Feeling low

[dancingmummy]

Currently feeding ds2 using shields, seem to have been doing very well up until a few weeks ago. He struggles off the breast and screams, feeds seem to be taking a long time. Not having much luck without them though. Yesterday at one point he just refused to feed at all. I just sobbed & got stressed so i gave him a bottle of EBM, which he drank from my dp with no problems. I feel like my breasts aren't very 'full'. Which I never used to think actually meant anything but now I think I know what people mean when they say that!!!(Although he is a very healthy weight i suppose). Now I'm considering expressing a bottle for dp to give him before bed to give me a little bit of a break. I'm getting to the point where I start to feel dread whenever feeding time comes around-I'm sure he notices this but it's not something I can help. I keep finding myself thinking that maybe a bottle of formula before bed would be ok, but deep down I know that a)I don't want to do that, and b)It would probably mean the beginning of the end of bf . He's 4.5 months ebf, and I fed ds1 until 9months so would really like to do the same with ds2, any help or advice would be veeery welcome!!!

Just bumping for you. I think that by 4.5 months in with your second child it's not unusual for your supply to settle down so your breasts don't feel full - think it's more important that he's gaining weight, has lots of wet/dirty nappies etc.

I am no expert on shields but thought they were short-term (?) - could you wean him off them? Might be wrong though. Also you're in big growth spurt territory - might be having an effect?

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can help, just wanted to send you some support

Thanku dvc! They're definitely supposed to be short term, but I've had very little success weaning him off them so here i am all these weeks later stil using them!! Maybe it is a growth spurt, he does seem to be feeding more now u mention it. Thanks for the support

There is definitely a growth spurt at 4-5 months - hang on There is a good article at kellymom about this stage, I can't find it at the moment but hopefully someone will have the link?

Not much to add except hang in there and good luck!
BFing can be so depressing sometimes- the downside of knowing you're the only one who can feed your baby I guess...
Your breasts definitely won't feel as full now but you will have plenty of milk.

Re the struggle and the screams, maybe he's getting frustrated with the shields? Is there any way you could try nursing without them- maybe at a time of day when he's in a relaxed mood?
In the meantime if you are feeling stressed, I would definitely let your DP give a bottle of EBM- use the time to have a bubble bath, watch a movie, read a book- look after yourself too! You need it.

Thanks everyone, am definitely going to try n wean him off the shields. Really appreciate the advice & support!