I was going to name this post “pumping ain’t EZ,” but that was already taken.
I’ve been what they call exclusively pumping (EP) for the past 3 months. Everywhere I go, my trusty Pump N’Style goes with me. When Jack was still in the NICU I pumped every 2 hours, at work, at home, at parties, everywhere. It was not easy, and often reduced me to tears, but it was the one thing I could do for my little boy for 2 months.
When Jack came home, I had high hopes that Jack would have some interest in the boobs. High Hopes. But, alas, it was not to be. He has not taken to the breast… much to his father’s chagrin.
And so the logistical nightmare of pumping every 2 hours and feeding a voracious baby (via bottle) every 1 1/2 hours has taken its toll.
Tonight I am reclaiming my sanity, and my breasts. The pump n’ style has pumped it’s last…er. drop.
Rest in Peace Pump N’Style. Rest in Peace.
PS – Hel-Kat Our favorite little girl in the village loves the boobs AND the pump. Video proof below…
a.) s., congratulations on a job well done. i only pump a couple of times a day and resent that sadistic piece of machinery more than words can say. every 2 hours is more than impressive, it’s heroic. just think of all the time you will have to hang with your son or take a shower or nap or….
b.) yes, i sound like a little old man with a smoker’s wheeze in that video. sure, it’s odd, but it kinda goes with my post-partum hair loss.
c.) helen was not harmed during the filming of that video.
That video kills. The giggling is the best. The soft thumnp of the pump is funny, too.
Good luck with teh booby milk! Maybe Arch can pick up the slack.
CRT
I was actually wondering about this and you the other day… if you had ever tried to breastfeed with the boob and how that went.
Now I have my answer.
So does this mean formula?
I sy kudos to you for holding out this long… I cannot imagine it’s been easy!
Also? I still have a hard time comprehending that you are working on top of everything else. What is the maternity leave situation when you have a preemie?
My congratulations as well. I don’t know how long I could have made it in a similar situation!
Seriously hard work. You should be v proud of every ounce. I packed up the pump a few months ago with glee.
Actually, it was my second pump since I blew out the first pump in a freak electrical accident. We were visiting in Scranton (shocker) and I forgot the adapter. My father, master of all gadgets, gathered every adapter in the house. I selected one that most closely resembled the missing adapter and fired up the pump. It made a series of superfast ME JO! ME JO! ME JO! noises and practically sucked off my nipple. I panicked fumbling to shut it down, but not before blowing out the motor.
Love the video – Helen looks like she is enjoying a crazy hookah
I only recently found your blog and don’t know (yet) if you mentioned pumping before. Sounds like you’re already set in your decision to stop pumping but just in case I thought I’d mention the WhisperWear pump. I used this for my third child and it was a dream! You tuck the pump into your bra and you can go completely hand’s free and there’s nothing on the outside of your clothes! No tubes! There’s a collection bag, of course, that sits against your chest. It’s SO discreet! I wouldn’t call it whisper quiet, but it’s quiet enough that no one would really notice at a party. I’d pump sitting at my desk at work and I had a male officemate. I just ducked behind my bookshelves to tuck in the pumps and then it just looked like I was a little more… endowed. My officemate could hear it – it’s not like he didn’t know what I was doing – but I usually turned on some music to make it a little less “guess what? I’m pumping my milk over here.” I got as much milk as I did with my Purely Yours but I got so much more done because I wasn’t bound to my desk – at ALL. I walked around and did whatever. You could pump on one side while holding Jack in your other arm and giving him a bottle. Or heck, pump both sides and give him a bottle. There’s no tubes for him to grab or get tangled in. Maybe the sound would lull him to sleep.
Anyway, I think it’s AWESOME that you’ve EP even for a week, much less three MONTHS. I had no problems breastfeeding and pumping through a year, but I’m not sure if I would have had it in my to pump exclusively. Wow. Way to go!