Today William is officially seven months old. That means that I have been directly breast feeding, supplementing (with formula and now we have added actual food) and pumping. For optimal milk production I would in theory be pumping every three hours when not directly pumping. Like most moms I don’t follow that schedule exactly, especially I am not waking up to do so when sleeping, though I do breastfeed when he wakes up during the night.
While this pump is much better than the one I started with, it does still cause nipple irritation from the stimulation. It seems like I am pumping so many times each day as I am. On weekdays this includes a session before I leave for work, and during two breaks and lunch at work.
William still prefers breastmilk to formula. This is probably due to the taste, though it could be also how much he likes the closeness more. One time he was opening his mouth like he wanted to be fed while on his play mat. I decided to see if he’d take a bottle that way, and he did, enough for a cute picture and then I fed him by supporting him in my arms.
As William ages he needs in theory less breastmilk. My body seems to know this as it’s been harder to get the 10 oz I previously had been able to pump. Some days are better than others.
Whenever I can, I try to get ahead of him, such as by pumping a bit after a feeding session and making sure to get in extra pumps on weekends.
While the amount of milk I produce daily does seem to be taking a hit, I’m still hopeful that we will make it to his first birthday with him getting at least some breastmilk daily.
~ Danielle
Over 40 First Time Mom 