A sad day

[WobblyPig]

Today is likely to be the my last BF day. Have had difficulties since birth 19 weeks ago but kept going. Now supply really dwindling and DD losing interest in breast. Have had to give bottles for last few days and can hardly express anything anymore.
I am so sad but know this is it. I know many people will advise having a baby moon, skin-to-skin etc but don't think I can face it again.

I have had lots of skin-to-skin and co-slept and fed on demand and still the milk has dwindled to nothing.

Not sure why I am posting , I just feel so sad that I didn't make it to a least 6 months. I so envy women who can breastfeed without hassle for months and years.
I hope that I have given he some benefits over the last 19 weeks.

I managed 6 days. Take heart in the fact you managed almost 5 months, that's amazing.

Don't feel sad, you've already done an amazing job...

x x x

you've done a great job - don't be hard on yourself. It is bloody hard! You've given her a great start.... formula is NOT poison!!! And on the plus side you can stop wearing maternity bras!

Oh come on be kind to yourself. 19 weeks is amazing and 18 weeks and 4 days more than a lot of babies get! It sounds like you've had a tough run and you've done your best. That is so admirable and you've done your dd a huge service. It really sounds like the cost to you in wear and tear has been considerable - but you've done it. You've breastfed well into her first year. Please, please rejoice in that and give yourself a break.

read me

If not just to make you feel better.

I know she's an MNer,I just wish I'd had this when I was struggling with BFing

again, sorry - please read that blog entry. Trust me., it will make things better

splog.vox.com/library/post/bye-bye-booby-booby-bye-bye.html

Just wondered have you tried fenugreek?

oh, and oats. drinks loads of water and eats lots of readybrek, it will help

Thanks everyone - has made me feel better - slowly coming to terms with things. I know that there are a lot more serious things going on in other peoples lives and I am lucky that we are all otherwise healthy - it's just disappointing.

19 weeks is a real achievement !

You should be proud of yourself

Agree with everyone that you have bf for a long time - she'll be 6 months in a few weeks! She will have had lots of benefit from almost 5 months of bf.

As I'm sure you know please don't assume no milk when expressing = no milk for baby, that's almost definitely not the case. Also, I understand you don't want to work on your supply (and it is hard work, babymoon with a 5 month old who needs entertaining and stimulation) but is there one feed in the day (bedtime one? Through the night?) that isn't as difficult? Can you aim to keep that one up for the next week or so and see how it goes? Feel free to ignore me

You have done really well! And its normal to feel a bit gutted when you stop, whatever age your baby is!

19 weeks is bloody brilliant, you should feel very proud.

That's a lovely blog post, Imovethestars. Made me go a bit weepy!

WobblyPig, you should also read this Reasons to be proud

Oh wobblypig, I really feel for you. But you made it to 19 weeks, it's a great achievement. Don't they say "Every BF matters"? So if you fed on average 7 times a day, 7 days a week, for 19 weeks = v. difficult sum and huge benefits for your baby.

SPB - Yes I think I may be able to manage 1 feed a day probably a night. I think that would be worth trying .

Thanks again - this has really boosted me so much My DH can't understand why I am so upset- and nor really can I.
By the way that NCT Reasons to be proud is really interesting and backs up the 'every feed counts' approach.

Agree with all the other posts - I had similar issues with BF, tried everything under the sun (including fenugreek!), managed to mix-feed for 5 months and felt so sad when I eventually gave up but remember that you are doing everything you can to give your baby the best possible start in life - that's all anyone can ask.

WobblyPig you really need to be less hard on yourself. IMO any woman who even intends to feed, whether they manage 1 day or 2 years, is an absolute blinkin SAINT! Its the most selfless, caring thing you can do for your child, and considering the state most of us are in for the first couple of months, I think every BFer deserves a medal. I feel no less proud of a woman for BF for a week, than one who BF for a year.

It is bloody hard work (not for everyone-granted) and I had my fair share of issues. I BF dd3 until 4 and a half months. Through this I battled a C Section, a Pulmonary Embolism, baby being 'topped up' in Transitional care, Thrush, Mastitis, diminished supply in one boob caused by previous surgery, and all this while caring for 2 older dds, one with special needs.

And do you know what....I am really proud of myself! You should be too. You have done EXCEPTIONALLY well to carry on for this long! Please bear in mind that if you do not feel truly ready to give up yet, there is the correct help out there to increase your supply/offer support etc.

It is normal to feel down after stopping. I did. I still miss it sometimes, so much that it pulls at my heart! But then I look at dd, see her chubby cheeks, big smile and realise she is FINE no matter what!! The choice is yours. But be proud of yourself! xxx

wibbly
You have done so well, you should be really proud - so many women don't even start bf and give up in the really early days so your child has had so many benefits.
The NCT poster is a bit misleading - surely almost all of those benefits happen simultaneously? It is not that by bf for 5 months for example, the child suddenly has a lower risk of cot death - that has been the case from birth up to 5 months?
Sorry, being pedantic I know, but seems a weird way of doing it to me