Thinking of giving up breastfeeding

jpagano113

So it's been quite the rollercoaster. I've seen lactation consultants, a pediatrician and I keep getting different advice on what to do with breastfeeding my baby. She had lost 10% body weight and was monitored for a day by the lactation consultant and ended up gaining a bit more weight the next day after breastfeeding and giving pumped breast milk as per the consultants instructions. She told me at her two week appointment with the pediatrician that she should have gained her birth weight back. At LO's two week appointment today with the pediatrician she did indeed gain her weight back but apparently that wasn't enough as per the pediatrician. I was feeding her every 2.5- 3 hours for about 20 mins per breast. The pediatrician said that's too long and 10 minutes is enough per breast. The pediatrician asked that I wake to feed her every 1.5 hours during the day and right after supplement with formula and 3 hours at night. I did what she said and gave a bottle of formula after feeding for 20 mins, but I found that she wouldn't suck and swallow anymore at the breast as easily and I think the bottle confused her. Also to wake her every 1.5 hour is quite the challenge. I undress her, put a cold cloth on her everything to wake her but it is close to impossible. I feel like I can't be doing this anymore. I'm stressing myself out to the point where my mental health is suffering. I feel I'm failing as a mother when I thought I was doing ok. I almost feel I'm starving my child! Some people say don't wake a sleeping baby, she will let you know when she's hungry. I'm just so confused. I'm thinking of going to another lactation consultant but I feel I've been given conflicting info that I'm not sure that would even help at all. Has anyone else gone though a similar experience? Any advice would be appreciated.

Abenedict2011

Hang in there. I understand it can be very confusing when two different professionals tell you to do two different things. My little one took five weeks to regain her birthweight. We did breast-feeding and then supplemented pumped breast milk. Try not to stress yourself out too much. As Long as baby is happy and has enough poops and pees, I would continue to breast-feed it's up in the breastmilk. I fed her at least every 2 to 3 hours during the day and every 4 to 5 hours at night. You are correct you do need to get enough sleep to take care of your baby. Best of luck.

TheBorg7of9

You should definitely get a second opinion from a new lactation consultant and maybe a new pediatrician. My son was a slow gainer too but he was fine. It sounds to me like you are doing a fine job. You've gotta look at how many wet and dirty diapers more than how many ounces are gained.

My pediatrician wanted me to come in every 3 days. Finally, I told him I thought my baby was fine and we'd come in again in a week and I was tired of dragging my perfectly healthy baby to the doctor for stressful weighins. He was gaining ( just not quite as fast as the doc wanted), he had plenty of wet and dirty diapers and was sleeping great. I breastfed him and his little brother past a year and they are both healthy.

Have you read these article?

https://kellymom.com/bf/normal/newborn-nursing/

https://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/enough-milk/

Good luck!

ariel8200

I just want to chime in with the lo being able to eat within 10 minutes. My pedi told me by six weeks that she should only eat 10 minutes then I should disconnect her. So I did and for a whole day dd screamed at me because she was hungry. So I didn't listen to the advice and let her eat as long as she wanted. It was still another 6 weeks before she got to the 10 minute feeding.

I think you are doing awesome fwiw.

kwikwi8181

Sounds like you are living my life! LO's first two week were exactly what you are describing. I saw the pediatrician and a LC and both helped in their own ways-but both stressed me out in their own ways too! At first I was nursing and then supplementing with formula right after per the Doc, then I was nursing 20mins per Breast, followed by Syringe feeding the baby whatever I pumped. Each feeding took an hour and half and I was supposed to do it every 2 hours! The LC helped by telling me our latch was good and baby was in fact getting milk from me and that was enough to boost my confidence. After 2 days of following the LC's specific plan but it was exhausting and stressing me out, and I felt like such a failure! That's when I made the decision to do what works for us. The moment I took the pressure off myself, things got easier. I was less stressed , baby was less stressed, my milk supply improved, and everyone was happier. I still supplement when I don't thin she has eaten well or when she has nursed so long that my nipples are killing me yet she still seems hungry. We do what works for us and keeps her fed and happy and me sane and not feeling so stressed. You will find what works for you. Bottom line-feed the baby and try to stay sane! It's a balancing act and it's different for everyone. Good luck. Whatver you decide is what is best for you!

jpagano113

Thanks everyone. I was literally making myself sick with worry. I just want the best for LO and it's tough when you don't know if she's getting enough to eat. Her pees and poops are within norm and she sure does poop a lot. Sucks when you get conflicting advice from professionals but I will definitely make an appointment with a lactation consultant and see what they say

eggmankate

I think what you've described sounds incredibly normal and you're doing great! It is so normal to worry and wonder if baby is getting enough. Your Pediatrician does not sound like he/she is educated on breastfeeding and unfortunately that is all too common. Keep up the good work and glad you're going to see another LC! My DD also took 2 weeks to get back up to birthweight and now I realize that it is more important to watch the baby and not the scale.

NLewis1

My guy ate for 30-40 minutes on one breast only for a LONG time. My LC and pedi (very pro BF pedi) said that was totally fine and to not unlatch them if they are still eating