Breastfeeding/ Pumping

[Lala]

Just curious how many months you ladies breastfed for (or for those with younger babies, how long are you planning to continue?

I am exclusively pumping (as I had difficulties breastfeeding) and I'm supplementing with formula.

I always planned on doing it for 6 months, but now that my daughter is a little over 4 months old, I'm feeling like I may try to do it for longer than 6 months.

The reason I kind of want to stop at 6 months is because pumping is extremely time-consuming between the pumping itself and dealing with the supplies. I figure I spend at least 2 hours a day on pumping and pumping-related activities! So, I wonder if I'll have time to do it once I have to start making baby food as well!

I know its recommended to breastfeed for at least a year, but I'm just trying to get an idea of what most people do. I 'd especially like to hear from anyone who is exclusively pumping! Thanks!

[Bittersweet]

Good for you! Exclusively pumping for four or six months is amazing. Pumping at work three months a day felt like a lot of work. I can't imagine doing it exclusively. You're awesome.

I'm still breastfeeding at almost ten months. We'll continue as long as it is mutually agreeable. However, I bet I'll start gently weaning him around 15 months. I'd like to have my body to myself at least a short time before my next pregnancy.

[SoonerTexan]

N is 2.5 months and I am pumping at work/breastfeeding at home. My goal is 1 year, though I may still breastfeed at night beyond that.

[ladymoreta]

I breastfed my son for 11 months, weaned when we started trying for our second baby. I plan to breastfeed her for her first year. I hate pumping, though, so I think you've already gone longer than I would! Great job!!! It's such a personal decision, when to stop. I think you know when you're done, and formula is just fine for babies!

[spotty_dog]

Exclusively pumping is incredibly tough. Good on ya for every day you can manage, breastmilk is perfect baby food but in the first world, formula is nutritionally adequate and safe. You're doing great!

I nursed my first for 22 months (weaned him because I was pregnant), my second for 25-26 months (gentle mother-led weaning). The WHO does suggest that the standard to shoot for is 2 years for babies in developed countries. If your little one is ever interested in nursing direct from the tap, I've heard of exclusively pumping mamas who were able to transition to occasionally nursing/primarily cows milk mamas after a year or so.

Since you mention making baby food as a time consuming prospect, may I suggest you look into baby led solids? It worked great for my second baby (and for my first, after a few months of using homemade purees in fits and starts). No time consuming baby food necessary.

[SuzySunshine]

I had to exclusively pump with both of mine for medical reasons. I made it to about 4 months with both of them. Its hard, its really hard. If you want to keep going then do it but don't stress yourself out about it. I was a much happier mom and therefore better for my kids after I stopped.

They are now 2 and 4 are two of the healthiest kids I know, being formula fed has not hurt them at all.

[alison]

I think I win for throwing in the towel the soonest: 7 weeks! My mil is actually the one who said it was ok to just stop torturing myself and formula-feed dd. I was exhausted and just wanted the whole breast feeding thing to work... I was struggling and really having a hard time keeping my supply up and it made me crrrrazy!

I remember the moment I decided to stop bfing and pumping. I had managed to get 4 oz out of one boob, while sitting in the car at Coit Tower in SF. I made an odd movement and tipped the whole d*mn bottle of milk over and onto my pants.

[Michele]

Exclusively pumping is hard! There is one member of this site who pumped for a year. I'm not sure if she's around enough to comment.

My suggestions are the same as spotty-dogs. Will she transition to nursing at all? I can understand the desire to switch to solids to decrease the dependency on formula/bottles. My caution would be that they aren't nutritionally complete. So they will fill up on the calories, but not get everything they would get with formula or breastmilk.

My breastfeeding duration has been shaped by my nursing experiences. So it's not applicable for your situation.

But when I was exclusively pumping for D right after birth, I read about moms that were able to transition to the breast after 4-6 months. Your call though on whether or not that's an option.

[HouseofWool]

With my first, I pumped exclusively for more than 2 months and ended up with a nasty case of mastitis. I was heading back to work and was so sick. I was determined to continue b/f so I spend a couple of really miserable days working on getting my son to nurse. It took a bit to transition, it wasn't easy, but it is doable.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Dd is 4.5 weeks and I just started to pump to prep to go back to work. My goal is one year with pumping at work and bfing at night. We will see though considering that dh starts residency in June.

[SoonerTexan]

It's weird...I feel like I'm starting to measure my self worth by how much milk I can pump!

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

It's weird...I feel like I'm starting to measure my self worth by how much milk I can pump!

Word. There was a happy dance this am over 4 oz

[Urowife]

First of all - congrats on 4 months of exclusively pumping! I had to pump a lot at the beginning to help ramp up my supply and I hated it! I would never have made it as long as you have if I would have had to do it exclusively. I had a bit of trouble getting DD to nurse well at the beginning too, and had to supplement and pump and it was so difficult. We finally got nursing to work well a few weeks in, and my DD went on to nurse almost 2 years.

I know of a couple people (through online forums) who have exclusively pumped for a year. I would just do what you feel you can handle. If it's not too overwhelming, and you want to continue, go for it. But, if it's getting more difficult, slowly cut back one pumping session a day over several weeks to reduce risks of mastitis and plugs. Another thing if you are interested would be to try to get your DD to nurse directly. If you are interested, I think it would definitely be possible (as others have said), and I would recommend seeing an IBCLC to help with the process. You might be able to use a nipple shield or something to help with the transition since that might seem more like a bottle nipple to your baby. I used one at the beginning with my DD, but then again, take my advice with a grain of salt because I am certainly not a trained lactation consultant!

Anyway, good luck with everything - pumping is NOT easy and I commend you for your perseverance!

[Lala]

It's weird...I feel like I'm starting to measure my self worth by how much milk I can pump!

I can SO relate!! I feel like I'm going to look back on this time and think, "Was I out of my mind?" ...The things we do for those we love!

[Thirteen]

My perspective is a little skewed, since I SAH.
When I pumped, I felt like I never really expressed as much milk as when I let DS go to breast. He is 10 1/2 mos., and we still feed 5x in a 24 hr period (trying to drop that night feeding).
My experience is that breastfeeding is very hard - there's nothing "easy" about it, and god forbid you feel guilty about making such a personal choice about when to be done. (I say that, and yet... ). If I worked, I'm not very sure I would have lasted as long: lazy nursing, bad latch, recurring mastitis, engorgement, overactive letdown, clogged ducts, etc. are very discouraging and painful. I think I remember having a "we're going to make it!" feeling around 6 weeks, but the "we've got this down" feeling didn't come until he was about 3-4 months old. The breastfeeding relationship is still an ever-changing one, since developmental milestones can also become speed bumps in the path (rolling around, popping off and on, biting with teeth).
Whatever you decide, let it be for you (and not anyone else). You have support here, whatever you choose!
If you are determined to stick it out for a while, I also recommend finding an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), and a breastfeeding support group (check out your local La Leche League, or perhaps a free support group that meets at a local hospital or clinic).
It also never hurts to have a second opinion if your LacCon is not someone you "click" with.