Anyone else just hate nursing?

NYBride1125

I read all these posts about loving the nursing time...I might be the odd one out but just curious if others have similar thoughts...I know I should be thankful that I can nurse, but with a LO who is two weeks old and an almost 3-year old, I just hate how much time it takes and also hate how tied down I feel. I know everyone says "it gets better" but it never really did with my daughter. With her I made it to 4 months but with thus LO I have a hard time seeing past tomorrow! Anyone else feel similar?

KBowen715

I've always had a hard time with it. It was exhausted with it with my first. I'm trying to be more patient this time- I purposely cleared my schedule for two full months so I can do nothing besides sit in my bed or in my son's nursery and get this nursing thing down. Good luck.

RachelCA29

I'm up and down with it. I love it when it's working, but it is consuming my thoughts when I'm feeling unsure. My son wouldn't latch without a shield and using it at first just made things easier. But now it's annoying to always need it, and have to pump to make sire my supply stays up. With the help of an LC we only need the shield for one side now (I think I have fast flow on that side) but it's even more annoying now that we still need it for one boob.
At feedings where it goes well I love it, but on feedings where he just won't latch without the shield and gets so upset, I just think of how we're both so frustrated, is it worth it.
I'm sure once the latch gets better it will seem worth it, but breastfeeding is just one big mind-fuck sometimes.

Crazijewel

Love hate over here. That's how it was with my first too. It took me a good 3 months the first time around before it got better and then it still wasn't wonderful. My 1 week old is so demanding that I have no time for my 2 year old and it's killing me. You are not alone!

manna1212

I feel the same way! My LO is doing well breastfeeding, but I hate feeling so tied down. I would love to have someone else feed and not have to feel that I am stuck at home because I never know when he is going to need to it. I am definitely going to try breast feeding and pumping after a month to give myself a break and some freedom!

kalette

I hated the way it felt. Couldn't stand it with either child, which only further fueled my decision to EP both times. Thankfully my boobs love the pump and make tons of milk and I only have to pump 2-3x a day, so it works perfectly around the kids schedules and mine.

whitehousem

Yeah, I really wanted it to work out this time but my body hates nursing. Ended up EPing with DD and that's pretty much what I'm doing now with the twins. I make plenty if milk but between my three children I have had mastitis three times now, seen four LCs, multiple clogged ducts, latch issues with all three, and my nipples NEVER seem to heal... I occasionally nurse them when they need a top off but they never seem satisfied and it still hurts on my "problem" boob. I'm going to try to EP as long as I can stand it but I can't wait to not be attached to the pump anymore. I feel your pain!

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usernewname

I wouldn't say I absolutely hate it. But I do feel tied down like all you ladies mention. When I want to do something its hard because someone is hungry!

I do love watching him feed though, he is just so cute. He's getting sloppy with his latch though, so I'm sore again

krlovell

Bfing is definitely a commitment. I think the only thing that got me through was I set goals for myself with DS. I wanted to make it through my maternity leave EBFing. Once I did that I decided well let's try nursing and pumping now that I'm back at work and give it a month doesn't work out I tried. Then let's try for the 6 month mark. And I just kept adding small little goals. I stopped at 9 months as he wasn't gaining enough weight. (Which ended up having nothing to do with me or my supply/ ear infections) but I was really proud of myself for making it as long as I did. So I'll set myself goals this time with DD and I'll see how far it takes me. No one tells you the negatives of child birth or nursing just the joys. You aren't alone; it's a hard road. Good luck!! And regardless of how long you nurse be proud of yourself for giving it a shot. There are a lot of people out there that for whatever their reason is didn't even try!!

bumpuser10194737

I don't love it either, and it's especially tough with a 2yo and a 4yo. I had to supplement around six months with both of my older ones, and I'm considering that again starting at four months with this one even if it isn't a need. We'll see how things go.

momthatlifts

I've got a good latcher and nursing is pretty good for us (for the most part. We have put moments). But I just generally don't like it. My nipples are sore, it's hard to keep her held up on the right position when I'm nodding out on the bed, it's time consuming. I'm very committed but no part of it is fun.

Marcella05

I've been day dreaming about formula... But holding out to see if pumping works for my lifestyle. I have times when it feels great to nurse him because he is happy and adorable, and times I'm stressed with it cuz he's cranky or I'm tried. Overall, I'm managing fine, but definitely looking forward to help from DH when we introduce bottle.

kym1242

I hate it, and usually cry everyday because of it! I'm trying for 6 weeks then I will start weaning her off.

lrmrtn

I don't really like it. It's exhausting and takes forever. So does pumping. I also don't feel the whole bonding thing. Even though I feel like he's getting enough, he's not gaining weight so we have to supplement. The only reason I'm not giving up is because formula is so expensive.

gypsymystic

I, too feel tied down to the bed. My 1 week old LO is demanding. I feel like I have little time for my 4 year old, and for anyone else for that matter. Even when family visits I usually have 15 minute breaks before I have to disappear to BF. I had a lot of troubles BFing DS1 and was determined to EBF my second- however we started supplementing one or two bottles in the evening so H can take over a feeding and I can sleep. I just take it day by day and give him what I can for now but I am also dreaming of the day we switch to formula. I feel kind of guilty about it but I told myself not to have expectations for this LO with how hard it was with my first. I agree with setting small goals for yourself and trying to give it the best you can. Good luck!

Sam0905

DS isn't the greatest nurser so I also have to supplement with pumped BM... So that means every time I try to nurse we breast feed, then I give him a bottle, and then I have to pump. The whole process takes over an hour. I wish he could just nurse well so I wouldn't have to worry about bottle feeding/pumping. But then again I'm going back to work in a few weeks so I'll be pumping anyways. It makes me wonder if it's even worth it to keep trying to nurse him, but I do crave it when we just do bottle feedings.

Lizmullen

kalette said:

I hated the way it felt. Couldn't stand it with either child, which only further fueled my decision to EP both times. Thankfully my boobs love the pump and make tons of milk and I only have to pump 2-3x a day, so it works perfectly around the kids schedules and mine.

This exactly. I hate how it feels, I couldn't find a hold that worked and the fact I couldn't find nursing bras or tanks that fit plus the fear Id suffocate her! I had to seriously lift my boob off her nose to get a latch. I feel guilty about my oversupply but so glad I can EP! I even have a stash started with 3-4 pumps a day.

ksyknelvr73

The only thing I like about nursing at all is DS' sweet face when he looks up at me while nursing. Everything else sucks big time.

mcnava

I hate it.  I had no problem with it when I was first home from the hospital...but that was cause I was still healing and couldn't really do anything.  Sitting around all day with him attached wasn't that big of a deal. but now that I'm feeling better, I want to get out and move more.  I have one of the covers, but I'm not comfortable everywhere with it.  I HATE pumping.  I can't find one of the bras for it that fits.  I can't do anything while i'm pumping except watchtv. I feel like every time I start pumping, DS wakes up hungry.  I've started supplementing formula at night and it hashelped me, sanity wise, a lot! I feel a lot of guilt about it. my husband says I can do whatever makes me feel comfortable. I hate feelinglike Igave up cause I couldn't EBF.But I just couldn't keep going.  

liz18t

I'm with you. I hate it. I feel trapped. Also, I am on strong antibiotics which are effecting baby's tummy. We are going to try one feeding of formula soon and I am so torn about that. On one hand I think she will feel better but on the other hand I feel guilty about it.

Plus with all these hormones, everything feels worse!

dogsombrero

I'm pumping and still trying to get DS to nurse. I've seen 3 LCs and they all think there is an issue with his tongue and jaw. I want him to have milk but with the issues I really hate trying to nurse him. I feel guilty and don't want to give up and go to EPing even though that's pretty much what I am doing already.

yogasailmomma

MK1013 said:

I love the bond and the time I get to sit and have a break because I HAVE to feed her, but I am in so.. So.. SO much pain, and THAT I hate. I saw an LC yesterday and she suggested pumping my one breast that has endured so much trauma. It's a real hassle as I feed LO on my left side then have to pump my right side after (doing it at the same time was way too hard). I'm supposed to do this for 24 hours to see if it helps start the healing process, but I'm quite sure the minute I put her back to my MORE sore breast it'll crack them all over again. They're so cracked, it's actually horrifying. I've tried everything.. Lanolin, coconut oil, Soothies gel pads, air.. Ughhh... Does it get better? DD will be 8 days old tonight. I don't want to give up, but last night I was terribly close......

I had to pump my left for a few days, my nip was a disaster. It does get better, LO will be 4 weeks on Sunday and while there is occasional pain, I think the worst is over. Using lanolin and cotton nursing pads worked best for me. The gel pads didn't allow enough air for them to really heal. I still use the lanolin a couple times a day. Hang in there, it gets better!

LeeLee86

I love it during the day, hate it at night. I can tell my mood really affects her bc everything is different at night, her latch, my patience, her preferred holds, her nursing time. It's a mess. I think it's bc I keep the lights low so I can't see her sweet face. That makes a huge difference for me. I've started keeping more light on so I can still connect to her at night. I also bought a ton of new books on my iPad to keep me occupied.

Dellaramsey

Hated it! Have 0% patience for it. Very happy to be a EPer.

Arinias

It is nice to see how many other mamas feel this way. I wouldn't say I hate breast feeding, but I would not say I am really enjoying it either. My left nipple has been SO sore, trying different positions at the suggestion of an LC but I am not sure it is helping. He seems like he will get a good latch but it still hurts no matter what I do. I have also been pumping after each feeding to try and get my supply up there. The whole process of feeding, burping, diaper changes, and pumping takes me over an hour and then I have just a short time before repeating it all, it is exhausting. And sometimes LO will eat for a while and pass out so I will pump, then he will wake up and want more. I have been supplementing with bottles of pumped milk in those times, or occasionally while we are out and about. This has been really helpful, but I feel guilty doing it too often. I am hoping it will get easier but right now definitely not loving it like I had hoped to.

yvanehtnioj

I don't love it. I almost threw in the towel this week, but the thought of letting my milk dry up sends me into a crying fit. But I don't feel super bonded during most feedings, just bored. I may become an EPer soon. Henry had a tongue tie surgically fixed this morning so now I feel obligated to keep nursing.

amroke

I absolutely hated breastfeeding and I hate pumping almost as much. With my son I slowly diminished my supply by pumping less and less and adding formula to the breast milk in increasing amounts to transition him to formula exclusively, and I'm working on doing the same thing with my daughter. It til about a month with my son and will probably be about the same this time. I'm glad both kids got the colostrum and a month or so of breast milk, but I also think there's nothing wrong with formula and having mommy be miserable is no good for anyone.

Sdufort1216

lovesarahmarie said:

manna1212 said:

I feel the same way! My LO is doing well breastfeeding, but I hate feeling so tied down. I would love to have someone else feed and not have to feel that I am stuck at home because I never know when he is going to need to it. I am definitely going to try breast feeding and pumping after a month to give myself a break and some freedom!

This! I feel the same way. Started pumping this week, added to my hate of the whole bf-ing situation.

thiiiis