Since Isabelle was so premature I had to pump and then she refused to take the breast because she was so used to the bottle. She also gets a supplement which I put in the bottle with the breastmilk. Needless to say, I have been pumping day and night for about 3 1/2 months. It is very difficult and would love to stop soon. Just wondering how long everyone breastfed for and what the recommendation is. I have a large supply of frozen milk and will hopefully stop pumping soon and use that up. Do you think about 5 months is good?
MSCJLK
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Re: How long did you breastfeed for?
My friend was in a very similar siruation.. she actually just stopped when her daughter was 8 months old... she always said to me it is better for premies to get breast milk.. atlest through the winter.. IMO then i would stop
She also buys the formula from Amazon.. it is the cheapest....
kptoys
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Re: How long did you breastfeed for?
Me, personally, I BF Emma for 2 1/2 years but I never had any 'issues' like having to pump exclusivly. Quite the opposite actually, Emma never took a bottle, ever. The AAP recommends you breastfeed for 6months-1year and the LLC says to stop when its mutually agreeable for mother and child. I think ANY amount of time you breastfed is great and you should stop when you are ready!
chmlengr
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Re: How long did you breastfeed for?
I know it seems difficult, but I would try and go at least 6 months. I am still breastfeeding Andrew and he is 8 months old now. He's never taken a bottle unless I had to be away from him and then we used BM in a bottle. I will try and BF him until he's a year, but then I will wean him.
Rainmama
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Re: How long did you breastfeed for?
Posted by kptoys
Me, personally, I BF Emma for 2 1/2 years but I never had any 'issues' like having to pump exclusivly. Quite the opposite actually, Emma never took a bottle, ever. The AAP recommends you breastfeed for 6months-1year and the LLC says to stop when its mutually agreeable for mother and child. I think ANY amount of time you breastfed is great and you should stop when you are ready!
I'm in the same boat as Karen. I've been BFing for 2 years and 2 months. Maiah never ever took a bottle.
michele31
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Re: How long did you breastfeed for?
I pumped for 1 full year....Molly never latched despite a lot of time and money spent trying. If you need ANY support please, please, please let me know. I UNDERSTAND what it is like to pump 8-10X a day/night and long for a nursing relationship. I will say this...after week 16 it kept getting easier and easier. I used a hospital grade pump for 12 weeks, then my PISA for the rest of the time. I had a car adapter and would pump on my way to and from family events. My friends planned lunches around my pumping schedule. I also pumped at work. I PROMISE you that as you are able to drop pumping sessions, around month 4 or 5, you will begin to see a ray of hope. I got a hands free bra and that was the best $35 I ever spent! I will post a link for you. It allows you to NOT hold the horns to your breasts and have both hands free. Best thing ever for us pumping moms!!
Also, something that really helped me was to put a dab of olive oil on my nipples before I pumped. That helped soooo much. And horns come in different sizes so if you feel that your breasts are being crammed into the horns there is another size.
Can I give you any more info or support? Please know that it is possible to do this. You can make it through!!
Also- don't make long term goals. Those feel never ending. Keep your goals short and each time you read one you can decide if you want to pump longer.
Here is a online support group on Yahoo for Pumping Moms. It helped me a lot. Pumping Moms
Melissa
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Re: How long did you breastfeed for?
I just weaned my son from Breastfeeding and he's 1 today! I was only going to do it for 6 months, but things were going great so I said I'd keep going!
Dee7772
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Re: How long did you breastfeed for?
I just want to give to hugs - ( i never breast fed my baby, and I give all the admiration to those who did). You do whatever you can for your baby. whatever time you do breastfeeding your baby is better than not breastfeeding at all. Congrats on your little one.
JENNCHRIS
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Re: How long did you breastfeed for?
I breastfed for 1 year, I plan on doing the same with this baby.
Nancy
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Re: How long did you breastfeed for?
So far, it's been over 9 months. I will be weaning by the one year mark.
Congratulations on making it this far with pumping.
