I Want My Boobs Back

Wow, J.! Four months is great! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Yes, a year would be great also, but at least you did it for the first 4 months! With all 3 of my kids, I breastfed them for anywhere from 3-6 months. Number one is that it is convenient. If your child is hungry, you don't have to carry bottles and mix formula -- just find a quiet spot to nurse. Number two is the cost factor. No expensive formulas or bottles or trying to find the best nipple for the bottle (had a tough time doing that one). Anyway, please be proud that you have accomplished this much. Many children do not get that and they still turn out fine.

As for weaning -- yes, you will want to go back. I remember crying each time with my children and having feelings of depression and guilt. That, I think is normal and you must remember that you gave them 4 months! Wow, 4 months! That is better than not doing it at all! What about bottles during the day and nursing at night?

Good luck and remember -- Wow, 4 months! I did it!

Oh absolutely. I felt liike a single parent because I was doing all the feeds, couldn't drink liquer, and my husband would just assume that if he cried he was hungry and pass him off. The guilt won me out tho. My son is 2 and 3 months and with the exception of 1 ear infection after I weaned him he has never been seriously sick. I am very glad I stuck it out. It seems like a long time now, but when I look back it went by REALLY fast. I just knew I wanted to give him the best start and for me that was breast milk. Just do what is right for you and your family.

You can pump the other side at home while you are nursing your son, to collect milk while not at work. This should cut down on your pumping time at work. Its much more comfortable and the milk comes easily once your son triggers the letdown. Hope you figure it out! S.

J., (message from a SAHM)

A woman chooses to nurse her little one for many different reasons. You must ask yourself, "Why did I choose to nurse my baby?" Then, weigh that against whether you should continue nursing or not. You are a working mother who has to do double the efforts of someone who can just pop the child on the boob and nurse anytime.

No one tells you in the beginning that it really requires a sacrificing of your body to the child while nursing. This is the hardest part about the whole situation. You want what is best for the child, but you want what is best for yourself as well. I say as long as you are happy, productive, okay with offering up your body like a sacrificial lamb, then continue moving forward with the nursing. If you simply are stressed out, feeling guilty because you WANT to stop, then please let it go.

When I came home with my now 20 month old son, there were so many times in the first six months (he nursed every 1.5 hours) that I was irritable and confused and guilty because the wanting to quit and wanting to nurse were driving me crazy. Then, one day it hit me like a light bulb....this has been my body for 35 years...he can have it for two...(that is our stopping point as we have made it to 20 months right now)...there are too many benefits that will carry on into his adult life that gave me reason to continue forward.

BUT, this is a decision you and only you can make. I really do feel for you. Our babies mean so much to us that we will do anything for them. Sometimes, especially a working mom, can not do everything. Don't let this weigh too heavily on your shoulders if you decide to quit. You are doing everything you can for the little one. But, if you do decide to move forward. Good Luck and I will be thinking of you.

I also wanted to nurse until 6 mos but stopped at 4 1/2 mos for many reasons. I didn't really want to go back to breastfeeding once I stopped completely, even though I thought I would. I weaned gradually, and for a while still breastfed him at night and early morning. I think that helped some with the "parting" feelings. Do what you feel is right and don't let others pressure you in any way. I am sure you will make the right decision.

I went back to work 6 weeks after having a csection and I nursed as well. I nursed exclusively for 3 months and built a supply so she had it for 6 months total. It started to ware on me mentally-I felt like even though she'd be napping and I'd be in the other room-there were these strings attached. Like, I couldn't go too far away for fear she'd do without and it would my solely my fault. Pumping at work, for me, was a nightmare because it wasn't the ideal place-I never felt like I had secure privacy. (Some work places have space exclusively for that but my job didn't) It really made me feel terrible like I was choosing to take something wonderful away from my daughter. I felt selfish, frustrated, sad, disappointed in myself("other moms could do it for a whole year!") Then I realized that there are plenty of women who physically cannot nurse and use formula and their children are happy and healthy kiddos! Its not like I was giving her something toxic! I thought if I quit and dried up, I couldn't go back (or at least it would be difficult) and so I worried about that too! I nursed her only in the morning, nap time, then bedtime (bottles in between) .....then only nap time and bed time.....then only bed time. In between, I was pumping to build supply. I started giving her part formula, part bm until it ran out. She transitioned to only formula seamlessly. And I constantly leaked which totally sucked!! So, having dry boobs was quite a relief! I know that breastmilk is best, but more importantly, how could I be emotionally available for my daughter if I was so anxious/frustrated/etc with breastfeeding? Children benefit GREATLY from bm, but even more from a happy mommy. Four months is quite an accomplishment-especially while working so kudos kudos kudos to you!! Happy mommy means happy healthy baby!

J.,
LOL! I think you will regret weaning him. In about two months he will start beginning solids and won't need you as much. Give it time and you'll see how wonderful it will be as he get bigger. You might even want to nurse until he is one (which is what the American Pediatric Association suggests). I've breastfeed all four of my kids, the first two for one year, the third for 18 months, and currently nursing my 9 month old. Now that he eats so much solids, nursing is a piece of cake! Plus, I really enjoy the time that we have cuddling together since he is such a buisy little guy crawling all over the place and not wanting to be held as much....take your time. If you need more advice, feel free to contact me. I'd be glad to help in any way possible. Best of luck!

:) E.

By the way, the first three kids, I also worked as a full time teacher and pumped. I hated pumping (I remember) but it is so well worth it when you see your plump and healthy babies! :) No formula can replace Mamas 100% organic milk ;)

I nursed both of my children and yes there were times especially in the beginning with my first child that I wondered if I could continue. However, I hate washing dishes and the thought of washing bottles all the time really appealed to me even less. I continued to nurse and I managed to get past a lot of those feelings. I started working part time after my oldest one had his first birthday and it was definately more taxing and I did go ahead and wean him. I continued to work part time when I had my second child and it was stressful. I did nurse her for about a year. She actually sort of weaned herself.

What ever you decide - if you decide to wean and go to formula, keep nursing, or breastmilk when you are home, formula when you are at work I know that it will not be an easy decision. You could try giving your baby one bottle of formula each day this week and the rest breastmilk if things go well with the formula you could try doing two bottles formula each day next week. If your baby is having a problem with the formula, but you still want to try formula stick with one bottle of formula a day, just try a different brand that week. When you find a brand of formula that works for your child then you could slowly increase the number of bottles of formula that your baby gets each day. By slowly introducing more formula your milk supply should gradually decrease. If you change your mind and decide to breastfeed more it should only take a few days for your milk supply to build up to the amount you need for your baby.

I went throught he same thing. Working mom, pumping at work and all of the other stuff. It started to drive me crazy. I tortured myself for 13 months!!!! Mothers guilt won out in the end. Looking back I don't think it was necessary to do what I did. I don't think if my child would have got a bottle she would be any different. That is just my opinion. What ever you choose I think you will be fine.

Hi J.! congrats to you for deciding to nurse your son!

I have two sons and nursed them both for six months. Let me first say that nursing moms are special creatures. You probably feel like he is attached to you all the time because....he is! when he's there, you're his source of nourishment and life. When he's at the sitter's, -----you have to pump and preserve more nurishment for the next day.

an older woman put it like this: Honey, "full time nursing was originally intended for women who didn't have to leave their homes and earn a living." As a full time professional sales executive, It was very inconvenient for me to have a baby or a pump at my breast for half the day. (if I decided to be a stay at home mom I would happily keep breast feeding until the first tooth came in though (ha ha!))

Basically it is --possible-- to work and nurse your baby exclusively...but it is not --easy--convenient--and in most cases it is just flat out unrealistic.

I weaned both my sons. Both times I cried for days when I fed them bottles at night. I cried because it felt unnatural to give them formula when I had perfectly full breasts to offer them. I also cried because I was so engorged before the milk finally dried up that I was in sheer agony (Ha!)

In four months, your little angel should have gotten plenty of the benefits that come with nursing...bonding with mommy (you) and all the extra baby fat (cute chunkiness) as well as the much needed brain development nutrients/enzymes that can only come from mother's milk.

Find yourself an affordable formula that has the best mix of vitamins and nutrients and Get your boobs back sister! Your baby will not love you any less!! just hug him as close as you can while he's nursing that latex nipple! (baby probably won't mind but this will help you feel close to him)

**Whatever you do: do not give your baby the breast once you've officially decided to stop nursing. this will interrupt the natural process of drying your milk. wear tight fitting bras and take tylenol for the pain. I was able to dry up in one week this way.

Good Luck J.!

I nursed all 3 of my sons. I know it seems like forever now but they grow up so fast. 6 months is not that long. I remember wanting to have my life back also but they grow up so fast and face it, as mothers we have always and always will put the needs of others first. I have a friend who wanted her babies to have the breast milk but did not want to actually put them to breast. She pumped and gave her milk in bottles to both her babies. She had a son who is about 4mos. old and quite a little chunker! You really are giving your baby the best for him right now but ultimately you have to do what will work best for you and your family. If you truly enjoy that bond that you have then hold onto it as long as you can. Pretty soon your son will be toddling off and being independent! Good Luck and God Bless

I have a 4yo son and a 2 month old son and have some of the same feelings you do. I thought I would love breast feeding this time, just as I did last time. But, I have thought of weaning sooner than planned as well. I am fairly shocked to feel this way, as I breastfed for 22 months with my first child. Maybe your baby is going through a growth spurt and that's why he's nursing more often. I think you can build your supply back up with pumping, if you do change your mind. I would stick to your 6 month goal and then decide. You're more than halfway there. My baby is my last child, so when I get frustrated/tired, I remind myself that this will be the last child I breastfeed. Good luck!

Don't give in! These feelings are normal, everyone, especially new moms & 1st time moms go through this. The feelings of guilt of quiting however will last longer than the breastfeeding. Just keep telling yourself that you are doing this for your CHILD, not for you! You have to take YOU out of the situation. I worked full time, pumped and breastfed and I did it until she weaned herself at 15 months.
Right now, everything is new, scary, emotional, yadayadayada..you will get over these feelings and then something else take it's place.
I remember feeling like I was going to have to LIVE on the bathroom floor while my youngen took her baths..but that isn't the case, they grow and things move on and so will this.
Please keep nursing your child. I know this is cliche, but you will form such a bond that no one else will have with your child and it is so worth the pumping sessions in the office and bathrooms :) Not to mention, bottle feeding and prep is NO easier!

I have four children and I really enjoyed that bond that was created between the baby and I when I nursed them. Hang in there. A year will pass quickly. At first it is a real hassle to try to pump at work, but eventually everyone gets used to it. The women I worked with would moo when I went to pump, but I knew they may have been teasing me, but they were all very supportive. Just hang in there. You will be shocked when you turn around and a year is over with. Bottles are a total hassle in the middle of the night for working mommies. You will get a lot more sleep if you keep nursing the baby because they go back to sleep quicker when they are nursed back to sleep.

Hi there! I was in your same shoes last year. I committed to 6 months exclusive breastfeeding. I pumped at work too and did not enjoy it at all. But, I am stubborn and didn't want to give up so on his 6 month birthday I started weaning him. I gradually stopped pumping at work and just fed him mornings and night. By 8 months he'd just weaned himself and was no longer interested. I'm due with my second in June so we'll see how this one goes! Good luck!

it can be hard to make that leap. however if its not working for you, its not working. bottle fed babies are just as happy and not hungry as often.whatever choice you make will be right

It is VERY hard to share your body with someone for so long. Even when you have a great nursing relationship with your child.

I guarantee you will never regret "sticking it out" for your baby. And in the long scheme of things, what's 2 more months? The longer you nurse, the more preventative health care you are giving your child over his lifetime! It is a huge gift & this is your only opportunity to give it.

Google "La Leche League" for your area. They are a wonderful support system for nursing moms.

If you choose to ween, and decide to go back, that's awesome (and very possible). And, if you decide to end for good... don't accept anyone's judgment - it is a very personal decision that is not entered lightly.

I'm routing for you to nurse longer!! But I would never judge you otherwise!

Good luck, your instinct will tell you what is best for you!

P : )

It's not easy. You have to resolve yourself to that... It's not easy, but it is so worth it.

I got so tired of breastfeeding too. You do feel like your body is not your own anymore, but that's kind of all part of it... you will never be "alone" again -- your child will need you for the rest of your life in some way or another; you are a MOM and it's tiring and draining and lonely sometimes, BUT it's also fantastic and rewarding and beautiful!

Give it at least the 6 months you planned. You'll be SOOOO GLAD you did when other kids are getting sick all the time and running around with running noses... I breastfed for 10 months and my daughter is almost 3 now and SOOOO healthy. Other kids get sick and she just bounces right through it.

I promise you will be glad, and you'll have your body back before you know it and I can tell you even now I miss it -- never thought I would when I was doing it, but I do miss that sweet quiet bonding time with my baby.

Hang in there! It's the right thing to do. You are a great Mom for doing it!!!

I think most moms go through the "I want my body back" rollercoaster. As nursing moms, especially, we get tons of skin to skin contact, and it can be a little much. Take a deep breath, know that you are giving him the absolutely best and most perfect food available, and try to focus on the positive. You are giving him some of the best contact and interaction you will ever have - nothing is more intimate and connected as nursing. You are establishing a very close and nurturing relationship with him.

Now, for yourself, breathe, relax, and know that it isn't going to be much longer. Treat yourself to a little pampering so that you can re-connect with yourself.

As I am reminded by others, it won't be long till he will want to be away from you. (and time does fly - I can't believe my babies are now 7 and 4).

Yes! I cannot imagine any mother who hasn't had these feelings. You do become a sort of slave to your baby in this way. It's such a double edged sword. It is so good for your child's health and for the two of you bonding. But, it is a never ending story and you always seem to be on duty. I had real trouble with this, mentally. Ultimately, I decided to continue with the process until 1 year of age (starting goal was 2 years) and then let things take their natural course. Every time that I thought about stopping it made me ache for that closeness between me and my baby. Not to mention once I made peace with my decision I was able to relax and not be continuously thinking about how I had to pump/nurse. My milk supply increased and pumping at work just became part of my routine and not some sideshow event. It really is something that only you can decide. It does no one any good if you are resentful about nursing as this will certainly transfer to your baby. So if you decide to ween try this: Supplement your breast milk with Similac Advanced formula. Don't waste your time with others.. I have already made all of the mistakes for you when my supply started going down. I started adding 1-2oz. to each bottle of b. milk JUST BEFORE feeding time. A-lot of formulas will sour your milk. And, you don't won't to waste it. Gradually, increase this over the next few weeks so that your baby develops a taste for it and isn't having to just go from one to the other during your weening process. And you don't have to just deny the boob right away. I'm not a cry it out Mom so I chose to do it this way in case my milk completely dried up. Sometimes your baby just wants to nurse for comfort like mine so it has nothing to do with eating and comfort was not something I was willing to withhold! Anyway, once I relaxed my supply increased and we had made the complete transition to formula just at a year old. I stopped pumping for my own benefit and continued to nurse at his convenience. This worked great for us. His nursing increased with teething so be prepared for that. But most days he rarely thought about it. My little guy is now 16 months old and I am pregnant with my second. He is still nursing. It is always when he is tired of needs comforting because I am sure that he getting nothing. It's going to be interesting if I'm having to nurse two (OMG) but I am okay with this now. The reason for telling you all of this is to give you incite as to what may happen in your future. Maybe this will help you in your decision making. What ever you decide to do it will be the right choice. No guilt! Enjoy your little one... it passes so quickly. Good luck.

Hi J. J,

D. Friday, D.'s Mortgage Insurance Refund Service/Network Marketer, here. When I began to breast-fed my daughter, it took some getting use to doing it. I did the same as you and had the same feelings. I continued to do both and weaning us both for the six month cut-off.

However, I did go back at times after the cut-off because of work load. Eventually, she was put on a soy formula and that wss the end of breast-feeding.

So what if you revert back to breast-feeding; it's ok. Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day!

D. Friday
###-###-####
http://www.soclink.com/DianeFriday

Babies really benefit from a full year of nursing. I think choosing to wean can be a very emotional time, as well, for both baby and mother. I decided to nurse all my children for at least a year -- the longest I bfed was 22 months. It is a highly personal decision, though and you have to do what is best for yourself and your child.

Hello

I nursed my second one until bout 7 months and I felt the same way bout stoping. I was very lucky though because I couldn't pump at work. We had bathrooms with multiple stalls and no where else to pump except in the parking deck. Tried that a few times but not exactly the most private place. So I nursed every chance I could at home and daycare gave her formula during the day. I think nursing easier then formula since you don't have to wash bottles and prepare them. If you want maybe you could try pumping more at home and get other people to feed the baby and give yourself a break plus they can have some bonding time.I will admit when you stop you will miss it no matter how old. If you can hang in there or I would at least with trying to nurse at home. But it's ok if you don't. It's a hard choice. Best of luck with your decision.

You have already done 4 months, the last 2 will go by fast. I think you only get once chance to experience this so if it were me, I would try to relish in it and not think about the negative side. It will go by faster than you think. I do have a friend who did not continue and she did not look back. Depends on you and how you think you will be. I knew that I made a commitment, I actually nursed both children for 12 months. I was glad to have that time alone with them. I only pumped for one month though and had my own office so it was not "too" hard. Do what your heart tells you.

W.

Your breasts will supply whatever amount is 'demanded'. If you want to go to only nursing morning and night, just gradually move toward that amount. Even once a day will work (and, in my opinion, the milk is richer for that one feeding). It's really up to you. It shouldn't be a stressful issue, but a pleasant one.

Don't stop . I am willing to bet once you stop you will regret it. I know when you are tired it seems like he is on you all the time. I also know that they are little for such a short time that as soon as you dry up you will realize that you miss the quite time you get to sit & hold him & the very personal sweet bond that only you & him share . It is so much better for him & you if you keep going even just to 6 months. Hang in there I am cheering for you !
K., mom of 3 nursed children.

You've gotten some great advice so far, and I will merely add that your son might be attached to you at home whether you're nursing him or not -- he may just want his mommy after being apart from you all day while you're at work. You may quit nursing him at home and find out that he still needs you just as much as ever, and wants to be with you just the same. Enjoy these times when you are "his world" because it will not be very long before he discovers more of the world apart from you, and you'll be relegated to second-class status (below Barney, or Thomas the Tank Engine, or something). :-)

I totally understand how you feel. I committed to do it for 6 months also, but had to stop at 5 weeks due to him having reflux so badly. He wanted to nurse 24/7 and I felt like I was always hooked to the baby. It was not a happy time. I did wean him because of my own exhaustion and feelings and he is now almost 9 months old. There are days that I wish I could still nurse him, but for the most part, I was good with stopping once someone told me it was okay to stop. So I will pass to you what I was told: You have done a great job!! You carried your child and got him here and have given him the best start on life that you possibly could. You are now tired and uncomfortable. It is ok to stop nursing. He will be starting foods soon and it is time for you to think about yourself.

HTH

Hi J.
I know how you feel. Im a mom of two boys, 18 month old which I breastfeed for 5 months, and a 2 month old which im currently breastfeeding. There are time that i wanted to stop also and even now, but i just think about my baby and how good it is for him. Time flies and before you know it you will be done breastfeeding. I belive that if you breastfeed you kids it just helps them to be healthier and stronger and its better the longer you can do it.
Best of luck

Hi J.,
I have one son, he's 16 months old and still nurses. I refer to my breasts as 'baby feeders' and there have been times I have been sick to death of nursing! But I obviously stuck with it, for several reasons. I was lucky to be able to work part time so I never had the issue of pumping at work, which I'm sure I wouldn't have enjoyed. I do believe breastfeeding is best and I wanted to give my baby the best possible start in life. I liked being able to offer that kind of comfort, especially as he got older. Now he only nurses in the morning and before bedtime and it's nice to snuggle up with him and have that special time with just the two of us. Sometimes I miss those early months when he was constantly attached to me but at the time I didn't appreciate it, I was just thinking of all the stuff I had to do and couldn't get done because I was spending so much time breastfeeding! Ultimately I decided to look at it this way - he's only a baby once, the time passes so quickly and six months really isn't that long. Good luck to you!
Bren

I am also a full time working mom of a three year old and a 7 month old. I just weaned my baby about two weeks ago and I feel very guilty that she is now on a formula and breastmilk mixture. Especially since she did not like formula at first. But, I need to take medication that I can't take while breastfeeding adn I was committed to breastfeeding for a year, but just couldn't make it that long. It doesn't help that your boobs are going to be so full and hurt pretty bad and the temptation to give in and nurse is very strong. Ultimately you will have to quit sometime though. I also pumped at work for five months! It took alot of time out of my day, but I got crafty and figured out a way to type and pump at the same time. :-) Only you know what is best for yourself and your baby. You need to be happy and content before your baby can be and if that means stopping breastfeeding, then that's what it means. I can say my stress level lowered alot and I had alot more available time at home and at work when I quit a few weeks ago. My boobs are still full of milk though so I guess it takes awhile for them to go back to "normal" if that ever happens. Good luck!

I felt like I was attached to my nursing chair for the first couple of months because my daughter was a slow feeder - I would nurse for 45 minutes and then 15 minutes later she's want to nurse again! Then going back to work I had to pump too which was a pain but I was lucky that I had an office to do it - a friend of mine had to use the shower in the company gym because she was in a cubicle. All I have to say is, you are really in the home stretch here. If you nurse to 6 months, the rest is cake! Your baby will start eating solid food and you'll nurse less, which means you'll pump less, if at all. You could even switch to formula just for the time you're at work so that you don't have to pump anymore. By the time you're where you are, or maybe 5 months in, your supply should be able to handle reduced nursing with no problem.

If you wean now, a few things - one, your baby will not be able to fight off illnesses or deal with them as easily, two, by breastfeeding to a year you are lowering the risk for you and your child from certain forms of cancer, three - nursing is my "magic bullet" - it comforts my daughter when she is upset or sick, it helps her fall asleep, and when she quit bottles at 6 months with no warning, I was really happy she was still nursing! she's been on sippy cups since then, and now I don't need to wean her from a bottle. When we fly on planes, she nurses on the way up and down which helps her ears pop and she SLEEPS most of the way. People comment that they didn't even know a baby was there.

And finally, I was not a huge fan of breastfeeding before I did it. I'm still not comfortable doing it in public, so I just don't (we did bottles or sippys in public, though I've done it in the mothers room at the mall or in the maternity store when need be). I didn't think I would feel like I needed to do it to a year and beyond (my daughter is now 12 months) especially early on when she wouldn't latch and I needed to use a nipple shield for the first three months, but I can't imagine losing the closeness that nursing had given us. We have a friend whose baby feeds himself his own bottle and has been doing so since 5 months - they just put him in his carseat, bouncy chair, high chair, and he just feeds himself . I'm sure that it's really convenient because they can do other things while he's eating, and I'm sure they cuddle him plenty at other times, but I can't imagine doing that with my daughter - she loves her nursing cuddle time with mom and it forces me to stop what I'm doing and RELAX for just a little while to connect with her. We're always so busy and want to be doing, doing, doing things - I really need the break too.

So I vote stick it out - it gets better and it was worth it for me. Can't speak to everyone's situation though so I'd weigh all the opinions and your own feels and do what's best for you and your baby. Remember though that it doesn't need to be all or nothing - you can nurse in the morning and evening and do formula during the day... :-)

Hi J.
I totally had those feelings. I had a goal set for myself and I strived for that goal. In the meantime, my milk supply started to diminish and I thought well, nature is telling me to stop. But then after two days and my son not taking a bottle of formula, I actually started to grieve it a little. I'm sure that sounds obsurd, but I did. So I pumped and nursed like crazy to get my milk back and I finally made it to my goal.
This may be a different scenario than yours, but many times along the way I felt I wanted my body back. I wanted to be intimate with my husband and not have milk spray or leak everywhere (mood killer by the way!). I wanted to go exercise and be away from him for a few hours without worrying that I have to go back home and feed him. Well, I probably stuck with it longer because I didn't work for part of the time that I nursed my son. Pumping was no fun for me. Plus, I had one child to look after.
I guess what I'm saying is that if you feel like you need to reach your goal then stick to it. If you're having doubts then you're probably not quite ready to wean him.
Good luck and email me if you need anything
P.

I would first look at all the reasons that are making you uncomfortable breastfeeding & pumping. Do you have a nice quiet & clean place at work to pump & is your company comfortable with you pumping? It's important to communicate your needs to your work. I started a new job in a semi-new state when I got off maternity leave, and that was one of the first things we talk about. You just really have to be light-hearted about breastfeeding & pumping, and know what you're doing is best for your baby. Communicate your need to have a clean & quiet place, and most people will think nothing of it and help you as much as they can.
Do you have an efficient pump that allows you to limit your time at the pump? I use the Ameda Purely Yours Dbl-Breast Pump and it usually only takes me 10-15 minutes twice a day (but, we're all different). I could pump 3 times if I need to, and, everyone is entitled to a 30-min lunch & 2 15 min. breaks in an 8hr day, so, most women have all the breaks they need to pump. Though, you really need a hospital grade or almost hospital grade pump! And, if you're having trouble pumping enough, massage or "milk" your breasts while pumping and that will help your letdown and actually get more milk out of your breasts during pumping too.
Are you comfortable breastfeeding and multi-tasking? Getting something like a Moby wrap would allow you to nurse & cook/clean...etc all at the same time (hands free), so that even if he is "attached to you" all the time, you can at least get other things done more easily. I wouldn't have survived without my Moby in those first months (and since you can wear them all different ways up to 35ish lbs, they are really worth it anyway). Get a good book too, that will help the time pass by quicker (while pumping or nursing).
Also, remember that it gets easier once you go along. They nurse so much more in those early months than 6 months+, and especially after a year! In the end, it's really such a short time and you're only able to give them this nourishment (physical & psychological) for such a short period.

Also, do you have other stress in your life that is getting reflected on your breastfeeding? Do you have pressure from anyone that you need to wean? Often outside pressure makes a mom feel that way.

Personally, I would suggest breastfeeding as long as possible - both for the benefits for your little one (and avoiding risks of formula), and the benefits for yourself - which there are just too many to name. Ultimately, however, you need to be comfortable with your decision because you probably will feel guilty. When you make your decision, do it whole-heartedly and don't worry about what other people will say - this is your choice and you have to do what is best for your baby and your family.

Please hang in there if you can, though! I know you can do it! Everyone has rough times! Good Luck!!!

I have 4 children. The youngest 3 are all under the age of 5. I have been nursing for over 5 years straight! If anyone understands wanting to have her body back it's me!
Congratulations on getting this far. 4 months is much longer than a lot of babies get. Good for you!
The first few months are the hardest. Babies nurse so much because it's all they have. It's the only source of nutrition but it also helps them bond with mom. In a few short weeks your baby will start on solid foods and may nurse less, he will reach milestones like sitting up and begin crawling. He won't want to nurse as much because there are other things to do! He will not need you as much in just a few weeks. Hang on!
Remember that nursing is not just for nourishment! You bond with your baby, you comfort him, you reconnect with him after a long day when you sit down and focus on him for just a few minutes.
I realize that it can be very stressful and you don't want to resent your child for needing you and stressing yourself out over pumping and or weaning isn’t not good for you or your baby either. That being said some breast milk is better than none. If you want to give baby formula during the day to lessen your stress consider still nursing in the morning and at night and on weekends. Do it as long as you can and get your baby as much breast milk as possible.
Try to remember all the reasons you decided to breastfeed in the first place and focus on that. It's such a short amount of time compared to the rest of your child’s life! Stick to it and find some support. Contact your local le leche league, go to kellmom.com and read about working and bfing. It can work and it doesn't have to be totally stressful. Yes it will be hard and there will be times when you are stressed but raising a child is hard. It's a commitment that lasts a lifetime. Finding creative ways to make it work is what being a parent is all about.
Here are some things to check out
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bf-links-pumping.html
http://www.llli.org/WebUS.html
As I said I have been nursing for over 5 years. I don't remember life without a child attached to me. My youngest is 9 months old so I still have a while to go but I know it will be over soon. I try to remember they are only babies for such a short time and I doing what is best for them. I'll never regret nursing my kids but I would regret NOT doing it.
Good luck to you. Hang in there. It will be over soon. In the blink of an eye you'll wonder where your baby went and wish you could have a simple quiet moment with him at the breast!

Good decision. :) I miss the nursing bond so much and can't wait to start with my next one.

Hi J..
I completely understand. I nursed both of my daughters til they were approx 15months. Worth every minute of it. You can never get that time back of bonding with your child. It is a very special time with them. Not only that, but you burn calories like nobodies business. I was the smallest I had been since high school and it is a great source of nutrition for your child. Make a list of why's and why not's about nursing. You need to be assured of why you are doing it and stick to your guns. It is easy to sway sometimes and be unsure of lots of things. I think if you sit down and make your list, you will make the right choice....LOL!
W.