Breastfeeding Guilt

[MamaVicky]

I have a DD now 6 weeks. I've exclusively breastfed up until now but I really want to give it up!!

She's got a really bad case of Reflux and we're on our 3rd medication to try and help, but nothing seems to be working!! She sleeps for a maximum 1 hour at a time during the day and night that's if we're lucky and she's feeding what seems like all the time!! I'm finding it really mentally and physically exhausting to keep up with her feeding! But every time I've considered giving up breastfeeding I've felt so guilty and everyone I've confiding in has made me feel guilty for even considering giving up!!

I've tried expressing some milk so my other half can give it to her so I can rest but she refuses a bottle! We've tried 4 different types of bottles and she doesn't like any of them! And now I'm really anxious that she won't take a bottle and I'll be stuck breastfeeding when I'm on the verge of a breakdown!!

We're due to go to wedding (if it goes ahead) in Italy in 3 months time and we're leaving her with my parents and I'm panicking about being away from her and her not feeding!!

She won't take a dummy at all so the only thing that calms her down or comforts her is when she's on my boob!!

Any advice mums on ways to encourage my daughter to take a bottle and a dummy?!

Thanks!!

Can I talk about the reflux first? This sounds incredibly tough, especially the not sleeping.

At this age several things can have very similar symptoms, including reflux, ]https://www.allergyuk.org/information-and-advice/conditions-and-symptoms/469-cows-milk-allergy Cow's Milk Protein Allergy]] (CMPA), and Tongue Tie.

Have a read of those links and see if any of the symptoms sound familiar

Has LO been checked for Tongue Tie by someone who is properly trained? If not I would try to get this done as soon as possible. Some Tongue Tie Practioners, like Milk Matters, will do a virtual diagnosis service.

Then there's CMPA, has anyone suggested cutting out dairy completely from your diet?

Have a read of this from Kellymom as it explains dairy and BFing very well.

I'm not sure how to get her to take a bottle if I'm honest but if you search the MN archive, there will be lots of old threads. Both of mine were bottle refusers but we had some success with cup feeding, I could definitely leave them with DH and a cup and they would be ok.

This article on Bottle Feeding the BF Baby might help too.

If you are feeling guilty, do you think it will be beneficial to speak to a BFC on one of the BFing Helplines? She will be able to talk to you about your feelings and also give you information on giving up BFing in a way that will reduce your risk of Mastitis

Have you tried the Minbie bottles? We had the same issue with my son, he loves those bottles and it gave me the break I needed to recharge and continue EBF. He uses them in exactly the same way as he uses me! Down to the weird little tongue action at the end of a feed