Am I overreacting to my non-mom friends saying “just pump!” ?

[eliquinn]

@ckatiejo As an exclusively pumping mom, I’m a little taken aback that there is so much animosity at the idea of pumping one additional time versus feeding the baby from the breast, especially if you are already pumping sometimes for work and know baby will take a bottle. But it is entirely your choice and prerogative to prioritize the type of breastfeeding you prefer over the opportunity to spend more time with your friends.

 

[nina777]

@ckatiejo It’s totally fair for someone to have obligations to their pet that require them to be home. It’s also totally UNfair for that same person to suggest that you not spend time with your child so flippantly. Your suggestion to attend the “pregame” event (I can’t think of a better word to describe this lol but I know it’s not exactly right hence the quotation marks) there with you going over there at 2 pm was an accommodation/compromise. Maybe this needs to be made clear to her.
Sometimes it’s difficult for non parents to understand, so, giving her the benefit of the doubt, I would respond saying that you were happy to accommodate the time she wanted to provide for her dog but you feel that she isn’t understanding what a big ask it is for you to take even more time away from your child on a day that you aren’t being separated by work, not to mention the extra labor that she is requesting of you by asking that you pump instead of nurse. You can acknowledge that she probably didn’t know this because how could she, but pumping sucks (I say this as an exclusive pumper who has been doing this for 18 months) and being away from a 6 month old is incredibly challenging for both baby and primary caretaker.

 

[sumby]

@ckatiejo I would tell the friend with a dog, “can’t you just hire a dog sitter?” Tf

 

[ohhmyykrishh]

@ckatiejo What does she do when she works all day? Could she not do that and come to your house for the convenience needed due to being a mom to a child under 1?

 

[erickem]

@ckatiejo Can’t she get someone to let her dog out!?

 

[sunshinegirl23]

@ckatiejo "if that's how you all feel, then I’d rather stick by my baby and feed her myself and just skip hanging out with [you guys] beforehand. I'll see you at the concert!"

 

[mbeau88]

@ckatiejo How about she gets a sitter for the dog instead and they all go to your house

Sorry but human infants actually can't survive without their parents. The dog won't die or even suffer if it gets left alone for several hours. People do this all the time while they're at work.

I'm careful what i disclose with non mom's because they can be dim about a lot of motherhood related things no offense.

 

[robertvox]

@mbeau88 This is disingenuous. OP would prefer to breastfeed rather than pump and that's her prerogative, but there's no scenario at play where the child is actually unsafe.

 

[somer_222]

@ckatiejo Lol I came in fully expecting to tell you you probably were overreacting but… a dog? Come on. I love dogs. I work with them. But this is just as rude as you suggesting she “just lay down a pee pad” for her dog rather than let him out.

Does she not work during the day also? How is the dog unable to be alone?

 

[baldwinpablo]

@ckatiejo As a owner of 6 cats and a dog, and the mother of a 3 month old, babies are more important. At the end of the day, we love them, but a dog is a dog. It should have puppy pads out and know how to use them, or be crated imo. If they were real friends they would be more flexible imo.

 

[brh1989]

@ckatiejo I hate pumping. You are not being unreasonable, they should be more accomodating.

 

[mikeysavedbygrace]

@brh1989 Pumping barely worked for me.
I’m praying that it works well enough the second time for me to do it at work.

 

[anh0639]

@ckatiejo Can’t she just get someone from rover to let her dog out?

No shame to her, just giving back the energy she’s giving you.

 

[godsaveall125]

@ckatiejo I would be annoyed but also they don't know... For those saying it's too long to leave a dog it seems like it ends up being about as long as a work day... If the dog is old enough 8 to 9 hours doesn't seem that long.

I honestly wouldn't go to the before hang out. I'd just say you made me feel uncomfortable bringing my child so I'll meet you there. And i:d probably try and sell my ticket bc it just seems like a hassle for a bunch of "friends" who aren't that understanding.

I probably wouldn't pump at the concert either. Maybe a quick pump in the car right before and right after but at 6 months you should be pretty regulated.

 

[terphawthorne]

@ckatiejo I’m not even going to read the post because What it comes down to is this: it’s YOU. Your body, your decisions. Furthermore, don’t listen to people who don’t have kids. I taught preschool for awhile and idk why a single parent listened to a thing I said before I had kids, my god. I used to be like, “idk man when they get teeth… I’d probably stop breastfeeding” - my twins are three and still nursing.

 

[mark70]

@ckatiejo You are totally in the right! Take care of your baby and don’t let her dictate the terms! Your baby feeding time is very important. I would be upset too!

 

[stimothy]

@ckatiejo I agree that it likely wasn’t malicious, just ignorance. As someone who ended up not being able to breastfeed and pumped exclusively, I 100% would rather breastfeed my baby than pump if I had the choice and I would have been annoyed by her comment…. Especially for a dog.

 

[emmsmom81]

@ckatiejo It's not like pumping is fun...

 

[bigred009]

@emmsmom81 Neither is a dog messing itself in a crate or somewhere in her house.

 

[emmsmom81]

@bigred009 I didn't say that? I wouldn't want to leave my dog alone all day either. But my baby not either when I'm still breastfeeding.