not in love with BFing?

mrsashby

I was not a fan with DS-had him totally weaned by 8 mos..did nursing and formula after 4 mos.  I thought it would be different this time...DD will be 3 weeks tomorrow.  I just feel anxious that I have to nurse every two hours...tied down...even when I get out of the house for just an errand without her I feel anxious about getting right back to nurse (even though I have pumped milk at home for DH to use)

I don't know how long I will make it...thinking of compromises-nursing/pumping, formula/pumping.  I for sure will nurse for at least the first 6 weeks...hoping to make it 3 mos BFing exclusively...but the guilt of quiting is awful...even though DS did just fine with formula...ugh...anyone else feel this way.  How are you doing...what has worked for you?  TIA

orangedaisy85

I EBF for the first week, then we introduced bottles of pumped BM. I think by about 3 weeks I was EPing and only nursing at night on my turns. After the first month we introduced formula, and shortly thereafter we were FFing only. In my opinion, BFing isn't for everyone. If you enjoy it, then great, awesome. However, I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would, and pumping got to be real hassle. FFing is definitely more expensive, but it's best for our family. It makes for a much happier mommy for us. :0) Don't feel guilty for your decision, as long as your baby is getting fed, that's all that matters.

QueenBee320

Can you pin point what exactly is making you anxious about nursing every two hours?  Or is it just the fact that you have to do it every two hours making you anxious?  Your ticker says your LO is only two weeks old, so it will get better. If you don't like BFing but don't want to give formula you could try EPing.  I've never EPed but there are a lot of women on here who do.

kathleen02

I'm not in love with it. I haven't even really had any challenges thus far. I have a great supply and everything...I just don't love it. I do it for him though and it is cheaper but man, I don't feel the motherly bond with my LO because of it, I don't know. Before I had my baby I looked at it as something special, and a bonding time between mother and child, but I guess I don't see it quite the same way and am definitely less judgemental of women who decide to FF right from the get go. It isn't for everyone. Don't beat yourself up over it if it makes you anxious.

tripleas

I HATE bf-ing!  It's painful, I have to change my diet for my son, I do 100% of the feedings, I still feel like my body isn't my own, I feel no sense of special bonding, and did I mention that it's PAINFUL!  but I keep doing it for my son, because it's the healthiest option.

PunkyBooster

It's not that I really love it, but I am such an insecure BF-er that it really stresses me out. I am constantly worrying that he isn't latched right, can't get enough milk, that my supply will dwindle, that he's not swallowing. I think all the classes and reading I did kind of hurt me, because I went into it with all of these expectations and "expertise" and of course, every baby is different. For example, the LC at the class said you know he's eating when you hear a suck-suck-swallow pattern. I have never heard a solid pattern from him but I do hear gulping now and then, at times in a row, and he has 10 or more diapers a day, so it does add up. And he's gaining.

But I am painfully insecure and I think that takes a lot of joy out of it for me. I am determined to stick it out for a year- even pumping, which I have started to do for bottle introduction next week and for when I go back to work.

I don't think there is any "right" way to do it- you just have to do what works the best for you and your family! 

 

JMB2007

I do not love it either.  I've EPed now for almost 3 months and I'm just now introducing some formula with hopes that by Jan. Lo will be EFF.  My goal was to BF him until 6 mos. but I'm happy that I made it to 3:)  Def. you have to do what is best for your family that is the most important.

searcy7

I don't like it either not entirely, but I know I will continue at least 3 more weeks then the decission isn't entirely mine. If I want to be comfortable after eating and not be ill and in pain I have to go back on my meds and they are not for bfing mommy's. So I feel guilty for having a gastro problem that means the choice to go to formula may have to be made ( I think this is why I am not enjoying BFing).