Sunday, March 14, 2010

The Final Chapter of Pumping (part 2)

I can't believe how much this decision is consuming me.  So to help me put things in perspective...

Pros and Cons of Pumping (in no particular order):

Pros
  1. BEST MILK EVER that I could provide to my child.
  2. Saves $$$ on the cost of formula.
  3. The extra calories my body burns in the process.
  4. Watching shows on DVR during my pumping sessions.
  5. The 20-25 minutes I "have" to "myself" during my pumping sessions (hence #4).
  6. The dessert I can treat myself to (see #3).
  7. Unlike formula, which you can only be left out for one hour in room temperature, breastmilk can be left out for up to four hours. 
  8. Even though he's bottlefed breastmilk, I still feel a special bond with my child knowing that only I can provide him with this special nourishment. 
  9. The (ahem) greatest looking boobs that I've ever had. 
  10. My son's breatmilk burps don't stink like his formula burps do. 

Cons
  1. Lack of sleep (due to late night & early morning pumping sessions).
  2. Having to clean the pump parts and all the respective tubes, caps, etc. after each pumping session.
  3. The time it takes to pump.
  4. Planning all my daily activities around my pump sessions.
  5. Having to drag around a hospital grade pump, and pump in my compact car, if we're out and about for a long period of time. 
  6. Suffering through really bad allergy symptoms because I can't take the allergy decongestant medication that I need. 
  7. My poor baby gets stuck in his exercauser for up to 30 minutes while I set up, pump, and clean up. 
  8. The time I'm pumping I could be playing with my baby. 
  9. Losing #6 & #9 from the pros list
  10. Once I stop, the milk supply will dry up, and when it's gone, it's gone, there's no turning back...

1 comment:

Mrs. J said...

Congrats on your accomplishment. Pat yourself on the back. It is a FEAT!

On the flipside, I'm sorry today, your twins are going to be different after you stop pumping. I mourned the loss of my big girls. They are now much much smaller, but I am still proud, because of what I was able to accomplish.

You are indeed a supermama.