Ready to give up

[BabyHaribo]

Sorry bit of a self pitying post.

I really want breastfeeding to work out with DD but feel like giving up already.

DD is 2 weeks old and a brilliant feeder put on loads of weight etc.

But I've already had mastitis - felt so ill. It was hard to feed through the pain antibiotics cleared it up.

Now I've got a kidney infection and feel terrible again. All I want to do is go to bed and sleep but DD wants to feed every 2/3 hours and takes a while to settle. No one else can feed her if I'm breastfeeding.

Please remind me why I'm doing it and that it will get better.

I've also got a 2.5year old to look after.

Hi OP,

Sorry you feel so horribly unwell

Can you get an electric pump, and freeze some, maybe baby will have breastmilk from a bottle, that someone could feed her, until you recover?

You poor thing. I was close to giving up a few times in the first few weeks but it suddenly got much easier. My son is now 8 weeks old and I'm really pleased I kept going. He had a tongue tie which made feeding very painful for me and my nipples were so damaged I just couldn't let him feed. After about a week of expressing I had healed enough to let him feed again but it was still sore. And he was wanting to feed constantly. I remember getting really low around this time and feeling like such a failure but now it feels like such a long time ago.
For me persevering was the right thing though that doesn't necessarily mean it is for you. But, just remember that if you do continue it will get easier. Really hope it all goes well. Xx

I had a difficult few weeks early on- but you asked for reasons to keep going. My ten month old is still breastfeeding and looking back I am so pleased I pushed through the pain, she gets so much from it. It makes her happy and is the only time she is still snuggley.

I know you will be worried about messing up your supply if you miss a feed, but in the grand scheme of things missing one feed with the baby would be ok if your supply has been fine until now. Could you do one feed and sleep for five or six hours leaving expressed milk or formula? If that is what you need to continue don't be afraid to do it.

Also make sure you are getting enough calories, the baby will always get enough energy from you so you need enough to recover yourself. Eat those chocolates people have bought you for the next couple of days. You can do it!