If you follow me on Instagram you know that I’m supposed to be weaning. I’d planned to complete my journey and publish this as my final blog post wrapping up all the details in celebration of World Breast Pumping Day. Well… not everything goes according to plan.
As I was retrieving some data for this post, I signed into the wrong milk bank portal. When I was initially researching paid banks back in November 2024, I’d also signed up with NI-Q but they weren’t actively accepting applications. I checked in a few times over the first few months and then forgot about it. Till now. And as I logged in, a big pop up came across the screen stating: “Open for Donations!” Well, okay! Why not? So I applied. If I got in, cool. If I didn’t, I’m okay to end my pumping journey.
As Parker turned ONE yesterday, today marks one year of my exclusively pumping journey. And quite a journey it has been. 8 pumps. 2 extra freezers. 2 milk banks.
And to think I wanted to quit in the first couple of days when it was such a struggle just to fill up the tiny syringes the NICU nurses would give me.
Based on the data: I have completed 2417pumping sessions, totaling ~1,184 hours(that’s almost 50 days) and producing 27589 ounces of milk. According to ChatGPT, that equates to 551,780calories burned and can be estimated to be worth $110,000. My personal record is pumping 38 ounces in one session.
Before we dive into World Breastfeeding Week—as well as National Breastfeeding Month—let’s start with two important reminders:
First: Whatever feeding journey you’ve chosen for your family is valid, and it is enough. Whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping, using formula, or some combination of all three—you’re doing what’s best for your baby. And that makes you a good mom.
Second:Pumping is breastfeeding. There’s been a lot of chatter on social media lately questioning whether exclusive pumping “counts” since it’s not straight from the source. Let’s be clear: it absolutely does.
Based on the data: (as of yesterday), I have completed 2110 pumping sessions, totaling 1,034 hours(that’s 43 full days) and producing ~23,894 ounces of milk. According to ChatGPT, that equates to 477,871calories burned and can be estimated to be worth $28,672.
So far, we have donated 9,145 ounces of our stash to the Mother’s Milk Bank of SC to help fellow NICU babies just like Parker. This has helped feed 370 NICU babies.
We have also given 1000 ounces via private donation and we’ve been paid $5,665 donating 6,071 ounces to Tiny Treasures.
More recently, every single day I’ve wanted to quit. I could just stockpile the rest of my stash to get Parker through her first birthday. But then I think of every mom who wanted to breastfeed and couldn’t. I think of every NICU baby that we are helping with our donations. And I think about how great it has been to bring some financial support to my family after losing my identity to being a stay at home mom. Plus it doesn’t hurt that I feel feel comfortable in my body for the first time in a long time. So I’m going to keep trucking along until the tap runs dry.
As Parker turned 6 months old yesterday, today marks 6 months into my pumping journey. I didn’t start using a tracking app until the third day, but the numbers are still pretty exceptional. I’ve come extremely far from my weak attempts just to fill up the tiny syringes the NICU nurses would give me that first week.
Based on the data: as of right now, I have completed 1,250 pumping sessions, totaling 617 hours and producing ~13,420 ounces of milk. According to ChatGPT, that equates to 268,400 calories burned and can be estimated to be worth $20-40k.
So far, we have donated ~6,550 ounces of our stash to the Mother’s Milk Bank of SC to help fellow NICU babies just like Parker, with another ~1,300 ounces packaged up and ready to go in an additional freezer. Earlier this month, we learned that from our donations processed so far, we have helped feed 228 NICU babies.
Most of my process that I wrote about in Milk It for All It’s Worth is still the same but I have new favorite products, especially since I’ve stopped using my Medela pumps and made the full switch to wearable pumps from Momcozy. Now I’m just saving up for the new Air 1.
Danielle D. Mercer 