So I have never had an easy go with nursing and this time is no exception. My DS will be 2 weeks tomorrow and he has lost about a pound since he was born - he was 9lb7 oz when he was born. I am nursing every 2 hours for about 30 minutes.
I have seen 3 lactation consultants and I am losing my mind. Last plan was to nurse 20-25 minutes each side, then pump, feed and supplement if he is still rooting. I have been supplementing and pumping and cant get more than 1 oz total. I just nursed him then he took 4 oz of formula. I have 2 other kids so it just isnt working.
Sorry I need to vent.I feel like I am failing.
Re: Just about to give up
First round of Clomid in May 2012= BFP #1, DD born January 2013
BFP #2 in January 2014, DS born September 2014
There is nothing wrong with FFing at all. The part of being a good mommy is doing what is best for your baby. And if that means feeding your baby through your own milk production or through formula, then do what needs to be done.
I have had tons of days where I felt like giving up, but it was more for selfish reasons. I just was having troubles adjusting to being the sole provider for food and midnight feedings. The only thing that kept me going was something someone had said on the BFing board. Basically it was along the lines is "choose to quit on a good day". Choosing to quit on a bad day just makes it worse for you when it comes to accepting that you have to make the switch. That advice was profound enough for me not quit during some pretty low times. And now I am glad I stuck through it.
But if I had to make a switch to FFing, I know I would feel the same way you do, but in the end, it is what is best for your LO and you should be proud that you are putting your baby first.
All of this!!! I went in 100% committed to EBF and DD has been terrible at removing milk. She lost 15% of her birth weight over the first two weeks. We've had 2-3 appts every week (pedi, LCs, ENT for tongue clipping). Every appt she lost more weight I cried and cried. We're currently almost exclusively bottle feeding (either pumped milk or formula). I hate giving her formula, but seeing her weight today (FINALLY over her discharge weight and only 6 oz from birth weight) made it worth it for me. We also got a referral to someone in speech to see if they can teach her how to use her tongue better.
All that said, this is my first, so my only job for the next two months is take care of her. If we have this much trouble when we have #2, I don't know what I'll do! I'm pumping every 2-3 hours, which would be super hard with a toddler/preschooler.
*hugs* Just do what works for you and your family! That's what's best for your LO.
I totally understand where you are coming from. I also have been struggling with breastfeeding. Currently I am just pumping and even that I feel bad about. Even worse I sometimes want to go to formula just so I don't feel like my entire life is spent pumping. I feel like I am missing out on actually being with my baby because I am pumping so frequently. Right now I am continuing to pump but its definitely not easy.
Luckily, my SO has been supportive and reminds me that we just have to do the best we can, not be perfect.
as others have said formula isn't bad. We all know plenty of perfectly happy and healthy formula fed babies