Vent/Advise?

My three month old daughter has been exclusively breastmilk fed. For the first month she was perfect at breastfeeding. Then I got sick and listened to all the dumbasses telling me to stop breastfeeding her. So I did! Of course she got stuck to the damn bottle and refuses to nurse.And since then i've been pumping. It's such a hassle. And so much more expensive then formula feeding, since I rent a pump for 80 bucks a month and am constantly buying baggies for my milk. I feel like not pumping and switching to formula is selfish. I know breastmilk is the best, but will 3 month of it even do a difference? What is the longest any of you pumping mommas have pumped? Any tips on it? My family seems to think that if if my LO was really hungry she'll just go back to my boob so that she can eat, but I refuse to starve her!

Landon had problems latching and I pumped religiously for 8 months and it was really really tough!!! I just had lots of bottles and only used bags whenever I had tons of extra milk.

I would give him a bottle, pump as much as I could and then but that into a bottle for next time. So everytime he would eat, I would pump. It was hell, especially at night but I don't regret it for a second because of all the benefits and I will do it again for my next if I have to.

I bought my pump of craigslist for like 70 bucks and just bought new parts at babys r us. Good luck!

I would buy a pump. 80 a month is highway robbery.

for 80bucks a month you can buy your own pump if you want.

if you dont want she will be fine FF. Your breast milk has helped her and she will continue to grow just as well on formula. She sure won't be the only one.

Awwww.

I thought about pumping instead of nursing all the time (nursing in the beginning was HELL for me) but I realized pumping all the time is definitely twice as hard than just whipping out the boob--so I feel for you.

Maybe you can try getting your babe back on the boob half-way through the bottle when she's not so hungry (and cranky). She might just prefer the bottle right away because it's faster...

And all doctors agree that any amount of breastfeeding is great for your baby!

Quoting *KatytheMommy*:“ Landon had problems latching and I pumped religiously for 8 months and it was really really tough!!! ... [snip!] ... my next if I have to. I bought my pump of craigslist for like 70 bucks and just bought new parts at babys r us. Good luck!”

What kind of pump did you use? How often did you pump? Like every how many hours? How much were you able to pump? I want to go as long as possible... I go back and forth debating whether I should keep at it or stop, and I dont think I can bring myself to stop! Sorry so many questions, I just dont know anyone else who pumps like I do!

Quoting Arianna's Mommaa:“ What kind of pump did you use? How often did you pump? Like every how many hours? How much were you ... [snip!] ... stop, and I dont think I can bring myself to stop! Sorry so many questions, I just dont know anyone else who pumps like I do!”

When I first gave Landon formula I started crying because I felt like a failure and that I was giving him poison! lol I wanted so badly for him to only have breast milk! But after the 8 months he did fine with formula

Originally I would pump every 3 hours, I even set the alarm at night to go off after 3 hours if Landon would sleep longer just to keep up my supply. Eventually I only did it after he ate his bottle of bm from the last time I pumped.

In the middle of the night I had to have a TV in our room to keep me awake while I was pumping. Theone I have is a medela pump in style which was amazing so I could pump both sides at the same time which made it SO MUCH faster!

Sorry I didn't see you ask how much I pumped. I was probably pumping about 4-5oz from my right boob (it is slightly larger lol tmi!) and 2-3oz from my left so around 7oz. I think... I'm not sure but I only used 4oz bottles forboth sides so it couldn't of been more than 8oz.

Quoting *KatytheMommy*:“ When I first gave Landon formula I started crying because I felt like a failure and that I was giving ... [snip!] ... I have is a medela pump in style which was amazing so I could pump both sides at the same time which made it SO MUCH faster!”

I think im going to get that one. I have the medela symphony im renting right now and im in love with it!I have so much breastmilk in the freezer and always have some in the fridge just incase. My right boob gets about the same as yours and so does my left! haha! Everytime I pump and my SO see's the bottle from my left boob he's like "is that from your bad boob" lol. Thank you so much I defintaly want to keep pumping now   Is it okay if I parentank you? It's so relieving to know someone who pumped for that long! Go you   haha

Quoting LePandaLani:“ Awwww. I thought about pumping instead of nursing all the time (nursing in the beginning was HELL for ... [snip!] ... the bottle right away because it's faster... And all doctors agree that any amount of breastfeeding is great for your baby!”

Sometimes she'll nurse. Like at night thats all she wants because it's a comfort for her. But I cant stand to see her scream so I just give in and give her the bottle   My nephew was breastfed for 3 months and now at 11 months he's constantly sick... But i definatly think breatmilk is best, whether its from the boob or from a bottle haha.

Quoting Arianna's Mommaa:“ I think im going to get that one. I have the medela symphony im renting right now and im in love with ... [snip!] ... keep pumping now   Is it okay if I parentank you? It's so relieving to know someone who pumped for that long! Go you   haha”

Yes of course!!

I know how you feel - I could never find moms who was an exclusive pumping mom, we are a rare breed! I dragged my pump with me everywhere but I will never ever regret it and neither will you!! You are making me miss those days... and it was only a year ago!

Quoting *KatytheMommy*:“ Yes of course!! I know how you feel - I could never find moms who was an exclusive pumping mom, ... [snip!] ... but I will never ever regret it and neither will you!! You are making me miss those days... and it was only a year ago!”

Especially the girls I know in my city who have babies look at me and are like "you pump? Thats why they have formula if you dont breastfeed". Uh! I also have the medela swing pump,soiif im out i stick it in my purse so I always have a way to pump   Aww well your LO is such a cutie.

I'm off to pump now   Thanks for everything, Have a goodnight  

There's a lady in my DDC who was exclusively pumping 24/7 for about 2 or 2 1/2 months (baby wouldn't take the boob from the get go). She eventually got him to start latching correctly and worked from there.

Don't give up! It's definitely possible to get them back on the boob but you just have to be extremely dedicated and get through the rough spots.

Quoting mtoWCS09:“ There's a lady in my DDC who was exclusively pumping 24/7 for about 2 or 2 1/2 months (baby wouldn't ... [snip!] ... definitely possible to get them back on the boob but you just have to be extremely dedicated and get through the rough spots.”

That's true as well. We went to a lactation consultant and of course Landon latched on but we just couldn't do it with me having excruciating pain! A nipple shield helped too - you definitely have option!