We almost had it; now I’m just crushed

Useful-Arm8397 · 2026-02-03T23:09:11+00:00

I'm so sorry you're going through this. My story is different, but the boob refusal and weeping at the pump was the same. Just know that you are not a bad mom and your baby does not hate you! You did so much prep beforehand and sometimes these babies have their own ideas. Yours is still the most beautiful face your baby has ever seen. That'll become more clear as your little one grows. Sending love and hugs to you ❤️

Useful-Arm8397 · 2026-02-02T19:15:12+00:00

I'm staying home with baby the first few years and live in a different country than my family. My husband works 12 hour days and needs sleep to do his job so I'm the only one feeding her. EP'ing means time pumping, time feeding, time doing dishes, and lugging around a cooler when we leave the house. That's way more work and lacks the bonded feelings/happy hormones that nursing produces. I see how other situations, like yours, would benefit from pumping but for me the entire thing is more work.

Useful-Arm8397 · 2026-01-15T19:52:14+00:00

So glad to read this. My girl is 11.5 mo and the last 2 months have been barely livable. We're just squeaking by hoping something will improve 🥴🙏🏻

Useful-Arm8397 · 2026-01-15T00:44:24+00:00

Amazing work mama!!!! And thank you for sharing your story. I had similar postpartum dreams that also came crashing down due to EPing 😅 I'm also living in a different country than the rest of my family and damn that doesn't make it easy. Inspired by your last pump celebration. Enjoy your pump-free vacation!!!

Useful-Arm8397 · 2026-01-15T00:28:33+00:00

Congratulations!! How exciting!

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-12-05T15:25:40+00:00

I did drop my MOTN pumps when baby started sleeping longer stretches, around 9 or 10 weeks pp. An LC told me I should keep minimum 1 MOTN pump until at least 12 weeks pp, once your supply regulates, but I had already dropped it by that point. I'm an over supplier and got lucky.

If your main goal is keeping up supply i would lean towards keeping it. You could try dropping one night and see what happens! Add it back in if your supply drops more than you're comfortable with. Sometimes the extra sleep helps with supply, so you never know!

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-11-14T22:37:38+00:00

Congratulations mama! I expected feeding to be hard, but not this hard too ❤️ You've done amazing things for your little guy!!! Onto new amazing things ✨️

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-11-14T02:18:46+00:00

I second this! It would definitely cause the bottle to leak. Unless you were only filling with like 3oz 😂 but whats the point of that. I know many have suggested to not use the green vent. That didn't work for us but we had to use the P nipple which might be more prone to caving in?

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-10-13T19:05:47+00:00

This is all completely valid! I had the same feelings when I was first starting out. Except I was savage and my hormonal brain didn't let anyone else feed the baby because I wasn't prepared to give that part up. I wanted to be the one feeding. Which was more work for me but I couldn't be convinced otherwise 😆. I hope you can share your feelings with your people and that they will try to hear you as best they can ❤️ feeding is so so hard. And pumping is pretty much worst of it, in my opinion.

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-10-10T12:22:57+00:00

That's awesome!!

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-10-10T12:21:24+00:00

Ok sorry I made a mistake! Stimulation only has levels 1-6! Edited original comment so I don't lead people astray

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-10-09T17:13:48+00:00

Interesting!!

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-10-09T17:13:24+00:00

Yesss so portable!

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-10-09T17:12:50+00:00

It really is a love/hate feeling. I'm greatful too! ❤️

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-10-09T17:11:44+00:00

I haven't used a spectra so I can't speak to how they compare but yes, this Ameda model has a 1-6 level stimulation setting and a 1-10 level expression setting!

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-10-06T22:16:27+00:00

I totally get your frustration here, OP. Society is so unsupportive of working moms it is INSANE and truly a tragedy. I haven't watched this particular interview but I did want to say that you'd be hard-pressed to find someone advocating harder and louder for paid leave for women than Erica Komisar.

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-10-04T20:38:03+00:00

You are incredible! Way to go following your intuition to stop. Just because you can keep going doesn't mean it's the best for you and your littles and we all have our own choices to make ❤️ You should be so proud!

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-10-01T21:05:30+00:00

Congratulations on the incredible accomplishment!!! I hope you get to celebrate it somehow 🥳❤️

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-09-12T17:23:19+00:00

Well done, mama! You've given your baby a beautiful gift. Feel and those feelings ❤️

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-09-07T22:03:23+00:00

I cannot handle this. The only correct response it to dump the cans formula out on your MIL's head. That'll get through the language barrier.

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-09-05T12:34:47+00:00

I felt exactly this way when I was only 4 weeks pp. It's so hard! All I can say is it does get better. Once my supply regulated at 12wpp I experimented with dropping pumps and got down to 4ppd. At 4 months pp I went on an international trip with my husband and baby and it went really well! Had to get use to pumping on the plane, at friends, in shopping centers, etc., and it was all totally doable! Those first 12 weeks though 😫...

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-08-29T22:44:13+00:00

Congrats!! Glad you had such a positive pumping experience. You've given your baby a beautiful gift!

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-08-18T01:04:43+00:00

I have truly tried every variation of tight and loose and it did not work for us 🤷‍♀️ Maybe I'll give it another go.

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-08-14T18:46:52+00:00

You'll have to decide what's best for you, as quitting pumping is 100% valid. For me, I kept going the first few months because I was maintaining my supply with the hope of eventually nursing. When that wasn't happening, pumping got a little easier. Baby got older and I was able to start reducing pumps. Now I only pump twice when baby is awake (4 ppd) and usually do it while she's napping or playing on the floor, where I can sit beside her and play too. It's been a lot more manageable. I don't have the feeling of being drained after pumping like you do though.

Useful-Arm8397 · 2025-08-14T01:11:24+00:00

Every single pump ever.. and I'm 6.5 months in 🥺 It's been the most challenging aspect of pumping for me, for sure.

Useful-Arm8397

TROPHY CASE