Expressing oneself...

[Hadagutsful]

So to speak.

I have to feed Ds3 expressed breast milk from a bottle due to health issues (his, not mine). I have 2 other young DS and only manage 3 pumping sessions a day. I feel that my supply is dwindling.

DS3 has had a specific formula prescribed and I'm starting to feel that I've come to the end of my breastfeeding journey and I need to stop pumping. DS3 is 3 months.

I bfed my other two for two years each. I love bfeeding but I hate expressing. I've managed for three months because I wanted him to have the added benefits but I don't think I can keep this up.

Wwyd?

You've done amazingly well OP. Good grief I couldn't have expressed for 3m with 1 dc never mind 3. If you want to stop OP then that is beyond OK.

Feeding is a small part of motherhood. You're still feeding DS3, just in a different way. He's had great health benefits but a happy, healthy mum is what he needs most. Stop and be proud OP.

Thank you so much, I'm seriously welling up reading your response. I think I needed someone to say "stop now, it's fine". Having fed the other two for so long it's become kind of bound up in my identity as a mother, which sounds barking mad even to me but I can't help it. Thank you again.

I think the irrational guilt of stopping in the early months is mainly wound up with hormones. Don't forget this will get worse when you stop, for a few weeks. It's just hormones, doesn't mean it's the wrong decision. It will pass.

You're much more than just a bf mum, but you've given him a great start and never for a moment feel you've given him less than the others, when in fact you've done more, with the discomfort and time consuming hell of expressing!

I hope you can find a way to stop that suits you and you can move forward knowing you've done an amazing job. All the best OP.

I have just stopped expressing for my daughter, she is 9.5 months old and I had the same issues as you. I can say with absolute certainty, if I have another baby and I'm unable to breastfeed, there is not a chance in hell I would manage expressing again - you have done absolutely fantastic to do this anyway, let alone with two other children!! You have given your son the absolute best start in life, and now it sounds as if you need to get your life back. Try and think of the positives that will come from stopping - more time to spend with your boys, not having to stay up late to pump, you get your boobs back!! Seriously, you've done brilliantly. Obviously only stop if you want to and feel it is the right thing, but don't force yourself because you think you "should".

Thank you. And well done you!

"Stop now, it's fine"

You've done incredibly well, I don't see any need at all for you to feel bad about moving on from bf. Can totally understand why it's a sad time for you though.

I had to express for my ds from 5 weeks to 11weeks old due to a medical issue. I have a dd who is 3 and it was so incredibly difficult that, had he not gone back on to direct bfing, then i definitely would not have carried on expressing. I only made it to 11 weeks because there was an end in sight. I bfed my daughter until 2.5 yrs old too, so found the idea of not bfing v difficult, but expressing is sooo hard. You've done amazingly! It's ok to stop.

I had to express for a mere four days for my one and only DS and I was thoroughly fed up! To do it for three months with another two rug rats is an amazing feat. Seriously, I'm in awe.

You've done brilliantly and way way longer than the majority of us would have managed. Well bloody done.

And love your Nn toddlewaddleflipflop!

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