Just plugged the steam steriliser in and I'm feeling bad.

[bubble99]

Elijah is nearly 7 weeks old and I'm beginning to feel worn down with constant BF. I'm just about to express for the first time with him so that Mr Bubble can give him a bottle but I'm feeling as though I've copped out. It sounds so selfish but I'm beginning to find it difficult to BF constantly with so much going on in our lives at the moment. After Elijah's traumatic birth I feel I should be a "Textbook Mum" but I'm struggling.

[Yorkiegirl]

Message withdrawn

[Gwenick]

hey - he's still getting BM - it doesn't matter that it'll be coming out of a bottle - it 'originated' from your boobs!

(and at least you're not doing what I did - gave up after 5 days with DS2 and switched to formula!).

[misdee]

i have been expressing on and off since dd3 was 2 days old. i dont feel bad about it, its a nesscessity in life sometimes. and no-one is a text book mum regardless!!

(((hugs)))

[secretregular]

don't give yourself such a hard time. The vast majority of women who B/F express at some time or another. Its good to give yourself a break and let Mr Bubble do the last night feed for instance, and good for him to bond with the babe a little. Also gives you more freedom if you want to go out for a well deserved night out. There's no such thing as a text book Mum, you are doing really well breast feeding as it is so don't give yourself a hard time, you deserve a break.

[hermykne]

bubble expressing is not giving up or a reason to feel bad, you ve done brillant and if elijah is happy to take it from your dh/p then well done, its so tiring the first few weeks and if thats the happy medium you get well elijah will certainly thrive

[Gwenick]

that's a good point actually - what 'is' a textbook mum.......there's so many 'textbooks' on how to bring up baby they must all be WRONG - and how we as inviduals do it is best as long as baby is happy

[NannyJo]

don't give yourself a hard time. you need to be happy for your baby to be happy. at least your expressing, plus it's nice for DH part too.

[Katemum]

You are not selfish and have not copped out! Bet dh would love to feed Elijah as well.
Give yourself a break and stop being so tough on yourself.

[hunkermunker]

After 7 weeks breastfeeding your supply is likely to be well-established - Elijah's having breastmilk, you're having some well-earned rest, Mr Bubble is having a lovely feedy cuddle with his beautiful baby son and nobody anywhere is to feel guilty about it. OK?

You're doing a wonderful job - and there's not a book written that would disagree with that. So please don't beat yourself up xxxxxx

[mummytosteven]

agree 100% with Hunkermum - Elijah gets EBM, Mr Bubble gets to feed him/bond with him etc, and you get a rest. a virtuous circle - what could be better than that?

[milward]

Your little one has had you bf for 7 weeks - this is fabulous. Now he'll have your milk that you're expressed - this is the same as before but instead dad gets to feed ds whilst you rest. Sounds great No-one is a textbook mum!! & I think very few would want to be - follow how you feel and what you feel your baby needs. Loads of best wishes

[mummytosteven]

stuff the textbook - it's going to be several years before Elijah gets to read it anyway

[bubble99]

I've managed 50mls so far, enough for an introduction to the bottle. Mr Bubble is watching 'Match of the Day 2' so they can bond over a feed and an Everton Match.

[RTMTMML]

bubble you are a fab mum. Mr Bubble will be really glad of the opportunity to feed Elijah. My DH gave bottles at 7 weeks so that I could have a break and a good sleep. You're giving him expressed breast milk so he doesn't lose out in any way. I'm so impressed that despite the trauma going on in your life and the nurseries that you run that you are breastfeeding.

[milward]

bubble - check out www.newdads.com/DadToolbox.htm the grey bow at the end of the page - why little ones love watching football on tv with dad.

[milward]

should read 'grey box' - what's up with my typing??