So sorry for long post but looking for your advice/opinions please, both BF and bottle feeders. Thinking of giving up BFing but don't know whether make me feel any better.
First time mum, have BFed my 8-wk old DS all his life so far. Introduced a nightly formula feed, which my husband does, a couple of weeks ago for my sanity's sake in the hope DS might sleep better and I might get some sleep and feel a bitbetter (I was diagnosed with PND following a tricky birth, posterior baby, forceps, horrendous stitches which didn't heal for a good long while meaning I could literally barely walk for 2/3 weeks, which was quite a shock). I think the formula feed has helped him to go longer in the night -- he usually goes for 4.5 to 7 hours, before he wakes, whereas previously he would only go 2 to 3 hours, although this might have just coincided with him getting older/better able to sleep anyway.
I have never enjoyed BFing. I didn't much like the idea of it before I got preg, but thought I would try it anyway for the sake of DS's health. I don't know why exactly I hate it so much. I don't like how long it takes (at 8 weeks old, he's still on the boob for 30-40min. a go), and the fact it's so unpredictable. I hate the fact only I can do it, so I can't go out for longer than about an hour by myself, making me feel quite trapped (DS still seems to be hungry ALL the time). I also don't like the sensation of being chomped at and sucked on by a tiny mouth! I still have sore nipples despite having my latch checked by HVs and BF counsellors (GP said it's not thrush, and he's never known anyone who BFed who didn't have sore nips, and the idea it didn't hurt was a myth.) Plus I do think your body seems to retain lard when you are BFing, and I have no time to go exercise owing to needing to be with DS, making me feel gross. Also not keen on my 34K knockers!
All very selfish reasons I suppose, but overall making me feel quite down and seriously thinking of giving up. But don't know whether it would really make any difference. At 8 weeks, have I done the hard bit now? Will it all get miraculously easier? If I did switch to bottle feeding, would he be able to go longer between feeds anyway or would it be a waste of time? Also the idea of carting loads of bottles round with me all day doesn't sound fun -- am I just trading one inconvenience for another? Am I just bleating about 'wanting my body back'? Do I just need to man up, butch it out and crack on??!
Any opinions from BF or bottle feeders very much welcomed. Anyone given up BFing and wished they hadn't? Anyone given it up and glad they did? I don't know what to do, am agonising over it and spending ages googling BF websites!