Pumping

[l412angel]

Ok this may sound so weird, but when I pump...I get this overwhelming anxiety, heart pounds at times, I feel angry and just frustrated etc...its a horrible feeling. I do not feel this way when I nurse my son, just pumping. Suggestions?

[kerisue]

I felt that way too when pumping for my daughter. It felt unnatural which in a way it is. I just tried to listen to my ipod or watch t.v. to distract me and remind myself that it was for her good. (she actually only ended getting breastmilk for the first few days of life, had nothing to do with how things turned out)

[kathrynb]

I felt the same way. My son was in the NICU and couldn't nurse at first so I was just pumping. I found it to be very frustrating and dissapointing. Of course its not at all the way you hope things will turn out. I just tried to take deep breaths and focus on the positives instead of focusing on the frustrations. Like I would just try to think that even though I couldn't nurse him, at least I could I could provide him with breast milk. Even though I couldn't have my baby with me all the time, at least I could go down to see him a couple times a day. The days of just pumping, fortunately, went by fairly quickly in hindsight. Just remember that its short-term and all the reasons that its good for your baby.

[m]

First of all, I was so happy & surprised to see your post that Carter is here! Congratulations! Having him in the NICU isn't ideal, but you are so lucky to be in a hospital that allows you to stay after you are discharged. My baby girl was in the NICU for 10 days before she could come home and then it took her a long time to get the hang of nursing, so I pumped for weeks and weeks. It didn't exactly make me anxious, but it always felt like it took hours. I could spend half an hour feeding her a bottle and the time would fly by, but 15 minutes of pumping felt like an eternity. I finally started watching movies on my laptop while I pumped and it made a huge difference.

Having your baby stuck in the hospital is no fun, but you will have him home with you soon and the NICU will be a distant memory.

[jamie w]

I try to do other things while pumping to make it go by faster. I also just try to remind myself that right now this is how I am to take care of my son. I cannot be there all the time for him but this is what I can do. I would think that the pump is a constant reminder that things did not go as planned again. That builds anxiety each time you have to pump. I promise you that it does get better!! (((hugs)))

[kellyo19]

http://www.d-mer.org/

Check out this link above. APparently hormones caused by lactation and letdown can cause negative emotions, including anger. I might guess that you're angry and upset about your situation (completely normal) and the pumping is just another reminder? I hope you feel better soon, but the link above may help you realize the whys and hows?

When I was pumping for my son, who had latch issues until he was about 6-7 wks old, I tried to distract myself with a "me" book or magazine not related to parenting, nursing, or pregnancy, or I watched a dvd or tv movie... the distraction helped the time go by and gave me some needed me-time. I used a hands-free setup (basically rubber bands that go around your nursing bra straps and hook over the horns) so I could also have a snack or drink at the same time.

[l412angel]

It is actually much better I only pump on one side now. It takes longer but works!

[bernadic]

Congrats on the baby. When Luke was in the NICU, I would take a photo album of his pictures with me into the pumping room and flip through it when I pumped. I would also bring a blanket that smelled like him with me to hold. After a while, (I did this for 3 months since he was so little and sick) I would read. I read a lot of books-the chic lit type where it is just silly romance nonsense. Do you have the option of pumping in the room? Luke had a private room and depending on the nurse, I could pump in there with my travel pump. Good luck!

[lilysmommymindy]

Pumping is no fun but I try to look at pictures of my baby, play on facebook or here, read up on my news apps, etc to stay distracted (as another poster said). It definately helps the time go by and makes me dwell less on how much it sucks. I keep saying to myself, only 10 more weeks til summer vacation and then I can retire my pump forever!!! YAY! Maybe I'll pull an Office Space and smash it....except it has been a good pump...but I still hate it!

[kbielec]

I have recently returned to these boards - I was looking for a post from you - I know when I left you were newly pregnant with Carter. I was so HAPPY to see you gave birth and had no PE/HELLP issues this time...gives me hope girl, gives me hope. I am not far along in my pregnancy, and I am nervous but hopeful.
Many Congrats!