5 years ago, when I had my DS I wasn't able to breastfeed. There were problems and I happily went to bottle feeding. We bonded well and I don't consider myself any less for bottle feeding.
This time, with my new LO, I was able to establish breastfeeding and exclusively breastfed, my supply was fantastic and we both enjoyed the experience. However, my arthritis has become quite unbearable and my rheumatologist told me to stop. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and while breast feeding I also experience several rheumatic fevers throughout the day, which also increased my appetite and I started to retain the weight I should have been losing. (Due to other medical issues, I have to maintain a higher than average body weight to sustain my pregnancies, but must lose it quickly after.) I can safely only have one more child naturally and I need to lose quite a large amount of weight, only to put it back on during pregnancy.
So on Sunday, I stopped breastfeeding. My doctor has told me that I can go back to feeding her once I have lost enough weight, and have successfully cleared all the medications I have now been put on. He estimates however that it could take up to 4 months for me to lose this weight, and he cannot guarantee that I will not become ill again if I go back to breastfeeding. So far, I have been pain free since Monday and haven't had any fevers. My body is losing weight and physically I feel very well. Emotionally however, I am quite sad about not breastfeeding. Believe it or not, the idea of bfing used to repulse me until I had this baby.
Also, wont I lose my supply?
It's making me very sad. I miss holding my DD and feeding her. I still hold her to feed her with a bottle, but it's not the same.
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Infant feeding
I have to stop breastfeeding, and I am really sad about it.
7 replies
AngryByrd · 20/03/2014 10:09
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