(no subject)

[geminigirl]

So, we all know we're having issues here. Don't need to get into that. What I'm trying to figure out is how I know when to stop. I feel kind of guilty that I'm thinking about stopping when I have people pumping for me, and I'd like her to get some breastmilk for another four or so months-until she's about six months old, and I don't know how long other people are willing or able to keep pumping for her.

But I also know it's not financially nor emotionally feasible to continue the crazy supplements/medication/pumping/SNS. I know that it's more important than any breast milk that I develop a positive relationship with Naomi about eating and food and feeding, because that will carry on well beyond this stage of her life.

I'm trying to figure out when it's okay to stop. When it would be okay not only for me, but for the people who are kind and thoughtful enough to pump for her so she gets more breastmilk than the few ounces a day she gets from me. I don't know how long my milk will last-this may be entirely inconsequential.

So if you were pumping for someone else in addition to feeding your own baby, not a full supply but five or so ounces a day, what would you say about stopping to the Mom who was getting your milk? Would you be okay with it if she stopped trying? When would that become okay?

Comments

[therealocelot.livejournal.com]

For me, it isn't so much a matter of "when" as what effort has been made and what the results have been. You've put in a lot of effort without much result, and it seems unlikely that further effort is going to result in a greatly increased supply. I don't see any reason to be petty and insist you continue putting effort into pumping.

If you forced me to put a time on it - 12-14 weeks, as that's about the point where it switches to autonomic control and increasing supply is less feasible. But by this point I think you have a pretty good idea of where you stand and how much further increase you're likely to see.

FWIW, if a mom in your situation told me she was going to stop pumping/medicating/etc in order to concentrate on using an SNS or otherwise increasing bonding, I'd be all for it. Which isn't to say that's the one true solution or anything, as I've never used an SNS and don't know how much of a pain it is. It's just a case where I'd have no hesitation about continuing.

[therealocelot.livejournal.com]

I should mention that my feelings also depend on how much of a hardship it is for me. If it's leftover freezer stash that I'm not going to use anyways or a few minutes extra on an already scheduled pumping session, no big deal. I'm not going to be particularly offended if they quit for any reason. If I was putting a lot of effort into pumping, I'd probably feel somewhat taken advantage of if I felt they weren't making a reasonable effort themselves or that they were blowing their chances of increasing their own supply.

None of this applies to you, just examining how I feel about the issue in general. Which is entirely hypothetical as I don't seem to produce well enough for the pump to be of much use to anyone. I've gotten maybe 5 oz out total in the 30some hours since Astrid last nursed. Not that I've been making a particularly organized effort at it, but you'd think I wouldn't be having any trouble getting several ounces a session at this point.