yes or no

MsStackhouse

Would you continue to pump if all you got was 10-12 oz a day with 4 pumping sessions. You are back to work and taking 12 fenugreek pills a day and smell like a waffle house.

BF has been such a rough journey but its getting harder now that Im back to work. H doesnt latch anymore anyway - hes only latched occassionally, since coming back to work. I feel like after seeing all the LCs and going through mastitis several times Id be doing a disservice to H and I by stopping, but I really want to maximze my time with my baby boy at home. The days are long - up at 5, home at 6 and he goes to bed at 8/9 rather then spend those 45 mins pumping in the morening and evening Id rather hang out with him and E. And I know - I could get up earlier go to bed later but mama is exhausted too.

 

Jcubed2003

The answer is up to you, but be PROUD that you made it this far.  Some Moms never try or can't breastfeed.  I was devastated when I didn't make it to a year and then thought better of it.  I DID make it to 10 months. 

That being said, if I had been in your situation at 4 months, I don't know that I would have continued pumping.

AmandaJLewis

Whatever makes for a happy mom and baby.  There is no wrong decision Sami. Pumping exclusively is hard business. I really commend moms who are able to maintain that for any length of time!  I was away from EJ for 4 nights around 9 months and just pumping for that was wearing me down! You have given H a great start, and if continuing with BFing isn't in the cards, well he will be just as happy and healthy with formula!

MandyMilller

I don't necessarily think your pump output is terrible, but as the PPs said, if it's really getting to you then don't feel guilt over stopping. The thing I found the hardest to give up was the comfort that BFing brought to my babies. Yes, the nutritional aspect is what led me to BF, but if they weren't latching I would've had a much easier time disconnecting from the pump. You could cut down to a more manageable number of sessions, nix the Fenugreek (the smell made me so sick) and just let nature take its course. Maybe you'll make it to 6 months, maybe you won't. Either way, you did your best.

gwennythepooh

I agree with the PP - happy mom=happy baby. You have to do what's best for you. If that's continuing to pump, definitely try (I pumped heavily early on and then exclusively from about 7 months on, message me on FB if you have any questions at all). But if that means wrapping things up, that's okay, too. Don't make yourself miserable and definitely don't make your decision based on what others think you should do. Hang in there, mama!

lala5507

I agree with others it's a personal decision.  I stopped breastfeeding at 4 months with my second dd due to pp depresion and medication concerns.  I still get sad when I see mom's bfing the whole 1st year because I wish I could have done that.  But she's 19 months now and completely happy and the fact that she was on formula longer than I originally planned doesn't really matters now.  Do what's right for you and don't worry about what other people are doing.  You gave your baby a great foundation with 4 months of breast milk. 

rona118

ditto the others...... I made it about 8 weeks and then got nervous going back to work etc. For me, I didn't find it to be some great bond with DD. I worried about everything I ate and would it bother her etc. Then I worried changing to formula she wouldn't take it etc, but did she did fine. I was no less a mom because of it.

HUGS.......

lishie

I think you've done great! If it was me, I'd probably stop.

Meghan&Rich

There is no wrong decision Sami!  I was in a similar position with Mason and I really beat myself up with guilt over it.  In hindsight, I wish I didn't waste so much time forcing something that was making me miserable, all because I thought it was the "right" thing to do. Good luck!  No matter what you decide, it will be okay!

Temp520258500005569

There's no right answer, Sami, it's totally personal. I agree with those that said happy mama, happy baby is the most important thing. I'm struggling with the same decision right now, so I understand.

Try not to beat yourself up or guilt yourself over a decision. Whatever you decide is going to be good for H. Good luck!

egpitt22

I just wanted to echo everyone's responses and say there's no right answer, the right answer is whatever you decide is best for both your baby AND you.  Hugs.

4EvR&4AlWz

It's definitely a personal decision.  I stopped nursing at 6 weeks but pumped until 9 mo.  I pumped in the car for my drive in and home from work since I had 25 min in the car everyday and i refused to wake up earlier or use home time to pump.  I also pumped over lunch.  Good luck!  Happy mom definitely = happy baby/husband!!  Let me know if you have any pumping concerns!

MsStackhouse

Thank you so much for all of your responses. Its so much easier to make a desicion after reading the posts.  I appreciate it very much!