Comments on Growing up a NJ Wife: I hate my breast pump

I hear ya mama. I hate hate hate pumping too! I ...

2012-02-03T15:26:18.331-05:00

I hear ya mama. I hate hate hate pumping too! I hated it with my first but even more so with my second. I have had huge output supply issues with pumping. No problems with my actual supply though as N has plenty of milk during the weekend. We are almost at the 1 year mark though! I am sad N will be a year but will be so ready to put my pump away. Next time around you should get the Medela Freestyle...I love it even though I hate it. It's light weight and has good suction. Since she is eating more table food can you cut back on how much milk you have to supply for the daycare provider? I have been able to cut back one 4 oz bottle and it has made my life much easier. I now pump every 4 to 4 1/2 hours (vs 2 1/2 to 3) and actually make a bit more milk this way. When do you plan to cut back on pumping since you have a freezer stash? I hope to gradually around 10 1/2 months and by 11 months be pretty much done with pumping depending on my freezer stash. Good luck!

@ Andrea - I laughed out loud. Dyson should make ...

2012-02-01T12:37:38.016-05:00

@ Andrea - I laughed out loud. Dyson should make a breastpump except I imagine it will just suck a nipple off.

@ everyone! - Thank you so much for your comments. It's really nice and encouraging to hear that I am not alone. I hope we all make our breastfeeding goals.

That must be so frustrating! How about a Dyson?

2012-01-31T21:18:38.086-05:00

That must be so frustrating! How about a Dyson?

This is why I hand express. I don't work, but ...

2012-01-31T17:07:34.411-05:00

This is why I hand express. I don't work, but I express in the mornings and get about 3.5 ounces. I have the Medela single deluxe pump and have never been able to get more than 2 oz. And it's so slow and uncomfortable. You could try hand expressing at the end of your pumping sessions to see if you can get more out that way.

I know this is weird and makes me seem like a bigger hippie than I really am, but I hate that stupid pump. Hand expression is awesome. You can walk around and do it, it doesn't hurt, it's faster than the pump, you don't have to clean anything, and for me, it's more effective. But I didn't get one of those fancy double pumps.

My body seems to respond better to the natural touch of my hand than the plastic suction of the pump.

Would it be possible for you to rent a hospital gr...

2012-01-31T15:21:41.305-05:00

Would it be possible for you to rent a hospital grade pump to use for the time you have remaining until E hits a year?

I used a Medela Pump in Style. I had a problem where the suction would sometimes drop and Medela overnighted a brand new pump to me. I never had any further problems.

My daughter never drank frozen milk so I was glad I pumped to one year. I ended up donating almost 750 ounces once I stopped pumping because she absolutely refused to drink it. Even though I've been done pumping and she is drinking whole milk, I still nurse her any chance I get.

Hope you can figure something out to make it work!

I also hate, despise, and cannot wait to go office...

2012-01-31T15:21:21.519-05:00

I also hate, despise, and cannot wait to go office space on my ameda.

it's lack of suck really really sucks.

I'll also say you're lucky with your stash. Between some childcare mishaps and my complete hatred of pumping, I literally have enough in my freezer for TWO days.

And I was also getting 4 oz or more during pumping sessions and am suddenly only getting 1.5-3. I think this is part the crappy pump's fault and part the fact that my kid just needs more solids. The consistency of your milk can chance so that while they're getting less, it could be just as full of everything they need.

GL :)

My Ameda pretty much quit, too. When mine broke t...

2012-01-31T15:08:56.523-05:00

My Ameda pretty much quit, too. When mine broke they were awesome about getting me a new one in just a few days, but that one barely worked. I called them and they sent me another new one and that one wasn't any better. I honestly think they changed something with their design - it just isn't as strong.

I'm now using a Medela PISA and don't really love it, but it's working a little better than my Ameda was (the newer crappier one). I'm still not getting anywhere near what I got a few months ago, though.

I'm jealous that you have a freezer stash to fall back on. Andrew refused to drink any of my frozen milk so I wasted 100 oz or so.

No real advice, but I wanted to say good luck and I hope things turn around for you!

Try putting up pictures of your baby while you pum...

2012-01-31T14:28:23.245-05:00

Try putting up pictures of your baby while you pump. It helped me :)