And no, not while my feet are stumpin'. Although, I probably would hate it if it was while my feet are stumpin'.
I breastfed PJ for a year. Strictly. Not one drop of formula entered the little guy's mouth. This was something I wanted to do strongly -- something I was deeply dedicated to and passionate about. I do NOT think there is anything wrong with formula feeding -- it just wasn't for me. Just like breastfeeding isn't for some moms.
Anyway, since I was dedicated to this, I had to pump. Alot. Three times a day at work, usually one time a day on the weekends. I was always worried about not having enough. I pumped at night with PJ a lot to make up for what I didn't pump during the day. I wasn't prepared. I took that damn supplement that makes you smell like maple syrup (really, it does). I got domperidone from someone on the bump. But we made it.
I am doing the same with Maggie. It's a little easier this time, since I am more prepared and an old pro. But I still HATE pumping. I hate lugging the stupid thing to and from work everyday. I hate watching my boobs look like cow teets when the pump is on. I hate that I might burst into hysterics if I spill some milk (I spilled a whole bottle once with PJ; I think John thought I might have to be committed).
As much as I hate it, I do it, because it is important to me that Maggie, like her big brother, also does not ever ingest one drop of forumula. I have about 6 months to go -- PJ was weaned shortly before his first birthday, mostly because I was pregnant, but still. I will start weaning Maggie around the same time. And then I will be done. My boobs will be mine again. I will give my pump to a friend to use while she continues to procreate.
So here's to 17 months of pumping done and only 6 more to go.
You are amazing! I LOATHE pumping...I stay at home with my girls so I'm able to exclusively breastfeed with just the random pump...luckily, because I don't know if I could take multiple pumpings a day!
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Mama! You are doing a great job!
ReplyDeleteI also exclusively breastfed Alice for 14 1/2 months. I hated pumping, and like you spilled whole bottles of milk a few times. I wanted to nurse her as long as she wanted, but I got pregnant when she was 10 months, so I struggled to keep up the supply the last couple of months. She initiated the weaning. She quit taking bottles at the sitters around 10 1/2 months, and around 13 months only wanted to nurse at night and the morning. Then it was right before bed. And then she just wanted to bite me, and we just stopped. We were both ready, but I was still pretty upset!
I had a love-hate relationship with my pump. I lives what it could do, but oh I dreaded looking at a white wall for twenty minutes a couple times a day (plus once in the car b/c our commute was so long!).