If i give up now, how much am i failing dd2?

[auntyspan]

My dd2 is three weeks. Exc bf for the first 10 days & since then mix fed, been expressing due to problems in the early days.

I have a nasty infection in my c-section scar & have been on antibiotics for a few days. They are upsetting DD2 as she's been very unsettled & screaming etc since I've been on them. My gp has suggested I 'pump & dump' whilst on the pills.

I don/t think my hearts in it anymore..... has anyone had a similar experience & felt terrible after they\d switched to fully ff?

You are not failing him at all, whatever you decide to do.

But one thing I suggest is, get him checked for thrush in his mouth, and you as well, as antibiotics can cause thrush.

Also it could be co-incidence that he is crying more since you started the antibiotics.

auntyspan, I'm afraid I can't offer any advice about feeding while on antibiotics or about expressing but just wanted to say.....you aren't failing anybody if you decide that now is the time to stop. If your heart is not in it, you can't make yourself enjoy it. Just do what is right for you and try not to feel guilty, though you probably will. It's worth remembering thought that most mums feel guilty no matter what they do!

Having said all that, if you feel you do want to continue, it might be worth seeing a BF counsellor (if you haven't already) who should be able to advise re. the medication etc.

All the best, whatever you decide.

Sorry I haven't got any experience to offer - just wanted to say don't think in terms of failure, think about what you have acheived by giving your DD breastmilk for the first 3 weeks of her life.

According to NCT "Reasons to be proud", 3 weeks of breast milk means you have:

• Helped to stabilise baby's blood sugars and protect baby?s gut
• The antibodies in colostrum provide natural immunity from infection
• Sticky black meconium is cleared more readily from baby?s bowel
• Transition to world outside womb is eased

And for you:

• Helped womb to contract towards normal size
• Instant relief for hot, swollen breasts when your milk came in

This is what happened when I had DS. I Exc bf for 5 weeks then I got an awful infection in my wisdom tooth and was given 2 types of antibiotics to take. I was told that one of the types was not compatible with bf ( I have since found out that this is a load of bull!). As I had to take the AB's, i couldnt eat etc, I pumped and dumped for the week that I was on them and used frozen ebm....and later when that ran out formula.
When I came to bf again DS wasnt bothered...he had got used to the bottle, also my supply was very low and he would need a bottle feed after a bf to get enough iynwim. I had no support and was so tired and down that I gave up and fully formula fed from 7 weeks of age. Afterwards I was gutted.

Please believe me when I say that you are not failing your DD if you choose to stop bf...you have done the best that you can! Having said that please get some advice regarding the AB's you are on....they may be fine to take while BF. GP's are a bit clueless when it comes to this.

agree, you should get some professional bfing advice before making any permenant decisions.