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Exclusive Pumping
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paczoe1240
FTM and baby is 17 days old. I started out breastfeeding with the intent of breast and bottle feeding with pumped milk but that has slowly turned into almost exclusive pumping for various reasons. I like pumping even though it can be a lot at times but I’m starting to feel bad mom guilt for not breastfeeding, especially when she is rummaging for the boobs on me or my husband. I have no idea why I feel guilty. She’s getting fed so it shouldn’t matter where the milk is coming from but I’m feeling like a bad mom. I have no intention to stop pumping completely, and unsure if I really want to breastfeed (she can latch but it takes a while especially if she’s tired, sore nipples, stressful, others can’t help with feedings, etc.) but I can’t shake this guilt.
Is this normal? Anyone else feel this way?
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kbon9133
I feel you ❤️ in 5w pp and I’m exclusively pumping at this point. We tried nursing but our latch was difficult and positioning was difficult due to my big boobs, so it didn’t work. In the back of my mind I think maybe I’ll go back and try breastfeeding again some day because I do feel the mom guilt, but also there’s something about exclusive pumping that just feels easier to me. I can track the data of how much I pump and how much baby eats so easily, and I like knowing the data. It’s also so much work to try breastfeeding in terms of getting set up, correct positioning, trying to latch, figuring out when she’s done…it’s hard. I feel guilty I didn’t try nursing harder or that I’m not still trying, but I’m also telling myself that my mental health and quality of life is important so I can be the best mom I can be ❤️ hang in there, you’re doing a great job feeding your baby, mama!
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soulyliving
Aww completely understandable!! It is normal to feel this way, everyone always talks about the special bond you feel while breastfeeding and of course its beautiful but you can still have a special experience with your baby and you’re also able to give your husband the chance to create a bonding experience thru bottle feeding! I was definitely feeling the same for a while, but just like the previous comment, i love being able to track it all. I find comfort knowing how much exactly baby is eating each feed and it helps me read her better, that way i can rule out hunger as a factor if shes upset/crying. I did nurse for the first few months but i find pumping works better for me! Its very rewarding to physically see the milk lol. And this may sound a bit horrible but i just can’t bring myself to be a human pacifier when baby just wants to latch on for comfort and not for an actual feed, i know i would lose my mind. Pumping gives me a bit of freedom and helped with my mentality. I hope you can find comfort in it as well, it’s a beautiful thing that you’re able to feed baby regardless of how you do it. Plus you deserve to sit back, relax and have someone else feed baby sometimes!!
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