Bought some formula today, feel like such a failure :(

[welshfirsttimemummy]

I have a 4 week old DS who until today was EBF. I have had lots of problems including positioning, attachment, lots of pain when DS is feeding , DS wanting to constantly feed day and night and me getting an hours sleep at a time max with sometimes 2 or 3 hours between at night leaving me exhausted and emotionally all over the place.

Today, I just had enough. I have been crying pretty much constantly the last 2 days, I have tried a support group, talking to my community midwife, talking to my health visitor, and going to the post natal ward for help from the breast feeding coordinator and we just can't seem to get it so it's comfortable and pain free. I can't see him cry anymore.

So today I decided I couldn't carry on like this and bought some formula. DS took it no problem and had his first settled long sleep in days. I felt so much more relaxed, like the pressure is off. I have also expressed some bottles today so he is still getting breastmilk.

I have nothing against FF babies, I was FF myself, it's just not what I wanted or planned for.

I just feel so guilty, like I have let down DS by not carrying on EBF .

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

So glad to hear you sounding more positive :)

Considering the things you will be pulling out his mouth in a few months time? What milk he has will be no big deal

Congratulations on your baby x

[Canalside]

We had a horrible start to breastfeeding and I felt like a complete failure most of the time. Looking back, I wasn't at all, but the raging hormones really don't help! We decided to introduce formula till I found a level of mix feeding I could cope with- turned out that just one bottle a day was enough for us to take the pressure off, and to be honest the bottlefeeds are often far more bonding than the breastfeeds, when she's all snuggled in to me and looking at me. When she breastfeeds she throws herself around and has started biting...

We carried on like that till now (24 weeks) and we're just starting 2 bottles a day in preparation for me going back to work.

It will get better, but remember there's so much more to parenting than how you feed your baby. What's important is that they're loved and taken care of, and yours is.

[Wishfulmakeupping]

Please don't feel guilty you are doing such a good job and how much you're worrying shows what a loving mother you are :)
As long as baby is fed and happy that's the main thing. If you feel able to mix feed at some point that would be good if not thats ok- please don't feel guilty about this
X

[welshfirsttimemummy]

He has had 1 bottle of formula and 2 bottles of breast milk through the night and this morning as my nipples are so sore but i feel good that even of its in a bottle I gave him breast milk.

Thanks for the kind words it makes me feel so much better. And after a better night sleep last night I feel a bit more sane today and able to face the world

[glossyflower]

OMG you are most definitely NOT a failure! BF is very difficult for most of us considering its the most 'natural' thing in the world.
Don't be too hard on yourself, if you feel more relaxed and baby is happier then there is absolutely no problem with formula feeding.
Xxx

[glossyflower]

BTW I gave in to a bottle on the second night - I was exhausted, had bleeding sore nipples, baby was feeding every hour for half an hour before my milk came in.
I just cried and cried that I couldn't do it.
Now I can BF more easily but do occasionally give her FF if I feel I need a break, she's happier and I'm less stressed xxx

[ScottishDiblet]

Just wanted to congratulate you on the birth of your little one and to say you are a true HERO for getting so far with ebf. I'm so glad that you have made the tough choice to try some formula and that your clever little one was able to take a bottle and you are giving yourself a little break. I am mix feeding ( bf during the day with formula top up at night because my daughter was struggling to gain weight) and it is more common than you would think. My sister lives in Australia and apparently mixed feeding is really common there and totally encouraged. I saw a consultant paediatrician today who was 100% pro mixed feeding and giving as much formula as I needed too. Just wanted to send you a hug and say you are doing the right thing and you are a great mum. Also have you tried nipple shields? I use them every time I feed as I have flat nipples and my daughter can't latch without them. Worth a try maybe. Xx

[Zara1984]

Let me echo what everyone else has said - you are not a failure and you have done an AMAZING job!!

It's so so shitty when bf plans don't work out - I planned to bf for 1-2 years...... My non-attaching baby meant I got to 2 weeks (expressing) before moving to formula. Worst 2 weeks of my life. Now I realise, best laid plans of mice and men etc.

You are a CHAMP. You are a FANTASTIC MUM and your DS is lucky to have someone who is being so proactive and taking control of the situation

[evelynj]

You have not failed. You are providing for your child. At 4 weeks EBF that is totally amazing & has given him virtually all the benefits he can get from BF.

You can still do mixed feeding successfully. I had a lot of problems BF my son, latch, attachment, positioning, mastitis, thrush, it was awful. I cried and cried every time he went on the breast. Mixed feeding made everything better for us & am sure you will be fine. Get over the guilt as it doesn't help-there is so much pressure for EBF & it's not always easy.

Look after yourself & be happy. You've done amazing :)

[CPtart]

Many aspects or child-rearing are not what is wanted or planned for. In several months let alone a couple of years you will be onto the next issue and this will be long forgotten.
Move on and enjoy your baby.

[Seriously2712]

PLEASE don't feel guilty! I had to give up very soon on, and I felt like such failure. Everyone around me seemed to be breastfeeding and all I got was how amazing it was for baby and mum.
My baby girl is now 14mo. She's strong and healthy and has been a great sleeper.
I read various things whilst enduring the 'guilt' (to some extent i still do!)... one lady saying that her midwife said that the most important thing was to FEED her baby - it didn't matter how! - HOW TRUE!
The one thing that I can honestly say say is that once the pressure of breastfeeding was taken away, I was eventually able to ENJOY my baby girl.
I envy women who breastfeed relatively easily, for me, it just wasn't worth it. Having a new baby is hard enough!!!!!!!

[welshfirsttimemummy]

After a couple of days I feel a lot better about things and giving some formula before bed definitely helps my DS sleep a bit better which is better for me

And now I have given my nipples a rest as I have been expressing, I feel ok to try to breastfed again which I didn't think I would.

[amazingmumof6]

alarm bells ringing -CHECK HIM FOR TONGUE TIE!!

you are not a failure, don't be silly!
(hug)

[Amy106]

You are NOT a failure. You have brought to life a beautiful baby boy and whatever way you end up feeding him, you have done and continue to do an awesome thing. Hugs and good wishes to you both.