First time mom, audit supervisor in the thick of busy season. I am exclusively breastfeeding. I pump 4 times a day at the office, and nurse when I get home. Don’t how much longer I can do this….

How long are you going between pumps? Try stretching them out a bit so that your are only pumping a couple times in the office.

How do you feel about bottle feeding? Pumping vs nursing when you get home, may help you feel less touched out, and can help you not have to pump as much at work to have enough supply for the next day.

So don’t do it and don’t let anyone make you feel badly about it. Your baby will be fine either way. Do what works for you

It’s hard.

My mental status was terrible when pumping, so I give props to everyone doing the BF and pumping journey.

You got this, and if you don’t, it’s okay, because regardless of how your baby gets food, fed is best. That’s on period.

It’s okay to stop!

If you drive to work, try pumping in the car to save yourself a pump or two in the office. I know it sounds ridiculous but it worked for me. Might be worth a shot.

Hang in there momma! Do what is best for you and your little one. Do not let anyone guilt you in to doing it or making you feel guilty if you choose to stop. Your mental health is paramount. Breastfeeding is taxing physically and I cannot imagine he mental toll of doing that and working a busy season. You are already a rockstar!

I did it until my supply dropped from the stress and then stopped pumping during the day and started supplementing with formula. I was much happier when I didn’t have to back that extra bag every day!

Once they turn one, the doctor will probably tell you to switch them to whole milk so it really is a short time, like you said. Don’t let anyone else tell you what is right for you and your babe!

Kudos to you I’m sending you all the love. I don’t have any kids yet, but I am consistently inspired and motivated by the moms on my team, like yourself.

I am in no position to give any advice. If you choose to keep pumping, I did see on social media some people wear these smaller portable pumps under their bra or shirt. I saw this lady who was pumping while she was sitting at her desk working. She didn’t need stay in the mother’s room except to take out the portable pump and pour the milk into a bottle.

I feel this to my core. When I was done breastfeeding my babies I wanted to run my pump over with my car. It is so exhausting and hard. It doesn’t help now, but it is a relatively short time. Pumping in the car or hands-free while working helps. You can also drop a pumping session or two and supplement with formula. Do what’s best for you, baby will be fine either way.

I was happy my twins were getting 75% breastmilk and 25% formula - I felt like super mom actually.

Pumping during busy season was extremely hard. It took a huge toll on my mental health, exhaustion, and my supply tanked, etc. I was completely “drained” (lol). It was my first baby and I felt guilty not doing it because I could. I wish I could go back and say it’s ok don’t do it. Since my supply tanked, I dipped into my freezer stash and then started supplementing with formula. A weight was lifted and guess what… my baby was still obsessed with me. Do what works for you - happy mama = happy baby. I wouldn’t pump nearly as much (maybe once per day?) next time.

You got this, Mama!

It’s very hard when you return to work. Be very careful to not get mastitis. I was mostly remote with my last child and it was still very hard with the demanding work schedule. After my first bout of mastitis, supply dropped but I still made it a year nursing and pumping….in the end we ended up mainly nursing first thing in the morning and in the evenings after daycare and one pump during the day. Had enough milk in reserve that we only used 5-6 cans of formula total before transitioning to milk. There is no right answer….do what works for you and breast milk is totally overrated and not worth your stressing over it.

One additional note - please please please take care of yourself. Your being well both mentally and physically is more important than breast milk vs. formula!

Update: I made it to the end of my busy season (4/30) and I’m still breastfeeding! It was a LONG road to get here, and felt like quitting many times, but ultimately pushed through. I am so proud of myself, thank you all for your kind words on encouragement.

It does get better. You are doing a ton right now personally and professionally and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed by that.

I couldn’t handle the pumping when I went back to work so we switched to formula (we were already combo feeding). Whatever your path is will be the right decision for you and baby.

Trust your instincts, your mental/physical health matters and know you are doing a great job.

Check out ambitious as a mother as well (easy audio book listen).

How many months post partum are you? 4 pumps while at work seems like a lot

Do what works for you. With my youngest, I was able to get enough in 2 pumps/day at work to make his bottles for the next day. With my oldest, I only pumped once a day at work and he got formula to make up for the short fall. For all of them, when we started weaning, the first thing I ditched was pumping. With at least one of them, I continued nursing morning and evening for months after I gave up pumping. Breastfeeding is beautiful and wonderful for our babies, but fed is best, and mom's sanity matters too :) Find a happy medium.