Need to stop pumping

I'm very sad about it, but it is the right decision for me and my family. I'm constantly worried about the next time I need to pump, how much pain I'm still in after almost 4 weeks, and how to increase my supply. My supply was pretty decent (have several bags frozen already) so that wasn't an issue til this week. But I'm seriously in pain all the time, and I can't even hold my son close to me because it hurts too much. I know this is the right decision, but I'm still so upset about it, cause I feel like I'm hurting him, and not giving him the same as what I gave my girls. If he gets sick this winter, I'll blame myself til the day I die.

Need to stop pumping

You have to do whats best for you and your family!! Is there a reason you're pumping and not nursing? Is it due to the pain?

If your son gets a cold, he gets a cold. It won't harm him at all. I know many BF babies (inc my DD) who were BF but got a cold here and there. Yes BM has great benefits but it isnt able to protect from everything.

When you're happier, your kids will be happier, and that's what's more important in the long run!!!!

Re: Need to stop pumping

I'm stopping too!! I only planned on pumping for 6 weeks like I did with DD but I just can't do it this time. I'm not producing much but granted I haven't been pumping like I should be. my boobs are killing me and also cant hold DS without it hurting. I feel slightly guilty about stopping early but it is what it is my sanity is more important plus plenty of kids a never breast fed and they have come out perfectly fine

Re: Need to stop pumping

dont feel guilty!! you need to do what is best for you & your family!! a happy mom is a happy baby!!!!

i stopped with my son after a month and a half because i couldnt take it anymore... i felt like it was taking away from my happiness of being a mom. after i stopped it was the best thing for me!!!

Need to stop pumping

I will definitely say you have to do what's right for you.
Just a quick note: have you tried calling a lactation consultant to maybe help you? I had major pain in the beginning and 1. It was her latch and 2. When I pumped I wasn't using a big enough flange so it felt like someone was running razor blades over my nipples; sorry for tmi
Either way, don't let anyone get you down about this and try not to beat yourself up over it! It's more important you are emotionally connected than anything

Re: Need to stop pumping

Unless you stop feeding your baby all together, you have zero reason to feel guilty. Please don't do that to yourself. You are NOT hurting him, you are doing what's best for him, you and your entire family. Be proud of the fact that you are able to change your planned course in order to provide the best and happiest experience for him. BM is not a force field, who's to say he wouldn't get sick of you continued to nurse him? All easier said than done, but sometimes you just need to hear that it's ok.

Re: Need to stop pumping

Don't feel guilty!

Happy mommies make for happy babies.

For me, BF was extremely painful, too. And DS wasn't gaining weight, so I made the decision to stop. I felt guilty but got over that quickly as DS was thriving on formula. He's 10 months old and has still never been sick, but even if he gets sick, we deal with it. All babies get sick!

Need to stop pumping

Happy mommy = happy baby

Formula is not hurting them and you shouldnt think like that. BM does not protect them from getting a cold. Its winter be prepared he may get a cold. It happens to all of them. My friend bf her dd and she got sick way more often than my ff dd.

Need to stop pumping

I'm all pro bf, but honestly it's not some magic immunity bullet. Between 4-6 months the stomach acidified anyway and it becomes questionable as to whether immune benefits exist past that point. Most of the immune benefits are in the first few weeks, so you've at least given him that.

My ds was bf for 15 months and still has at least 4 colds and 2 stomach viruses in his first year, and he wasn't even in daycare, ny parents watched him. So if he does get sick, don't beat yourself up.

Need to stop pumping

I had to stop pumping too - within days I felt like myself again. It was the best decision I could have made! I was making him crazy because I was feeling sad and anxious. He was a different baby once I calmed down

Re: Need to stop pumping

Posted by pharmcat2000

I'm very sad about it, but it is the right decision for me and my family. I'm constantly worried about the next time I need to pump, how much pain I'm still in after almost 4 weeks, and how to increase my supply. My supply was pretty decent (have several bags frozen already) so that wasn't an issue til this week. But I'm seriously in pain all the time, and I can't even hold my son close to me because it hurts too much. I know this is the right decision, but I'm still so upset about it, cause I feel like I'm hurting him, and not giving him the same as what I gave my girls. If he gets sick this winter, I'll blame myself til the day I die.

Re: Need to stop pumping

I wanted to BF DS1 but formula-fed for various reasons only to feel incredibly guilty about it for over a year. I was determined to BF DS2. So, I BF DS2 and don't enjoy it but I do it. DS2 is now 3 months old and on his 2nd cold (caught DS1's at 3 weeks old and now my cold)!!!! DS1 (FF baby) had his 1st cold at 4 months (got it from my mom) and didn't get sick again until 11 months! 1st fever at 19 months and now at 4 years, has had maybe 4 fevers TOTAL.

So if he gets sick, don't blame yourself. I've worked so hard and overcome so many obstacles to BF DS2 but I'm always worried about being home in time, about pumping if I'm away from his for too long which I sometimes am bc I have things to do with my 4 yo and work 2 days a week. I wonder if he's getting enough, worry about maintaining my supply and quite frankly am sick and tired of waking up 2-3 times a night. I need my sleep! Quit if you need to. You have to do what is best for you and your children, all of them.

Re: Need to stop pumping

Thank you everybody for your responses and encouragement. I know BM isn't a magic potion, I guess I just felt like I was giving him my immunity during the toughest part of the year. I know DD#1, who got BM for 5 months is almost never sick. But you're right...it's not a guarantee. And things will be better for everybody around here once I start feeling better. Heck, I need to be happy for Christmas for everybody!!

Re: Need to stop pumping

When I went back to work I just couldnt handle pumping but to be honest around 9 weeks I started to feel anxious and annoyed about pumping. He stopped nursing and me pumping at 14 weeks completely. Did I feel guilty? Absolutely but he is almost 5 months. He is a healthy and smart little boy. I gave him what I could and I have come to terms with that. Some moms can give more and some less but in the end as long as you feed your baby everything will be fine.

Re: Need to stop pumping

I had a similar story and I can say for 10000% certainty it was the best thing for my family, myself and my marriage to stop. Shortly after, DH, my DD and I got REALLY sick for 2 weeks with who knows what. The baby never contracted it. We all got sick a bunch of times after and she never got more than a sniffle. Babies do carry immunity from mom's blood antibodies for a period of time(I forget how long). Even if baby gets a cold, most likely it would have happened whether or not you BF.

Listen to your gut. If it tells you its time to stop there is absolutely no reason for you to feel badly about it. I did feel tremendous sadness when I was drying up but also realize there is a physiologic hormonal response you cant control. It gets better..