Nursing Updates

I am extremely grateful for the women in my various circles who reached out to me by phone, email, text and social following my “Nursing at 5.5 Months” post. You all helped me feel sane despite feeling insane at the thought of breastfeeding — mainly the pumping aspect — past six months. I think I was really tired and in a somewhat selfish place when I wrote that post.

Together, Rylan and I are happily still nursing and (less happily) pumping at eight months. When it comes to nursing, I am more protective than ever of our morning and nighttime nursing sessions — which has led to an even more reduced gym schedule and some hesitancy for making evening plans during the week. I don’t avoid everything, but I know our last months of this will fly by and I don’t want to miss how unique the mother/baby bond is right now.

How did I recommit? A coworker talked to me about her experience and it really resonated. She was also a very busy working mom with both of her girls. She saw it as their special time. Sometimes her only quiet, uninterrupted moment with her babies on an otherwise whirlwind day. It’s the same for me and Rylan. We race around in the morning to get out of the house for daycare, and run around like wild people by the time we get home to get him fed, in the bath and ready for bed. If I didn’t nurse I could see myself tossing bottle duty over to Mike so that I could get back online, do laundry, clean or cook. So yes, our house is a little messier and our meals have been mediocre at best, and I am trying to be okay with that. I am trying very hard.

I am not sure any breastfeeding mom out there loves pumping, but we deal. In fact, I have several friends who couldn’t nurse but committed to pumping upwards of nine – 10 times a day to provide breast milk to their little one. I bow down to those moms. Bow. Down.

My current routine includes a much-needed pump off in the morning and at least one session during the day at work. My supply has taken a noticeable hit in recent weeks due to a very hectic schedule, which inevitably led to not drinking enough water and going too long between my regular twice-daily pumping sessions.

I am hesitant to cut that second one out completely, but I have also over-pumped too late in the day and been nervous that I am not full enough for his bedtime feed. Any advice is appreciated. Should I just suck it up and go to pumping once at work instead of forcing two smaller ones?

Another question I have since I am still nursing, sometimes exclusively on weekends if I am with Rylan all day, is how much milk should he be getting daily (on average) as his solids continue to increase? The kid LOVES to eat solid food.

Thank you friends for supporting me in this very personal journey. I appreciate having a space to vent, talk and ask questions.