Do I keep going?

[Kate3150]

I have a 12 week old DS who I have been exclusively breastfeeding since birth.
He’s generally very content and is gaining weight.
I have a feeling something in my milk doesn’t agree with him as poos have always been on the green/mucusy side and often he seems uncomfortable trying to do a poo.
For example last night he was awake every couple of hours, this morning I kept him on his changing mat for 5 mins and out comes a poo and he seem quite happy again.
I’ve found breastfeeding hard enough anyway and to think my milk was causing him distress just makes me feel rubbish- any advice? X

Doubtful. Babies are usually uncomfortable when trying to do a poo. They are also usually awake in the night. If he is generally contented and has plenty of wet and dirty nappies then he is likely fine.

The real issue seems to be you don't want to continue bf. It's not the law you know. I love not having to faff around with bottles or pay for formula, and not having to plan ahead when we leave the house. But plenty of people bf for a while then decide to start with formula. Just don't expect it to solve any issues your LO has, you might find yourself stressing out trying to find the "right" formula or teat type.

Ultimately do what you want, by the time they are 12 months old no one will care how they were fed.

@ Booberella9- yes you are probably right. Breastfeeding has really taken it’s toll on me. I’ve not found it easy at all... the only thing that keeps me going is thinking of the good it’s doing baby.
I’ll see how he is over the next few days/nights. Thanks for replying x

I have a formula fed baby (14 weeks old) and she does a lot of the same stuff, bar the mucousy poos. I think it's normal.

If you want to stop breastfeeding then you can, you don't need permission or an excuse (not saying that's what this is, but I think sometimes people want to stop but feel they can't). I personally found breastfeeding more of a faff than washing a few bottles, but my baby wasn't a great breastfeeder so we had to use nipple shields and she needed a tongue tie division etc, I stopped after six weeks.

It’s very hard to know if it’s the milk that’s bothering him but it does sound like normal baby behaviour.

I ff for me. I know that I can’t hack the sleep deprivation - it makes me feel very down. It’s ok to switch if it’s best for you & 12 weeks is good going

Also, I have felt about a million times better in myself since I stopped breastfeeding. I've tried it with all three of my children and just don't like it, I think it's a bit taboo to say but it's not for everyone.

Babies digestive systems take a while to mature and they often hate the sensations that go with it. I doubt your milk is harming him. Obviously whether to carry on BF is another decision.

You don't have to keep going if you don't want to. You don't need a reason.

If you want a goal, my HV said that breastfeeding up to the last set of jabs is a big achievement, in terms of helping with immunity. Or some people set six months as a goal. Of course there are many great benefits to breastfeeding, but the advantages it brings decrease as time goes on. You've done an amazing job.

Thanks everyone for your kind words!
I’ve felt like stopping many times but something keeps me going. My goal is to get to 4 months so
will see how that goes...! X