Why Pumping Sucks

I’ll hazard a guess here…. chances are, you think pumping sucks.
Am I right?
If you don’t hate it outright, there are most likely things about pumping that you dislike.
I’m right, aren’t I?

So of course, I had to ask my IG mommas… and let me tell you…. they were quick to tell me why they hate pumping and here are the results.  (Yes I made a pie chart 🤓 I’m a visual person! I like visual data!) These are the most common reasons mommas think pumping sucks. What useful data! Do YOU see anything on this list that you agree with? What do YOU hate the most?

#1: TIME

From the poll, mothers averaged 3-4 hours nursing and 2-2.5 hours pumping in a 24-hr time period. However, that data doesn’t include washing pumping supplies, bottle-feeding baby, or the EMOTIONS that mothers feel about that time spent providing breastmilk to their babies.

Things I’ve heard in response to how much time it takes to NURSE- “Ugh, all day? Impossible to tell you how long when he’s on the boob all day, it’s exhausting.” 😫 Or “About 3 hours but I get those baby snuggles so I don’t care.” 😊
Things I’ve heard in response to time it takes to PUMP- “I am type A so I like knowing exactly how long it takes to pump or bottle-feed.” 😁 Or “I pump 6x a day for 30 min plus feeding baby plus doing dishes all day with no one to help.” 😖

You can see in BOTH cases that mothers can feel many ways about the time it takes to provide breastmilk and the way it’s provided. TIME itself isn’t the only factor.

BOTH NURSING AND PUMPING CAN BE REWARDING OR DRAINING IN THEIR OWN WAYS. What seems difficult for one momma might not be difficult for another.
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⚠️If you think it’s taking “too long” to nurse, you could benefit from seeing a lactation professional, who can assess latch and milk transfer- seeing just how much baby is getting and if milk is being removed effectively.
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⚠️ If you think it’s taking too long to pump, consider meeting with a pumping-specific lactation professional who can help with pump settings, flange size, and other techniques that can make pumping more efficient.

⚠️ If you’ve been advised to “triple feed” meaning nurse then pump then feed that with a bottle, make sure you’re working closely with a lactation professional and your pediatrician to see if baby is getting enough and if you can switch back to nursing or decide to exclusively pump (which can actually seem easier after triple feeding!)

WHY DOES PUMPING TAKE SO LONG?

#2: Washing Pump Parts

There’s no denying: The pump life involves more dish washing than nursing does. That’s just a fact. Good, now that we have THAT over with, let’s talk about how to make this part of pumping not suck so much:

ENDLESS DISHES was the number 2 complaint. So how can we deal with the never-ending pumping dishes?
I have a few ideas! Find what works best for you and your family.

• Fridge hack (if you’re comfortable with it) bring many mommas freedom and sanity. Read more about this in my HACKS highlight on Instagram! (I could never have pumped as long as I did without doing the fridge hack, but please note that the CDC does not recommend it.)
• Buying multiple pumping accessory sets and washing them all at once instead on ongoing all throughout the day
• Using the top shelf of your dishwasher (read manufacturer warnings on your pump accessories to see if they are dishwasher safe!) or buying a counter-top dishwasher
• Assigning the task to your partner, if applicable. You are doing SO much work momma, allow someone to help! Yes, even if they work full-time. (you’re keeping a tiny human(s) alive full-time, that’s not an excuse) It’s an important discussion to have with your partner!
• Multi-tasking while doing dishes- audiobooks and podcasts are great for this! (game changer for me! I no longer dread it, I almost see it as “me-time”)
• Take care of your hands with a good quality lotion and aquaphor at night

#3: Ignoring Baby

After all, the pump is mechanical, your baby is not; so I can see how strapping on your pumping contraption creates distance from the intimacy of being near your baby. If you are one of those mommas who koala up with their baby all day, I can see how pumping would create a space/distance that you aren’t comfortable with.
What if baby wakes and becomes fussy while you’re pumping? Keep them close, keep them occupied. Don’t be afraid to help them get accustomed to NOT being attached to you… you are still working hard for your baby, and there are plenty of ways to bond while pumping! Here are some ideas to help keep you and baby engaged and connected while pumping:

• Cradle baby on your outstretched legs, or on the crook of your legs if you are sitting with your legs bent. Touch, massage, and talk or sing to baby.
• Lay baby right next to you on the couch or while sitting on the floor, so that the length of baby is touching your thigh. They can watch you and feel close to you when while pumping.
• Allow a younger baby to enjoy time in a swing or lounger.
• Sit an older baby in a baby seat, bouncer, or with a basket of sensory toys next to you on the floor.
• Baby “gyms” are great when baby can swat at the dangly toys above them! This is a great time to practice tummy time!
• Allow any age baby time to play and look at the world around them on a blanket on the floor or ground outside. My grandma always said “Babies can’t fall off the floor!”
• If your partner is home, now is an EXCELLENT chance for them to bond with baby over feeding. Remember, they are parenting too, not just “helping out!”
• Feed baby while pumping! Game. Changerrrrr. Check the Feeding page of this website and Bottle Feeding highlight on Instagram
• There’s even a way to pump one breast at a time while wearing baby in a side-carry, if your little pumpling is a cling-on. There’s an image of be doing this HERE.

#4: Concerns over Milk Supply

Huge stressor for so many mommas, I get it. Spending a ton of time pumping and feeling like your body just isn’t getting the message is so frustrating. This, like all reasons, is a great reason to think pumping sucks. Notice what I said there, “all reasons are good reasons”. Your feelings about pumping are valid.

Struggling with milk supply can be such an emotional burden as well as a physical and financial one. Learn about getting off to a good start with your milk supply, and read all my best tips for increased milk supply.
Remember, breastmilk isn’t all or nothing. Mommas with low supply, think of the amount of milk you can provide as the most personalized vitamin for your little pumpling!

#5: Grieving Breastfeeding Expectations

What did you picture your breastfeeding journey to look like, when you were pregnant? Raise your hand if it involved being strapped to a pump all day. (Not many people raising their hands, huh?) When breastfeeding DOESN’T look like we imagined it would, when we wind up pumping instead of nursing, we feel like we are failing somehow, which can feel like guilt.
So so so many mommas throw about the word GUILT when describing how they feel about exclusively pumping. Sure, ‘mom guilt’ is a very real experience, (and all too common, in my opinion!) but there’s a chance you might be feeling GRIEF instead.

Yes, GRIEF. Mourning the breastfeeding relationship you assumed you’d have. 😞
By more accurately naming the emotion, you can allow yourself to mourn your expectations, allow yourself to feel GRIEF. You aren’t failing, you aren’t letting anyone down.. So there’s no reason to feel guilty, momma. 😌
So have grace with yourself. Many things surrounding pregnancy, childbirth, and new motherhood are beyond your control. Have grace with yourself and with your baby. Do what you have to do, and find gratitude in that which you are able to control, like pumping when you assumed you’d be nursing. 💛

Even more reasons…

Other reasons mommas hate pumping include: Pain, Work Issues, Feeling isolated, DMER/Nausea, and Cost. Is the reason YOU think pumping sucks on this page? Be sure to Comment below!

I actually DON’T hate pumping

I hate how much you hate pumping. 😫 It literally pains me every time I hear it, because I hate to see you upset and I feel for you so deeply, I just wish I could make it all better. 😓 I also hate how much you hate it, because I didn’t hate it. Yes, I hated aspects of it… but you need to know that I chose pumping on purpose, so it’s not always obvious to me why someone would hate it. 😔 So what did I hate about it?

• DISHES- gawdddd the dishes. Endless dishes! It wasn’t until I was battling PostPartum Anxiety with my second baby that I FINALLY had the most important conversation with my husband that was a game changer: I asked him to do the dishes. Yes, the pumping dishes, but actually… ALL the dishes. At this point I was the one shopping, meal-planning, cooking, making kid lunches, and pumping, all while working full time. I delegated alll dishes to my husband and now, 3 years later, that’s still his jurisdiction. It works for us. And guess what? HE FELT USEFUL! He felt like he was easing my burden. And guess what? MEN CAN WASH DISHES! I took like 5 minutes to show him how I like my pump parts washed, and he was good to go.
• I WAS EMBARASSED- What? Melissa from “Pump Momma Pump” was embarrassed about pumping? Heck yes! No one I know did it! Everyone nursed or used formula! Exclusive pumping was weird. I had these weirdo bottles hanging off my chest and I had to go hide every 3 hours like a hermit! I hated feeling that way. By my second baby I grew in confidence and could even pump in front of many of my nearest and dearest. I could confidently tell my doctors that I was breastfeeding, because I knew that pumping IS breastfeeding. I saw people online, even celebs, begin to normalize pumping.
• PUMPING IS LIMITING- A huge difference between Baby 1 and Baby 2- I didn’t let pumping limit me. I got a portable pump so I could multitask around the house. I got a manual pump that allowed me to pump quickly on the go- especially in the car, dressing room at target, even my minister’s office. I got a wearable pump and began to pump everywhere…. the movies, shopping, restaurants… I got SO much time back!

Don’t miss out!

Make sure you’re subscribed to this blog for upcoming tips, tricks, and teamwork to help you not hate pumping so much! (Or at least find that you’re not alone in your hatred for pumping!) And of course, you can find more info on this topic on my Instagram page, under the “Pumping Sucks” highlight. Go take a look!