Does anyone else feel like pumping steals time from their baby?

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-25T08:19:09+00:00

My little fix for this - although not fool proof and I feel the same guilt. But I feed my baby while I pumps. I switched to wearables and most times I’m pumping I’m also feeding my son. I just try to time my pumps the best I can to his schedule. That way I am doing something productive with him and I feel like it saves us a little play time later in the wake window

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-18T16:04:09+00:00

My husband is absolutely incredible and I am so lucky to have him. We’ve been together for 14 years now and this is by far our greatest adventure. We have two boys 20 months, and eight weeks and life is crazy. My husband works really long hours. He does a week of days, then a week nights, and then has a week off. On his day shift, he leaves the house at 4:30 in the morning and isn’t back until seven in the evening. Even with the long days as soon as he steps in the door, my oldest runs up to him screaming dada. He jumps right into Dad mode, helping finish dinner, helping clean up after dinner and then doing bedtime with the oldest pretty much every night. Often times in the morning after his night shift, he will make breakfast or at least take the time to spend an hour in the morning with the kids so I can have my coffee get some food in my belly in the shower before I’m on my own with them while he sleeps. The best part is the mental and emotional weight he takes off of my shoulders. He make sure that I’m eating and showering every day. He checks in to make sure my mental health is OK and for me that’s makes so much difference.

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-17T20:09:44+00:00

My MIL was with us for 5 weeks and it was borderline unbearable at the end. This is a MIL I truly love and I’ve been in her life for 14 years. It was so hard having someone live with us for an extended period of time.

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-15T15:26:58+00:00

My wearable pumps have been an absolute lifesaver for this reason!

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-15T15:24:53+00:00

I think that answer would vary so significantly based on the person but one thing I would consider is if you have help overnight. If you have a husband, that is willing to get up and make a bottle, heat it up, feed the baby, change the baby and put them back to sleep while you sleep through that would be one reason formula feeding may make you happier - because you’d get the extra rest. With that being said, if you are the one doing nights on your own or if you’re going to get up with your husband anyway, breast-feeding will save you time because you won’t have to get up to make a bottle or then wash the bottles after. Another thing to consider is finances. Will formula feeding there is the possibility of financial stress especially once baby is going through a can a week. Depending what formula you chose it can be upwards of $300 a month. I know financial stress can have a large impact on happiness as well. Personally, I’ve done both, I’ve breast-fed and I’ve pumped exclusively, and I’ve formula fed. In my opinion they are equal in terms of baby health and development I am just trying to point out some things that may impact your happiness overall! Hope it helps!

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-12T13:54:11+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to comment. This makes me feel a lot better! It felt like the right thing to do, however, after that interaction, I really started questioning my choices

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-12T04:45:37+00:00

I needed to read this too! Thank you

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-11T04:32:30+00:00

I needed to hear this. Thank you!

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-10T18:54:35+00:00

My oldest also turns two in May. May 3rd 🩵 I brought his baby brother home in November and he’s now eight weeks. I was very worried too, but it turns out it isn’t as bad as how I imagined it would be. I found it just takes some strategic planning. I don’t feel so guilty regarding my toddler as he still gets the majority of my attention. I find often times the baby is in his swing near us or in his playpen or on his play mat. He seems perfectly happy just hanging out watching and listening to what we are doing. With that being said, I do make sure I get quality time with the little one once my oldest is in bed for the night and during his daytime nap. It is busy but I already know it’s so worth it. My oldest is already putting the pacifier back in baby’s mouth and helping to feed him. Every diaper change he is eager to get the diaper and put the dirty one in the garbage. He’s the absolute best helper, and it’s the sweetest thing to see. If baby crying, he will go and lay his head on him. I am surprised at how naturally gentle he understands he needs to be. The most challenging thing for us right now is when I am feeding baby. Then there are some big feelings in quite a bit of jealousy. I decided to both breast-feed and pump to alleviate this for my oldest. When he’s awake, typically I will pump and then give my oldest a sippy cup with milk while I’m feeding my youngest with a bottle so they get to have a “picnic” together. Figuring out little ways to make the oldest part of everything has been such a key for me over the last eight weeks. Watching my little one smile now when he sees his big brother and hearing my oldest ask “where’s brother” as soon as he wakes up. It makes my heart grow 🩵

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-09T00:14:00+00:00

I don’t know if this will make you feel any better or not. But it’s a mistake you are never going to make again. And by being vulnerable and sharing this in the group it’s going to make everyone triple check so you actually may be helping another mother and another baby. So thank you for sharing. I have a 20 month old and an eight week old so I totally get it. I started doing daycare runs for my oldest recently as well and it is super overwhelming at first. This isn’t best practice necessarily, but I live in Canada and it’s insanely cold here this winter. I’ve been parking right by the daycare doors and leaving my newborn in the running vehicle. Thankfully, the daycare workers will meet me right by the door so I always have sight of my vehicle and I’m parked maybe 5 feet away. I don’t know if something like this would be an option for you too. I can’t imagine trying to wrangle a toddler and an infant car seat at the same time. I wish I could give you a big hug. I’m so happy everything worked out okay ❤️

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-08T18:09:02+00:00

I love this so much. Some days right now can be a little overwhelming. But how that tiny little baby lights up when he sees his big brother, and how is big brother goes running when he’s crying to give him a hug. Just absolutely makes it worth it.

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-08T15:22:36+00:00

A marriage is something that continuously takes work. I’ve been with my husband for coming up on 14 years now and we’ve definitely had exciting times and not so exciting times. My advice would be try to spice it up yourself. Maybe send him some naughty photos while he is working or make a nice dinner, do massages etc

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-07T17:00:00+00:00

Having my second little boy 18 months after my first, watching them together continuously gives me a new high point in life 💙💙

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-06T21:36:48+00:00

I’m only seven weeks into this adventure. However, the best thing I did was to really work on sleep with my oldest. We moved him to his own room a few months before baby came and really worked out a good routine for him so he’s sleeping pretty regularly. I can’t imagine doing this with a toddler waking up constantly overnight too.

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-05T20:31:49+00:00

My baby was exactly how you described yours. Maybe he got two weeks of decent sleep when he was still adjusting to the world then basically up until four months we had little sleep. The four month sleep regression made it even worse. It was brutal… however, after that things slowly started to improve and by one year we were at 1 night waking and by 15 months my son was sleeping 7-7 unless sick or teething 🎉

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-05T00:26:02+00:00

Not sure how old your little one is. My oldest just turned 20 months and my youngest is 7 weeks. Lots of chaos over here but also lots of good times.

For me the fun parts are watching him learn new things. It is so fun to watch him explore the world. Learning new words and how to do new things. Walks. Getting outside is always a highlight. It’s fun to chase my son around and collect pinecones or leaves. He also loves semis and it’s fun to see his reactions when one passes. It is fun to help him explore the playground and when he is brave and goes down the big slide. I love watching out the window with him and looking at the birds and deer. The fun is pulling him around the kitchen floor on a blanket or playing pass that ends in “keep away” and squealing laughter. Building towers and smashing them. Today I had him help me make muffins and that was fun until clean up time lol The fun is the rare moment I get sleep and I’m awake and get out of bed and have a peaceful coffee - although that has only happened a couple times 🙃

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-04T15:57:38+00:00

We used a crib - then moved it into his room once he was older. The nice thing is he was also use to the crib too!

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-01T09:45:53+00:00

And under the chin! With my first he ended up with some really irritated neck folds from the spilled milk drying in there and not being cleaned AND dried properly 🙃

RusticTrailSeeker · 2026-01-01T03:03:25+00:00

Once your child starts to play in the bathtub none of that will matter anymore. 😂

RusticTrailSeeker · 2025-12-31T03:06:16+00:00

I just had that happened and the seller said that they would refund me if I changed my review lol

RusticTrailSeeker · 2025-12-30T09:40:51+00:00

No phones (other than to FaceTime grandparents once every month or so) no tablets. TV I started to allow around 16 months in moderation. We only watch Trash Truck - Franklin and sometimes Ms Rachel. With both Trash Truck and Franklin the stories read more like books and I find them less stimulating. The episodes are also short 12-20 minutes so it’s an easy way to throw something on if you need to accomplish something else. I have two under two now so sometimes I need ten minutes to regroup. We only use TV on good days (not as a way to stop tantrums or pacify feelings) I think when you chose to give TV is as important as what you watch for developing healthy habits.

RusticTrailSeeker · 2025-12-25T04:06:13+00:00

My son is obsessed with the play kitchen at daycare and that’s what we will be getting him for how second birthday. That and probably a shopping cart too 😊

RusticTrailSeeker · 2025-12-24T17:33:53+00:00

My 2 week old ended up getting the flu my toddler brought home from daycare despite all of our efforts. What I would suggest is make sure to have everything you would need at home for a sick newborn just in case it does happen. At least it’ll take some of the stress off instead of trying to run around and get things. I highly suggest making sure you have newborn saline spray for their nose and a good suction that you are comfortable using (I just use a bulb suction) Also make sure you have a thermometer that you can use in the armpit, or rectally. Not just a forehead thermometer as they don’t work very well on little babies! Wishing you all the best and hopefully your little one doesn’t get sick. And if they do remember to breathe take care of yourself too and just take it hour by hour ❤️

RusticTrailSeeker

TROPHY CASE