Guilt or relief stopping breastfeeding/pumping?
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@Lauren thank you for your honesty 🥰
I just want to say that, whilst breastfeeding my babies has been both great and very difficult at times, I think pumping is so much harder so to do that multiple times a day must be very draining. I think you've done an absolutely amazing job!
@Ella thank you Ella that’s really kind of you to say. To say breastfeeding is supposed to be the most natural thing in the world, it’s bloody hard work isn’t it!! X
I’m exclusively nursing this baby but my first (4lb) never latched so I exclusively pumped. Omg it was draining. Like you I was an under supplier so pumped every 2-3 hours DAY AND NIGHT to keep up with him. He was also a very cranky baby so I had to like leave him to cry and scream while I was pumping, and omg the amount of stuff you need to leave the house! I moved to combi at 4 months still mostly breast milk, then formula only after 7 months and it legitimately saved my sanity. I hate the pressure we feel to have to give them only breast milk. Do what’s best for you and baby, mental health comes first.
@Allie thank you for sharing. Your first time sounds quite similar to me. Yes to the amount of stuff you have to take out with you!! I think it might be my time to stop but it’s just so hard making that final decision 😭 I think my husband thinks I’ve lost the plot changing my mind every 2 minutes lol x
It’s such a tough decision, it’s emotional in a way as well! Personally I’m happy I stopped when I did, sometimes wonder if it would have been better for baby and me if I’d made the switch sooner ❤️
I just stopped last week (pumping) and I felt so much guilt but now huge relief!
@Jodie that’s so helpful thank you ☺️ x
My son is 4 and I still feel guilty that I didn't bf him for long (3 weeks directly, 5 months pumping enough for 2 bottles a day). When I stopped pumping I was relieved because I hated every second. I'm still breastfeeding my daughter and I'm so proud of us, but honestly, i still have the feelings of guilt when I think about feeding my son. But you have to do what's right for you. It's the hardest thing mentally I've ever done, and I really struggled. You're not alone
Just wanted to say, I pumped for 3 weeks as my baby didn't latch until then and I found that hard work, so getting to 7 months with pumping how often you have is absolutely amazing! 👏 I totally underestimated how difficult and draining pumping is so you should be so proud that you have gotten this far! 🤍
@Lisa it’s such a mental battle isn’t it 😭
@Victoria thank you that’s so kind of you to say. It really is so hard mentally and physically x
I pumped for 5 months and then got unwell and after that supply wasn’t the same and ended up stopping! I was exactly how you were feeling and felt so guilty and also sad, but now looking back I’m so proud of doing it for the 5 as I couldn’t even imagine doing it now! There is such a relief and it’s so nice to have the time to be with her so much more than attached to the machine! You should be really proud of yourself, it was definitely the hardest part of becoming a mum for me!
@Sally thank you so much for replying. It’s really good to hear similar experiences. Agree, I always say breastfeeding is way harder than any pregnancy and labour for me personally! X
Guilt for a week or so and then massive relief 🥲