It does get better eventually....

[Francois]

Title says it all really. I posted on here about 8 months back about problems I was having bf'ing dc2. I had had identical problems with dc1 and having not enjoyed it first time round I had mixed feelings about whether to continue. But I did and I'm so glad I did. Dc1 was slow to put on weight and didnt sleep for months which i though was my fault for not having good enough milk but dc2 is completely opposite - piled on the weight and slept relatively well for a baby. Both dc2 and I really enjoy feeding, and whilst its not without its issues still, I hope to carry on to a year again and maybe longer, work dependent.

It took a lot of gritted teeth, tears and perseverance but it has all been worth it. I remember the mantra from first time round of "never give up on a bad day" and I'm glad I followed it (and there were never any good days until about 6 months....)

Sorry, not sure what I'm hoping to achieve here but I wanted to say it does get better, and more enjoyable. Having been in the depths of feeding induced misery I know how hard it is to keep going at time so hopefully this may encourage someone a little if they're having a rough time

[Startail]

I'm forever telling people the same thing, Weirdest of all is how quickly you forget how horrid it was to start with.

[ThreeWheelsGood]

Thank you.

I'm at 11 Weeks and still finding it difficult. I really really want to keep at it, but I'm not enjoying it much, and when she's particularly fussy or my nipple is cracked again after one bad latch it's just so exhausting! So it's good to read this.

[GizzyBoo]

Threewheels give it another week! We hit 12 weeks last Saturday and suddenly everything seemed to settle in to place. We had such a difficult time. He hated the boobs, would fight and scream and refuse to feed, was on and off the nipple like a yo-yo. Him screaming, me crying hubby wanting me to FF and pressure from HCP to add more FF (he was having 1 to 2 top ups a day).....over xmas things relaxed somewhat and he's spent the last week having a complete love in with them.
Its not by any means perfect and he still fusses at some feeds but by god its awesome compared to what it was.

There was one night over xmas when he was feeding quite peacefully Id had a rather large wee glass of red wine and everything was lovely and he looked up from behind the boob, grinned at me, gurgled a bit then nuzzled back in and guzzled on. I had the hugest hormone rush and that moment right there was worth every single battle.
We have even been able to drop the top ups so he's been ebf for the last 2 weeks

I hope that helps just 1 person to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel

[GizzyBoo]

Oh and well done to you Francois. You have done a great job!

I'm thinking we all deserve to feel very proud as to where we have go to and should drink wine and eat pate to celebrate

[ThreeWheelsGood]

that's a lovely story, GizzyBoo!

[Arthurfowlersallotment]

I agree- and it's amazing how quickly you forget how tough the first months are.

[thompson369]

Good to read these messages as someone who is at the 2 week stage with dd3. I am determined this time!