At 6 weeks im done with breastfeeding. Advice needed!!

[lozzy1982]

Hi ladies, hope someone can offer some advice/support?

My DS is nearly 6 weeks old and after much heartache i decided yesterday to give up breastfeeding. Physically i could do it, i think! Though things came to a head a couple of days ago when he was literally on me all day long feeding. He barely slept and just wanted to feed. This had been the case nearly all the 6 weeks and i had struggled through, but i am just not that type of person to be happy sat at home with a film and box set all day long and feed like people advise. I like to be out. With family/friends/walking/the park and i just felt like i couldnt do any of these things. Unless ds was on me he was cranky which just wasnt working. I switched the night feeds to formula a couple of weeks ago and he slept so much better. Going 3 or 4 hour intervals. When breast feeding i was lucky if we got an hour. He is just so hungry!!!! I know people say your breast milk adjusts to the baby but not in my case.
After the formula started during the day yesterday he was a different baby. His face and general being seem to much more contented and he is no longer grappaling to get to my boob.
So - im still going to give him expressed milk for now, until my supply runs out. Do u guys think it would be ok to put him on the breast also for comfort occasionaly? I am already missing the feeling of him being on me. If only i could satisfy him the way the formula does i would have been so happy.
Also, any tips on easing the boobs and making sure they dont get too engorged? Im expressing for now, but just any tips for when i decided to stop this too?
Thanks in advance

Laura

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

From what you describe, it might be worth getting your lo checked for tongue tie. I'm not saying this to influence your decision, just mentioning because if can affect bfing, ffing, weaning, speech and facial development.

Have a read of the link and see what you think

As for the expressing, engorgement and stopping bfing, I'd give one of the bfing helplines a call. A BFC will be able to help you come up with a plan that will reduce your risk of mastitis and make the transition easier for both of you

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

From what you describe it might be worth getting your DS checked for tongue tie. I'm not saying this to try and sway your decision, I'm saying it because it can affect other areas of his life. Have a look at the link and see if any of it sounds familiar

As for the expressing, engorgement and stopping bfing. Mid give one of the Bfing Helplines a call. A BFC will be able to help you come up with a plan that will make the transition easier for both of you and reduce your risk of mastitis

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Bloody mn. Looked like my first post was lost, then I type it out again only to see my first post appear!