Hi Mommies. It's 4:15 a.m. and I'm on day 2 of weaning from the pump. Our 2nd and last baby is now 7 months old and I've been exclusively pumping pretty much since he was born. I couldn't nurse because he had torticollis and so he couldn't turn his neck to nurse. Then when that got better a few months later, he didn't want to nurse any more, so I kept pumping so he could have my milk. I had always wanted to be able to nurse but couldn't with either of my boys (my 1st son was a preemie and in the NICU for 6 weeks) so it's been really hard not only weaning, but knowing I wasn't able to nurse either of my boys. But it's time to wean now, because both my hubby and I are getting up at night (he has to feed the baby when he wakes and I have to pump) and during the day I'm running after my 2 year old and taking care of the baby, so it's tough to keep up pumping and stay sane. Did any of you feel sad when weaning from the pump for the last time (or from weaning from breastfeeding), knowing your milk is going away for good? Just looking for some support from Moms who have been there. Also, any tips on how to wean from exclusively pumping? Thanks a bunch! :)
Thank you all so much for your wonderful responses, Mommies! :) They were all so helpful and I really appreciate you all taking the time to write. I just needed those reminders that even though there are mixed emotions involved in weaning, that ultimately it is the best thing for my whole family, now that my baby boy is older. He still had my milk for 7 months, even if it was from a bottle, and I am so glad I was able to give him that great start. Now it's time to move forward, and each step of Motherhood is a step into new and wonderful seasons. Even though it's hard to let go of the old "seasons", the new ones are just as beautiful and precious as the ones gone by. And one day, we look back at all of the "seasons" put together, and we see how truly beautiful Motherhood is.
I exclusively pumped for my kid too. I did it for 6 months & then slowly started weaning down. No feeling of guilt. I always feel that we should do what is not just best for the baby but also for us.
First of all, major kudos to you on exclusively pumping!! I did that with my first as she never took to the breast. It is a FULL TIME job! As for weaning, I took lots of showers and used heating pads. I hand expressed a little milk to ease the painful pressure but it was a very difficult couple of days. I had to quit because I was on a medication that wasn't supposed to effect my baby but did - that's another story.... I did feel a little guilty that I wasn't able to feed her breast milk for longer but then I realized that not all babies even get breast-milk and tried to feel proud of myself for exclusively pumping, taking care of a newborn and working full time. No one ever said being a mom is easy but it sure is worth it! Hang in there!
You've gotten lots of tips on how to do it but I just wanted to commend you and to say God bless you for your extraordinary efforts to get your mama's milk into your sweet babies! As a working mother I always pumped (and even travelled with my breast pumps and dry ice when I had to!) Reading your story made my day! There are mamas out there willing to sacrifice anything for their little sweethearts. Your reward will be in seeing your beautiful babies grow into healthy, strong (and extra-intelligent) kids! God bless ♥
M.
PS - I was very sad when it was time to wean but am forever grateful that I nursed all 3 of my kiddos! :)
I felt sad, guilty, glad and many other mixed emotions when I decided to stop exclusively pumping. Since I had such an extremely hard time with breastfeeding and then exclusively pumping, when I decided to quit, I just went cold turkey. Admittedly it was very painful physically to go cold turkey but emotionally for me it was the best route. I know many others recommended what Stephanie H. did, a process of gradually stopping. Good luck and remember you have done a wonderful job for making it this long exclusively pumping so don't let anyone (including yourself) make you feel guilty about not being to nurse.
I don't have tips for weaning but did you know torticolis can be cured with Chiropractic care? It would even help now.
just wanted to tell you that i think it's amazing you pumped for your baby! he is one lucky boy he was able to drink mama's milk and to have you as a mama!
I felt guilty at first, but my pediatrician was very reassuring. There are some great formulas available now. I know it is not the same as your milk, but your baby and toddler need you healthy and awake :)
As for weaning, I dropped one feeding/pumping session each week until I was done. I did not experience any pain that way and could begin mixing in a little formula at each feeding until my son accepted the transition.
Don't ket anyone make you feel guilty for your choices. As the pediatric staff and lactation consultant kept reminding me, "This is your baby and no one can know that child as well as you do." You'll know your baby is fine and you are doing what is best for both of you.
If you go with easing out by dropping one pumping session per week (what I did) you will definitely minimize pain. I suggest dropping the middle of the night pumping session first!
God bless you for working so hard pumping exclusively for 7 months - that is very hard and you did it!!!!!
Thank you for asking I too am looking into weaning my daughter. I pumped at work for 9 months ( I took over the freezer!!) She is now 15months & can't get her off. Everyone tells me to just STOP but I can't not when she's crying & crying for it. I'm not sad for my milk to go away she's old enough to eat table foods so I know she'll be okay.
Good luck to us both!!
