need encouragement

[emma1978]

i am bfing my almost 5 months old dd. i am just so tired of pumping (i have been back to work almost 3 months now). i am tired of constant pumping, constant nursing at night...just so tired. it feels like i pump just enough (no real extra milk) and its so stressful. tired of wandering if formula would make her sleep better (i have tried giving it to her but she will not drink it). i really do want to make it to a year but not sure i can make it. i guess i was just hoping for encouragement from others!!

[Babidol]

You can do it momma! Formula will not make it better. Most babies do not sleep through the night. They need a bottle or a pacifier or a snuggle. And just think....then you'll be getting up, measuring formula, heating water, feeding and then you have to wake up and rinse, wash and sterilize all those bottles. Rolling over and popping a boob in her mouth is so much easier. Have you tried just keeping your pumping gear in a ziploc in the fridge so you aren't cleaning your pumping gear all day long? She will also start solids in a month which should start to keep her a little more full and depending a little less on you. Sometimes that helps with sleep too. My girl nursed every 2 hours around the clock for over a year! It is stressful but I also know how rewarding it is. Do the best you can. She won't be a baby forever. Hugs momma!

[Irish-Eyes]

Hang in there! Formula, when milk supply isn't an issue, won't change anything in regards to sleep. My dd was bf only and didnt sttn until we night weaned at 22 months. My son was sleeping 9 hours straight at 8 weeks old (that's not how he is now, lol, but it can happen ). The food source isn't what prevents/keeps them from waking. They are babies and rarely do babies naturally sttn before 1-2yrs old.

You are giving your child the very best. Hang tough.

[Bridget]

I'd like to encourage you as well! I don't think ff or bf has much bearing on sleepin through the night. You can do it, mama!

[dunegirl]

She will sleep when she's ready, formula won't help. I agree that pumping is awful, I hated it but I did it for the first 14 months. You CAN do it!!! Yes, it is tiring but it's only for a small amount of time in comparison the your dd's whole life. If you need an extra boost in supply you can try eating oatmeal, power pumping, pumping first thing in the morning, or even supplements (fenugreek, etc.). Do you cosleep? That is how I got thru my days of working full time.

You can do this!!

[emma1978]

Thanks guuys!! I reeally appreciate the support

[emma1978]

Sorry for the typos.. On phone and pumping!!

[dana_renay]

You can do it! I am also in the same position, but my baby is now 9.5 mos old. It is a struggle and I SOOOOOO am looking forward to the day I can ditch the pump forever, but I'm doing it and you can too.

[LaurainFL]

You're doing a great job--hang in there!

[xtrememousey]

You got this momma....keep up the great work.

[loves]

You can do it!!! I think support is key. I almost stopped nursing after 2 weeks but because I had support I'm still nursing away at almost 2 months I don't know what it's like to pump at work though...I'm sure that's exhausting in itself

[haydensmom]

You can do it hon!!!!!

[NHKate]

You can do it! I hated pumping too, but didn't stop until DD was 16 months old. Believe me, I was really sick of it by then. Oatmeal, fenugreek, and co-sleeping were what I think kept my supply up. I didn't take the fenugreek the whole time, though, just on and off.

[Artgirl]

You can do it! I know pumping is so hard - can you make it more fun? Like go to the book store, treat yourself to a book you have been really wanting to read, and only read it when you are pumping.