torn about when to stop breastfeeding

[rosydreams]

hiya my name is jo my second daughter Jennifer was born 2 weeks ago.

My first daughter i breastfed till 7 months and i loved breastfeeding her.She latched fine and fed every 3-4 hours feeding for between 30-45mins. Like any baby we had our sleepless nights but not like with Jennifer.

Since birth her latch has been weak subsequently this has led to problems. Struggling to get her to latch,feeding anywhere from 10mins to 2hrs,feeding every 2 hrs,sore breasts .It got better after first week but not much she still struggles to latch.I have been told shes fine but has a small mouth. Health worker says shes putting on weight as she should.But breastfeeding is a struggle and uncomfortable which left me torn on what to do.As i really looked forward to breastfeeding again.

I was planning to formula feed at 3 months so i could go back on my anxiety medication.But with my other half going back to work tomorrow i wonder how i am going to cope with school run like this.As feeding her so difficult it will be difficult trying fit in her feeding around the school run.Its already hard enough as it is with my other half doing the school run.

Which has led me to consider bottle feeding even just expressing till my supply drops and i have to top up with formula.But as uncomfortable as breastfeeding is i really wish i could but no matter what suggestion ,position or technique or different chair i try breastfeeding is difficult no matter what i try.

So i am stuck i want to breastfeed but its not working yet i have to make something work.

Hi OP!

Just wondered how you got on with the school run this morning. Probably too late for suggestions now but in general I would see how it goes. It could be that at this age your baby is going to take a while to feed whether it's breast or bottle, so maybe give a bottle a go but keep up the expressing for now so you still have the option.

In general, advice with breastfeeding is to give it a good few weeks to get properly established to avoid 'nipple confusion'. But on the other hand, we've seen loads of women on here mixed feed with no problems virtually from birth. Could you maybe try expressing today so you've got a feed to try in a bottle tomorrow? And then if the bottle goes well you can decide then on whether to do expressed only or top up with formula.

One more thought about the discomfort you're experiencing - it does sound very much like tongue tie and it's often missed, particularly if it's a posterior tongue tie, which is really hard to see. I had two paediatricians miss it with one of my DC and when we managed to get it snipped it was like an instant miracle and the baby fed with no problems from then on. I'd also been told it was 'small mouth' and that my boobs were 'the wrong shape'. It might not be tongue tie of course but maybe worth a second opinion in case that solves the problem.

The best advice is probably to do what makes you happiest, particularly given that you suffer with anxiety. If bottles are going to make everyday life easier, they might be a Godsend.

Hopefully someone else will be along soon with more advice.

Hope your first day flying solo is ok so far!

Sorry to hear it's been a bit of a struggle. What kind of face to face breastfeeding support have you had? It very much sounds like your LO could have a tongue tie, which is easily missed by midwives and GPs and HVs who don't really know what to look for.

Could you see a lactation consultant to have your LO assessed for TT? A simple snip could make all the difference to your breastfeeding relationship.

In the meantime, research the flipple technique to ensure you are getting the best latch possible and try breast compressions when your daughter is actively swallowing - this can help increase the amount of milk transferred and maybe shorten feed times a little.

Dr. Jack Newman gives the best breastfeeding advice ever, so research him too.

Best of luck to you!