I regret stopping breastfeeding.

GreenEyedGal · November 2009

It's been about a week and half since I've stopped breastfeeding and I really really regret it. I can't believe how selfish I've been. I stopped because he stopped wanting to latch after a couple of weeks and I was just tired of the frustration. I would try and try to get him to latch and it just ended up with both of us in tears. So I started using the nipple shield and it worked wonders up until he lost interest in that too. So then I started pumping and that was a royal pain in the ass. The parts, the time dedication, the fact that I could barely get out an ounce at a time sucked. So I gave up. I just threw my hands up in the air and resorted to formula.

And now I feel incredibly guilty. I can't believe I'm not giving my baby the best simply for my own selfish reasons. I thought I would be happier with formula, and it certainly does have its benefits, but I wish I would've stuck to it for a little but longer.

Pity-part over.

desabean · November 2009

Give yourself a break. Those first few weeks are hard as *** and if you've got a baby who isn't taking the breast I'm not sure what choice you have but to give formula. That's not selfish- that's problem solving. With that said, there was a girl on here earlier who had stopped bf'ing for a while and was able to get some of her supply back. So, you might be able to add some bm afterall. Either way, we're all just trying to do the best we can here so don't be so hard on yourself.

LisaMarisa · November 2009

Dont beat yourself up over it. You had to make the best decision for you at the time. Stressed mommy is not good for baby. He'll be just fine and you will be happier. There is so much to stress over with a newborn, why add something else?

beebe929 · November 2009

Hang in there. It is the toughest thing every, no one ever tells you that. I never had a baby that latched, but some how managed to make the pump work for us. But it was tough.

Happy Mommy = happy baby, remember that!

BoxTer · November 2009

Please don't beat yourself up. You gave it a good try. BFing is very tough. I made it maybe 10 days and then switched to EPing for three months. I felt bad at first, but now I look back and realize that it was the best decision for everyone. Perhaps you'll feel better once a little more time has passed.

Mrs.Babbsy · November 2009

It's sooo hard in the beginning. It down right sucks! Don't beat yourself up over it. You did what you needed to do to stay sane.

emmyloustu · November 2009

((HUGS)))

kammy · November 2009

If you are very interested in BF, it might not be too late. I would check out kellymom.com and the BF board for pointers if you wanted to learn about starting again. That being said, I agree that no one (including baby) is happy if mommy isn't happy, so you have to do what is best for you. I wish you peace with your decision; taking care of a newborn is hard enough--no one needs to feel guilty.

ejgballerina · November 2009

Same as pp's, don't be so hard on yourself! You did what you thought was best for your baby and you shouldn't feel guilty for doing what helped your sanity. You are a GREAT mom. I agree with the others, check out kellymom for tips on getting your supply back if you want to give it another shot. I wish I could remember the post earlier this week where someone quit BFing over two weeks ago and went to pump and got half an ounce still! If it's something you want to do, you can totally try again! I would talk to your OB and see about getting put on some domperidone or something and pump, pump, pump. GL with everything!

GreenEyedGal · November 2009

Thanks girls, I actually am contemplating starting again. Unfortunetly I have an infection due to the c-section so I have been put on antibiotics that aren't safe for breastfeeding. I only take it for 5 days though so after that, I'm going to have a talk with my doc.

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