I don't pump enough during the day, and we had to start doing a couple of formula bottles a day this week when my freezer stash ran out:(. I'm so jealous of SAHMs that can just BF on demand and don't have to deal with the stupid pump screwing everything up. And also jealous of peeps with oversupply that the pump doesn't sabotage!
Just a vent:(. I'm really surprised that formula = such sad feelings! Like- I'm failing bc I can't pump enough?
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22276 posts
Aww I am sorry, but you are doing GREAT! You are an awesome momma and you are doing your best, don't beat yourself up over it 
hugs!
blogger / nectarine / 2608 posts
I am giving you the hugest hug ever because... just... hug. It is okay. Pumps can be totally stupid, and they're not nearly as efficient as a baby. And not every woman's body understands exactly what that thing is trying to do anyway, and doesn't respond the way she'd like it to. It's okay. I love this resource for supply problems; http://lowmilksupply.org/ But remember that even if you can't get it totally sorted out you are still giving your daughter many benefits from your milk.
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
You're doing a great job..! Harper's a super loved and happy baby and that's all that really matters.
I'm jealous of your pp body. 
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
Pumping is SOOO HARD!!! My kid was nursing 5-6x a day and when I started work I tried pumping and could only pump 1 ounce even though it was after what should have been 2-3 nursing sessions!! So now J only gets to nurse 2x a day on the days I work... it's so sad! At least he is 14 mos so I don't feel so bad...
I would feel just like you do if he was as little as baby H is.
Sorry I have no advice, but I do have empathy! I'm sorry!
coconut / 8279 posts
@PrincessBaby: you're an awesome mom & have a beautiful, happy baby!
don't beat yourself up, I was right where you are almost exactly a year ago.
xo
cherry / 224 posts
@princessbaby- I know how you feel. I felt horrible when I was unable to produce enough milk for my son. I had a tough pp, because my cut from my c-section popped opened and I ended up with two infections requiring me to take strong antibiotics. Therefore, I had to pump and dump for 14 days and by then my son refused to latch on as he was used to the bottle. I refused to give up bf and went to see a LC and went to a Leche Mother's support group for help. In the end, after two and half months of trying, I decided to forgo bf. It wasn't helping me mentally and emotionally and my son did not seem to miss the milk. It was hard to let go but I have come to terms with that fact that it takes two for bf to be successful. I hope that my next pp will be different and I can bf my next baby.
Good luck!
cantaloupe / 6164 posts
I get it! I was there 8 weeks ago with the pump & formula stress, but...
Girl, look at this formula-fed baby. Ain't no baby happier!
pomegranate / 3452 posts
I'm sorry. I can totally understand your frustration!! I have the opposite (sort of) problem: I'm a SAHM but have to exclusively pump bc I can't breastfeed. Tough all around.
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
Awww :*(
Is there any way you can power pump/nurse? I notcied a cpl of wks ago that going past the 15 min mark helped me hit a second letdown, then I took mmp twice and ever sin e I've been producing 2-3,oz more than what I was pumping on office days. Mayne you could add in a pump on wknds or nurse h longer??
If that doesn't help, know that u r doing the best for that cute baby girl...and maybe ur supply will pick up when u move??
apricot / 343 posts
To be a sahm we had to make a lot of sacrificesbtommake it work. But after DS I went back to work at 6 month pp and because pumping was so darn hard, evern with my over supply, we ff from then on. I had the worst mummy guilt! So with DD, this time we are just making it work by living off one income.
Formula wasn't my number one choice for DS , and I love breastfeeding DD now at 7 months, but the most important thing is that they get fed!
grapefruit / 4441 posts
@PrincessBaby: Aww, I'm sorry. 
You're definitely not failing, but I totally get that feeling. The only reason I haven't had to give formula yet is because I don't work on Tu and Fri (and because I'm stubborn as all get out and have been pumping ALL.THE.TIME - not that that makes sense or anything!). Also, I went to 4 x 4oz bottles, rather than increase her 3 bottles beyond 5oz, like daycare wanted. I think the milk was just digesting too fast and/or she wanted to suck for comfort. It seems to be going okay right now with that amount.
I am super jealous of the over-supply folks as well!!!
You are doing great though! Don't feel bad for a second. Hugs.
persimmon / 1420 posts
Two words- pumping sucks.
Seriously, it's awful! Well done on working so hard for H- you're doing beautifully!
GOLD / pomelo / 5737 posts
You're doing great- H is still getting breast milk and she is fed and healthy! Hope your supply gets better!!
cantaloupe / 6610 posts
@Bao: you are sweet:)
@Mrs. Twine: Thank you! I just got MMP drops and MM tea, so we'll see if that stuff helps (it better bc it is GROSS!)
@chopsuey119: Haha! Thank you;)
@Mrs. Pen: Yes I feel like the pump just doesn't get enough out! And I have the medela freestyle and it still just doesn't yield what it should!
@photojane: Love her! I know there's nothing wrong w/FF, that's why I'm so surprised that I'm so upset about it! I wasn't expecting it- but I know formula is totally fine sand H would be happy like S:)
@aprk: Wow, that is tough too! I'm sorry! Hugs to you!!!
@mrsjyw: I feel like my supply is ok, just that the pump doesn't get enough out? Like I woke up this morning and pumped for 15 mins bc my boobs were huge rocks and after 15 mins and 5.5oz, I stopped so I wouldn't deplete them if H woke up to nurse soon. They were still hard on the sides, like still a bunch of milk in there! I ordered new pump parts, maybe that will help. I just wonder if during the day, I am too stressed to pump very much. I have to pump in the back of my car, for crying out loud-ugh!
@iheartleopardprint: Yes, I'm having mommy guilt!!!
@78h2o: I think H truly does overeat on the bottle bc of comfort sucking, but the nanny insists she's still hungry and has to feed her more! So that just increases my deficit!
@meganmp: I want to burn the pump!
@googly-eyes: Thank you!!!
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
I feel your pain and want the same thing. I made it to 10 months with a breast and formula fed baby. When I'm low on milk, I have just decided that she will get formula. She needs something and since I [expletive] can't stay home, I have to do what I have to do. I feel your pain, mama and I'm having a bad morning so I'm crying with you.
pomegranate / 3383 posts
Aww...I know how much BFing means to you and I just wanted to send hugs and say you're doing a great job!
I seriously don't know how WOHM and EP moms do it because I totally agree that pumping really, really sucks!! I admire any woman who is able to maintain a regular schedule of pumping several times a day (I pumped once a day for 10+ months and was soooo ready to ditch it when I did!).
I've dealt with undersupply and oversupply (from over-supplementation) and they're both not fun. With oversupply you still have to deal with engorgement, leaking, constant gagging/choking and spit up. Mamas never win!
grapefruit / 4278 posts
Aww, great big hugs! I know you know that you are doing a great job, but I can totally identify with feeling like its not fair.
E is 11 months now, but I went back to work when he was 2 months and have watched my supply gradually dwindle and my freezer stash disappear. None of the supplements worked for me, so I keep adding pumping sessions and pump after each feeding in the weekends trying to build up a little stockpile to get me through the week. So many times I've read posts from SAHM here and gotten so upset that I can't have that and have had to work so so hard to provide milk for my baby. At this point it looks like we'll make it to a year, but I pump 5x a day, and have sacrificed a lot to make it that far. I don't even know why it's so important to me anymore, but I've struggled so much to get this far I want to just tough it out to a year to be able to say I did it.
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
@PrincessBaby: totally know what you mean, i def pump differently even now depending on position, etc. i also manually press around to make sure i get every last drop! as far as parts, it's weird. with my freestyle i use a 27mm flange and with the generic medela dbl pump i keep at work i use a 24 mm flange and they both yield the same. suction is diff on each pump tho.
anyway, good luck!!! i hope you get more liquid gold for lil H!
bananas / 9357 posts
I'm so sorry. I would be really devasted if I couldn't pump enough and had to supplement. Not b/c I think formula is horrible but b/c breastfeeding is so important to me. So sorry. From your previous posts, your job sounds stressful so that could definitively be affecting your supply. Do you watch videos and look at photos of H while you pump? That helps me a lot. Try to relax and envision your breasts are waterfalls of milk. Sounds silly but sometimes it's mind over matter. I do lots of compressions while I pump too and that helps. And don't beat yourself up too much about it. You're doing a great job!
pomegranate / 3225 posts
I'm in the same exact situation. My LO is only in daycare 2x per week, and I still can't pump enough! She just had her first two bottles of formula Monday because I have burned through my freezer stash. I'm only pumping about 1/2 of what she eats. SUCKS!!!
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
I exclusively pump and I don't make enough-she gets 3 formula bottles a night and breast milk during the day. She's well fed, though, and it really is all that matters
My pediatrician suggested doing half lemonade and half that mothers tea-it REALLY helps the flavor. She said two cups a day should be enough. Try mixing it!
pomelo / 5093 posts
I am a SAHM mom and I want to send my huge respect to you. I recognize how much easier my breastfeeding life is not having to ever pump, and being able to just feed on demand. I have so much respect for people who push through and keep breastfeeding. Any breastmilk is awesome for your baby - no matter how much formula you give in addition. You are doing an awesome job.
papaya / 10560 posts
Ditto! I'm a teacher and I've gotten sooo much crap this year for having to pump 3x a day st work just so I can barely get 8 oz. it's such a downer. There are only 8 weeks left in the school year and I can't wait for it to be over so no more pumping at work!!
pear / 1965 posts
Hugs momma!
This worries me as well. I have only been back to work for a month and I HATE HATE HATE pumping!
Your doing the best you can! Dont beat yourself up doll!
I recently started taking Fenugreek and I am now getting 2-3 oz more a day.
grapefruit / 4442 posts
you're doing great! dont be discouraged. i get drops and i still pump. no idea why. DD is pretty much on formula but when i'm with her she gets the breast., i totally feel your pain!
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