not enjoying breast feeding

6 replies

TRYSOR · 28/03/2011 14:19

hi my dd is 6 months old and i have exclusively breast fed although i have not enjoyed it as much as i did with my oher three babies.
i am contemplating giving formula, but i am hesitant as she will be our last baby. my dd is on soilds and there are no health or weight issues other than i am not enjoying it and finding it a bit everything has to be done by me, because for the last 7 years i have either been bf or pregnant i need a break. help what should i do?

OP posts:

TCOB · 28/03/2011 14:24

You've done 6 months which is absolutely brilliant. Is it really the end of the world to stop? Are you worried about what other people think? I'm loving BFing my 8 mo as I had to stop first time around at 6 months but I hardly think anyone could criticise you for 'only' sticking it out for 6 months. You've done brilliantly! If you are not sure yourself why not (whispers) mixfeed for a bit and maybe save that really initmate night-time feed? BTW you are really rather awesome for BFing 4...

Original poster

TRYSOR · 28/03/2011 14:34

Hi thanks for the support.
i do not give a hoot what other people think i feed wherever and whenever my baby needs it so it is not that, it is more for me really i feel like i need 'me back' i was 19 when i was pregnant with my first baby i am now 27 and would love to have a body to myself. I know it is completely selfish as dd loves bf, i do not know what i am looking for anyone to say as i need to decide in my mind but love to have opinions.

OP posts:

MigGril · 28/03/2011 14:40

Is it just the fact that you've been doing it for so long that's getting you down? Will switching to bottles really mean that you woun't be doing everything?

I ask as talking to a freind resently who strugled and had to give in breastfeeding. She said people mite thing it's good that you can have a break but in reality she still does most off the bottles, just with the added hasule of all the washing up.

Would giving baby one bottle a day help? or maybe you just need some me time, now she's on solids you could easily leave her for an afternoon to get some time out.

I think its something you need to think about carefully as this is your last baby you don't want to regret giving up.

WriterofDreams · 28/03/2011 16:44

It doesn't have to be all or nothing - why not introduce one bottle a day and see how that goes first? Make sure someone else gives her that bottle so you get a break and see how you feel about it before you decide once and for all.

TCOB · 28/03/2011 20:22

Wow think this is the most positive thread ever about mix-feeding! Give it a go Trysor and have the best of both worlds. And good for you getting your lovely children out of the way before 27, you will get your life back nice and young whilst most of us are still wrestling with weans

NikkiTwinkle · 28/03/2011 21:00

Wow you've done so well. Although I'm only on my second I've only managed to BF my second, my first was bottle fed from 2 months.
I can sympathise with you about wanting your body back, my DD is 10 months and is BF and wont take a bottle so have been 'stuck' to her all this time. I made the decision on Friday to drop daytime feeds as she's now going to nursery and not having any of the formula I'm providing depsite the different cups we've tried. To be honest it was harder on my body than on her, but I feel like a different woman. I still feed her night and morning which is the lovely snuggly bit in bed.

Give yourself a break, if your DD will take a bottle go out for the day or couple of hours. My hubby booked me a massage a couple of months ago and literally chucked me out of the door. Treat yourself, you don't have to give it up all together, just the odd bottle or cup won't hurt.

Hope it goes well

Flip