Guilt? Weaning from Exclusively Pumping....

With my first child, I exclusively pumped and at 9 months I needed a break.

I knew if I quite that would be it but I was so tired. I worked full time and traveled with work.

I felt so guilty but my mom kept reminding me it was ok. I cried that night and the next day did not pump. It was a little weird and I felt guitly but at the same time, I felt a little relief because I was not having to set a timer at work and having to disappear into an office by myself for 30 minutes.

If you are doing what is best for the sake of your family, you shouldn't feel guilty for a second. There are SO many important things to create a healthy child, things I believe are far more important then breastfeeding. Love,comfort, security, confidence, TIME,etc. You can breastfeed around the clock, but if a child does not have those things...what does your milk really matter? It sounds like your family needs your time, and that is the most healthy thing you can give them. Don't waste another moment feeling guilty!!

You know, I really think its disturbing that there is this much pressure to BF.
You are making choices for YOU and YOUR family and have based it on what you need to do for reasons benefitting your family.
Like most moms, you're putting the wellbeing of your family situation first.
How in the world can you EVER feel bad about that??!!
Keep in mind that the important thing is that your baby is loved and fed. Not what your baby is fed!
Let it go. Good luck!

May I ask why you are exclusively pumping? Latch issues with baby, perhaps? Knowing why you are exclusively pumping might help us help you a little better because I wonder why can't you just breast feed directly from your breasts? I can totally understand if you were pumping to maintain supply issues, and for that reason alone, I totally understand the demand. I breastfed my current nursling, from day one, but I also needed to pump to increase and maintain my supply because my nursling had a weak suck, which would have affected my supply had I not pumped. I pumped for 12 months. I know firsthand how exhausting this is. But after 12 mths, my supply was very well established and my baby's suck had improved so much so that she is now 19 mths and still breast feeding. So, even though I gave up pumping, I am still breast feeding and I wonder why can't you do the same.

As for the guilt you feel about not pumping, I also felt guilty. I had been doing it for so long that not pumping anymore felt like I was somehow missing out on something. It's a strange and mixed emotion but again, I wasn't exclusively pumping. I was also breastfeeding but using the pump to increase/maintain my supply.

IF you can breast feed, I would encourage you to do that because at least your are still nursing. Good luck with whatever you do. 7 mths is a milestone and you should be so proud of yourself. : ) Most women give up and it's hard work but you know firsthand how worth it it truly is.

In my experience, you will feel guilt and some sadness no matter when it happens. If you stop now, you will feel it; if you stop at 1 year, you will feel it. Heck, I nursed my second child for 18 months and he self-weaned, but I was still sad and worried about the switch when it happened. It's part of the territory when you are a loving mom, in my opinion. So, go ahead and feel a little sad that this stage is over, but please DON'T feel guilty! You've given your baby a great start, despite having to work really hard to do it.

I think you are my hero. I'm exclusively pumping right now and praying I can make it to 4 months. With two other kids to take care of I don't have time to sit around and pump. Basically i have zero free time right now, and my husband is stressed since im relying on him more while im pumping. I'm thinking of cutting out all but a morning & bedtime pump session first and seeing if that schedule is more liveable. (& doing half breastmilk & half formula). I get the guilt but you have done awesome getting to 6 months. Breastmilk is great stuff but so is a happy and sane mommy.

Eta: and I just found out one of my older two probably has a learning disorder, so now I need to find time for evaluation to confirm dx plus time for therapy so I'm feeling a tad overwhelmed right now

8 months is awesome! Good for you & baby! Think of how you can spend ALL of that time that you're spending pumping with your child. Spend it wisely on making sure that YOU are well cared for, then that the kids get a little 1:1 time with you regularly, and that you & your husband get good 1:1 time regularly.
I view all of the things you provide to your child as a portfolio of gifts. You're just diversifying what you're providing with your time, body, mind, heart. You'll find a new great thing to give your family.

I exclusively pumped with both my kids and I did feel guilty with my first when I stopped. I tried and tried and really only lasted about 4-5 months, although I had quite a supply in the freezer. So, you are doing really awesome at 7 months!

You have to remember that you are doing the best you can do. You gave her breastmilk for 7 whole months and that is amazing! You are a woman and a mother who is being pulled in multiple directions and you absolutely cannot feel bad about trying to prioritize.

To be honest, after about a day or so, I realized that I absolutely made the best choice and I was a much happier lady!

When it came time to stop with my 2nd, I didn't feel bad at all. I was happy and he was happy and that made everything else happy too. You are a rock star, don't forget it! She will be just fine!

I gave up at 3 mos so u did amazing. Let it go. Not worth feeling guilty.

I exclusively pumped for a full year with both of mine and was guilty quitting then, so like others have said you will probably feel guilty whenever it happens. You have to do what is right for your entire family.

If you are concerned about her getting breastmilk for the remaining time until you switch to cow/s milk, if that is your path, then you could try Milkshare or Eats on Feets to get milk until the 1 year mark. Here is the Texas link.(http://www.facebook.com/EatsOnFeetsTexas). If you would like more information you can message me privately. I donated over 5000 ounces to 3 babies when nursing my 2nd child.

Good luck on your journey. We all face tough decisions at moms, but only you know what is perfect for your family.

guilt YES! i was not able to produce milk for my first. pumping, direct, took meds i made less than an oz for the entire day. i tried for six weeks and finally gave up (everyone i reach out too told me keep trying it will happen...it never did. after a month an a half i realized nothing was happening and gave up) with my second i made an oz each time i pumped after drinking lots of mothers milk tea. after about two weeks i saw what was happening and gave up.be very proud and honored you were blessed with milk for your child. it was and is a blessing you were able to do this for this long. she will have another month. is there a time you would still be able to pump a few times a day? slowly building up milk supply to freez till one yr? if thats not an option to care for the rest of your family then please do what is best for yours.

i felt such guilt because culture , cancer risk, it was best and i was not even able to give them that. any drops I made went directly to my child like gold! its ok to stop. she has more than the 6 months to ward off any cancers. she will love you for what you have already given her and she would have loved you if you werent able to. i needed someone to say its ok and not feel guilt from others. l ooks like you have your hands extra full and need to step out of baby land and get back into the groove of things.

You should not feel guilty for making decisions for your family. This is why somebody else is not fit to do it, because they aren't in your place. You have to take care of your whole family.

I have a question, though, that you may or may not consider relevant. Will your baby take milk directly from your breast? You've been exclusively pumping for a reason; I just wonder if the occasional latch might make the transition easier for her and for you.

Good luck! Whatever you decide will be right.

Even though breastfeeding can be a chore, I absolutely felt guilt when stopping breastfeeding with both my kids (at 9 months each time). Breastfeeding was the ONE thing I could do for them that no one else could. Pretty sure I even cried the first night...DH thought I was crazy lol. You gave DD a good start in life and there is nothing to be guilty of. I promise in a week you will probably think...What was I so worried about!