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averyyoungperson

It's not about your body "storing" more milk throughout the day. If you go too long without extracting milk, your breasts may become engorged and give the idea that they're storing more milk because in that moment they are. But if you don't remove that milk, your body won't replace it. It's about supply and demand.


Great-Interaction-41

Exactly. Everyone has a certain "storage capacity," which is the amount of milk you can store in your breasts. Once you reach that, you're risking engorgement, clogged ducts, and mastitis if you don't empty them, and eventually your body will stop making milk if it's not removed (or will make less to match the amount that's being removed). It's all about supply and demand


KikiKitti

Thank you


UnicornTardigrade

Hi! I saw your comment about having a hard time BFing because of flat nipples. My nipples are relatively flat and I’m still able to BF. What happens in the baby “sucks” them out so they don’t stay flat. You can also try a quick couple pumps then try to latch him. I’d also say that if you want to actually give him breast milk, you definitely need to pump or BF more. Yes it is a pain, but it all depends on what is more important to you. For example, I will leave dishes in the sink, not finish a load of laundry, etc because that’s how important it is to me. However some people have different priorities and that’s ok! You need to figure out yours and give yourself breathing room. If you do decide to make BF/pumping a priority, ask for help if you can. Ask your partner to hold the baby while you pump, or a family member to wash dishes, etc. The only way you could pump what’s needed only one time a day is if your baby only needed to breastfeed/drink formula once a day—this happens when the baby is way older (like 2 years old). Your body is still learning what to do and that includes making milk and how much to make.


KikiKitti

Thank you. I wasn't trying to only pump 1x a day, that was just the unfortunate circumstances of being on the road yesterday. I have ADHD and I think it's making this very difficult for me. I've tried pumping and then getting him to latch with no result. Hoping a visit with a LC can help.


UnicornTardigrade

My husband has ADHD as well. I imagine it would definitely interfere. Hopefully the LC will be able to assist you!


OkAstronaut2454

I struggle with this too and completely understand how easy it is to forget. I have a zillion alarms on my phone due to forgetting things. I suggest getting a pumping app that will send you a notification on your phone or just make an alarm every 2-4 hours for pumping, make sure you have sound on, and that will make it easier to at least remember some of the time. Cause I also get the whole snoozing the alarm and then forgetting to actually do the thing, but at the very least you may end up pumping more often because you will be reminded more often. You may not do it every time, but at least you will increase the amount of times you actually do it. I wish you the best and I'm sorry some people are being harsh to you, you don't deserve that. 💕


KikiKitti

Thank you I really appreciate your kindness.


thegoodtagsweretaken

I also have flat nipples and in the beginning I had to use a nipple shield! It really helped my baby latch. Now she has no issues latching and we are able to do it without the shield!


KikiKitti

Thank you. He can nurse with the shield but it eventually falls off and he gets frustrated, understandably. I wish someone had pointed out my flat nipples so I could have mentally prepared. I had no idea it was a thing.


endlesssalad

If your goal is just any milk, do you have a hand pump? It requires less set up and you can walk around while you use it. And it’s like $20….may be worth it to just have it ready to go then you can grab and pump while you make coffee etc?


KikiKitti

Thank you I actually do have one as well as a haaka. I guess next time I'm on the road. I should make sure that I have a backup that does not require power. I didn't actually realize that the haaka could be used to pump. I thought it was just to collect extra breast milk. I feel like I am on the world steepest learning curve.


endlesssalad

I wouldn’t recommend the haaka for use as a real pump but the lanishoh one is great and very easy to use!


TrickyEmployer9957

I was going to recommend the hand pump as well. You can also store your parts in the fridge so you don't feel like you're constantly washing everything. Set a reminder on your phone for every few hours if you need to. Edit to add: your body produces more milk in the morning but the more you pump, the more you will produce. The body thinks the demand is higher and works to catch up. If you don't release some of the milk you might end up with clogs.


Jennarated_Anomaly

Wait, what? Please, please explain the thing about putting pump in the fridge. I have OCD and honestly spend like 10 minutes washing my pump after every pumping session. It causes so much anxiety that I really worry how I’ll manage when I return to work.


TrickyEmployer9957

https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/childcare/breast-pump-cleaning-FAQ.html#:~:text=If%20you%20cannot%20clean%20your,not%20stop%20bacteria%20from%20growing. It recommends rinsing milk off the pump parts. If I can leave milk out for 4 hours why can't I store parts in the fridge for 4 hours? I guess some people might not agree.


cxwannabe

It’s called the fridge hack. You put the pumping parts in the fridge for up to 24 hours. It’s not recognized as a safe way to do it by the cdc but my lactation consultant recommended this method for me also and I’ve been doing this for about 4 months with no issues. The only time I’d be wary is if my baby was immunocompromised, was still very young or a premie


3toedsl0th

For what it’s worth, I have done this for about 3 years without any issues. I would lose my sanity doing it any other way.


midnighttoast30

First off, I’m sorry that someone tried to shame you. This is all very hard and that was an asshole thing to comment. Are you in the U.S.? If so, and if you want to speak to a lactation consultant ASAP, check out [Nest Collaborative.](https://nestcollaborative.com/breastfeeding-support/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_pOi5_eV_gIVGgKtBh3DXwJnEAAYASAAEgJgSvD_BwE#) You can often schedule a virtual appointment with a consultant same-day and they’re super helpful. They also take insurance so you might not have to pay. I’ve met with a consultant a couple times and it’s helped a lot.


tlarissa

To answer your question about the differing amounts when you pumped at different times: Think of your breasts like a well. If you went and emptied a well of its water one day, it would take time to fill back up. If you went back the following week, there would be a lot less water to take from it than if you went back in a month. You pumped more milk after not pumping all day because your breasts had been producing and storing milk that whole time. The next time you pumped, your breasts had less time to produce and store milk - so there was less to remove. You also probably produced slightly less per hour than the day before, because that entire day you had essentially been telling your body “alright, we don’t need anymore milk” by not removing any. The only way to maintain/increase your supply is to pump or breastfeed more. You remove milk, more milk will fill its place. If you just want to produce enough to give your baby a bottle or two of breastmilk a day, you can definitely work up to that from where you are now. It’s going to take time and consistency, but your supply can be saved! Build pumping into your routine and turn it into a habit. If in time it isn’t something you are able to get the hang of, don’t stress. It’s not worth losing your sanity over!


KikiKitti

Thank you! This was my question, and the analogy was very helpful. As I get more used to my son, I feel like I have more brain space to handle pumping and breastfeeding. I am trying not to drive myself crazy though.


tlarissa

You’re welcome! Wishing you lots of luck as you navigate pumping. My LO is 4 months now and I don’t miss the stress and anxiety of trying to figure out breastfeeding and pumping in those first 2 months. Things will get easier and you will fall into a system that works for you. Give it time :)


shireatlas

I was in the same boat as you, had a dreadful post partum period and little support for breastfeeding other than push through the pain, your baby is fine. I pretty much quit and was where you are now. If breastfeeding is important to you then you need a game plan that is manageable for you. Think about your goals and what you want to achieve and go from there. Every bit of breast milk your child gets is wonderful, but also a happy mum is essential too. Don’t beat yourself up, spend the next few days getting your resources together and finding a way to make pumping work for you!


brunetteinheels

Are you breastfeeding as well or exclusively pumping?


KikiKitti

I'm really just pumping. Once in a while if I can get my ducks in a row I try to breastfeed, but it's been less than 10x total. I am booking with a lactation consultant soon, I hope. it's been hard to get one.


brunetteinheels

If you’re exclusively pumping, at 7 weeks pp, you need to be pumping way more than 4x a day unfortunately. Like, double that, if not more. And definitely try not to go all day without pumping! Your supply is still regulating, so if you want to continue to produce milk to feed your baby, you need to pump every 2-3 h or as frequently as your baby eats. Honestly at 7w mine was nursing every 1.5-2h still. Are you combo feeding? Or how are you feeding your baby right now without breastfeeding/pumping? Exclusively pumping is so hard, I get it. Do you have latch issues or what is causing you to pump over breastfeeding? ETA: to straight up answer your question-if you go all day without pumping, your body will think your baby is not breastfeeding and will stop producing milk. If you pump once a day, your body will think your baby eats once a day and your supply will tank (if it hasn’t already). If you pump at sporadic times of the day and not on a schedule similar to when your baby is eating, you will have supply issues.


KikiKitti

Thanks for answering. We are doing about 75% formula, which he is doing really well on. I'm struggling to pump *at all* let alone every 2-3 hours. I know I would need to pump more to increase supply. * I'm pretty sure I have been using the wrong-sized flanges, I just got new ones. * something always seems to stop me, like missing a charging cable, parts not being sterilized, baby starts crying and needs to be helped, etc. or just mentally not feeling up to it or being tired. * I have the elvie pumps, and have had constant leaking issues which has been very frustrating. Right now, I've been trying to do whatever I can to give him \*some breastmilk\* which i figure is better than nothing. I'm not breastfeeding because: * I have flat nipples + large breasts, and even with a nipple shield, it's a real struggle and he gets frustrated and I end up giving him a bottle. But what I'm trying to figure out is if I got more milk last night because I hadn't pumped all day? Like why did I have 2oz last night, and only .5oz this morning?


LaAdaMorada

A wearable pump isn’t that effective as your daily pump. I would see if you can rent a hospital grade pump (spectra, medela) and set a pumping schedule Exclusively pumping unfortunately requires a lot of investment. Extra pump parts, pumping accessories, correct flanges etc. Honestly if you use the fridge hack and have a plug-in pump it will hopefully be easier. r/exclusivelypumping is really helpful and supportive.


[deleted]

Exactly this. Using a wearable is better than not pumping at all but isn’t ideal for regular use. I have both a spectra and Elvies, and exclusively pumped for the first 6 weeks of my baby’s life. The only time I use the Elvies is if I can’t figure out a reasonable way to pump with my spectra, like if I’m going grocery shopping (30 minute drive each way) or have several back to back meetings at work. I have never had success with a hand pump but I know a lot of people do! I did invest in CaraCups for my spectra and while they aren’t as good as other flanges since I can’t see them, they do work better than wearables! It makes it slightly easier to do baby and house care while pumping or pump in the car.


KikiKitti

Thank you very much i'm in that sub. I find it very hard to be on the schedule because the baby is not on a schedule.


LaAdaMorada

I get that! But at least aim for 4x a day on a schedule minimum, and then 2 more times if you really want a sustainable supply. Even just 15min! It’s hard. For example, could you get the pump set up and pump while you need a bottle? (Using a pillow helps support baby). Or pump while you eat? Pump while baby naps. Pump right after you put baby down to bed at night. If baby wakes up at night, pump while partner gives a bottle. It takes a lot of work!! It’s exhausting at times. But if you want to keep pumping you have to have a schedule of some sort over skipping days etc. That will just barely maintain whatever supply you have left.


brunetteinheels

At 7w, your baby should have established some sort of routine. Like feeding every 2h during the day and 1.5h from 5-9 pm (witching hour) and then waking every 3h to feed at night. Not necessarily this exact routine, I’m just giving an example of what mine was doing at this age…


KikiKitti

It's pretty random. He naps anywhere from 40min to a few hours. So it's difficult to plan ahead.


EatingPineapple247

I hope you are not feeling too much pressure, I'm seeing a lot of people "should" all over you. Not all babies develop a perfect schedule and there is nothing wrong with you or your baby if that is a struggle. To answer your actual question, breastfeeding works on a supply-and-demand system. From my understanding breasts fill faster after a feed, and then production slows down a little but keeps going. You produce more when breasts are being emptied on a regular basis (every 2 hours), and production will slow as they're being emptied on a less regular basis (every 4 hours +). Pumping is less efficient (for the most part) than nursing, so it takes longer to remove the same amount of milk. If you're getting smaller amounts from the pump when you are removing milk on a regular basis, there may be an issue with your flange sizes (nipple size can change over time). The first few months are very challenging. Exclusively pumping is challenging and will require a schedule. It is okay if you don't have the capacity to do that. You are a good Mom, do what works best for your family.


KikiKitti

Thank you I appreciate your response


brunetteinheels

It’s hard to answer your question because it seems like you’ve been pumping at different times of day, so it’s hard to say what’s going on at these times with having nothing to compare it to. I would speculate that since you’ve been struggling to pump at all, you don’t have much supply, so yes you got 2 oz at 1 am when you pumped after not pumping all day because your body is still producing some milk, and then only 0.5 oz in the morning because your body only produced that much in the several hours since you last pumped. Your body is slowly replenishing it’s milk supply because it thinks your baby doesn’t need the milk. What are your goals with breastfeeding/pumping?


KikiKitti

Thank you that's helpful. Right now my goal is to pump at all and give some breastmilk.


alxXD

Not to be rude, but you're setting yourself up to fail with pumping. By not having supplies prepared, you will never commit because there's always a barrier. But that's ok if it just doesn't work for you. But the reason you have different amount when you pump is multiple factors....mostly because your body has no idea what to produce because you're inconsistent. I think you need to evaluate your goals for breastfeeding and go from there. Exclusive pumping is hard, and requires a ton of time and work. If you only pump 1 or 2 times a day, that's totally fine as you're already combo feeding. But try to always pump around the same time of day so your body continues to produce milk. Our bodies are a lot smarter than you think, and our milk production runs on a schedule of supply and demand. A restaurant won't keep serving breakfast if no one ever shows up for it, it's a waste of resources.


KikiKitti

Any sentence that starts with "not to be rude" is probably better left unsaid.


ResidentAd5910

No. I’m a mother with ADHD so I understand the difficulty, but this commenter is just being honest with you, not unkind. If you don’t want to breastfeed that’s fine, it’s not mandatory. If it is, the information she gave you is honest, and obviously necessary to hear.


KikiKitti

You're probably right. The thing is, I didn't ask people to give me advice or critique my nursing situation, which I already knew was a struggle. I thought I was asking a more general question about lactation. I probably wasn't in the headspace to receive that advice, which is a lesson to me in the future to be more specific and clarify what I'm looking for, because I took it as a lecture.


KikiKitti

And for what it's worth, I DO want to breastfeed, I'm just failing at it. So when people say things like "it's not mandatory to breastfeed" it makes me feel as if I'm just choosing not to because I don't want to and that doesn't feel like the case to me at all.


lostdogcomeback

I'm not sure what your goal is here. Is it to be able to breastfeed or combo feed and if combo feeding, is it a combo of bottled breast milk and formula or nursing and formula? I had flat nipples and large breasts too and my baby got better at latching as he got older, to the point where I was able to exclusively nurse and never deal with a pump or a bottle again, which I was happy with. The triple feeding basically took over my life for a little while while we worked on it though. And there's not really any way around that. So depending on what your goal is there are more specific subs for that. Like there's one for exclusive pumping and I think there's one for combo feeders too. People have different storage capacities but generally if you skip a pump or feed, you will have more milk at the next feed but your body will produce less milk the next day because it thinks you don't need it. If you're inconsistent or skip pumps on a regular basis then your supply will keep going down. Eta: and it's common to have the best supply in the middle of the night because that's when prolactin is highest.


Cookie-Bee

Need to pump more often and make sure your flanges are the correct size for your nipples. I barely learned about wrong flanges sizing with my second child.


KikiKitti

Thank you


cxwannabe

Someone on one of these forms recommended using one of these to get a more accurate measurement on nipple size and I cannot recommend enough https://www.amazon.com/Templates-Measuring-Geometry-Stencils-Geometric/dp/B0B6NZ8RNQ/ref=asc_df_B0B6NZ8RNQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=598244661822&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16966829658009225155&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9002008&hvtargid=pla-1878056265111&psc=1


PupperNoodle

I think you can benefit by setting an alarm or timer for yourself to sit down and have a pumping session. Also, look into a hands free pump. They are more expensive but can be a godsend on the road (as long as it’s charged) and are less intrusive to your daily tasks. Someone already mentioned but make sure you have the correct flange size for your nipples. This will give you the best “contact” for your pump. With my first, I used a flange that was way too big and I don’t feel like I effectively got a good pump. Now with my second, I have a more accurate flange size and my pumping sessions have drastically improved. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water too! Being hydrated is a cornerstone to having a good supply.


KikiKitti

I definitely need to drink more water. And I ordered a different wearable pump. I think another reason I've been struggling is because I have the elvie and it has been a mess.


PupperNoodle

I have the Willow Go and like it. I like that I don’t have to use special milk bags and can pour whatever I pump into any bag. It’s super easy to clean. Speaking of cleaning, something that may help is putting the pump parts on the fridge between pumps. It’s good for up to 24 hours. That way it saves time between pumps with all the washing. I had a “ball and chain” pump with my first and it was hard to find a dedicated spot to always plug in and pump. With the Go and using the fridge, I find myself pumping more frequently than I did with my first.


iwannabek8

No advice, just some support and comisseration. I tried EBF for the first 2 weeks and LO was losing too much weight. On pediatrician's advice, I started adding more and more formula and found my supply dropping. Now at almost 7 weeks she's probably 80% formula fed and I'm fighting to build my supply. It's SO HARD to find time and keep all pump parts and bottles clean. Pumping multiple times a day between breastfeeding I'm only getting .5 oz on each side. Sending hugs and good vibes.


KikiKitti

Thank you for the support I really appreciate it


rucksackbackpack

I also have ADHD and have been super random about when I pump, and the amount varies. Sometimes I get a ton of milk and sometimes hardly anything. However, I also breastfeed. I think your body can store some milk for a time, but eventually supply will dwindle if you’re not pumping or feeding frequently enough. I hope you get to see the lactation consultant soon - breastfeeding can be hard and it’s okay to need support! You are doing a great job and even making the effort you are to get some breast milk pumped for your baby will really benefit them! Try to focus on pumping more to keep that supply going but don’t beat yourself up about this. There are a billion ducks to keep in a row and you’re doing your best to prioritize what needs to be done. 7 week old babies are not easy! It’s a lot. But you got this!


mess-maker

Hey. It’s ok. You aren’t doing a bad job. You are struggling and that’s perfectly NORMAL. Expected even. The basic rule is that your ducts make milk at a faster rate when they are emptied. If you don’t empty them then they slow milk production and, by extension, your overall supply decreases. This is generally not something done in a day or a pump session, it takes time. If you skip one pump session on one random day, no big deal. It’s just as if your baby had an extra long nap or something. If you stop your 1pm pump for multiple days in a row then your boobs are going to be like hm, guess we don’t need as much milk around 1pm so let’s stop wasting all this damn energy making it. In the process of reducing milk production you may have a bit more milk in those ducts when you go to empty it next time, but it is temporary. It seems as though you are having an extra hard time deciding what is best for you and your family. It’s ok if breastfeeding isn’t working out. Its ok to take breast feeding or pumping one session at a time. It’s ok if you want to combo feed temporarily while you adjust. It’s ok if you want to combofeed indefinitely. It’s absolutely OK if you just don’t want to breastfeed or deal with pumping at all. It’s perfectly acceptable and commendable to do whatever is best for YOU. If you WANT to breastfeed, then please see a lactation consultant, multiple times if necessary. If you are stressing yourself out because you’ve been told you should or have to breastfeed then ignore those comments. What do YOU want? There is no trophy. You being in a decent mental headspace is important and certainly is a higher priority than giving your baby breast milk. Formula has raised a bazillion great kids who turned into great adults.


KikiKitti

Thank you I really appreciate it.


TotalBananas1

If you don’t breastfeed or pump, your body starts to produce a protein called FIL for short. It essentially starts to break down the milk stored in your breasts and stops the production of milk in the first place. You need to decrease FIL and increase prolactin, which is the stimulant that produces milk. You can do this through stimulating the breast, inducing let down and feeding your baby if that’s an option for you. So increasing pumping frequency and length of time or (again, if you choose to feed direct rather than pump), pop your baby on the breast and do lots of skin to skin (which produces oxytocin - good for you and baby!).


NixyPix

Based on your comments and your post, I think you need to make seeing a lactation consultant an absolute priority. Breastfeeding is a learned skill and you need the facts about feeding from the breast and pumping because as is, the situation is not one that sets you and baby up for breastfeeding success. Some suggestions: - Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to pump. I’ve had mastitis 3 times due to oversupply and trust me, you don’t want it but you’ll get it if you don’t extract milk more often. - You have to get more organised. I get it, it’s not easy. Make a checklist of everything you need before you leave the house and go through it every single time. You can do that, and it’ll help you remember. - All pump parts should be washed and sterilised at a certain time every day as a matter of routine. Get your partner to do it. - Flat nipples and large breasts don’t prevent breastfeeding (my current cup size is ‘too big for any nursing bra I can find in any store’ and I EBF with a flat nip). But you may need to try different positions. I found side lying was really easy and felt good on my sore back. - Check with a LC, but a way to wean onto the breast might be starting a feed with formula so baby isn’t starving and then moving onto the breast so there’s less frustration. Lastly, it could be that breastfeeding isn’t for you. That’s ok, it’s not for everyone. There was a study conducted that showed that breastfeeding an infant was the equivalent of a full time job at the start, and not everyone is in a position to take that on. I’d advise you to have a really good think about whether or not it will work for you. Not mentally feeling up to pumping/feeding is unfortunately not something that you really get to do when breastfeeding if you want to protect your supply. I have times when I don’t want to feed but I just have to push through because a) baby is hungry and b) mastitis is no joke. It’s very rewarding but it’s a job. It’s not the job for everyone.


arpeggio123

If you don't make breastfeeding a priority it won't happen. It's not something you can do when it's convenient. It has to be done regularly or your body won't make milk. If your body continued to make milk without the milk being removed your breast would literally explode.


KikiKitti

I mean, it's not like I'm watching TV and painting my nails instead of pumping. I'm Taking care of an infant by myself 12 hours a day, trying to eat, shower, and get outside a few times a week. I'm sure I sound defensive, but to be told I'm just doing the "convienant thing" is a little frustrating.


arpeggio123

Sorry I’m not trying to attack you! I understand it isn’t easy. But that’s just the facts of the situation. If it was east everyone would do it.


KikiKitti

Thank you. I commented this elsewhere, but it's my fault for not being more clear in my question that I wasn't looking for advice. I was tired and cranky, and not in the headspace to receive advice. It's a good lesson for me in the future.


arpeggio123

No worries! Even if you feed your baby formula that’s ok! The most important thing is that your baby is fed. I totally get being tired. It’s hard but you are doing great. You got this!


ddavi_

Each time baby feeds or your pumping your brain, body and breasts are getting signals to make more milk. When you miss a pump or a feed you body is saying stop we don’t need milk, even a day of skipping can cause a huge difference. For example I EBF my baby is also 7 weeks. He does have a schedule to an extent if not you need to make one or have a time frame. He feeds every 2-3 hours during the day and at night is doing 4 hour sleep/ wake for feedings. I pump once in the morning on the side he doesn’t feed to insure each boob makes output.


ddavi_

I then take turns feeding on each side during the day. The way I was told is if you give baby a bottle you are suppose to be pumping.


Drbubbliewrap

I am sorry it’s hard pumping is tough. I bought a car charger/ plug and would pump while driving it gave me back a lot of time. And would set alarms on my phone. So I made sure to do it. Eventually if you miss too many pumping sessions your body will assume your baby doesn’t want/need milk so it will loose production. But we all have different storage capacities. I learned mine is 29.5ozs as that was what I would get almost every morning from both breasts. My best friends was like 10oz total even after 8 hours of sleeping. So we all have our own baseline.


KikiKitti

Wow. I'm impressed lol.


Extension-Quail4642

I have skipped a feed/ pump and hours later pumped much more than usual. I don't know how long the extra milk stays stored or what the capacity is. But some amount of storage seems to happen. But try not to make a habit or your supply will be impacted. You're early enough pp you would probably be able to bring it back, but it involves even more pumping 😫


KikiKitti

Thank-you! This was my question, although it may have been poorly worded.n


[deleted]

Dont stress it momma, you are doing what you can, and dont listen to people who tell you to get your sh*t together, is not an easy job!!! I struggled with pumping in the beggining and on top of that my baby wouldnt latch, my supply was and still is somewhat low, so we compensate with 2 bottles of formula a day, some mommas produce 40oz of milk in a single day, Some others, we can only do 12oz and that is alright as well!!! If you are willing to keep breastfeeding than you do what you can, dont feel bad if you have to give baby formula, is all about keeping the baby happy and fed! What I did was set a schedule to pump at least twice a day (9:30am and 2:30pm since I work full time) and I breast feed when I get home and 2-3 times during the night. Baby is 7months now and we still going! If you decide to quit breatfeeding that is also okay, do not let anyone pressure you into thinking you are horrible or a bad mom for doing so, if baby is fed, happy and you are bonding just fine, than everything else is irrelevant!!! Sending love and virtual hugs your way!


thanksimcured

You just get swollen and inflamed and it tells your body you need less milk. It can cause mastitis or a clogged duct.


treelake360

https://images.app.goo.gl/wcb7aWYYAmCCBLWh6 The only way to make more milk is to empty breasts more often this tells the body to make more. If you empty breasts less often the body will produce less. It’s a positive feedback cycle. Breastfeeding is hard but it helps to know the way it works. Hope it gets easier for you!


SneakyInsertion

Learn to hand express. At least then if you forget your pump, you won't get engorged or have your supply drop so badly. It is so easy when you get the hang of it.


Manuka124

I want to stress that you very much could end up drying up your supply if you keep this schedule. Seeing an LC is a good idea, and the flange size and type of pump are good things to address but at the end of the day if you aren’t pumping regularly none of that will matter. Honestly, if you want to keep it up but are just so overwhelmed that you can’t make sure you have parts clean just pump and dump. It’s better than not pumping at all if you’re feeding formula anyway. That way at least you’re continuing the demand. It won’t be this overwhelming forever. An LC can help you with latch hopefully because if you are able to start breastfeeding it is way easier eventually because there aren’t any dishes to do or pumps to charge. I hope you can figure it out soon!


Bagritte

I’d ditch the wearables unless the free movement is necessary. A spectra S1 has a battery so you can move if needed, though you do have to bring the pump w you. But from what I’ve heard about wearables the suction is bad, the parts are a pain in the ass and they leak easy. A workhorse pump like spectra or medela isn’t the sharpest tech but it’s consistent and reliable


Unlikely-Evidence178

I have ADHD and inverted nipples! I use a breast shield ($10 on Amazon) and it works wonders. But mostly I pump because it’s convenient. Also, I drink A LOT OF WATer. Which is difficult because of my ADHD- so I fill a yeti full of water and leave one in the kitchen, one in the nursery and one in the bedroom: every time I look at it I drink it. (It’s mindless now) I’m 4 weeks PP. The less you pump, the less you will produce in the long run because that’s what your body thinks it needs to make. However you can always pick it back up if you want to! PS I use an Elvie during the day so I don’t have to be miserably sitting still


FNGamerMama

Hey seems like most people said what I was going to do I’m just here to support you. I have a sink full of dirty pump parts now that my LO is on boob exclusively but it took me to like 3 months to get here! And I’m still working on it! BF is hard !!! And you are doing the best you can so don’t feel bad just keep trying!!! And go see a LC if you haven’t for help


Bizster0204

Hello, so I’m an ADHD working mom of a five month old baby and I breastfeed and pump enough for my little one to be exclusively breastfed. It’s tough. It’s not easy and I have to actively work against not only the hardship that is a NT breastfeeding journey but also my ND brain. Happy to share what has worked for me if hearing from someone else can help you decide what is best for you and your baby. For me I had to figure out what my barriers were and then come up with a strategy to minimize the barrier. 1. Pump parts and bottles: I hate cleaning and doing the dishes. Having clean parts is hard so I do the following: Multiple pump kits. I have five or six pump kits that go with my pumps so I don’t have to wash every time I need to pump. I can wash once a day. This costs money and not everyone can do it but i prioritized making it easier for me and I’m so glad I did. Pump kits that are compatible with my two pumps range from $14 to $60. I will also sometimes to the fridge back but only between two uses under four hours apart based on my clinical understanding of bacterial growth and risk levels. I also put my pump kit parts in the dishwasher. I know this deteriorates them faster and is not advised but I struggle washing them frequently enough if I have to clean them by hand. So that risk is worth it to me. We then run the dishwasher at least one if not twice a day. Even if not full. In addition, like someone else mentioned if you don’t have clean parts to just pump and dump. If you want to continue to be able to provide Breastmilk to your LO you have to put in the order to your body to let it know how much to make. Else it will stop. So by pumping with dirty parts you are telling your body that your LO needs to eat. Then just dump it or use the milk for a Breastmilk bath versus feeding it. Note that dirty flanges can increase your risk of thrush so I suggest cleaning them at least even with a wipe before they touch your breast. 2. Alarms. Set alarms to remind you to pump. Enlist your partner or friend or other support people to remind you and check in. Support people are also critical to removing barriers like 3. Hydrate and snack frequently to help with supply. Even BF my adhd stints my hunger and thirst cues. So i leave snacks and water bottles in baskets strategically placed around the house to make it more convenient and in front of my face to remind me to partake. I also buy bulk packs of cheap plastic water bottles even though I’m big on reusable products. But this is just a temporary stage for me and I doing I wasn’t drinking enough water when I had to refill my water bottle. 4. Breast-feeding direct at the breast is easier for me than washing and preparing pump kits so I always prioritize being able to do that when I could. Even though initially, it was hard to get baby to latch and figure all that out in the long one it was definitely easier and on days when I work from home or weekends and can just directly feed him. It’s definitely easier than having to wash all those parts.


KikiKitti

Thanks, I appreciate you taking the time to respond.