I need a bf'ing pep talk.

sooosie

I really want to keep this up and establish a good supply, push through the pain, etc.  But I'm just having a hard time with the desire.  Part of me doesn't want to give up, the other part of me just wants to stick some formula in him when he's hungry.

Don't get me wrong, I am not opposed to formula (DS had it since bf'ing didn't work - tongue tied, losing weight, etc) but I don't want to feel like a quitter either.

I don't even really know how to explain what I mean, I guess.  I suppose I just need someone to tell me when it gets easier...or something.

REOM

It really does get easier! It even becomes enjoyable after you get the hang of it.

Have you bought soothies? They were a lifesaver for me. Put them in the fridge and they get nice and cool- AHHH!

Andrewsgal

Aw (HUGS) you are at the hard part, set a goal, my goals were three then six weeks. I makes it so much easier to do. By the time you get to your first goal you will be amazed at how much better it is. There are still days/times I feel like going to bottles (so much easier in a lot of ways) but then I look at my little boy who is actually getting chubby, and I think I did that! It makes me so happy and proud. You can do it! Give it a little more time and it will be so much better!

Amanda&Chris

First of all, Congrats on Max!  And {{hugs}} the first few weeks can be very hard and draining with the constant BFing.

Does your hospital or town have lactation consultants?  I had the most amazing LC with Lila and it made all of the difference, especially in my confidence that everything was going well.  I would strongly encourage you to seek out a LC or a BFing support group to help you through these first few weeks.  My BF support group offered weight checks for the babies it was fun to see how much she had grown from week to week.

It will get easier!!!  The latch is the most important thing to help avoid pain, cracked, nipples, etc.  It's okay to take him off and reattach him a few times to get the latch just right.  Get some lasinoh cream if you don't already have some.  That helped a lot too. 

I found that around 6 weeks, the constant nursing died down a little and we started to have a little more predictability to our lives and I didn't feel like I couldn't leave the house.

I also found my Boppy to be a god send, although my LC preferred My Brest Friend.  Either one will make things more comfortable for you.  They weren't invented yet when I had DS, haha.

Good luck!!

meglew

You can do it!  I remember how overwhelmed I first felt with BF and I am so glad that I stuck with it.  We used nipple shields at first to help with the pain, along with the lanolin cream.  She transitioned straight to the nipple quite well once we stopped using the shields when I felt like I was healing.

I also agree about seeing a lactation consultant if you can.  We saw her in the hospital, a few days after being discharged and then again at 2.5 months when I started to have supply issues.  They are a great resource and really helped me continue nursing.  Good luck and YOU CAN DO IT!!!! 

Heidisean

are you using Lasinoh cream on them after each feeding?  That will help to moisten them and not get them to crack.  I had a tube in every room lol

breezee_bean

I totally understand where you are coming from!  Ditto the other girls who suggested a LC.  Or you can contact the La Leche League, too.  You can totally do this=)

squishywife

it gets better i swear!  granted it might take 8 weeks, but it really gets better - so much better!  it's so much easier than ff (at least i think - my other dd was ff from 6 weeks on).

you are doing a great job!

ElizabethD

It gets SO easy you thank god every day that you don't have to wash bottles, prep while baby is screaming, and know that you "made" your baby with your nutrition.  It's truly amazing.

Plus let's not forget: BOOBIE POWER.  The boob can sooth and there is nothing better than the boob instantly calming down baby... there are hormones that make that happen.

Yay bewbies!  lol

CubbyMama

At 5 days PP, you're still recovering from a HUGE physical ordeal and have hormones screwing with you 24/7 as well.  Try not to make any decisions yet, and give yourself some slack, until you've had a little longer to recover.  The first few weeks are hard no matter what, and no one prepares you for how challenging bf'ing can be or what a huge commitment it is.  If you do give him a bottle or two of formula to give yourself a break, it's not the end of the world--bf'ing isn't all or nothing, so do what you gotta do and hang in there!  You're in the hardest part now, but it'll get easier if you do decide to stick with it.  And, congrats!

SumnerBride

My DD is now 5 weeks, and it's just NOW starting to get better.  It's soooo hard at first.  I had cracked, bleeding nipples, and ended up with mastitis.  I pushed through that and am still going strong.

Get some Soothies, or the Medela HydroGel pads.  Those saved my life!