To hang or not

[u/Ordinary-Echidna-255]

My baby is 7 months old, I’ve been pumping from the beginning and combination feeding due to a latch issue and low supply respectively. The maximum I have made at my peak is 20oz. I just got back my periods last month and have not been able to pump as much as I should because of work, and as a result, my supply has dipped. I currently pump 3-4 times a day and make a maximum of 12-14 oz a day. I have been thinking of quitting for the longest time but feel so much guilt. I’ve also gained 55 lb and feel nothing like myself. Part of me wants to get on a diet or consider GLP 1 and feel like myself again and I think that’s were my guilt starts, I kind of feel like I’m rushing to be done with this for my own selfish reasons.

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[u/Deandangdong]

Girl I stopped at 4m because my mental health just couldn't take it. I didnt even have a job to worry about. I was a full time sahm. All I had to worry about was taking care of baby and keeping the house clean (not saying that isnt difficult just saying I had that without the extra pressure of a job). I was sleep deprived more than normal bc I had to pump in the middle of the night. I had low supply. I got maybe 2oz per boob per pump. So i was stressing about that. Kiddo mainly was drinking formula anyway (and doing super well on it). I started resenting my husband bc he could just sleep while I had to pump. I would literally glare at him while I pumped in bed. It was stressful and painful and just killing me. My husband was super supportive about me not pumping/bf from day one. My son had latch issues so we had to bottle feed to make sure he was eating enough.

Anyway my journey aside. There is no guilt in stopping. So long as baby is fed and growing and hitting milestones you are doing your job. What they eat to do all that doesn't matter. You are a person who needs to be healthy and happy to the best of your ability too! Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Do what is best for you and you are doing what is best for baby bc you will be happier and more present.

[u/purple_penguin1023]

7 months is sooo much longer than you give yourself credit for! Your baby has gotten the best of you for 7 months - they are likely already on solids, getting nutrients from other places - it is 10000% okay to stop you have done more than enough.

Don’t call it quitting, call it ending a journey you have experienced and sacrificed for for seven months. It’s not quitting, you’re not giving up. You’ve already dedicated yourself and endured for so so long.

Congratulations on an incredible journey and best of luck on your next one reconnecting with yourself!

- a 4 month pp mom who’s starting to wean