So tired want to give up but dont ifswim

[ray81]

Hi,

I am EBF my 8 week old baby and am so tired of it and thinking of switching to FF during the day and then BF over night. She just doesnt seem happy during the day and i wonder if its because even though she feeds alot she is just still hungry, am feeding on demand and have done the skin to skin. Also i find it very hard to bf in public and get stressed about her getting hungry so find myself rushing home to feed her and i dont want to be house bound for the next 6 months or so.

I know the benefits of BF and ive waited for her for 6 yrs so feel so very guilty for even thinking of switching but i am so tired. Please some advise would be welcome.

I'm sure other people would disagree with me, but have you tried a Bfing apron when you are out and about? I used this for about the first 3 or 4 months as I was very embarrassed about feeding outdoors, but have been able to do without sometimes now as I'm better at hiding what I'm doing. My apron is black and I like to call it my cloak of darkness...

some babies are just unhappy tbh! my second one was.
why not try having a quiet week at home. no stress, just feeding on demand, lots of cuddles, try not to go out anywhere so you don't have the stress of feeding while out... and just see how you get on

i think new mums are really pressured these days to be out and about and like normal really soon after having babies and it IS hard when they're little

do you have a specific problem when feeding out? perhaps if you can expand on that we'd be able to offer some practical solutions?

she's only 8 weeks, try and get to 12 and see how you feel, it will get so so so much easier.
It's really and truly worth sticking with it - once you get past the initial slog bfing can often be SO much more convienient than ff.

you've done most of the difficult bit already.

Do have a look to see if there is a local BF cafe near you. Maybe going out some where that you know other mum's will be BF to will give you the confidance to feed in public.
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/support-centres.html

I know I was quit relutant untill I met a friend with a baby a couple of months older then me who was happy to feed anyware. Did my confidance no end of good.

Also our local NCT group, most area's have coffe mornings and bumps and babies groups. Which are offten smaller and more informal then toddler groups. I found it great to meet mum's with slightly older children who had already been there and made me feel like I wasn't the only one. DD was a really fussy baby to and always seemed happier when she was being entertained by older children even from a very young age.

Just so you know you don't need to be a member of the NCT to go to any of there groups. www.nct.org.uk/home

Aaaah bless you, it can be so hard and exhausting at first, my DS fed for 8 hours stretches and I was so tempted to give up, but I'm so glad I didn't. I'll probably be in trouble for saying this but I never felt comfortable BF in public so my DS had a bottle too from day one! He never showed any signs of confusion and it meant I could express and relax on days outand my husband enjoyed feeding him too. I can only speak from experience, it worked for us and it means when you decide to stop breastfeeding baby has always been used to the bottle, plus, if for some reason you can't be with your son, you can rest in the knowledge another loved one can feed him for you. Maybe you could leave this as a last resort having exhausted all other suggestions but it's far better than giving up and you can't let BF stop you from going out, you will get pretty down eventually. I would definetely recommend you go to a BF support meeting, they are invaluable! you will meet new friends, and there's always someone who has been through or is going through the same thing. Good Luck and remember during your down days to be proud of yourself!!! You are doing an amazing, wonderful thing. Well done you!!!! x.