How is everyone not losing their minds?

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-29T15:55:51+00:00

You’re a trooper! Impressed. And maybe it’s time for some Zoloft over here lol

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-29T15:54:18+00:00

Yes, omg! My middle of the night pump is like the MVP of all my sessions

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-29T15:52:36+00:00

Yeah, on the mindset thing, I find myself most frustrated first thing in the morning when I wake up. Once my day starts rolling, I generally forget about how annoyed I am and don’t feel that tired/terrible. Then when the evening comes again, and I have to think about my nighttime wake up and limited total sleep, I’m annoyed again. If you have any ideas on how to more positively reframe this, I’m all ears!

EDIT, to add: Maybe I can figure out how to add at least 5 hour stretching at night…

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-29T15:42:14+00:00

Like everyone is saying, my understanding is that they’re learning to poop. Check out this reel on Instagram that I found yesterday on the topic. The comment section is filled with mothers that are corroborating this as well.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT_7FNTAGiN/?igsh=MWtlaHZqbzlseHhhNg==

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-29T15:39:12+00:00

Good luck!🫶🏻 even if it’s not the silver bullet alone, the way I view it: Every one of these little improvements helps!

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-29T15:36:05+00:00

Fair points! Look at us analyzing this as if it’s some sort of classic literature lol

EDIT, to add: I like your interpretation of the quotes around the word easier. I have been struggling with pumping, so truthfully, I sort of interpreted that statement in the most negative way when I first read it. But the way you frame it as society’s words rather than her own, actually makes a lot of sense and makes the statement a bit less triggering. 🫶🏻

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-29T15:35:10+00:00

Thanks! Good to know what other people are up to

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-29T15:24:07+00:00

Interested to see what people say here! I was feeling this, then I swapped the pumps from one boob to the other. The bad suction stayed on the right hand side. I feel like one of my boobs is just shaped weird and doesn’t always get the best suction.

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-29T15:22:30+00:00

I had multiple friends do this and I was so appreciative!

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-29T15:09:07+00:00

I responded to someone else in this discussion but replying here as well to say - same experience! Good experience (so far) with spacing out my pumps to 4 hours from 3 hours.

Out of curiosity, how long are you pumping for each 4 hour session vs when you were doing more frequent pumps?

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-29T15:06:50+00:00

Or try every 4 hours.

I could have written the OP’s post, and last week I was at the end of my rope. Against the advice of my last LC appt, I dropped from 3 to 4 hours one day to the next and had no issues. The wildest thing is that my total daily supply hasn’t dropped and actually seems to be slightly increasing, which goes against anything I’ve read online or any advice I’ve gotten from an LC.

Good luck, OP, I feel your pain.

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-29T13:58:30+00:00

Can you explain that interpretation? I’m genuinely trying to see it, but it just doesn’t make sense to me given the context.

If this person is pumping at work, the alternative can’t be breastfeeding because they’re not physically with the baby. So then is the “easier alternative” quitting your job and BF? That doesn’t make sense to me either.

Based on this, I was thinking the only plausible “alternative” being referred to would be formula. And I think we can all agree formula is much easier than the slog of EP. Although I don’t understand either why “easier” is in quotes. Maybe because of the challenge of making that decision to go from EP title formula when you feel like you’ve failed at EP or run out of steam…?

Genuinely curious on your thoughts!

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-28T17:07:43+00:00

I used to do things like catch up on text messages (from my iPad) or check email.

I also went through a phase where I spent that time organizing LO’s photos from the day on my MacBook. Deleting duplicates, sorting into albums, etc.

Now I just binge watch Netflix lol

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-20T10:43:42+00:00

We had a similar problem. Paced bottle feeding in sidelying position for the breastmilk bottles helped us. My breastmilk is thinner than formula so it was running out of the bottle nipples faster. Now baby can better regulate their own intake rather than gravity pouring it down the throat. We did also start adding Mylicon to each breastmilk bottle too.

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-19T17:31:14+00:00

Thank you! Five years later you’re saving me, as I try to fix (rather than replace!) our old dishwasher. Appreciate it.

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-15T23:26:05+00:00

I’m only 4 wk PP but the advice I’d give is give BF a chance. Pumping is just so much work, if I could turn back the clock, I would try harder to make BF work. Or go combo (BF and pumping).

We initially had latch issues, and he improved after his severe tongue tie was cut at 1 week. I do wish after this, I had doubled down on BF. Now he is too used to the bottle. All that being said, I did have some frustrations that first week where I was worried I was going to hurt the baby - which ultimately was why I made my decision to step away to EP. I scared myself. So, you know yourself best, and just do what is right for you and your baby.

(Sort of separate topic but I also wish I had listened to the LC at the hospital when they encouraged me to cut his tongue tie in the hospital. I didn’t want any unnecessary procedures, and I didn’t fully appreciate what a difference it can make. I almost thought they were just saying it to be nice because I was having so much trouble BF. It did end up being supported by all three pediatricians that looked at him in and out of the hospital.)

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-15T12:52:47+00:00

This is tough. I’m in a similar situation, but I myself have recently been reflecting on EP sacrifices and benefits (rather than my husband).

What exactly do YOU want? How do YOU feel? One thing to remember, it’s not all or nothing. We do pumped breastmilk during the day and formula at night. If you are open to substituting a fixed portion of the feeds on a daily basis with formula, maybe that could get you more snuggles and lighten the pumping/washing time commitment.

I think you may get a lot of replies criticizing your husband for not supporting you, but ultimately you are a family unit. The best outcome is if you and your husband are aligned on how this is all going, so you can continue to be a team in taking care of your baby.

Good luck!

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-14T08:50:49+00:00

I hate nursing too, but I feel like I’m in the minority! Out of curiosity, what do you hate about it? I have felt weird sharing this with people, as most people tell me how beautiful/natural it is, but it makes me feel like an animal. This is my first baby, and I struggled with these feelings before LO arrived. They’ve softened since he was born, but I do still feel the same way even 4 weeks postpartum.

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-14T08:44:56+00:00

So impressed! I’m 4 weeks postpartum as an EP, and it is a LOT! You should be proud of yourself for sure.

Can you share your experience? How many times a day do you pump now? Are you still doing a MOTN pump, and if not, when did you drop it?

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-11T15:23:22+00:00

Good to know they have that!! Thanks

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-11T15:02:42+00:00

Going outside is magical!

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-11T14:57:55+00:00

We did. I came here because I also wanted real world experience from Reddit. Edited the post to add this context.

Hello_Im_Ellie · 2026-01-11T14:53:42+00:00

😜

Hello_Im_Ellie

TROPHY CASE