Giving up breastfeeding at only 4 weeks - struggling, am I being weak?

[Essexgal2023]

Am I being selfish here or should I persevere? Has anyone gone through something similar. I feel like I am BU but I am stuck in 2 minds.

My 4 week old baby had feeding problems when born and due to hospital having to stretch his stomach to keep him alive basically due to falling sugar levels and infection in the early days our breastfeeding journey didn’t start until he was a week old and he’s now taking 6oz bottles of expressed breast milk (enough for a 2-3 month old baby if you go off of guidelines which are obviously just a guide)

My supply is low and I’ve tried increasing methods but he’s constantly wanting more and more, breastfeeding isn’t enough so I’m having to supplement with expressed milk and formula and it’s driving me insane and exhausting.

Did anyone go through this?

I know breast is best but I feel like right now fed is better as he needs it

Love, love, love this post. Wise words.

Actual true genuine low supply is extremely rare. What happens is that people misconstrue baby wanting to feed the whole time as there not being enough supply, when actually baby is just upping your milk for the next feed and the next as they grow rapidly in the early days.

That said - do whatever you want and whatever is right for you. Nobody will ask your baby whether they were breast or bottle fed at their first job interview. Breastmilk is great, formula feeding is also great.

I had a premature baby last year and struggled with this too. She was tube fed for a while in SCBU and I’d lost a lot of blood during my really sudden section. As a result, my milk really tried to come in but just couldn’t keep up with demand. I stopped at around 8 weeks once she was diagnosed with CMPA. Given I have a lot of issues with food anyway, there wasn’t a way to make my diet dairy free while also getting enough nutrition to make enough milk. I also found pumping really hard work and hated my boobs leaking all the time. I was much happier once my milk dried up and she was completely on her prescription formula and I could move on. Honestly, I felt SO guilty about the fact that I WANTED to stop! But at the end of the day, she is thriving, I was instantly happier, she got my colostrum and my milk for the first few important weeks, I got to experience breastfeeding (only managed it twice but we did it!) and it’s what worked for us. It’s easier said than done, but don’t beat yourself up if you need to stop. Happy mum, happy baby!

I echo everyone else's comments - do what's right for you, a fed baby is a healthy baby.

But just to add that we were in your position with a constant feed/top up/pump schedule. It's awful, I really feel for you. We just kept slogging and four months later we're BFing with no problems.

The Elvie pump really turned it around for me because it meant I could pump really regularly to get my supply up, without being hooked to a machine. I got mine on Vinted but there are also lots of other brands doing in-bra pumps.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

I gave up after 2 weeks. It wasn't worth it. No regrets and a very happy and healthy child now.

What responses are you hoping for here, OP?

Are you looking for permission to stop or encouragement to continue?

If you want permission to stop then you don't need it. Fed is best. Do what is right for you.

If you want encouragement to continue then I would recommend trying to see a lactation consultant who can give you emotional support and practical tips to help increase your supply.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Talk to an NCT breastfeeding councillor. They will be able to give your expert help.

Whatever happens, be proud of yourself for breastfeeding for 4 weeks. Even one feed is highly valuable so 4 weeks of feeding will have done you and your baby no end of good.