What was your reason for pumping vs. breastfeeding? Did you choose differently for other children you had?

Hi! I'm a NICU mom of a baby who was born full term but needed to be rushed away, intubated, and have surgery at days old. The pumping journey chose me, I had no choice. Even at 2 months old, my son is finally home but really struggling with eating orally and getting all his milk fortified so a bottle and 95% NG tube is our way of life.

This is my first baby so I'm curious what other people have gone through and what their perspectives are about multiple children?

Did you breastfeed for subsequent children or previous children? How did you decide what to do if your decision wasn't forced?

I had no say in my pumping journey, so I'm curious what it would even look like or how to navigate it if we were to have another baby in the future.

***EDIT TO SAY You all are amazing and I appreciate hearing everyone's stories so much!!! Providing nourishment to your children is SUCH a journey and I'm seeing how it is so unique for each person and each situation. You all are beautiful, incredible people. I love knowing that whether pumping, breastfeeding, formula, whether by choice, whether from an under supply, an over supply, or unforseen circumstances, we all love and want to do what's best for our babies and ourselves. (I'm a big believer that if you aren't taking care of yourself you can only do so well taking care of another human.) THANK YOU for bringing some peace in this chaotic storm of an experience in being a first time mom who had no idea what I was getting into with this feeding journey. I really thought it would be this peaceful bonding time with my baby and it's just not, but that's okay and he is getting everything he needs to grow and develop.