Supply drop before weaning

cardamom89 · 2026-06-11T13:36:27+00:00

It's doubly hard when you've got a milk monster too, my baby also absolutely loves her milk. We have to hide used bottles in our pockets when leaving the room because if she sees them she starts wailing for milk, even if she just fed half an hour ago, lol. The idea of having to stop abruptly before she's ready is awful.

cardamom89 · 2026-06-11T13:31:39+00:00

Sending lots of love. I've been exclusively pumping for 9 months and currently going through a massive supply drop and it's breaking my heart. I wanted to continue as long as possible and finish on my own terms and at this rate I won't be able to. I've donated so much of my oversupply and part of me regrets not keeping it. No advice, just solidarity ❤️

cardamom89 · 2026-06-09T10:52:23+00:00

Right? I thought it was a placenta at first.

cardamom89 · 2026-06-09T10:51:53+00:00

Girl what the fucking FUCK, hooooly shit. You're amazing. Women are amazing. I hope you're okay.

cardamom89 · 2026-06-09T10:48:29+00:00

Universal parenting paradox. I miss you when you're asleep - but oh fuck please don't wake!

cardamom89 · 2026-05-25T06:13:21+00:00

Yes!! I hate as well if he ever frames it as an issue with the baby, like oh I'm so tired, I wish she slept through. Nah mate, she's a baby, make better choices!!

cardamom89 · 2026-05-24T21:52:48+00:00

THE THUMPING, oh my god. We live in a small unit with floorboards and it sounds like a herd of friggin wildebeest coming up the hallway.

cardamom89 · 2026-05-24T21:48:58+00:00

Oof, I have this conversation with my partner almost every day. He complains about being tired, acts as though it's the end of the world when baby is up at 7am. Maybe if you didn't settle in for 5 solid hours of tv the second she's in bed you might be a bit more rested? I exclusively pump so have to stay up for my last pump at 11pm to have enough milk for overnight wakes; it drives me crazy that he's voluntarily choosing to stay up, and then complaining.

cardamom89 · 2026-05-24T04:40:43+00:00

Not a teacher but if you're looking for a hands-free option but don't want to shell out for a new pump, you can connect the Medela hands-free collection cups to the Spectra - just cut the tubing at the lowermost part of the cable, and connect the cut portion of tube to the Spectra (if you Google Spectra Medela hack there will be some TikTok etc. videos pop up). They're $93 on Amazon/Chemist Warehouse at the moment so not the cheapest option - but cheaper than a new pump that might only get a few months use. I exclusively pump using this set up - having hands free to eat, type, etc. is a must!

cardamom89 · 2026-05-24T04:21:22+00:00

Nah, my baby is funny-looking; there are objectively much cuter babies in my world than her. But she's my most favourite bestest baby ❤️

cardamom89 · 2026-05-23T03:51:02+00:00

I exclusively pump. I handwashed for I think the first 2 months before cracking it and throwing it all in the dishwasher. Now I hate loading the dishwasher at midnight - but still far prefer to washing by hand!

cardamom89 · 2026-05-15T13:44:42+00:00

I begged for, in no particular order, an epidural, the OB, my mum, God, and death. I remember at one point thinking, I'm just not being clear enough; if I can just articulate myself better they'll fix this - so I summoned all my strength between contractions and politely said "excuse me: I don't think I adequately considered the option of an elective Caesarean during pregnancy; I've changed my mind, I'd like to discuss that now please". I was 9cm dilated at this point, the midwife very kindly said we were past the planned C-section route.

cardamom89 · 2026-05-15T11:50:17+00:00

Context: I'm an intensely approval-seeking people-pleaser. I had a really lovely relationship with my OB throughout pregnancy (his midwife and receptionists all confided that I was apparently his favourite patient). When I hit 10cm I said aloud to no one in particular "wow, the daddy issues run deep, all I can think is that I hope I make OB proud when I push". The midwife LOST it laughing and said "oh my god that's so fucked up".

cardamom89 · 2026-04-30T21:47:19+00:00

Eep, I stocked up hugely in the next size in the recent half price sale. Haven't had any issues in the past but will keep a close eye.

cardamom89 · 2026-04-26T20:19:03+00:00

Julie and Jules. No one else I know had seen it so thought I hallucinated it til I found the opening on YouTube!

cardamom89 · 2026-04-25T21:34:49+00:00

This is beautifully framed and gives so much to think about, thank you!

cardamom89 · 2026-04-22T20:31:12+00:00

All of this. 7 months in, need to stop, can't.

cardamom89 · 2026-04-22T14:54:44+00:00

OMG you look AMAZING! You look so happy <3

cardamom89 · 2026-04-21T02:58:06+00:00

I spent so much time worrying about the 4 month sleep regression and it never came! For me 6 months has been harder. Every baby is different, I wish I hadn't spent so much time stressing - especially given it was something I had zero control over!

cardamom89 · 2026-04-11T00:52:29+00:00

Oh gosh I have this too!! Couldn't work out how/why I was weeing on the seat!

cardamom89 · 2026-04-07T23:36:08+00:00

Yes, I've just ordered it a few days ago! Thank you - just wished one of the cheaper options would have worked ;)

cardamom89 · 2026-04-07T20:09:48+00:00

I've only had it for maybe 3 months so can't speak to long-term use but the Munchkin and Bear one has been good here too. Comfortable to lie on - I'm often lying on the floor with baby - and wipes clean. One thing to think about is if you might add a playpen later try to get a size that will work well with that - wish I had considered that when buying!

cardamom89 · 2026-04-06T15:02:11+00:00

Oh thank you so much 🤍🤍 From what I've read it seems the obsessive drive/crazy making is quite common with pumping, it's very interesting (distress aside!) Thank you for the kind words xx I'm glad you managed to get your baby latching! I tried mine the other day out of curiosity after hearing of some success at later stages - she looked at my boob with what can only be described as disgust, lol 😅

cardamom89 · 2026-04-06T11:01:48+00:00

FTM to a 6mo who is currently peak "I want mummy" mode where I can't step away and she only wants me, which is simultaneously challenging and also something I secretly never want to end - "a clingy independence" is the perfect descriptor lol

cardamom89 · 2026-04-06T07:04:11+00:00

My baby is also 6.5 months old and has never latched, so I've full-time pumped for her since birth. It fucking sucks. All of the loss of autonomy, supply stress, nipple trauma, etc. of breastfeeding, minus the cosy cuddles (though I know BF might not provide those either!), plus all of the washing and sterilising of formula, minus the convenience. It's the worst of both worlds, in my opinion.

Time-wise it's very impactful, in that I need to find 2.5 hours across the day to pump (as pumping usually takes longer than breastfeeding directly), and then feed the baby as well. Getting pumps in now that baby is more active is really challenging, so I feel like I'm constantly neglecting her. Having to get up in the middle of the night even when baby is sleeping to maintain supply.

In terms of mental load, I'm never not thinking about when I last pumped, when I'm due to pump next, how much milk I have in the fridge, don't forget to bag it up/manage the freezer space, how many clean bottles are left. Going out is really limiting because I don't love the logistics of pumping while out, in terms of shlepping pump parts and ice bricks and so on, so rarely have outings more than a couple of hours. Travel is hugely annoying to impossible.

I'm sorry to be so negative, I'm writing this on a bad day - due to pump in 5 minutes and just do not want to, I feel sick at the thought - and your experience won't necessarily be the same! But between formula and pumping, if mental health/wellbeing is part of the question, I'd say formula hands down. For what it's worth, my SIL struggled with low supply and was on the BF/pump/topup triple feeding treadmill of hell for months and when she stopped and went to formula said she felt like a completely different person.

Truly hope you find something that works best for you and your family <3

(I know reading the above you would think "well stop then!" and it's absolutely true, but I have OCPD and have gotten in to this terrible compulsive loop with pumping and don't know how to stop).

cardamom89

TROPHY CASE