Pumping (for mommies only)

[lesliepear]

I've decided to stop pumping at work. I'm not getting much out of it these days (less than 2 ozs on 1 pump per day). I think I've dried up and it would take much work to get it back including domperidone pills. I never quite seemed to make it to 100% bf, as I usually supplimented a bottle or so a day. I never got a freezer stash together in the early days, something I would have done if I did this over again. I'm still nursing nights and AM's despite DH's puzzlement on this. (He didn't attended the breast feeding class, and he knows no one who breast fed anyway - our friends either bottlefed or adopted). Alan made to 8.5 months without a cold and except for the accident that lost his teeth has not had anything major wrong at all - baby thrush, a diaper rash or two and a little cold so far.

Since I had no close friends who nursed, I searched for role models. Two women in my office who pumped to a year were good models (For a while we all pumped together once a day, I really liked that). Other role models were internet friends and members of lists. I did also attend LaLeche league and the sight of nursing helped to.

I guess I have some regret that it didn't go the perfect way I wanted, but I am sure what I did was very good for Alan. I won't miss pumping, but I think I'll miss nursing when that ends.

Comments

[geekmom.livejournal.com]

The amount you can pump doesn't indicate the amount you're able to produce. Pumps just aren't as efficient as babies. If you still want to nurse nights and mornings, go ahead. You're probably still producing plenty of milk. I stopped pumping at work a while ago, and I haven't dried up at all.

[ginky.livejournal.com]

You made it alot further than lots of moms. :) You did great, and there's no shame in lugging one less bag around. :)

[adagiopassion.livejournal.com]

Yeah, what they said :) You have done a great job. Pumping is a real pain too!

Just out of curiosity, where does one get domperidone pills? I was told that you couldn't get them in the US.

[lesliepear.livejournal.com]

According to the yahoogroup "pumpmoms", you can order them from New Zealand.

Check their files section.

[adagiopassion.livejournal.com]

Okay :) That's cool. I do great with Reglan. Though my SIL couldn't take it because of her epilepsy. So, I would like to find out how to get it, if she gets pregnant again.

Thank you!

I know that sadness when nursing ends.

[yeoww.livejournal.com]

I pumped at work and was able to express 8 oz per day until one morning at six months when Aaron just turned his head away from the breast. He was done. Up until that time, he'd gone between breast and bottle very well.

I missed the nursing very much. I actually cried when he wouldn't nurse anymore! I had so much milk and I wanted to keep on. But he was ready to move on, I guess.

Hannah only nursed up until she was two months old, and as soon as I introduced the bottle she was done with the breast. I didn't have nearly as much milk with Hannah, either, for some reason, so as soon as she lost interest I dried right up.

I felt much regret that I couldn't nurse her longer, but true to her personality, she made the decision for me!