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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to hate breastfeeding?!

63 replies

EmilyRosanne · 17/02/2017 18:37

DC2 is nearly 7 months old, she feeds every 3 hours alongside two solid meals. On the whole it is going really well and she sleeps really well at night normally only waking up for one feed.

I HATE it though! I feel like I have given up my body for over a year now including the pregnancy and feel so drained being the only one able to feed her. I've tried expressing but I get very little and she doesn't take a bottle well.

I also feel like I want my body back?? By the end of the day I feel like someone has been physically attached to me for so long I want space and I resent when DC1 wakes up for a cuddle which I know sounds awful!

I feel so selfish but I see pictures of women lovingly breastfeeding but I can't wait until it's over.

DD has health issues, some with her digestion so breast milk is what is best for her at this stage so I would feel awful to give her formula just for my benefit so I will continue to feed her until Atleast a year, or longer if she wants to. I just wish I enjoyed this time more Sad

OP posts:
crabbied · 18/02/2017 07:54

I'm
Actually envious of women who do love it and find it bonding.im sure it's just personality type.
I feel more guilty being on mumsnet though as I see how many of you persistent despite hating it. That makes me feel bad but I try not to dwell on it.

cookieswirls · 18/02/2017 07:57

Ive breastfed for 5 years with 4 months break whilst pregnant Confused I. Need. My. Body. Back! On a plus side I only plan on doing it a few more months Smile

cookieswirls · 18/02/2017 07:58

May I add my latest stint is with twins !

ocelot41 · 18/02/2017 08:00

I loathed it too - sympathyFlowers

Writerwannabe83 · 18/02/2017 08:06

You've done brilliantly OP

I breast fed DS for 2.5 years and in the end I weaned him myself because I'd simply had enough by that point. Oh it felt so liberating not having to BF him anymore.

I caught pregnant the month after I weaned him though so I will soon be back on the BF journey which means I'm really appreciating these non-feeding months Grin

It won't last forever OP and please don't feel guilty when you do decide to stop Flowers

SailAwayWithMeHoney · 18/02/2017 08:09

YANBU.
I really feel for you. My DS was born with blood poisoning and had digestive issues too. But I didn't last longer than 4 days breastfeeding I hated it so much. I think you're amazing that you've stuck it out for so long Flowers

DianaMemorialJam · 18/02/2017 08:10

YANBU. I will probably get flamed for saying it but this why I didn't even bother to try and breast feed dc2. I had 3 months between pregnancies and I so desperately wanted my body back to myself by the end of the second pregnancy so I just put him straight on formula from day 1. 8 weeks post birth and I feel like I am (some way) back to normal. Well done for breastfeeding for so long op Smile

malificent7 · 18/02/2017 08:16

YANBU...

Original poster
EmilyRosanne · 18/02/2017 12:12

Thank you everyone, I feel so much better to admit it out loud, and to know I'm not alone in these feelings!

crabbied Don't feel guilty, I only lasted 10 weeks with my first, and I introduced a formula feed alongside breastfeeding before then because I felt similar to how I do now. I've tried extra hard this time around, partially because I felt guilty I didn't really try with DC1 and mainly because she has had health issues, she is under a dietician who is repeatedly saying what a great thing I am doing by breastfeeding her etc. and the guilt I feel at wanting to stop has kept me going thus far! If I'm honest if she had been born healthy I doubt I would still be going as awful as that sounds Sad

Wow Diana a 3 month gap!! I'm not suprised you didn't want to BF I was lucky in that there is a big age gap, had I of had two pregnancies so close together I would have definatley wanted my body back.

Thank you for all your suggestions, I have been trying her on a cup, I'm still yet to find a type she gets on with, all the plastic teat type she just chews on Hmm

OP posts:
PegaGryf · 18/02/2017 17:03

Lansinoh and mam bottles were good for us. Good luck xxx Flowers

Screwinthetuna · 18/02/2017 17:53

I loved it but I can understand why others wouldn't.
Well done going so long feeling like you do, that's a huge achievement. It's probably been suggested (I haven't read thread) but would you feel any better if you expressed? At least others can help then

Screwinthetuna · 18/02/2017 17:55

Oh and if baby won't take a bottle, I recommended the extremely cheap ones from Home Bargains! Basically runs in their mouth. You could also add it to food and make cheese sauces with it for meals

Original poster
EmilyRosanne · 19/02/2017 10:20

I will try a cheap bottle thanks for the tip! I have so far tried Avent, Tommee Tippee and Mam bottles and she won't drink from any will just either chew on the teat a bit or take a bit and then get fussy and I didn't want to keep paying out for different bottles to go to waste but will look out for the cheapies!

I have an electric pump and a Haaka pump, both I need to express Atleast 3 seperate times to get a decent amount to give her if she'd even take the thing! so doing it day to day would be too much with two DCs to look after, but would work for if I needed to go out for anything if I can try and find a bottle she gets on with Smile

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