Breastfeeding guilt.

[polkadotblue]

After a bit of a struggle with breast feeding after 3 weeks me and baby were finally crushing it. Then I found out some horrific family news and since then my supply is almost totally none existing and we are almost exclusively formula feeding. I don't think I can come back from this as can barely eat to sustain myself and don't have time to pump to get my supply up.

Just feeling immense guilt and I feel so useless 😔

I didn't want to leave your post unanswered. Please don't feel guilty, it sounds like you have enough to deal with in your life right now.

Your baby is being fed, that is the most important thing.

As a bonus ANY breast milk (1 day/week/month) is/was good. I don't know if your supply might return. I have heard stories of people managing to get their supply back after almost totally stopping but it's really not the end of the world if it doesn't. (Easy for me to say.) When I had my two DS there were breastfeeding councillors and charities to give advice, I don't know if they are around still but it's worth a go if you really want to?

Please be kind to yourself. Your baby is fed, that is the most important thing. You need to try and eat for yourself first and look after yourself too. Good luck.

Op if you want to there will be support ro help you try to continue feeding.
If you don't feel up to that then that is completely understandable. I'm so sorry for whatever has happened. I hope whatever you decide about the breastfeeding you can very quickly get back to enjoying your new life with your baby. Either way your baby had breast milk for the crucial first few weeks x

And don't prioritise breastfeeding over looking after yourself and your baby in general. You need to eat and sleep (when possible) for your own wellbeing and health. I know how hard that is with a tiny bavby in normal circumstances. Do you have people helping and looking after you?

If you enjoy breastfeeding you could continue to breastfeed as a source of comfort and connect but offer formula as well. If you circumstances change or improve in the future you could then try and increase you supply.

Please don't beat yourself up about it. Feeding your baby is just one part of how your child is brought up. You've had a big shock and you should prioritise looking after yourself, eating, sleeping etc. If you want to carry on BFing then combination feeding formula and breast milk is a thing and it is possible to up supply. Worth seeing a lactation consultant if you want to do this but please prioritise looking after yourself rather than putting yourself under pressure