Moms who Exclusively Pump

How long did you do it for?

DD Is 9.5 months an dmy goal was to go to 1 year then switch her to regular milk (well my first goal was 6 weeks, then 3 months, then 6 months ....)

Its getting more difficult to stay motivated .. I am pumping 4x a day and its fine when I am at work but when I am home alone with DD it is really difficult bc she insists on getting my attention./playing with the pump whenever I am pumping, and it makes me feel kind of sad that although I am doing it for her, I cant give her as much attention durig the little time I have with her.

Moms who Exclusively Pump

I just stopped at 4 months... I wasn't producing a ton of milk anymore and the pumping was making me a very bitter person. I'm glad to say I'm done and pack that damn thing away. Good for you for making it that long! What an accomplishment!

Re: Moms who Exclusively Pump

I packed it up at 7 months because my supply stunk. And, yes, I too remember the guilt of not paying attention to her vs. the guilt of giving her the holy breast milk.. Do what you can.. if you drop a pump and make less, give her some formula, see if you can handle the 3 pumps a day.. ?

Re: Moms who Exclusively Pump

I stopped at three months for the same reasons -- wanted to give him my undivided attention and pumping is so time consuming. You've done great!

Re: Moms who Exclusively Pump

Moms who Exclusively Pump

I am on 8 months now. I keep saying a month longer etc. My DS has a milk allergy and I really dont want to pay for the expensive formula. My insurance company denied me months ago. I am pushing for a year and I pump anywhere between 4-6x a day. My supply has really dropped though. DS LOVES to play with the pump, it drives me crazy. What helps me is pumping in the car on the way home (yes I do it while I drive) that way I save time when I am home. I pump while drying my hair or doing the dishes etc. I use the pump bra. It makes it less of a pain since I am accomplishing a lot :)

Message edited 9/27/2012 4:01:49 PM.

Moms who Exclusively Pump

I stopped at 13 months. I did what you did, just for a month, 3 months, 6 months etc. I never had a set plan I just kept going. My supply started dwindling around 12 months, plus it was just too much trying to pump and entertain a busy baby that was on-the-go.

Re: Moms who Exclusively Pump

I am a year and still at 5/6 pumps a day. I'm pumping for twins, so the demand is high and they were premies so I cant consider switching them till Nov. I play on the floor with my girls while im pumping. I use the simple wishes hands free bra. They love to play with the pump, it's actually funny. I either, have one in the play pen and one in the high chair while they are drinking their bottles and im pumping, or we have a gated play area that I just plop down in the middle of with the pump.

Re: Moms who Exclusively Pump

Moms who Exclusively Pump

I stopped at 4.5 months...I was pumping like 3-4 times a day and making less than 3-4 oz. and I went back to work and it was just over...I felt awful but then realized I'd done what I could do and it was better than not having tried at all..

Re: Moms who Exclusively Pump

Re: Moms who Exclusively Pump

I did it until 11 months and then I had enough in the freezer to get him 2 weeks and switched him to milk just before his 1st birthday

I have to say what saved me was setting little goals. I never said, I want to make it to (almost) a year- I set goals month by month and re-evaluated to see how I felt. At the end I was done, so done its not funny- so I stopped.

You've already come so far and done such an amazing thing for your little one- do what's best for you and the baby- you count too

Re: Moms who Exclusively Pump

After I stopped nursing at 2 weeks, I pumped exclusively until my daughter was a year.

It was annoying and did take time (I pumped 1x/day at work the whole time), but I was happy I did it.

Do it for as long as you're comfortable/happy!

Re: Moms who Exclusively Pump

a little over a year

Re: Moms who Exclusively Pump

i always had to supplement with some formula as I'm pumping for twins, but I've made it to 5+ months. I have a bitter relationship with my pump, but I know once I stop, there isn't really a chance to start back up, so I keep trudging. My supply is down, but I figure every little bit helps.

Re: Moms who Exclusively Pump

My twins are seven months today, and I'm still going. I went back to work at 6 months, and they got their first formula a couple of weeks later. Now they get 3/4 BM and 1/4 formula. I'm able to keep that up with 3 pumps a day. I was pumping 6 times a day and I slowly dropped to 3. I've had mastitis 5 times since they were born and I'm constantly getting clogged ducts.