XP: I don't enjoy BFing

LSR

I enjoy it b/c it is the best thing for DS and I like bonding with him. But in the first month I have had mastitis, been on a round of antibiotics (looks like I'll be doing round 2 shortly) and have had 2 plugged milk ducts which is pretty painful.

It is tough being a new mom and then add the huge responsibility of BF. It's tough. I'm trying to hang in there b/c I feel like I don't enjoy it for selfish reasons and don't like giving up. I am concerned how I am going to have enogh supply when I go back to work and it's tough to pump extra b/c it seems like the next time I feed DS there isn't as much. Which makes it even harder to even leave the house.

 

Monkeybuttwhat

I know. No one ever told you that labor was the easy part compared to BFing. If you dont have enough you supplement it wont be the end of the world. I had clogged ducts too it was worse the the birth. Hang in there.

lovely40

It is hard being tied to DC constantly. But it does get better. I didn't start to enjoy BF'ing until DD was two months. I would stick it out a few more weeks before you make your decision. Good luck, and good job for making it through what you've been through already.

chadandamy

I didn't like it at first either.  In fact, a lot of days I hated it.  I wanted to quit a hundred times.  We gave ds formula every now and then so I could get a break but mostly I felt totally responsible and tied to the house.  At about six weeks, however, it got MUCH easier.  Now I find it easier to nurse ds then to make a bottle.  Try to stick with it, you will be surprised how much easier it gets over time.

audge_podge

DH is 2.5 mo old and I just started to actually "enjoy" it a couple days ago. But now that it has gotten so easy I can say that those first few weeks of hell were so worth it. Hang in there, I felt the same way as you and wanted to badly to give up, but refused to be a quitter. It will get better and you will start to enjoy it. Good luck!

chalmette

BF-ing is hard work in the beginning. The first 8-10 weeks were hell on earth for me. If it hadn't been for some of the ladies on here who were ahead of me, I'd have quit. It does get easier. I had clogged ducts and then mastitis, then I had a freakin' bladder infection (which wasn't related to my BF-ing but sure made it a helluva lot harder!). Then when E was like 2.5 months, everything was second nature for us both. Now it's fun and I'm so glad I kept at it. You are right in that horrible period where you BF 24/7 and you're still trying to figure out when to pump so you can build a freezer stash.

But let me offer you some advice about quitting: do what makes you the happiest mommy you can be. Your baby will be happy if you're happy.

HTH!

adri77

I'm sorry you're having such a rough time.  FWIW- I had a really rough time with DS #1.  LOTS of supply issues (he lost weight several times) LOTS of plugged ducts, LOTS of pumping to keep my supply up....it was very draining (literally!) and I didn't enjoy it at all.  It just felt like work to me.    With this baby, it is SO MUCH more enjoyable, and a lot easier.  No supply issues, no plugged ducts etc.  Why don't you supplement?  Any amount of BM will be really great for your baby, and BFing is not an "all or nothing" thing. 

KathrynMD

supplementing one or two feedings a day (especially at night so you can get a little sleep) won't ruin all your supply and may give you a little sanity back. 

Jhawks482

I could have written this exact post 2 weeks ago. It's getting a little better for me. Initially, I had set a goal to BF 3 months; but I'm having a tough time making it to 6 weeks! I have decided that when I go back to work, I won't be pumping, but instead I will start formula and still BF at night and in the morning.?

I think the biggest thing is realizing that sometimes, you do need to be a little selfish when it comes to your well being. You've made it a long ways so far- and the happier you are, the happier your baby is too! Don't feel guilty.?

craziheazo

I just started enjoying breastfeeding about a week and a half ago.  I've had a rough start at breastfeeding too (plugged duct that led to mastitis that led to yeasty boobs). The yeast stayed around for a couple of weeks.  I was SO ready to quit.  Just as soon as I decided that I was going to quit, my yeast cleared up (and wasn't so painful) and I started to enjoy it. 

Also, I felt tied to my house too.  I then decided I would start feeding DD in fitting rooms.  That helped me quite a bit.  Then, I got a Hooter Hider. It has given me my freedom back. 90% of people think I have a blanket over me and have no clue that DD is nursing.

It's not the end of the world if you quit. No one should look down on you (including yourself). Just remember a happy mommy = a happy baby. Do what is best for you and your LO!

LucyPevensie

I pump and i hate it.  ds couldnt latch properly because of a severe tongue tied that we had corrected but it didnt help.  i do it solely for the health benefits - antibodies, etc. -  for ds.  i supplement too but he gets more bm than formula.  i never thought giving him bm would be so tough.  one good piece of advice i got - never quit on a bad day!  take care and do whats right for you.