Retiring Pump...

[Ava's Mama]

My DD is 16 months old. She is in daycare 4 days a week and I have been pumping for her since she was 12 weeks old (nursing her when I am with her). For some reason I have felt bad retiring the pump. The past month or so I have only pumped on days that daycare has needed me to bring milk in. So, down to once or twice a week. This week she refused milk two days, so I haven't had to bring any in and therefore didn't pump. She never asks for it at daycare, just takes a few ounces sometimes when they offer. Why am I so hesitant on bringing the pump home from work and saying good bye? Maybe I just feel sad that my babe is growing up or something! I should be throwing a party! 16 months is quite a while to pump and she is obviously telling me that she doesn't need me to anymore. She is just getting water at daycare, otherwise I have instructed them "no milk alternative". I don't necessarily have any questions, just wanted to share!

[rcr]

Congrats on pumping for so long mama.

btw - I felt the opposite as you - I was soooo ready to ditch the pump I would have tossed it out in the trash if it hadn't cost over $200.

[Emily's Mama]

I can understand how you feel. I think women do seem to be quite divided and love packing up the pump, or feel sad or guilty (don't know if this is quite the feeling, but similar?).

I pumped exclusively for DD1 for nearly 16 months, and then pumped for work part time for DD2 from about age 12-18 months and then stopped pumping altogether. She still nurses when I'm at home and she's 21 months old now.

I found it really weird to pack it up. I doubt we will have anymore kids.I progressively moved the pump into a more and more remote and "hidden" part of our house gradually, like I was adapting to the idea of no longer using it! Then last month I sold it on eBay after finally realising it was pointless to keep it (it was a very expensive one too, so better to sell it asap then to let it sit and age in the closet!). As a packed it up to send to the buyer, I almost cried I almost felt as if a part of me or my kids or our history was leaving us. Or maybe linked into probably not having anymore kids. I felt a bit silly maybe, but it can certainly make an impact on a mother to give up pumping.

I hope you don't feel too bad about it for too long.

By the way, I'm over it now and happy to not be pumping anymore (BUT I also kept my small manual pump "just in case" in the closet so that made it easier! )