Talk me into or put of adding a pump

[justjen]

So the last of my modest freezer stash is officially gone.

We've been supplementing from the get-go (he's 5 months, FYI), so I'm very comfortable with formula. Before today, I had been sending 15 oz of pumped milk, and anything else he ate at daycare was formula (often a lot, because he's a chunker).

Right now I feed him before work, pump twice at work, and feed him once at home in the evening. He's in bed by like 7. I get anywhere from 9-15 oz in those pumps. Most days are like 11-12.

I could add a before-bed pump. But damn, I reaaaally don't want to. Like, reaaaaaaally don't want to. Should I suck it up? What say you, MMM?

[curbsideprophet]

Since you are already supplementing and okay with formula I don't think I would add a pumping session.

[meggers]

Jun 30, 2015 7:39:55 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Since you are already supplementing and okay with formula I don't think I would add a pumping session.

Same here.

[justjen]

Jun 30, 2015 7:37:55 GMT -5 @pennypie said:

I vote keep doing what you're doing and those extra 3-5oz you'd be missing in pumped milk daycare can give in formula.

Can I ask how you supplement? Do you mix BM and formula or feed full BM bottles and then offer formula? DS is starting daycare next week and I might have to start supplementing. He's eating like every 2hrs a day at home and I'm not responding to the pump very well, so I'm thinking formula is in our near future.

I don't really know how they do it at daycare, but I send full BM bottles, plus several water bottles for the formula. My guess is that they give him one of the BM bottles, and if he's still hungry make a formula bottle.

Ok weekends, I just feed him until the point where he's clearly frustrated, then give him a bottle. He gets much less formula on weekends.

[justjen]

Jun 30, 2015 7:38:17 GMT -5 @starry said:

Is your output dropping? Why are you considering adding?

I am assuming based on your post he STTN?

It has been dropping a bit. I suspect my period is coming back soon.... But I was dipping into the freezer most days as it was, but now there's nothing there.

He's been STTN since around 2 months, but we've been having some 4MW the past couple of weeks where he'll wake at 4 or so, and if so I feed him then too

[carolinagirl831]

I would give formula... But going from 7 until morning is a long time without feeding or pumping. However, I have and wouldn't feel bad about doing what you're already doing!

[carolinagirl831]

Oh Vicmo makes a good point. How much would you get at a bedtime pump? If it's a small amount I wouldn't bother. With dd1 I was spending so much time pumping for such little amounts, I promised myself I wouldn't do that this time. I haven't and I'm much happier

[kdubs923]

I was in a similar situation with DS. I added a nighttime session before I went to bed. It didn't feel like a big deal to me because I would just sit and watch TV.

When that session only turned out a couple ounces, I ended up dropping it. We supplemented from early on, so I wasn't opposed to formula. Just cheap. And I figured I might try to be productive while sitting on my butt on the couch.

Maybe add in the extra session. If you get a good result, great. If not or it's just too annoying to pump, you can always drop it.

[pinotgrig]

It sounds like you don't want to. So don't. You've done an awesome job and as someone who recently quit pumping, I feel amazingly free.

[anna7602]

I would focus on getting higher output for your current pumping sessions, so that you're getting as close to 15 oz as you can- drink lots of water, eat foods like oatmeal, lactation cookies, etc. I would be worried about being able to continue to nurse him on weekends and holidays so would want to make sure your mid-day supply keeps up.

[curbsideprophet]

I do agree that going from 7 pm until morning is a long time and could be part of the problem.

[ewall]

I add the right before bed pump only on days when I know I will be uncomfortable by the morning. That pump suuuucks. So maybe you could half-ass it like me and only do it some days.

[Deleted]

If you really want to keep nursing, add a pump. It will help your supply.

If you don't feel that attached to it and are cool with transitioning 100% to formula whenever that happens, don't do it.

I EP. Pumping right before bed is the least annoying pump of the day:). I will wean at 6-7 months because I need to stop.

[justjen]

I like the idea of half-assing it, lol. I kinda feel like I've been half-assing pumping this whole time, compared to with my older one. With her I pumped 5x a day for a year. And it totally burned me out on pumping, I think. This kid is reaping those consequences.

But maybe I'll *try* the stupid night time pump and see what happens.

[genet313]

My DD is also 5 months - the way I built my freezer stash was adding a before bed pump, and the only way I'm able to keep up with her now is to continue the before bed pump.  So I pump 3x at work and then 1 at night.  The night pump gets me between 3-4 ounces pretty consistently, which is enough for a small feed for her (usually to tide her over until I get home for the day). 

It's also nice b/c I only work 4 days a week, but I'm able to bank a little milk on the Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights I don't "need" that extra pump for the next day.  So though I'm still dipping into my freezer stash, I'm able to maintain a little bit. 

It sucks, but I just watch TV or play on the internet while I do it.  In the end, it's worth it for me to get her the extra (free) breastmilk and avoid ($$) formula.  

[Deleted]

The pp have summed it up - if continuing to nurse for many months longer is a priority to you, adding a pump is a good idea. If you're okay with maybe not making it to a year, don't worry about it. You can pump some nights and not others.

You could try a dream feed instead of a pump, if you'd rather snuggle the baby than worry about the pump. That may or may not impact daycare intake, but would help maintain supply.