FTM and exclusively pumping-need to vent!

I would think because you are pumping so much you are there for producing so much more than you need. Try reducing one pump at a time. It can feel so uncomfortable when you are engorged but resit pumping then and potentially hand express to take the edge off xx

Personally- sahm is far more challenging than “working”. It’s 24/7, no lunch break/no(alone)toilet break/ no sick days … I could go on… the isolation is really tough. If there’s any way you can make some local mom friends through baby groups then that’s what has gotten me through. Just to vent with someone about the sleep deprivation over a coffee 😆

Oh you poor thing. I agree that if you reduce your pumping your supply will go down. The more you pump, the greater your supply. Gradually bring it down… for what it’s worth, with my first babe I breastfed for nearly 8 months and didn’t really feel like myself again until I stopped. So know that you won’t feel like this forever!

I talked w someone yesterday that really inspired me. She literally takes her baby to her workouts and feeds while she lunges. That’s the type of mom I want to be! Go places, take her with you! Do everything you want.

Try reducing a pump, if it starts to hurt or feel engorged try and express off a bit by hand to make it more comfortable. Don’t pump as it will signal to your body to produce more.

Just a side note, I think there are milk banks that take donations. I know that doesn’t help with your husband being unsupportive or the pain, but maybe it can give your overproduction a sense of purpose?

I'm pumped until 5 months (not exclusively, he mostly had formula) but it was the worst time. I was constantly thinking about when I needed to pump. If u have another child I won't go down that route again. I really don't think your husband understands how draining it is to pump, and if he thinks you are trying to have an easy life in a way you are but so you can be more present for your baby, you need to make the decision as it is your body. Men will never understand breastfeeding/pumping and the toil it takes on us physically and mentally

I’m not in the same boat yet so I can’t give much advice but I realize how taxing pumping can be! I was gifted a wearable haakaa, looks like a lady bug lol, and I wonder if that could help with the engorgement feeling without feeling like you’re tied to a pump? I tested the suction on my husband when I got it because I was still early in the third trimester and it had some crazy pull! Good luck mama, venting is always important ❤️

Instead of pumping I use a haakaa pump which just helps you let down instead of mimicking baby eating like an electric pump does. Pumping will only continue to increase your supply. Your body thinks that how much baby needs since you are pumping that much everyday. Your supply might decrease a bit to just what she needs if you try this.

Hi so the more you pump the more you produce if you lessen your pumping to what baby needs your supply should regulate and you will feel less engorged what happens is every time you pump or if your were breastfeeding that baby eats it signals your body to produce more so while it may seem that your feeling full you want to pump to relive it’s actually counterintuitive bec it causes your body to think you need more milk hope that’s helpful and makes sense message me if you need to talk!

Abundance of breast milk can be a wonderful thing. Check out your local breast milk donation options, or a milk bank. Many hospital NICU units are now using donated breast milk to feed the babies in NICU.

I’m sorry your husband isn’t understanding of how hard our job really is mentally and physically. Just know you’re doing a great job and maybe have a talk and tell him how you feel? My husband and I had similar issues when he first went back to work. I think it’s funny that in society people who chose to watch other people’s children for a living like at a daycare are looked at as having a career but SAHM’s are just on vacation. It helped for us to frequently tell each other that we appreciate one another for doing daily tasks like for him I would tell him I appreciate him for going to work and providing financially for us and he would say he appreciates me for working hard to make sure our daughter is happy and healthy. Sounds kinda weird but it helps us both feel important to each other and to our daughter

As far as the pumping goes, I also exclusively pump and it’s every 3-4 hours for 20+ min. What I do is take my daughter with me on the bed and we will either read a book or play with a toy or two while I pump just so I don’t feel like I’m losing awake time with her. I hope you start to feel better soon! ❤️