Two weeks in and I think I really hate breast feeding

[ElmMum]

Considering giving up on breast feeding. Seems like formula would be so much easier - or am I fooling myself? Apart from the benefits to the baby of breast milk, what are the down sides of formula feeding?

Has anyone else really hated breast feeding and given up? How does the milk dry up??

Bit of background...

DD is two weeks old. BF started well (I thought) but had to feed lying down because c-section meant I couldn't really sit her on my lap.

After 3 days developed cracked bleeding nipples, so think the latch lying down wasn't right. Got through that with help of lovely midwife who showed me rugby ball position and helped with latch. Expressed and cup fed til nipples recovered. Then back on the BF with occasional expressed bottles to give the nipples a break.

After a few days of things going smoothly, left nipple is getting sore again. DD is flailing about at the start of feeds, pulling her head back and turning a good latch into a bad one.

Feel like the whole thing is on a knife edge - one sore nipple and we're stuffed - baby won't get enough to eat, she'll be crying for food and I'll be unable to feed her. And I have to do it every 2 hours!!

I know this is all prob normal, but really feel like it's not worth the effort. Is it???

ElmMum I was on the verge of posting this - almost identical to you....i'm currently hating every minute of it. I've read this thread with interest and I'm definately going to keep going and hope things change.

DD has great latch, nipples are 'almost' holding up but it's the relentless feeding I can barely cope with. She's putting on over an oz a day - and doing well but I'm falling apart. It takes at least 2-4 hours to complete a feed! And then she won't be cuddled by DP - just wants me and only sleeps through sheer exhaustion. As soon as I put her down she freaks out.

My problem is I have a non-walking 18mnth old...who needs me to do physio with her...and DP is back to work soon. I seriously have a baby attached to my breats 20 hours a day and i can't look after DD1 properly. Plus she's getting freaked out by all the mummytime DD2 is getting. I'm hoping it's a growth spurt but if anyone has got any ideas as to how I can do both toddler time and feed then that'd be fab

jeanjeannie, have you a sling?

jeanjeanie, I second trying a sling, and also can you do some toddler time, like reading, when DD2 is feeding? My DS was a lot older when DD was born and was quite happy to snuggle up for a cuddle and a read whilst she was latched on.

It can be so energy sapping at this stage but gets better.

My DD had growth spurts at roughly 3, 6, 9, 12 and 16 weeks where she seemed to be premanently latched on. It only lasted for a few days though beofre settling down to something like normal. I never used a sling myself, but DD will be 17 months when DC3 comes along, so it's on my list of priorities.

Thank you all so much for so many posts - feel a lot better today after a decent sleep. What a roller coaster!

Have decided to just take one day at a time and keep going. On balance, I think it sounds like BF will be worth it in the end (not just for the health benefits, which I know all about, but for my sanity/convenience too).

But I'm trying not to look too far ahead. Just one feed at a time.

Just did a feed sitting on a different sofa, cradle hold rather than rugby ball, and using a BF cushion instead of a pile of pillows.

She was calmer going on and was on for a good 30 mins. Wasn't too sore either, so have slathered on Lanisol and put nipples shields back on (haven't had these off hardly since we got them), so fingers crossed.

And midwife is coming out tomorrow to go through alternative positions and how to avoid back ache etc.

Big sigh of relief feel like a human again and more positive - so THANK YOU xx

Glad you are feeling better!

Great to hear ! One feed at a time is a great philosophy, and one really good feed will lead to another.

Keep us updated - theres always someone around

One last tip from me - I found the Avent Breast Shells brilliant for helping healing. They allow the air to circulate and keep your clothing away from your nipples to help them heal. And stops the lansinoh getting on your bras too.

I got a nice feeding bra from Top Shop (they are online). Just makes me feel a bit better. And Blooming Marvellous have feeding tops, and have a sale on at the mo. JoJo Maman might have some reductions too.

Good on you for being positive about it now.

Yay ElmMum! Excellent. Just one day at a time and don't set any more deadlines than that, and you will get there. BRILLIANT! Well done you!

Well done!

Glad you're sounding much more positive.

It is v hard in the early days. You're all tired and emotional. Mum has to cope with the bfg, the responsibility etc etc and dad has to cope with the resonsibility and according to my dh, when things aren't going too well the guilt that there is nothing he can do.

Honestly, the good days will soon outway the not so good and you will look back and realise you were tired, emotional and really not yourself.

The more sleep you get, the better everything seems so get as much as you can and take things slowly.

Good luck!

Elm
My girl is 18 weeks old now. The first 7 weeks were really crap and then Bing! It came right. With my boy it was the same .... One day at a time and you CAN do it!
Well done you!

Jeanjeanie: Mine are 19months apart and it is hard. You just have to stay calm and caring. My dd was walking when ds was born and used to play up at feeding time (ie taking all her toys out of toybox, raiding the fridge etc). I just tried to stay calm in the chaos and encouraged her to sit with us and read or watch tv or although it's not too comfortable I bfd sitting on the floor so we could play for a short while (bricks and lego easiest). I also explained to her that ds was having milk to help him grow and that she used to. It sounds stupid, but I also used to ask her permission to do things so if ds was crying and wanted milk i used to say 'i think he wants some milk, can mummy give him some, it might stop him crying.' or 'i think he wants his nappy changed, can mummy change it. Will you hold the wet wipes for me?' etc etc. Ds is now 20wks and Dd loves him to bits. She has turned into a v caring, thoughtful and protective big sis and much to MIL's dismay now bfds her dolls!!

This was me 4 weeks ago. I bought bottles, things to warm them up with and a couple of ready made formula cartons. I had mastitis 3 times, Dd was feeding every hour and I thought bf was horrid. I somehow persevered and I'm sooooooo glad that I did. I'm actually starting to enjoy it now and am just going with the 'lets it try another week philosophy for now'.

Try not to give up until you've at least given it a month. If you decide to after a month then at least you have given it your best shot.

Thanks everyone....think I'm also still blinkin hormonal too...doesn't help. There's some fab advice - mucho appreciated.

LackaDAISYcal....some brill tips - thanks and you're doing it all again with DD only 17 months!! And Abingdongirl cheers also - C-sec scar too sore to get onto the floor but I'll be more mobile soon....so reckon a bit of play and involvement is a way forward.

I'm considering a sling...have to wait for about 6 weeks as my type of arthritis may set in like it did with DD1 If so then it won't be poss.....but if it stays away then it'll be full steam ahead... milk on the move!

This thread has really saved my sanity...for now anyway ;)

Have got through another day of feeding. Latch has been better - sitting on a different sofa and using BF pillow. Feel much calmer. Been napping on and off all day so not so tired and hormonal.

Tomorrow is another day! Onwards and upwards.

Thanks all x

ElmMum if you need decent tops/clothes for breastfeeding there are some pretty things here which might make you feel more confident feeding in public (also check out ebay):
www.mummylooksfab.co.uk/short-sleeve
and
www.mamaway.co.uk/ShopStyle/rgcj3/GoodsDescr.asp?category_id=1&parent_id=0&prod_id=0709