Well, I'm nearing the end of my pumping journey a lot sooner than I expected. I didn't have a hard and fast date, but it looks like 6 months - today - is either the end, or close to it. I've been dropping pumps over the last couple of weeks.
I kind of feel like a failure, not gonna lie. I wanted to be able to overcome all my challenges and pump until my son is a year old.
But I had a horrible sciatica flare that lasted almost two months - still ongoing, if you count the pain when I get up. Plus working from home, dealing with people that seemed to think my job was optional until my numbers started suffering. On top of that, I constantly had to wait for others to be able to care for my son for 30 minutes to an hour so I could pump until semi empty. No matter what I did, how much research I did, or flange size adjustments, my breasts never wanted to fully give up their milk.
Reading all that, I should be somewhat proud of myself for pushing through as long as I did. I just feel guilty, and like I'm failing him. I wish I'd been able to nurse, but even that wouldn't have solved anything - i couldn't even hold him for weeks during that flare.
Sorry the the ramble. It's 3:30am, and the guilt has been weighing heavy on me since I decided to wean off pumping.
Best luck with your journeys, mamas.