The Lactation Burnout No One Warned Me About—And How I Fixed It

Lactation is supposed to be natural, but for many mothers, it can feel anything but. Over the past few months, I have found myself trapped in a cycle of exhaustion, pain, and relentless effort—all in the name of providing nourishment for my baby.

The Unrealistic Schedule That Broke Me

When I started pumping, I set an ambitious goal: six to eight pumping sessions a day. It sounded reasonable at first, a necessary commitment to maintaining my milk supply. But in practice, it became an unrelenting, physically draining, and mentally taxing ordeal.

My first pump—the Momcozy wearable pump—was supposed to make things easier. Instead, it made everything worse. It lacked the suction power to fully empty my breasts, leaving me in pain and forcing me to manually massage and hand-express milk after every session. This extra step added more time, more discomfort, and eventually led to severe back pain, tender and sore breasts, and sleepless nights. I was tripping over myself trying to keep up with this exhausting schedule, feeling like I had no choice but to endure it.

The Wake-Up Call

Then, one day, a simple text from a caring family member changed everything. When I vented about my struggles, they pointed out something that should have been obvious:

“You’re pumping too much. It shouldn’t be this hard.”

Something in me shifted. I snapped out of the stress loop. I had been so deep in survival mode that I never paused to question the process. I was simply accepting the struggle without seeking a solution.

That moment of clarity led to my first decisive step—I initiated a return for the Momcozy pump on Amazon. I was done letting an inefficient pump dictate my life. I needed something that actually worked.

Seeking Insurance Coverage and Finding a Solution

Determined to make an informed decision, I reached out to UnitedHealthcare, my insurance provider, to see if they could help. A kind representative, Tailor, guided me through the process and connected me with a vendor who could provide a hospital-grade breast pump covered by my insurance. This was a game-changer.

After extensive research, I finalized my choice: the Spectra S1, a hospital-grade pump known for its efficiency. But there was a catch—my Momcozy pump was being returned, and the Spectra S1 could take up to three weeks to arrive. I needed a temporary solution.

The Temporary Fix: Renting a Hospital-Grade Pump

I recalled the postpartum nurses mentioning that hospital-grade pumps were available for rent. A quick call to Renown Hospital confirmed that they had the Medela Symphony available. Within an hour, I was able to pick it up.

I did need to purchase the accompanying kit—flanges, collection bottles, tubing, and membranes—but the rental cost was only $20 per week, with a $60 deposit. The kit itself cost just $30. Compared to the frustration and pain I had endured, this was a small price to pay for relief and efficiency.

Lessons Learned

This experience has taught me a powerful lesson: We don’t have to put up with the struggle. We need to stop and think.

I spent over 90 days stretching myself thin, losing sleep, and compromising my passion for my work. I accepted the struggle as part of the process when, in reality, a small nudge from a supportive family member was all it took for me to reevaluate and take control.

This journey is still a work in progress. Lactation, like motherhood, comes with its fair share of challenges. But now, I feel a sense of control and relief knowing that I have a pump that actually works for me.

A Financial Win

Beyond the physical and mental relief, I also saved money in the process. By returning the Momcozy pump, I got my $260 back. By going through my insurance-approved vendor, I secured 100% coverage for a breast pump, reducing my out-of-pocket cost for the Spectra S1 to just $125 instead of $260.

Final Thoughts

If you’re struggling with lactation, pause and reassess. Don’t let the wrong tools or unrealistic expectations dictate your journey. Seek help, explore better options, and remember—you don’t have to do this alone.

For any other moms out there feeling overwhelmed, I hope my experience serves as a reminder: You deserve efficiency, comfort, and care. Never settle for less.