3 Month strong and I choose to do it for the baby. I really didn’t think we’d made it this long because our relationship got off to a rough start. I couldn’t figure you out, you couldn’t figure me out, and honestly at first the pain did not make it a clear to me why I was sticking thru. You were just around way too much and I thought for sure I wouldn’t be able to handle your frequent presence. I mean, a girl needs her space!

Slowly we became friends and things for easier.  You treated me so well, and provided for me more than what I needed. You were there for me during those awful overnights, and stayed up “talking” to me when everyone else was asleep. I’ve cried with you, laughed with you, and have been oh-so-frustrated with you. But you never turned on me, always did what you needed to do, and never failed.  That’s something I’ll never be able to repay you for, because what you gave me is something I wouldn’t have been able to get any other way. I need you to know just how much you’ve been appreciated these past 3 months, even when I’ve felt like throwing in the towel and calling it quits.

But, I think it’s time we see other people.

It’s not you, it’s me.

I’ve changed, moved on in my ways. I need to get ME back. I didn’t realize just how much of me has been missing all this time. It’s liberating, and I feel free! My relationship with you have been holding me back from so many things! And I need this extra time to devote to something different in life. It’s someone else. I don’t mean to sound harsh, but you’ve served your purpose in my life, and it’s time I move on to bigger and better things. If it’s meant to be, I’ll see you again in the future. Hopefully on different terms next time.

Thank you for these 3+ months of breast milk for my little boy. Exclusively pumping is the hardest thing I’ve ever accomplished in life, and you were with me every step of the way.

Now this is my post dated letter for my break out with my medla travel pumping, I have been ONLY pumping for 3 months and I must admit it may be harder than the birth itself.  Maksimus and I have a routine to pump about every  day about every 4 hours. Here is some tips that helps me get thru the days !

• WATER WATER WATER WATER – I cannot stress enough how important drinking water and enough water is important
• SLEEP!!!!   Think of it like this the pump is sucking out the vitamins and life out of you, when you sleep you can let your body rest and start over again ! Even an hour will help!   SLEEP WHEN YOUR BABY SLEEPS
• CREAM- finding yourself a good nipple cream is very important. Dry, cracked and sore nipples with just keep hurting and ripping which will make it harder to continue pumping.
• ICE PACK- if your breast are swollen or sore an ice pack will reduce the swelling
• HOT PACK- ladies do you feel those rocks inside your breast and hard to get the slow going? Well the hot pack will help the flow of the milk.
• MASSAGE- while your pumping it helps me to rub and squeeze the extra milk out and also a massage from the top and bottom. (feels so nice)
• DONT FORGET- Trust me I know its hard but do your best to be regular, when your regular your body knows how much to produce and when it will be released. I have missed a pump here and there and WOOOOW ITS PAINFUL. 

Well these are just some pointers from my personal experience but everyone has there own little tricks ! I do it for my son, so im not quite ready to break up but I will keep you all updated ! Here is a link to learn a few things about pumping.

My Love/Hate for Breast Pumps: Philosophical (and Practical) Musings on Staying Sane While Pumping

GOOD LUCK PUMPERS !

-christelbarbie