Did anyone give up breastfeeding because it was so hard/exhaustion?

[roslily]

I am struggling with the intensity. I have been diagnosed with PND. Things have improved slightly but at the beginning of this week I refused to feed DS when he was brought to me by husband. I just couldn't take it anymore I just wanted a rest.

He is back to feeding nearly hourly, which means I struggle to rest. I believe so strongly in breastfeeding and was so determined to succeed, but I worry that I am close to cracking point. I am beginning to resent baby, and don't want to spend any time with him apart from feeding. And I don't get that warm, feeling you are supposed to get wathing them feed.

So much of me doesn't want to give up, but I fear I am approaching my cracking point.

Hallo roslily. Hope that the last couple of days have been easier for you. Hope that you have managed to rest.

Hey there

I 'gave up' physical breast feeding after a nightmarish first few weeks - my LO constantly fed and always came off hungry. My hubby gave him a bottle of formula one evening out of desperation as he had been crying all evening when he wasn't on the breast - he settled down straight away and was like a different baby. I was determined to carry on breast feeding, though, and went to see a lactation consultant. she was brilliant and diagnosed a high palate and tongue tie - basically by hungry little monster was not able to get proper suction on my nipple and therefore not enough milk. Catch 22 - the lack of sufficient stimulation meant my supply was not keeping up with my LO's demand - hence constantly feeding baby.

After a few more awful days of bfing (after having his tongue tie fixed his latch was even worse), I decided to go down the expressing route. I figured it was better for him to have at least some breast milk than none at all. He is currently getting the equivalent of 1-2 125ml bottles of bmilk a day, the rest is formula. He is so much more settled and now a really happy, alert little boy. he is also having cranial osteopathy for his palate and other issues which is having a really positive effect on him - although, too late really for me to restart bfeeding. He is used to a larger amount of formula now and despite expressing alot, my supply is not catching up.

I wish bfeeding had been easier and I will definitely try again if I have any more children - and I will definitely see a lactation consultant (the NCT one I saw was great) straight away whether bfeeding is going well or not!

Hope you are getting on better x