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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Don't think I can cope much longer.

5 replies

Stefka · 13/11/2007 13:28

I never thought I would consider giving up but I just cried my way through another feed. And because I had to keep taking him off my DS cried all the way through it too. It was just awful. I am just terrified of each feed now - the whole thing is so traumatic.

I can't complain about the support I have recieved and they are talking now about sending me to a special clinic in the city for help. I might see what comes of that but at the moment I just don't know how I am going to get through the next feed or the rest of today. It's so painful and no matter what I do I can't seem to get it right. And because I also have thrush it hurts afterwards too. I feel I am missing out on this time with my baby as I feel so stressed and unhappy.

I am not sure how much more of this I can actually do.

OP posts:
tiktok · 13/11/2007 13:36

Stefka, if there is a special clinic near you, it would have been great if they could have got you there sooner.....but you know you have support here whatever you decide to do, and yes, the feelling of missing out is a powerful one

Stefka · 13/11/2007 13:37

It sounds quite good - you go there for the whole day which would give me the chance to do a few feeds rather than just doing the one offs with people that I am doing at the moment. I have lost all confidence in latching him on now so it would maybe help with that.

OP posts:
mandler · 13/11/2007 13:39

I am so sorry Stefka, I only wish there was more honesty in advance about how difficult breastfeeding can be. Is your medication not working yet?
Just do what you feel you should - if you want to try something else then it is entirely your decsion that you make for the best for you and your baby. These weeks are difficult enough already without the pain and stress you have been under.
I am still finding bf painful, added to a growth spurt by ds means that I am constantly feeding, Everyone says it will get better so I am being optimistic, singing little songs to him as I feed, staring into his eyes - all these things to try to forget the pain and concentrate on what I am doing.
I don;t really have any advice for you as you have had so much from so many dfferent people - just to let you know that others are going through this and that I am thinking of you
x

monkeybird · 13/11/2007 13:40

Stefka, I saw your post on the other thread about being judged - if you do decide you can't go on BF, I would completely support your decision and indeed you: I would never judge you for making that decision and I hope most other MNers would be the same.

I'm trying to encourage you to carry on only because if and when it does get better it can be an amazingly positive experience. But if you can't go on, you can be assured that your baby has had the very best start from you, with all those antibodies and stuff, and you will have done you absolute utmost in very VERY difficult circumstances.

I have been exactly where you were. With DS1 and 2 it took 8 weeks and then 12 weeks -that was the thrush - before it stopped hurting and it was REALLY excruciating. I had the bottles and the formula at home with both but managed not to use them.

It must be exhausting and excruciating for you. It must also be very miserable feeling you're making no progress - but you have been feeding your baby yourself all that time, in spite of the pain. What a star that makes you.

If you're able to get to that specialist clinic, that might help.

Even if you give bottles, I believe there are people on this list who can help you restart breastfeeding later if you want to go back once your nipples have healed (though I have no idea how easy/difficult that could be).

But if you can't carry on, when you have tried so hard and taken all the advice and treatment you've had to face, then you've done your absolute best. I hope you do find a way through and give it one more day at a time but if not, best wishes with your decisions.

funnypeculiar · 13/11/2007 13:41
  • Oh Stefka. If you can make it through to the special clinic, that sounds like an amazing resource.
I can remember sobbing and swearing all the way through dd's feeds, and just dreading the next one) What kept me going was a) KNOWING it wasn't going to stay this way (I'd fed ds with no problems) b) focusing on one feed at a time and trying to forget that this would be happening all over again in 2 hours. It's horrid when your whole experience is just about waiting for the pain again

GOOD LUCK whatever you decide to do.

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