The time has come to say goodbye to nursing. After mastitis during the triplet’s baptism weekend and now third degree hickys (blisters) on my right side – I’m throwing in the towel!
I know you’re going to say that I gave it a good go, but I still feel guilty/bad. To be quite honest, I feel like I’m failing at my mom duty.
Seriously, God made boobs to make milk and mine aren’t doing their job well (or maybe too well ha!). I can’t get the words “real moms breast feed their babies” out of my head. What I want to know is who put them there? This is going to be a physical as well as emotional process. I just keep picturing Dori –
Lots of things are going to change with no longer pumping. For one thing, I’ll get 5-6 hours back to my day! Doug said jokingly last night “You’ll have two more hours back to the day to clean more!” Ummm really? He thinks I only spent two hours pumping? Secondly, cleaning? I’m thinking more time to play with the kids, take a shower, cook, craft, the list goes on forever! I just smiled and nodded … let him think it was only two hours – the other 3-4 hours will be my little secret. Shhhhhh
No more washing bottle/pumping parts. Man I have really grown to loath washing all those itty bitty parts and having to wash them 6 times a day! Now all the baby stuff can be put in the dishwasher. Loving that part!
The not so great part is the $ coming out of the checking account. I’m already planning regular shopping trips to Sam’s Club. AND once I get the kid’s birth certificates (LONG story as to why I still don’t have them) I’ll be able to send letters for free stuff. Let’s be honest though, formula will be cheaper than me spending a few weeks in the loony bin! To be brutally honest, medical bills SUCK! and they just keep coming. Wait, did I just turn a negative into a positive? No longer pumping = less medical bills 🙂
Considering I was pumping 16 oz every 4 hours, I can’t stop cold turkey. This is going to be a process. After talking with the doc, here’s my plan: wear a tight sports bra 24/7, pump only when I just can’t stand it anymore, avoid long hot shower (who has time for those anyways?), only pump for 10-15 mins to relieve pressure. I’m not sure how long it will take to be done but I’m thinking it’ll be at least a week if not two or three. Man it’ll be nice to have my body back 🙂 Another positive!
So if I can keep focusing on the positives, maybe the emotional process will go smoother. Having my very own personal cheerleader
named Rachael also helps. I can do this!
Love, Mel
Hey you are a real mom, your birthed 3 babies at the same time. And you breast fed them a real long time. Yes, God made boobs for milk, but for one baby at a time not 3. You rock!!! You made it a lot further then I would have.
Congrats to you, I don’t know how you do 4 kids at once you are a pure rock star!
Stacy
I agree you are a real Mom! Breast feeding or not. The fact that you did breast feed with triplets in my book makes you SUPER MOM! As far as formula goes… I have been trying to save money myself (sure im not a Mom but we all need to save money) There are ALOT of coupon websites and I have found most of the websites are 80% baby related. Just a thought! Congrats to you and the more time you get to spend with all four of your amazingly adorable boys!
Amanda :o)
Thanks for the info Amanda – what websites do you use? I’m totally interested just not sure where to start?
wow coupons is one ive been using ALOT! but you can also go to channel 12 news website they have a coupon link too…you have to download a program to print the coupons but its no biggie! but there is ALOT of baby stuff one there! formula, lotion, washes, wipes, diapers… i have become the coupon queen! if i run across anymore i will keep you posted!
Hi Melissa,
Don’t ever doubt what a great Mom you are! I like you was determined when I had my first to breast feed(only one baby). It did not work out so great and with Brittany I just plain said no! Look how great she turned out! 🙂 I love reading your blog and seeing what a great job you are doing with ALL your boys. I always tell people that the hardest job a person could have is being a parent. Keep up the great work!
Lynn Diedrich
Brittany’s Mom 🙂
Mel – You can also use ice packs if you get really sore! Also, if I get any more formula checks, I’ll send them your way (we’ve been using Target’s Up & Up formula so we can’t use them anyway). And if you do any shopping online, use ebates to get cash back and coupons: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=mHv78YZrs9MoEsiHQvbmlQ%3D%3D
Good luck!
I know I told you I saw your blog- but I just realized now that there are pictures to match!! haha wow I make a great cheerleader!!
Love you tons!
-ME