Im not sure i want to breastfeed anymore[sad]

[lollyheart]

ds is 14 weeks old, he has been bf since he was 5 weeks old, he would not latch on before that so i was mix feeding with formula and ebm in a bottle.

For the last 2 weeks i have cut out the formula and since then he has been feeding every 2 hours in the day and from about 5ish in the evening he wants to feed constantly.

My back is starting to really hurt now as i have huge boobs and cant really get comfy when feeding.

It takes between 10 mins to an hour to feed him, he also is fussy with the right side which gets to me abit, when he was having formula he would only take 5 mins to drink it and would be happy for 3 to 4 hours. i cant get it into my head that i am filling his belly with milk, if he crys i think he must be hungry.

I am starting to think ff would be easier at least i know he is getting a full tum

I suppose i am looking for reasurrence that all the above is normal.

I really love bf, i am so proud of myself for getting this far,i never managed to feed dd or ds1 for more than a week.

Don't worry, it's perfectly normal! Sounds like he's cluster feeding in the evening and tanking up for the night. Maybe the 2 hourly feeding is to get your supply up a bit since you dropped the formula.

Think all babies have a favourite side, have you tried changing his position a bit on the fussy side? Or hand express a bit off first, maybe the flow is too fast? Or too slow, try compression.

For you, can you try feeding lying down? Or lots of cushions, or a different hold?

You should be very proud, you are doing great and filling him up with lovely mummy-milk, don't give up!

It is normal, and you're doing really well. Agree that he's cluster feeding - dd used to feed solidly from 5-10 pm. I just planned my evening around it, tbh - had remotes handy, or a book, dd brought food I could eat one handed (all dd's clothes were covered in pasta sauce).

Try different positions, as tinierclanger said. And good luck!

Definitely cluster feeding. He will grow out of it soon! It is really good for your supply to go with it. As for the bach ache, make sure you are sitting comfortably with lots of support for your back, nice and upright, and bring baby to you, not you to the baby. Then you will be able to maintain the position without getting stiff.

Well done for dropping the formula, you're doing brilliantly!

Lollyheart, you are doing a great job!

DS2 still feeds every 2-3 hours in the day (we are on the same postnatal thread!), as did ds1 until he weaned (6 months) and had less milk. The four hourly feed seems to be a complete myth in this house. So I really don't think you need to worry about it. Looking at in another way, do you often go 4 hours without food or drink? I bet you don't, and nobody expects you to, nevermind a baby with a wee little stomach.

I would second a good feeding cushion. Or even a good firm pillow off your bed. I'm long on the torso, so if I don't use a support I hunch and get terrible neck, shoulder and back ache.

Funny you should mention him having a favourite side. Over the weekend ds2 has a fancy for the right, but not the left, hence lots of leaks No doubt this will change and he'll fall in love with my left boob again

Cluster feeding is difficult, but it won't last forever. I can't tell you when it will stop, but it will.

You can do it!!

Keep going! Your supply may need boosting a bit seeing as you've dropped the formula so things might start to space out a little in a day or so.
The cluster feeding in the evening is really normal, but if you are struggling with getting comfy maybe go and see a BF counsellor to see if they can help you? Just wondering whether the hour long feed might be because your ds can't get a proper latch and get the let down going effectively?

You are doing a great job

Im glad he seems to be feeding normaly.

Ive tried lots off pillows etc, ive seen a great bfc to help me with positioning, it works for me at the clinic but as soon as i get home i fall back into bad habits where i put my nipple in his mouth and not bring him to me. i would love to do the cradle hold but i have to hold my boob, if i let go my nipple falls out off his mouth.

I think what half my problem is when he was dinking from a bottle he would drink 5 oz of formula, i dont think he is getting that at each bf dykwim? so in my mind i think i am starving him.

He had a good feed from me a 9 oclock thismorning, i still felt abit fall so i expressed and got 6oz into a bottle and he also drank all off that to.

I dont want to give up but my brain is telling he is hungry all the time, i really dont know what is best.

lolly

I'm training to be a bfc and at this stage have done a fair bit of reading around the different cultural contexts surrounding breastfeeding. Concern about there being enough milk, or it being "good" milk is far from unusual. In societies where bottlefeeding is the norm, it's compounded by things like the fact that bottles come in 6 and 9 oz sizes so that you're led to think that that's the "right" amount for a baby of a certain age to drink. If your ds is well, alert and gaining weight then he is getting enough. Have faith, you have done so well to overcome the issues you've described.

Re pillows, do you think the type that you strap on might help in that it gives you some boob support and is less likely to slip. Think it's called my brest friend. You could also consider whether having a large cushion (eg a floor cushion) behind you when feeding helps to support your back?

lollyheart - as a fellow bearer of big boobs I totally know where you are coming from! I have always used a pillow - just an ordinary bed pillow and always hold the edge of the boob to keep it in position. I used to feel quite insecure about this - like I wasn't breastfeeding 'properly' but I've fed three beautiful daughters that way and I'm still feeding dd3 so I think it must be ok . I have read somewhere that it is harder for the 'fuller breasted' woman to bfeed - so don't feel bad - you are doing a great job and your little lad is getting all he needs. That's the great thing about bfeeding - supply and demand will adjust without you doing anything. Try and hang in there - everything thats happening to you is normal - hard but normal.