 +0000 Becksabee 1949539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Thanks for your support ladies. I'm considering keeping up with the exclusive pumping until the 6 week mark (another 3 weeks) and switch to 100% formula. We're traveling for Christmas (5 hours each way) and I'd like to be done by then. MamaChin on "Is this worth all the effort?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-worth-all-the-effort#post-1947380 Mon, 17 Nov 2014 11:44:00 +0000 MamaChin 1947380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Your baby needs a happier mom more than he needs breastmilk. You're a good mom for trying. Mamasig on "Is this worth all the effort?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-worth-all-the-effort#post-1947369 Mon, 17 Nov 2014 11:40:40 +0000 Mamasig 1947369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I quit after 2 weeks with my 1st and one week with my second. For me, I quickly realized it was not worth the extra work. It made me crazy and I wasn't enjoying my baby. But everyone is different! You do what feels right for you. Dandelion on "Is this worth all the effort?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-worth-all-the-effort#post-1947365 Mon, 17 Nov 2014 11:40:13 +0000 Dandelion 1947365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Its not worth it if the benefits don't outweigh the stress. I don't believe in being a martyr for your baby. Becksabee on "Is this worth all the effort?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-worth-all-the-effort#post-1947351 Mon, 17 Nov 2014 11:34:22 +0000 Becksabee 1947351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'm just curious at which point breastfeeding/pumping becomes not worth the effort. I've had supply issues with both kiddos. First time around, I nursed and then gave formula afterwards because he wasn't satsified. I pumped every 2 hours while at work and was only able to provide maybe 30% breastmilk to him while he was in daycare. Our babysitter would divide the breastmilk into each feeding and then add formula to make up the difference. I stopped when he was about 4 months old. And now with my 3 week old, we've had problems right from the start. He was jaundiced and ended up losing 15% of his body weight due to being so lethargic. Pediatrician told me to nurse and then supplement with formula. We were able to his weight back up and jaundice is gone, but I think he may have a bottle preference now. He'll nurse for maybe 5 minutes - either falls asleep or just refuses but still acts hungry. I had gotten in this cycle of nursing, then giving him a bottle, and then pumping in between. We've been trying exclusive pumping, and he does seem happier with just the bottle, however the output isn't there. I pump every 2 hours and it takes 2-3 times to get enough for one feeding. I'm getting around 12 oz a day and he's eating 24-30 oz. I kind of feel like I could be enjoying my baby more if I didn't feel like I always hooked up to the pump, but at the same time, I want him to have the benefits of breastmilk. As far as increasing supply, I have tried upping my calories and water intake, several cups of Mother's Milk Tea daily. I haven't tried Fenugreek yet, though it didn't work with my first child.