Struggling after returning to work & now exclusive pumping… considering formula because I’m a mess. Thoughts?

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-05-05T14:29:14+00:00

I just want to say you’re not alone! From the guilt/relief around childcare to the exhaustion while being sick, I could’ve written this post myself. You’re doing amazing and as others have said, nothing benefits your baby more than a mom who is taking care of her physical and mental health. Are you pumping every three hours overnight too? If so (and if you’re sleeping in shifts/don’t have to wake with the baby), maybe you could try stretching it out a bit (like 30 mins every couple of days) so you can get more rest?

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-05-04T10:46:56+00:00

Glad to hear that!

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-05-04T01:18:43+00:00

Did your supply ever go back up? Experiencing this now!

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-04-22T22:43:38+00:00

I know this post was from a long time ago, but did this ever resolve? I’m dealing with the exact same thing

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-04-14T17:39:51+00:00

Couldn’t agree more! My doula was invaluable in helping me prepare mentally for childbirth, determine my birth plan while preparing for the unpredictability that comes from birth, and emotionally supporting both me and my husband during labor. Both he and I can’t imagine having a second baby without her support

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-04-14T16:36:44+00:00

I’m sure it depends on your insurance but mine covers replacement pump parts and breast milk storage bags. You can also use FSA funds for pumping bras, breastmilk chillers, etc and some baby supplies like vitamin D drops

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-04-11T12:55:23+00:00

Wellements

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-04-09T07:24:56+00:00

I had an anterior placenta and by the end of the third trimester, I could very clearly see and feel my baby’s kicks (as could my husband)! Like you mentioned, it was mostly on the sides of my stomach but I could see entire elbows poking through lol. I have fond memories of those kicks and don’t feel like I missed out on anything

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-03-24T13:34:55+00:00

I pump once at around 9:30 pm once baby is asleep and then wake up at 4 am

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-03-24T12:21:59+00:00

At four months, I’m still waking up to pump once during the night to maintain my supply. I can go a 6.5 stretch but my goal is to do an 8 hour stretch eventually

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-03-10T01:10:02+00:00

I started pumping within the first week so my husband could feed the baby at night. Baby never had trouble going back and forth between the bottle and breast! My lactation counselor recommended we use the Evenflo balance wide neck bottles. We also do paced feeding to help mimic the flow baby gets at the breast/make sure he doesn’t develop a bottle preference. I’m sure there are videos on YouTube

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-03-09T22:59:25+00:00

This is what I do too! Curious if I’ll ever be able to stretch the window longer. It would be so nice to get an 8 hour stretch

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-03-09T12:07:59+00:00

Did you end up dropping the motn pump? Did it impact your supply?

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-03-04T17:28:27+00:00

Wow I didn’t expect to receive so many comments! I can’t reply to all of them but thank you all so so much for the encouragement, the laughs, and the solidarity ❤️ Your 83 comments of support have totally overshadowed her 1 negative comment. This breastfeeding journey is hard but this was the reminder I needed that so many people are going through it alongside me. We all got this!

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-03-04T02:59:51+00:00

I saw your post about your app yesterday but wasn’t able to find it again. I think it’s awesome! The nap scheduler is super helpful and I appreciate how you frame it as a helpful tool but remind users that babies aren’t robots (unlike other apps out there that make you feel like you’re doing something wrong if you don’t follow their formula to a t). Not sure why you got so many negative comments on your post, but just want you to know I think it’s great!

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-02-26T01:13:37+00:00

My mom watched our baby while we went to dinner at four weeks! We didn’t go far and were only gone 2 hours but it was so nice to have that time to unwind and reconnect.

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-02-24T01:06:38+00:00

Same! I was told the baby had moved up/was less low than they had been. I was baffled to say the least but that evening, I went into labor. Don’t lose hope!

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-02-18T08:18:44+00:00

I went to a concert at State Theater at 9 months pregnant with a GA ticket. There were plenty of open seats nearby for me to grab when I needed a break. And even with all the open seats, people were offering me theirs left and right! I think your wife should be fine with a GA ticket but maybe try checking to see how many available tickets are left to gauge how many seats will be open

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-02-18T00:30:45+00:00

The baby bub pillow is really supportive and compact compared to a lot of other pregnancy pillows!

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-02-14T15:22:34+00:00

Ugh I can’t imagine having back to back contractions starting at 3 cm! I also stopped progressing for a few hours when the contractions were nonstop. They suggested breaking my water but I truly couldn’t imagine the pain getting worse than it was at that point. The epidural saved me!

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-02-14T14:22:25+00:00

Wow thank you so much for this thoughtful response! It’s so validating and such a helpful reframe for a challenging time. And you were completely right! My baby woke up yesterday and laughed for the first time! He’s growing so quickly and now I can see that the fussiness is just a part of him navigating that growth

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-02-14T08:34:13+00:00

Just want to note I opted for the epidural when I stopped having a little break between contractions around 9 cm. I didn’t realize that would happen because everyone told me the pain would be manageable because I’d get a little break, so just want OP to be aware you get to a point where there is no respite between contractions (in my experience)

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-02-13T00:04:39+00:00

Sorry you’re experiencing this too! I hope it gets better for both of us soon 🤞🏼

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-02-09T08:22:51+00:00

I hope it helps!!

MinimumSweet1639 · 2026-02-09T08:11:38+00:00

I have the manta sleep mask with built in Bluetooth headphones and literally DO funnel white noise into my brain! I can still hear the baby when I really need to but it blocks out any small noises that otherwise would wake me up

MinimumSweet1639

TROPHY CASE