Thinking of giving up..

[facejacker]

So...I've bf 14 mo ds till now, and getting fed up. We have always had problems since day 1 and I have persevered cos I wanted him to have the best possible start. However, I'm getting irritated by the biting, the not being able to lose weight (I know you can diet whilst bfing but it really affects my milk supply), the distractions whilst he's latched on etc etc. It's actually starting to really get me down-today has been a particularly bad day. I really wanted to stop at 2 years but it's tough going. I'm just worried I'll feel really guilty if I stopped :(

Hello! I've felt like this today with my nearly 6mth old. Hoping tomorrow it will pass and we will have a better day.

I'm nowhere near where you are on your breastfeeding journey and my experience of feeding beyond my DDs age is only from friends.

Firstly it's not giving up. That term just evokes images of failure. I'm of the opinion that no one fails in parenting we all just make different choices based on what's right at the time. Right now you aren't enjoying feeding and only you know how long you've felt like this and if it's likely to pass.

If you dont think it's a blip (like I think my day has been) then really it's a case of deciding what to do next. Would solutions to these problems change how you feel or do you feel it's the end of your breastfeeding journey. Once you've decided you'll know what you need to do next.

I had this thought today at about 2 am. When yet again I woke and feed my son and I though I just don't know if I can keep doing this. Why do you want this from me now!!!!!!!!!!

I too want to carry on for 2 years. DS is 13 months and I'm still a good stone and a half above a weight I'd feel happy with.

Why not try talking to a breastfeeding councilor? So you can work though your feelings before making a decision.

biting is a bastard isn't it! If it's cause by teething I've found rubbing ice wrapped in muslin on DS gums useful. Or applying the bonjela just before a feed (although this make my nipples a little tingly).

Weight it's really tough. I'm finally managing to lose some weight at the moment by following weight watchers. They allow extra food for breastfeeding. I'm also really really really trying to walk for an hour a day. It's coming of slowly but it is hard.

Thanks ladies. I guess I'm just really down-I've never really enjoyed bfing (and that carries it's own guilt cos I think I'm abnormal for not enjoying such a nurturing experience). TBH, I have looked for every excuse to stop since ds was 2 months (lol!) but still keep going cos the damn guilt is driving me to distraction. I blame my catholic upbringing .

I just want someone to say, it's ok-you've fed DS for 14 months and you've done a fine job. You can reclaim your saggy breasts again...

Its up to you to say its ok to yourself. I've not enjoyed it at points and I think that is pretty normal actually. I think its The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding that talks about this - even if you look at mammals in the wild they behave like they are irritated by feeding at certain times.

You have to way up the pros and cons. How about looking at limiting feeds? Would give you a bit of break but you'd still be carrying on, if that is what you want.

I can't really offer advice as my DS is formula feed, but if you do stop breastfeeding now don't feel guilty, you've done brilliantly to get this far! If it's any comfort my mum breastfeed my brother for 10 days and said she didn't like breastfeeding at all so you're not alone!