To hate breastfeeding

Also to add, have a look at bshirt. You wear it under any top you already have to offer discreetness.

And soon enough bras and pads 24/7 will be a thing of the past

I don't know if you breastfed your first but 6 weeks is well known for being really tough with cluster feeding etc. It does get easier, much much easier. Your milk will regulate soon enough so no oversupply, spraying and engorgement and baby will get better and more efficient at latching, It's the easiest thing in the world when you get through the shit bit. Im 7 weeks in with DD2 now and its so much easier now than even a week ago, so worth persevering for the easiness later on, no sterilising etc.

Having said that if you've had enough then it's fully okay to switch, but be careful to reduce your breastfeeds carefully especially with an over supply to avoid mastitis.

I’ve just realised you started this a few weeks ago.
Thats what happens when you can’t sleep and end up on Mumsnet.
Hope it’s getting better OP.

The oversupply at the moment will calm down
Your baby is probably in between growth spurts. So the supply increased during a growth spurt as dc needed more, now dc is not in a growth spurt the supply has reduced. I had the same spray issue with the milk hitting the fireplace on the opposite side of the room. ( 3 metres away ! )
However this issue comes and goes along with growth spurts at 2-3wks, 6wks, 3mths & 6mths.

If you want to get into a feeding routine so you don’t get stuck just about to leave the house or shopping and suddenly find dc needs a feed I suggest the book. The contented little baby by Gina Ford. This was my life saver. It got me through my first baby and twins after…don’t think I’d have survived without it.

I can’t recommend it highly enough.

I have the book boxed away somewhere but a quick Google gave me this for a 6 wk old. If you want more info I’ll find the book tomorrow ( sorry later today )

In the last few years Nuby rapid cool came out. It’s out of this world. Cools a whole fresh from kettle 8 ounce in two minutes.

If younger and doing a few ounce it’s ready before you even get the bottle assembled.

So if that’s the only reason then go to formula

Aw it’s so tough when you’re worn out and it’s all on you and your misbehaving boobs :( lots of sympathy first of all and then a few things that I found helped me:

• I used a hakaa on the side I wasn’t feeding on (just loosely attached so it wasn’t stimulating more supply) in the morning when my boobs were most full. My partner would then feed that milk in a bottle early evening when I was most grumpy.
• someone gave me these lacy breast pads. It might seem silly but I just felt better in them because they weren’t so much like sanitary towels. https://www.amazon.co.uk/NatureBond-Contoured-Breastfeeding-Beautiful-Hypoallergenic/dp/B079L7JNB2
• As mentioned above I took magnesium. No idea if it was placebo or not but it seemed to help me feel less restless/ irritated when feeding, which was a struggle around 8 weeks for me.

Because if this was a woman saying she was struggling with formula feeding she wouldnt get various comments saying 'just breastfeed instead then'

Op, I found lying down to feed side ways was really helpful for my back and neck (I remember that pain well!)
If possible, can you treat yourself to a couple of cheap bf friendly dresses so you don't have to go for cardigan and leggings unless you want too?

With oversupply I just juggled with a muslin to catch the spill - that bit does get better, so does the sweating and excessive thirst.
Well done for continuing even though you haven't found it easy.

If your supply doesn't settle down in the next few weeks, then try block feeding. It is very effective for dampening down supply within a few days, you just shouldn't do it until supply is established around 6-8 weeks.

I'm with you 100% wish I never started breastfeeding my 15 weeks old ds. He won't take a bottle so it's all down to me. Still have a oversupply still leaking and squirting everywhere. He's doing really well though gaining weight lovely. I'd just like someone to be able to take him for an hour or two.

I know it'll settle down really soon and I'm hoping it'll help through the 4 month sleep regression. Fed all my other dc until they were 2 but this one I just feel over it

You bf your first? so you know it’s gets easier?
It will of course get easier. Your supply will settle and you and the baby will get more efficient at it. Personally I’d say trying to make it to 3 months and then see where you’re at is a good goal to try for. I would suspect you’ll be feeling much better about it all by then.
There is of course so shame in switching or even trying mixed feeds (for out and about?) it doesn’t automatically mean you’re life with a new born and a toddler is going to get magically easier!

And that’s why I expressed! I only got my boob out in an ‘can’t be arsed’ night time emergency. After seven months I was totally over it and stopped. Breastfeeding isn’t for everyone, don’t martyr yourself.

She didn't say that in her OP though, which is what I was referring to.

This is the hardest bit. I found it got massively easier as time went on. I know I was an outlier as I breastfed until my child was nearly 2, but I genuinely believe you have done the hardest bit.

It gets so much easier after about 3 and a half months! 10/10 would highly recommend, for convenience sake.

for the record, my formula fed child is en route to Oxford. My bf other two…not. 😁 But goodness, when it all comes together, it is soooo easy and convenient!

It does settle down most definitely!

For oversupply when very full I would use a hakaa to make sure I was comfy whilst feeding baby off the other as neithwr would manage 2 was a easy way to get a freezer stash and take the pressure off just keep a screw top bottle nearby and don't overdo it!

Clothes - buttons are your friend! Vinted has loads of dresses either specifically bf or just accidental, I would tuck a muslin in to help with spray.
Magnesium supplements can help with a variety of things with bf from feeling touched out to aversion no idea how but it definitely made mine reduce significantly.

If you want to, stop. Get yourself a perfect prep machine or the nuby rapid cool and it isn't a faff at all.

If you don't want to stop, I hope it gets better for you soon.

Honestly stop and formula feed. It's not really worth the hassle

H

I breastfed all mine…every single feed. I often think of wildlife documentaries and the impact on the mother cheetah or whatever. It is intense. You do come out the other side.

The dress thing is annoying, try a button down one and stick a muslin in your bra strap if you want to cover the top of your boob.

The leaking I found worse with each baby, not sure if it’s excess milk as your body knows what to do…it does stop eventually. It is annoying. I got fed up of feeling like I smelt milky all the time. Buy a new perfume!
I slept on a towel, maybe but a really big one so it doesn’t move around the bed as much.

If you are planning another 3 months you’ll be so close to weaning. Start working on a beaker of water straight away. As soon as they’ll take a bit of purée/baby rice/porridge and a bit of water it won’t all be on you anymore.

I found that breastfeeding wasn't easy to begin with but I was pretty determined to persevere as for me I really didn't want to formula feed. My sisters said it would get easier and they were right.

You've mentioned the expense of formula so I don't know whether you could attend a local breastfeeding support group where you can access free breastfeeding advice, most are good but they can be hit and miss. I've been to a few!
I paid for one to one support from a lactation consultant which wasn't cheap but was useful.
And then it all got so easy and enjoyable and my baby has a lot of fun with it too. I am so glad we kept going.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

It can be overwhelming. I’ve breastfed all 5 of mine and it never really bothered me til I became unwell a few days ago and still had to feed my wee one. I had an awful gallbladder attack and was the most unwell I’ve ever been in my life. Ended up admitted to hospital and having to have my baby admitted with me. And while it absolutely was best for her (suspected CMPA so she can’t just get normal formula), I was ill and exhausted and still haven’t had a chance to catch my breath. It can be a lot!

You don't have to breastfeed you know! You have done 6 weeks, which is more than many, and will have given your baby a good start.

I loved breastfeeding, found it the easiest thing in the world and immensely rewarding. If I hadn't, I would have stopped with barely a second thought.

Do you remember when things got easier with your first child?

I’m bf’ing my 6 month old and it’s been a lot easier for quite a while now. It changes too, so now she’s bigger she can self latch but is also more liable to be distracted. Do you feel confident bf’ing? That has been the biggest positive change for me. I was very unsure in the beginning but have found my feet now, which helps a lot. It’s great that your baby is gaining weight well, well done to you.