I think I'm ready to be done with pumping

[Deleted]

It just feels like too much now. I'm hooked up to the pump 150 mins a day, 90 of which J is in the RNP. He's starting tolerate it less and less and is close to outgrowing it. I go back to work on 8/10 and won't get to pump there. It's half days so no breaks really. I'm constantly worried about how much he is eating and gaining. I'm sure I have the biggest baby here by a couple of pounds. It seems like ff'ing would be simpler all around. The only thing I worry about really is motn feedings. I  usually have some warning before he wakes up fully, but sometimes he wakes up screaming. I guess he would just have to scream while I mix the bottle, which will wake DH. That may be a good thing though considering I do everything with the baby right now. I wish there wasn't so much guilt. 

[halfahippy]

You should be so proud of what you've done. A fed baby and a happy mommy are what's most important. If you're done, then you should go to formula. I know it's hard not to feel guilty, but think about how much more time you'll have to play with him and snuggle him without being attached to a pump for so long! That goes a long way.
My friend that ff said she would have bottles ready to mix MOTN. she would have the water measured in the bottle and one of those formula dispenser things with the powder measured in it on her nightstand. Then she would just have to dump and shake. Super fast. Her babies drank room temp bottles.

[mom2boxers]

As long as your baby is fed and you're happy, there's no wrong choice.

For MOTN feedings, I pre-mixed and put in the fridge and heat for feeding. I could never get all the powder mixed in and I always felt like it was more bubbly. If you do switch, a formula mixing pitcher is nice and cheap and is great when preparing DC bottles. He may also adjust and not need to wake up during the night.

[paloslee]

Don't feel bad momma. You decide what's best for you and baby. My LO STTN but before I just had everything prepared on the night stand. It was at hands reach I just put powder in and shake. You'll get a routine down. Hugs!

[roseinbloom]

I agree with everything that's been said. Mom guilt is really bad about supplementing or ending bf. A number of us have been forced in to it for various reasons. You have a lot of support from this board from those who have been there and all the other kind souls who just know that pretty much no mom wants to make that choice.

I had been doing the last minute mixing for a while, but it's been so hot out that the refrigerated bottles help keep his core temperature down and feel good on his teething gums. Remember that you actually have 2 hours to give fresh mixed formula. Liquid formula is the most convenient, honestly, but the price matches.

Lately I've been saving myself a lot of up and down stairs trips by packing a little cooler to keep right in his room at night!

[JoeLies]

I can't give you any advice you haven't already received, but I wanted to chime in regarding the Mom guilt. You're going to feel it no matter what you do, it's just part of being a Mom. But you're feeding your kiddo, and THAT'S the important part. There's nothing wrong with formula, especially if it's going to help your stress levels and give you more QT with your little. Hugs lady.

[readinglove]

PPs have covered everything I would have said. You need to do what's best for you and your family. I stopped pumping last week, and yesterday was J's last nursing session. It's bittersweet, and there's a lot of mommy guilt, but I know it was the right thing to do. Sending hugs your way, mama.

And because I have a big baby as well, I'm super curious - how much does your little guy weigh?

[Deleted]

Jul 21, 2016 8:36:15 GMT -5 readinglove said:

PPs have covered everything I would have said. You need to do what's best for you and your family. I stopped pumping last week, and yesterday was J's last nursing session. It's bittersweet, and there's a lot of mommy guilt, but I know it was the right thing to do. Sending hugs your way, mama.

And because I have a big baby as well, I'm super curious - how much does your little guy weigh?

Somewhere around 17lbs. His next appt is on the 1st.

[readinglove]

Jul 21, 2016 8:40:13 GMT -5 @pennycandy said:

Jul 21, 2016 8:36:15 GMT -5 readinglove said:

PPs have covered everything I would have said. You need to do what's best for you and your family. I stopped pumping last week, and yesterday was J's last nursing session. It's bittersweet, and there's a lot of mommy guilt, but I know it was the right thing to do. Sending hugs your way, mama.

And because I have a big baby as well, I'm super curious - how much does your little guy weigh?

Somewhere around 17lbs. His next appt is on the 1st.

Nice! I wound up taking my chunk in last week due to congestion, and he was 19 pounds. Big babies have their own set of challenges when it comes to BFing, that's for sure. He's been a combo of formula and breast milk since birth, although he only has a couple more days left of getting breast milk from what I froze while pumping.

[SheilaTheTank]

Jul 21, 2016 8:40:13 GMT -5 @pennycandy said:

Jul 21, 2016 8:36:15 GMT -5 readinglove said:

PPs have covered everything I would have said. You need to do what's best for you and your family. I stopped pumping last week, and yesterday was J's last nursing session. It's bittersweet, and there's a lot of mommy guilt, but I know it was the right thing to do. Sending hugs your way, mama.

And because I have a big baby as well, I'm super curious - how much does your little guy weigh?

Somewhere around 17lbs. His next appt is on the 1st.

Wow! My LO is a little over 12lbs. lol. 

You have done an amazing job pumping for that long. Whatever you decide to do is what is best for you and your family. *hugs*

[minae01]

I'm having a similar conflict. I've been nursing, pumping, and supplementing due to low supply. I've tried everything and this is a problem I've had with all 3 kids. It is exhausting. I've made it longer than I have with my older kids. I am desperate to be done but then I don't want to give it up. It's terrible! I know my baby will be fine either way, but damn it's a tough decision! Just wanted to commiserate with you. Good luck with your decision.

[zombiesquad]

Jumping in to let you know you're not alone, @pennycandy . I've been away on vacation the past week and I had LO with me so I was able to nurse on demand. I didn't pump at all last week and I realized how much I didn't miss it. First day back at work today and I've only been able to pump a total of 8 ounces in two sessions. I'm not even bothering with a third session today. I'm going to try formula at daycare and nursing in the mornings and evenings. I'm ready to dump to the pump. I do feel a certain amount of guilt about it, but I think I'll be much happier. I've been reading that breastfeeding doesn't have to be an all or nothing thing and that makes me feel a little better about the decision.

I think all the moms on this board are doing great regardless of how you feed your child, how and where your child sleeps, how much your child doesn't sleep, what your child wears or how much your child cries. Glad we've all be in this together

[Deleted]

I decided to see how things go once I go back to work. If it's really not working, then I'll wean. I'll keep you all updated. Thanks for all of your support.