Hate BF

tinkerbell09

I always have been able to find tons of advice online about BF, every situation you can find on google but not much about what to do when you feel how I do.
I am hoping I am not the only one who feels this way, it is an awful feeling though!

Breastfeeding I just can not get into. We are now in to week 5.
At first I had issues with the latch, but we got the under control with a lactation nurse. Now I am in the situation where I am on the rare end of the spectrum that I have too much milk supply coming in. I am now on my second bout with mastitis and 2nd round of antibiotics for it.
During the day I can usually control things with LO feeding frequently and after he is done feeding I pump off what he hasn't finished.But I feel like I spend most of my time feeding or pumping. 

Nights are hell.LO is sleeping now 4-5 hour stretches and an hour into that stretch my boobs are starting to ache. By hour 2-3 I am dripping and just annoyed.
I feel just gross and dirty when I wake up and I have filled up a breast pad and it has gone through my sleep bra and on to the sheets. I feel like I smell and need to shower constantly.
I do pump for a few minutes to relieve this but I just hate waking up every night feeling like this.

I continue every day to BF and go through this battle where I just loathe doing it because of how I feel. I feel so guilty if I stop BF because I know it is best for LO. I want the best for him. Every day I consider throwing in the towel and going to formula. Very selfish sounding I know.

Anybody else feeling this way?

linzeek44

Is there a breastfeeding support group at a local hospital? I've been going to one and it's awesome. It's run by LCs, so I get free support when I need it, and it's so nice to have other moms around who have struggled with similar things. It has given me lots of BFing ideas to try and has made it feel easier. 

I struggle with oversupply as well, and it's especially tricky over night. I block feed like the PP mentioned. It's helped regulate my supply. It might help to pump less as well. You really want your body to know that you don't need much milk. My LC recommended only pumping in the morning once a day. It's uncomfortable for a bit as your breasts get the idea but by feeding only on one side and not pumping the other, your body starts to get that it doesn't need all that milk. 

My friend says, "Never quit on a bad day." I think it's pretty good advice. Reflect on a good day on whether BFing is right for you. If it's not, then switch. Regardless, you are feeding your child, so you're doing good.  

rnbeth477

linzeek44:

Is there a breastfeeding support group at a local hospital? I've been going to one and it's awesome. It's run by LCs, so I get free support when I need it, and it's so nice to have other moms around who have struggled with similar things. It has given me lots of BFing ideas to try and has made it feel easier.nbsp;I struggle with oversupply as well, and it's especially tricky over night. I block feed like the PP mentioned. It's helped regulate my supply. It might help to pump less as well. You really want your body to know that you don't need much milk. My LC recommended only pumping in the morning once a day. It's uncomfortable for a bit as your breasts get the idea but by feeding only on one side and not pumping the other, your body starts to get that it doesn't need all that milk.nbsp;My friend says, "Never quit on a bad day." I think it's pretty good advice. Reflect on a good day on whether BFing is right for you. If it's not, then switch. Regardless, you are feeding your child, so you're doing good. nbsp;

Great advice! I was going to say to pump less too. Pumping tells your body to make more milk. You may be making things worse for yourself.

Sarelnad

amy052006:

I had wicked oversupply too and it sucks!  My LC taught me about full drainage and block feeding, and it changed everything for me.  DS does seven hour stretches overnight, and I wake up full, but at least not in pain.  Plus the full drainage pump in the morning helps you grow your stash.

To give you an idea, I get about 14 ounces every morning.

 https://www.breastmates.com.au/advice--tips/breastfeeding/milk-oversupply.aspx 

this is good advice.  

I did block feeding and it's the only thing that helps regulate my oversupply.  It sucks while you're doing it but it helps.  Also you should try decreasing how much you pump each time.  If you normally pump 3oz after a feeding try only taking 2.5 for a few. Then drop to 2 oz., then 1.5, ect. Until your supply slows down. The more you take out the more you make.  I have made it to 6wks EBF and it has not been easy but I swear it is finally getting a little easier.  I almost quit several times and cried a few times as well b/c of my oversupply issues. Don't give up yet.  Set a mini goal for yourself like EBF until 7wks and then reevaluate. 

sinisforgiven

amy052006:

I had wicked oversupply too and it sucks! nbsp;My LC taught me about full drainage and block feeding, and it changed everything for me. nbsp;DS does seven hour stretches overnight, and I wake up full, but at least not in pain. nbsp;Plus the full drainage pump in the morning helps you grow your stash.To give you an idea, I get about 14 ounces every morning.nbsp;https://www.breastmates.com.au/advicetips/breastfeeding/milkoversupply.aspxnbsp;

This exactly. I had the same issue, and full drainage and block feeding saved us.

ETA it may not seem like it, but it WILL get better. I had to block feed 12 hours on each side. It sucks for a couple days because your unused boob is leaking like crazy but worth it!

tinkerbell09

Thanks for the great responses ladies.

I am going to try blocking today and see how it goes.

p0nd77

For the first six weeks I thought about quitting almost everyday. It hurt, I was engorged, clogged ducts, etc. Now LO is 8 weeks and I haven't thought about quitting in two weeks. It does get better and now I love not having to get up at night and feed a bottle. I agree with other posters that if you have oversupply that you may want to decrease the pumping, but gradually so you don't get clogged ducts. Shorten the amount of time you pump and try to reduce the number of times you pump by one per week.