Hellobee Boards

I had similar issues...my lo would nurse for 2+ hours and was burning more calories than she was getting. When I would pump the most I got was 1.5oz sometimes only .25 oz. The constant pumping wasn't as bad when dh was home but when he went back to work it became so stressful. Lo would be crying I would have to constantly start and stop pumping. I finally decided to stop for my mental health and to be able to spend real time with my baby. It was a really hard decision and I cried for a week but looking back she and I were miserable. We now exclusively formula feed and she is growing and thriving. I won't say I don't still feel guilty at times, it really hurts my heart I couldn't give her what she needs and I wish I could bf but I couldn't produce enough despite supplements, frequent pumping and extensive consults with a lc but I didn't want to sacrifice bonding with her. I stopped pumping cold turkey, wore a sports bra. I originally tried to wean but after speaking to the rn at my ob I opted for cold turkey. I feel what you are going through and you have to do what is right for you and your baby.

Out of curiosity, are you double-pumping and/or using a hands-free pumping bra? Your description of pumping each side 30-45 minutes and thus spending an 1-1.5 hours pumping made me think you aren't? I always had much better output when pumping both sides at the same time, and then I didn't have to be pumping for as long. Is this an option for you?

I have no advice about weaning, but hugs to you for even trying to EP!! You're a good Mama and wanting to spend your time bonding with your daughter over pumping makes total sense! Good luck to you!!

I agree with @Adira: that getting a double electric pump and a hands free bra may make a big difference for you! If it were me, at 3 weeks I would still want to keep trying to make it work. I know there have been a few people on here who have been able to transition from exclusively pumping to getting LO to latch sucessfully even after the baby was a few weeks old. Have you had an LC come to your home since your LO was born, or did you just see the one in the hospital?

@Mrs. Pink: I feel like Xander had that problem (small mouth) and it wasn't until after six weeks that he FINALLY started latching on comfortably! But I commend you for even doing EPing while working on your daughter's latch! Pumping sucks so much!!

@Mrs. Pink: Good for you for working so hard!! Since it sounds like you are still going to try pumping for a little longer, do you have a hospital grade pump? You can rent them from many hospitals, pharmacies, and other surprising places. I have definitely found the Medela Symphony to be more comfortable and efficient than the Pump In Style.

We had similar issues early on. My DS did have a significant tongue tie but feeding didn't immediately improve after it was clipped at one week old. I EP'd while nursing a couple times a day with a shield. He did not get anything from the boob till about 4 months old (we did pre/post weights) when he suddenly was able to get milk out, and I BF till 13 mos. He was 8#13oz at birth so a big boy but must have had some anatomical issues. Just wanted to share a success story if you need some encouragement but you have to do what is right for you!!

I was very fortunate to have DH home with me for my entire maternity leave or there is no way I would have been able to do it. I completely understand that you need more bonding time - if you stop pumping altogether, don't beat yourself up. You need to enjoy LO's newborn-hood!

@Mrs. Pink: Also wanted to say that at 3 weeks, your supply is still regulating, so pumping as much as possible can really help your body to know to start producing more!

I don't know, I had the opposite problem, I was pumping and pumping and nothing was happening. If I could go back and do two things all over again, it would have been to be more persistent with the nipple shield ( I was advised not to use it past 2 days!!!) and I wouldn't have followed the super strict 6 times a day pumping schedule that the LC put me on. It was the major cause of my issues, because I was pumping, feeding, supplementing, pumping, feeding, supplementing for mililiters.

@Mrs. Pink: I think they are both more efficient and more comfortable but that could also be all in my head. Check around, rates for monthly rental of a symphony in my area are $45 (cheapest I found) - $75. Make sure you call places before going there to check and if you plan to go someplace to rent one, have them set it aside for you. Medela has a section on their website where they will give you locations near you that have rentals available, I thought I could just do it through hospitals but it turns out some chain pharmacies (Walgreens etc) rent them. I actually rented through Right Start which is a smaller store that sells baby supplies from toys to feeding and potty supplies to strollers and cribs but until looking on that site I had no idea they rented pumps!!