I need some encouragement..

sunshine0000

I have a 7 month old that I've been exclusively breastfeeding. I'm really starting to get worn down now. I have a 4 year old, and I am a single mom. I am just starting the divorce process although he has been out of the house since January 1. He was in another relationship for a year and a half before I found out. So now I had to quit my old job and get a new one so I can support me and my kids and try to keep my house. I've just been so stressed out with life, its hard to keep up with making enough milk and breastfeeding/ pumping around the clock. I want what is best for my little girl though. I am also very upset and self conscious about my weight. The divorce isn't helping my self esteem either. I have dieted and tried everything that is safe to do while breastfeeding and nothing helps. If I start to cut calories at all I can't even pump enough milk for my daughter while shes at daycare. A huge part of me just wants to stop breastfeeding so I can get back on the weight loss drug I was on after I had my first child, but I just can't bring myself to part with breastfeeding yet. Esp since I know it buys me some more "cuddle" time with my daughter while going through the divorce and having to be away from her when she has visitation with her dad. Can anyone offer any kind of advice? I just really need some encouragement. I'm only 24 but I don't want anymore kids, so I feel like I should just suck it up and finish out the year with breastfeeding.  

ClaudiaStar21

I think it is amazing you are doing everything you are for your family. You are in a difficult situation and I'm sorry to hear that but you are making the best of it for your kids. You should do what you feel is best for your family.  Just remember that breastfeeding isn't all or nothing. You can do part formula if it is going to help you feel less stressed and your LO will still get the benefits of the BM and you could still keep the snuggle bonding time. 

I have low supply and try to work so hard to make 2/3 of what ds needs at daycare (2 of the 3 bottles.). And i get down on myself if I come up short but I found if one day a week I give him 2 bottles of formula at daycare I feel so much better because I'm not pumping bottle to bottle - I always have extra in the fridge. 

If its really hard for you try weaning down to a morning nursing and a nighttime nursing so you don't even have to pump.

Good luck with everything and keep strong. No matter if you breastfeed or not, yous re a good mom  

Trissa19firsttimemommy

I don't know how ANYONE EBFs! You've already made it 7 months so I myself find you a hero, you're already doing WAY better than I am as a FTM... You're more than halfway, I don't think it would be BAD to stop breastfeeding but since she is your last and you only have 5 more months to go, then why not keep it up? I think you can do it (: haven't you introduced solids? 

sunshine0000

I do solids 2 times a day. I guess when I said exclusively BFing, I meant just no formula or supplementing like that... My girl loves her food though. I nurse her first thing in the AM. Then she'll get a 5 oz bottle around 11, a fruit and veggie around noon, then another 5 oz bottle around 3, then when I pick her up at 4:45 she always wants to nurse a little, fruit and veggie around 6:30, nurse around 7:30 and then 8:30 when she goes to bed. She still gets up at least 2 times a night to nurse also. I think I do want to just keep pushing another day, another week... and before I know it she'll be a year. The biggest thing is that I know if I stop BFing I can get back on the diet pills I was on.. I know it sounds so selfish, but I feel so defeated b/c my husband was in another relationship starting like 6 months before we got married and all through my pregnancy.. I've always struggled with my weight, I just want to feel good about myself in some aspect even though I should be feeling great about being a mom... its just so hard, I'm completely torn. 

ClaudiaStar21

Can you try to lose weight with out diet pills? Maybe try weight watchers? I've been having some recent success with it. Even if it drops your supply a little you can supplement a bit.