Pumping for Gideon

Being a mom has become the most incredible joy of my life. Each day with my little pumpkin is a new adventure, and watching him grow into the wonderful person he’s meant to be fills my heart with pride and hope. Yet, pumping breastmilk—well, that’s been one of the more challenging journeys. Before Gideon arrived, Chris and I agreed to provide him with breastmilk, either from me or a donor, as much as possible. We respect all feeding choices and believe this approach is best for our family.

The journey started as quite a challenge. I relied heavily on Chris, who was nothing short of amazing, but he couldn’t be there every moment. Our lives wouldn’t allow for constant nursing, which is where pumping came into play. I’ll be honest, though: I don’t exactly love the process. The actual feeding is such a beautiful and intimate experience, but connecting to the pump every few hours—sometimes for what feels like forever—can be downright exhausting and sometimes painful. Yet, if you’ve seen Gideon, you know he’s thriving and well-fed, and that brings me a deep sense of joy and fulfillment.

Pumping presents a unique set of challenges that push me to my limits on every level—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I often grapple with a whirlwind of questions: Am I producing enough? Am I nourishing myself adequately so I can nourish him? Am I truly meeting all his needs? It leads me to wonder, am I enough? These thoughts swirl in my mind like a relentless echo, and the journey offers no shortcuts or pauses. It’s a constant test of my strength and resolve. Sometimes, I even wonder if Chris still sees me the way he did before, or who I am beyond motherhood. This is the raw, real heart of postpartum life and pumping. And yes, even as I share this, I’m pumping.

The world of pumps is truly overwhelming, with an endless variety, each boasting its devoted fans! I feel incredibly fortunate to live in a time when hands-free technology makes everything much more convenient—no more awkward holding! After exploring many options, I finally stumbled upon the perfect pump that complements my lifestyle flawlessly. I can’t wait to share my review soon for anyone else on the lookout for a hands-free solution, especially with the bonus of a fantastic app that lets me control my pumps right from my phone! My journey through four different pumps has been quite the adventure—some were duds, some didn’t meet my needs—but now, I’m thrilled to say I’ve found a pair I absolutely adore! Stay tuned for my insights!

When Gideon was born, I aimed to pump for six months. Now I’ve set my sights on a year. I believe God designed my body to provide everything my beautiful boy needs, and I take pride in being part of that miracle every day.