Breastfeeding Resources

In the weeks since my last post, I've had a lot to think about. Should I give up pumping during the day and introduce formula? Should I hang in there for six more weeks til my son's a year old and I can replace breast milk with cow's milk?

One thing I realized is that it wasn't specifically pumping that was causing my stress. It's just that pumping is the easiest thing to skim off the top. Stopping that would eliminate a bunch of trouble--fitting it into work, washing parts and bottles, and remembering to pack them in the morning. But reducing stress throughout my life did make continuing to pump less painful. A few days after that post, I took Aaron to daycare for three hours on my day off. I came back home and worked in the garden and on a sewing project. It was delightful. A huge help. I intend to schedule a 1/2 day like that every month. I can even imagine having enough time to get my hair cut *and* colored. Amazing. The other stress reducer was our vacation, which we took with family who were more than willing to grab Aaron for a few hours while I napped or chilled. That was terrific.

I've also had a few weeks to really get used to the idea that Aaron would be having formula. And I've started skipping pumping sessions at work a few times, when it just wasn't convenient. The frozen milk is just about gone now, and I think I'll be buying some formula this weekend. And that feels pretty much okay. Even if I have to make him a bottle on the weekend, because my supply is down. Because he's almost 11-months old now, and he's gotten so much benefit from breast milk already. And I need the break.

The one completely silly hang up I have is I'm not going to buy the formula on a shopping trip where I use my grocery-store coupon card. Somehow, I don't want the grocery store and formula companies (who I associate with over-the-top marketing techniques and hooking poor mothers through free giveaways) to know who I am. It's absurd. But I can live with that.