Breastfeeding is the hardest thing I have ever done.

IU_baby · May 2009

I'm not quite 2 weeks in and I had a bit of a breakdown last night. Everyone said it was going to be hard, but I didn't realize how hard it would actually be. Nursing every 2-3 hours around the clock is wearing me down, my boobs hurt and I constantly wonder if DS is getting enough.

Please tell me it gets better!

shaykrista · May 2009

Hang in there, it will get easier!

madhatter2003 · May 2009

It definitely gets better. Weeks 2-4 are the worst...you are down from the 'birth high' and the baby is having growth spurt after growth spurt.

By 6-8 weeks it will start to seem easy. Really, it will.

mrsmitch06 · May 2009

It gets better! I promise! I know exactly how you feel!

a2pfunk · May 2009

It really, really does. I agree..it is the hardest thing I have ever done. I was so stressed, sore and exhausted for the first few weeks. Now, 10 weeks in, I'm so proud of myself for doing it and it is SOOOO EASY!! I love never having to worry about bottles, I love that I can instantly soothe my ds anytime I need to (dh calls it the magic bullet) and I love that I was able to stick it out.

You can do it!! Keep up the great work!! You will start noticing it getting better in the next few weeks. I think I was really in the groove of things by 3-4 weeks.

Keely's Mommy · May 2009

I can't even imagine having to get up in the middle of the night to warm bottles. Not to mention washing allll of those bottles all the time. I feel like after you get into the swing of it, breastfeeding is easier than FF.

mariatech22 · May 2009

Aww. Hang in there. Just take it one feeding at a time. I wanted to quit all of the time, I stuck with it even though I didnt really want to anymore. Now we are at 5 months and I am so glad that I did!

iris427 · May 2009

I felt the exact same way. It really will get better, I swear. 4 weeks was a big milestone for us, as far as BFing getting easier. 2 months was even better.

I know it's hard now but if you can just hang in there another few weeks, it will all be worth it. Once you get the hard part out of the way, it gets really easy and rewarding!

KatieRL1979 · May 2009

It definately gets better!! The first several weeks you are on their schedule whether you like it or not. Worrying about them getting enough to eat is the #1 worry of nursing moms. If they are making plenty of wet and poopy diapers then no need to worry. Your pediatrician can also help ease your worries when you go in for your visits b/c if baby is growing normally then you are doing a great job!

In the meantime, keep plugging away! Nap when baby naps, use lanolin after EVERY feeding, drink lots of water, eat lots and try to get DH or someone to take the baby from you for a few hours once in a while so you can get out of the house and have some ME TIME - you won't believe how refreshing and recharging that is!!

MrsJerseyJets · May 2009

I had several breakdowns about breastfeeding early on too (in the first 2 weeks)...it DOES get easier. But we also made the decision to formula feed as well since I'm going back to work and won't be able to easily pump, so we've been supplementing and slowly weaning her off now. Just remember, it's worth it if you stick it out, but it's also your own personal decision as to what's best for you and your family. It helped my sanity once we decided to supplement because then I didn't feel this overwhelming pressure, which ultimately was better for all of us. Good luck!

LLB430 · May 2009

It is so hard but so worth sticking with because it does get easier. When I was having a difficult time my cousin told me nursing her twins was more difficult than medical school for her. That stuck with me..I am so happy I did not give up. I love it now!

AngieandTony · May 2009

It will get better! We're 4 months in and it's the best part of my day. It was hard at first, I had flat/inverted nipple issues , over supply which made max really gassy and he has reflux. I wanted to quit so many times and I'm glad I stuck with it. Six weeks or so is when things really improved. Hang in there!

ficklefiona · May 2009

it really does get better! for me once i didn't want to scream during every latch bf became incredibly enjoyable. it just takes a little time. just try to relax and keep yourself busy when you feed her , watch tv or bump.

JimsBride08 · May 2009

For a few weeks, I cried every time I fed DS. He was screaming, wouldn't latch, my nipples hurt SO BAD, and I was completely exhausted. Everyone said it would get better after 2 weeks and when it didn't I was really upset. It took more like 4 before I was more comfortable, and 6-8 before we really got good at it. GL! It is definitely not easy.

APrice4UT · May 2009

I'm in the same spot...and luckily there are a bunch of us all having the same issues and concerns. Hang in there! It'll get easier for us all very soon! Smile

mm&cc · May 2009

((hugs)) BFing is a huge commitment, not to mention all the little issues that can arise from it, but I promise you, it will get better!! I love BFing. I look forward to it after a day of pumping at work. You and your LO are still learning and finding your groove. Give it a little more time. GL!!

harmskills · May 2009

if you have a laptop,try to type/surf the internet one handed, keep a book or magazine handy, and/or plop in front of the tv... you cannot spend the whole time just looking at your lil one, and now I look forward to bf'ing because I can talk to friends online, watch bad tv, or read a book (I usually alternate activities).?

aldyn · May 2009

I agree, it was really had in the beginning. Realistically it was right around 4 weeks where I feel like I turned a corner with breastfeeding. At that point it stopped hurting and my nipples were fully healed from the early weeks.

Now, it's great. It's so convenient. I hate dealing with bottles for DD's daycare, it would be twice as worse if she was bottle fed 100% of the time.

NatPhoto09 · May 2009

I completely agree w/ you, it was the hardest thing I had ever done too. It does get easier and your boobs will not be so sore in the upcoming weeks. The first few weeks are the hardest. Today is my first day back at work and I miss breastfeeding my LO. Hang in there!

IndyKat · May 2009

IU.....are you in Indianapolis? I am and I go to breastfeeding support group at Community Hospital. It was sooooo helpful! I have gone 1x a week since DD was born and she is 4 months now. I have recieved comfort and support on breastfeeding and other baby issues. There are some ladies that delivered at St. V's that come too. If you aren't in Indy see if there is a similar group at your hospital! I had my doubts at the beginning but I am sooo happy I stuck with it. My husband says breastfeeding mommies should hire me to be their coach b/c I am so happy I didn't give up....and like to help encourage others!! Good luck!

Cabela · May 2009

Before I opened the post I just knew that your DC must only be a few weeks old. At 3 weeks, it felt like I'd been BFing forever. Isn't there some saying that it takes 21 days to form a habit or something? If you can hang on another week, it'll be like daylight and dark.

MarriedBestFriends · May 2009

HANG ON! I so wish that I was BFing v. EPing. Unfortunately DD just didn't get it and now that we both have thrush it's not even worth trying again.?

wilberta2006 · May 2009

It does. Just remember that whenever DC is ready for another growth spurt, they require more quantity and want to nurse a lot.

If you are worried about quantity, fenugreek works.

crawtater · May 2009

Keely's Mommy:
I can't even imagine having to get up in the middle of the night to warm bottles. Not to mention washing allll of those bottles all the time. I feel like after you get into the swing of it, breastfeeding is easier than FF.

This. We supplement with bottles at night so that I can get sleep, and the bottle thing is totally DH's responsibility since I have DS on the boob the rest of the time. It looks like it totally sucks. Washing bottles is, like, the most time consuming thing ever. There's like 10 steps to it. He tried to show me how to do it once and I was like, "ummmm this is your area, not mine." Yurgh.

labooshki · May 2009

It gets better and I have that swing!

crawtater · May 2009

Also FWIW, my nipples stopped hurting around 6 weeks, although they're still kind of tender (10 weeks now), and if you're worried about quantity GET A SCALE. We bought one from amazon.com for about $60. Best thing I ever did. Being able to weigh DS every few days reassures me that he's getting enough to eat, and having one less worry is REALLY nice.

little__bit · May 2009

Everyone and their mother has responded already, so I'm just another cheerleader.

You're at the most challenging part. It should get easier very soon. Hang on for another week and then reevaluate. Can you get to a LLL meeting in your area? It'll get you out of the house, and you can nurse your LO while you're there.

Breastfeeding has been the best decision of my life, hands down. I had a very tough beginning, but the joy of nursing my child now makes up for the challenges a hundred times over. I've never met a BFing mother who regretted the decision to BF.

Sarahb34743 · May 2009

omg, I could have wrote this word for word...matter fact I think I did around 2 wks. I even askedmy DH if he'd be upset if I stopped BFing...like it was a big deal to him. It is SO SO SO hard.But listen to everyone when they say it gets easier, it will. I promise!