Fed up of exclusively pumping! Should I stop

[Mella91]

Hi,

DS is going to be 8 months old in 5 days. He had nipple confusion so I had to EP. I hated it from the first day I started! I have very low supply and it is so frustrating sitting pumping for hours for 10oz breastmilk.

I always said I would pump until 3 months but although I hated it I couldnt stop. My new goal was then 5 months. Then 6 and now 10 months. But I just hate hate hate every second I spend pumping. I feel like a cow and feel disgusted with myself but its like an addiction. I just cant stop.

I am down to pumping only twice now (weirdly still only 10 oz! I didn't have a decrease when I removed pumping sessions) but I still hate them. Please tell me something to stop. I just feel so so guilty. I say I will stop but then I find myself pumping again.

Definitely stop! You have done amazingly well to pump for 10 months. Presumably by now your baby eats a decent range of food too so formula (or soon cows milk) is just another food. The percentage still breastfeeding at 10 months is small and you have had the hassle of expressing. New year, new regime!

Just stop!!! There is no need to put yourself through this any longer. Consider if a friend told you this, wouldn't you advise them to stop?

What happens if you try him in the boob?

Yeh I think I'd just stop if I were you

Yes I'd stop too

Stop when you're ready and don't let anyone make you feel bad about it.

Yeah stop- you've done amazingly. I only managed 3 months and my mental health massively improved when I just called time on it.

Thank you for all your replies. This is exactly what I needed to hear. Partner was very supportive always telling me to do whats right for me as 'happy mama makes a happy baby.'

However MIL, friends and my own darling mother all think it is the biggest crime for me to stop giving baby breastmilk.

As of yesterday I have fully decided to stop. I will pump once a day this week then reduce to once every 2 days and then once every 3 until supply has dwindled and I can give up without mastitis which I am very prone to! Hopefully I will see the last of the pump in 2/3 weeks time :)