To all my moms who exclusively pump for their little ones,

I know, at first, you feel like a failure. You worry you will be missing that bond with your baby that other nursing mothers have. You blame yourself. I know I did.

I cried, not sure why my little one could not latch. Not sure what to do about feeding my sweet little baby. She depended on me for food, but trying to breastfeed left both of us feeling frustrated…and one of us hungry.

You worry if you are strong and patient enough to continue pumping. Formula would be easier and quicker.  Pumping is time-consuming and frustrating. It hurts, it’s boring, your milk supply is not consistent. It is so extremely hard.

Sitting in a chair, machine on and attached, pumping for 30 minutes….every 3 hours. “Power pumping” for a couple of hours in 15 minute increments in attempts to trick…