Going to Have to Give up Breast Feeding:(

The breast pump that WIC gave me was a manual one. One breast at a time and I had to sit there and pump it myself. Try freecycle or craigslist.

Hi C.,
I have a pump that I am no longer using it is a dual pump probably 4 years old, but works pretty well...You would just have to get the tubing/bottle/shields but are pretty reasonable it is a pump and style. You can just have it..Let me know otherwise best of luck!!Whatever you decided it will be ok.You are a great mom for going as long as you can with breastfeeding:)

When I went back to work they didn't have a breastfeeding room so I had nowhere to pump. So, I would feed my son right before i went back to work, come home at lunch, and then feed him right away when i got home. Your body will adjust if you have a fixed schedule and will just make more milk when you are at home with the baby. I also used the herbal supplement fenugreek to boost my supply while i worked. Do you have a le leache nursing group in your area? They might have advice for where to get a cheap pump. Also, I know the store Once Upon A child carries cheap pumps, not sure if that is in your area? Or if you are elgible for WIC they lend you one of there hospital grade pumps. Best of wishes to you.

C.,
If you fail to meet a certain level of income you may qualify for WIC (this is Utah I don't know what other states have) With 3 kiddos and the tight budget you mentioned you might look into it- they have breast pumps and would give you one if you qualify along with vouchers for things that a nursing mother and little ones need. With three little ones under the age of three there is a good chance you would qualify. You can look up WIC online. Just a thought.
H.

I agree with the others--first, check into WIC. I actually didn't realize they could provide you with a pump, but that would be great!
If you're not able to find a pump though---nurse in the morning, evenings and weekends. I went back to work when all my babies were about 4-5wks old and I nursed them all. I did have a pump (that my sweet mom bought for me) that worked well- although at my job I didn't have an area that was "nice" to pump. I sat on the toilet in the unisex bathroom that had no heat in it. BURR! But I was able to pump "ok." I used formula as a supplement since I couldn't pump enough. And then I'd nurse all the time when I was home. We did lots of nursing on the weekends---not so much for the nutrition, but for the comfort, for both of us.☺
Good luck!!

I'm so sorry you feel you have to give up breast feeding, I loved it so much too, I nursed my son till he was over a year old, he never had formula so I didnt know how much it cost, I was amazed when I saw 1 can at 15 dollars (12 years ago). Maybe try weighing out your options between a really good pump and formula. Or like other ladies said, expressing or nursing mornings and evenings. I hope things work out for you, I feel sad for moms who want to breast feed but cant. But I'm glad you got to do it atleast for 3 months. Good luck.

C.:

Have you tried any Lactation counselors....the hospitals in your area should have a list of names. They might be able to provide you with a pump. Call your pediatrician also and see if they can provide you with anything.
I breast fed my children and I treasure the bond and memories of breast feeding so put up a good fight for you and your baby to continue. Even your work environment has to provide a place for you to pump if you want to continue.

Best of Luck with this, C.

~K.

Have you tried hand-expressing? I was better at that than any pump (hand or electric) that I tried. Do you have any friends you can borrow a pump from? You can always do both - breastfeed before work and in the evenings and bottle-feed during the day.

Anyway, if you can't find a way to continue breastfeeding, know that your baby will be fine on formula. My oldest would not breastfeed and I was terribly disappointed. But as he got older and was very healthy, I realized that it wasn't how I fed him that mattered, it was that he was happy, well-loved and taken care of! Not to mention that other people could help with feedings and you can even be away from the baby for longer stretches without having to worry about pumping or leaking (something I really missed when my second was an excellent breastfeeder for 13-months).

Don't let something that is such a small part of his life get you down. You love your baby and he loves you! That is all that matters.

There's no reason you can't keep breastfeeding at night and in the morning. Your milk supply will reduce or increase based on how much you are nursing. So don't give up hope! Go gradually if you can, so that your breasts don't get confused (!)or engorged--just eliminate one feeding at a time during the day, but keep nursing at night and in the morning. Your body will adjust. And maybe once you go back to work, you could afford an inexpensive Avent pump--that's what I used, and it worked fine. Also, you could check with your local La Leche League or other lactation group to find a used pump. Maybe you could even rent an electric pump? Or find another mom or expecting mom to share the cost with you. I would encourage you to try to find a way to keep nursing--it's so beneficial for both of you. Good luck!

hello i know to rent one from the hospital store it only like 15 mo and most insureance pays for them as far as the pump you bought did you keep the box and rccipt if so take it back they have like a 90 day return i know of some other places that work with payment let me know if you want more info and where you live i can maybe help

There are a lot of organizations out there to help you get a pump.. if you are on WIC they will give you a free electronic one, The LeLeche Leagues will help out too.. Here in Battle Creek we have a Womans Co-Op and they help all woman with any issue.. If you need a pump or clothes for your kids or even a place to live.. They are awesome.. If you are close by you can get in touch with them, if you arent close you can check into one by you.. Please try all you resources first because once you stop you cant just start up again.. I brestfeed both my boys.. First one till 5 months and then he didnt want it anymore then my 2nd till 10 months when I had to stop when I got on a med that affected my milk. I loved it and felt horrible when I had to stop with my last one because I knew I wasnt going to have anymore and it would be the last time.. I can remember sitting there crying feeling like I was a bad mother for not giving the best to my baby..lol.. So think about everything and if you really love it and dont want to stop then you'll find a way to keep it working for you.. Good luck and let us know what you decided :)

C.,

Where do you live? I am in Beloit. Email me if you are close by.

Craigslist!
I just sold my $250+ breast pump to someone for $125!
Also, some insurance companies will pay for one if your doctor writes a prescription for it. That's how I got my $250 breast pump! It only cost us $25.00 after insurance.

Best of luck! <3

You should check with your medical insurance. Breast Pumps are considered a medical device. A lot of insurance companies will pay for them or at least pick up most of the cost.

Contact your local LeLeche League chapter--if you have trouble finding a way to contact them, your United Way office or your obstetrician can help. They will help you get a decent breast pump at little or no charge. Good Luck.

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I always continued nursing even after I went back to work. I would nurse right before I left the house in the morning, at lunch if I was able to come home for lunch, and then in the evening and overnight. You should try and just see what happens. Good luck!

I am nursing my now 6 month old and I felt as you did, that I would have to give up nursing when I returned to work. My insurance company paid for a pump for me. All I needed was a prescription from my doctor. There are many organizations out there to help you get a pump. Please do not give up, you are giving your baby the best food possible. Not to mention the bonding. IF you are in the St. Cloud area, contact me, I have resources for you.

I can understand how you feel, with my second child, I couldnt get her to latch on at all, even with a bottle we had problems, so I gave up breast feeding and with #3 my supply died shortly after she finally came home (she spent 10 days in the NICU). It is frustrating, but its OK too. I hope you can find a pump that will work for you. I would take back the one you just bought because it is clearly defective and should still be under a warranty. And just to give you encouragement, my daughters are wonderfully healthy and happy little ones. Good Luck!