I do not enjoy BF'ing (vent)

Alyssa102 · July 2010

Maybe Flameworthy, But I must vent....

I do not enjoy BF'ing. DD is an aggressive eater and when she is latched on, she kicks her feet, scratches me, pokes me in the face and even whips her head around streching my nipple and pinching it. If she does latch off properly, she usually grabs, pinches or scratches my nipple.

Needless to say, I am in pain and don't know how much longer I can do it. I've held in for 7 weeks and thought I would be able to pump more by now, but I am still only getting 3 oz. and DD drinks 4-5 right now.

I asked DH if he would be mad if I wanted to switch to formula and he said he preffered if I didn't.

If I switched to formula for a little while and continued pumping to try and build a stash, would it hurt her tummy or cause problems to switch back?

alicianrj · July 2010

No flames from me because we were in a very similar position. I held on for 7 weeks as well. It was just too much to keep up with him and we were both struggling with it.

I am pumping now. At first it was rough getting what I needed but I had a little freezer stash that I could take from when I needed. Now I am pumping enough for 2 bottles. Fenugreek has helped me A LOT! I have noticed a huge difference in my supply.

Could you keep pumping and supplement with formula? Make a bottle with what you have and then do the rest with formula? This way they are getting a little of both. I spoke to the doctor the other day at our appoinment and she said we could do this if need be or we could give him a whole bottle of formula here and there and he would be absolutely fine! She didn't say anything about it affecting him at all. This way when we do go full on with formula at least he will be used to it.

Keep pumping!!! And try Fenugreek if you can. Good luck!!!

laurieb602 · July 2010

This may be equally flameworthy but I wouldn't ask my DH if I could FF. If BF isn't working out for you then do what you need to do. Maybe you should have LO latch on to his nipple one time so he can see how it feels, bet he'd change his tune if he could feel what you feel every couple hours! I stopped BF my first bc of pain but luckily I've had no huge issues BFing DS but if I did I would expect my husband to back me up in my decision.

lesalia217 · July 2010

My little does all the moving when he has bad burps. Sometimes I have to burp him a few times / feeding. But it helps

KRISTA555 · July 2010

I'm so sorry! Do you have lactation consultants you can call? My DD is only 5 days old and I've already called them twice with questions.

schnappycat · July 2010

I'm harsh, but your DH shouldn't be the decision maker here. If you want to switch, I think you should do so. You should enjoy your LO and it sounds too upsetting for you.

BrainySmurfette · July 2010

While you need to make the choice that is best for you, you are still in the part where I found BF rough yet really close to where it gets easier. It gets easier for me in the 10-12 week area.

Also, it is OK to do both BF and FF. It doesn't have to be all one or the other. Your baby will still get some the immune system benefits if it is only one feeding per day. If you do BF part-time, you should try to keep those feeds on a regular schedule to keep your supply steady.

BrainySmurfette · July 2010

Also, I would swaddle her for any feedings at the breast. She won't be able to scratch you or otherwise hurt you with her hands. Without having to worry about her hands, your hands are free to control her head to correct the pulling off behavior.

Laura0575 · July 2010

Here's what my doctor told me:

Formula fed babies go to Harvard too.

Do what you need to do. If BFing is getting in the way of your relationship with your baby, then switch to formula. And tell your husband that YOU gave birth, they're YOUR boobs, and if he wants YOU to have a good, non-resentful relationship with your baby, he'll keep his mouth shut about it.

hydies33 · July 2010

BrainySmurfette:
Also, I would swaddle her for any feedings at the breast. She won't be able to scratch you or otherwise hurt you with her hands. Without having to worry about her hands, your hands are free to control her head to correct the pulling off behavior.

Ditto this. I think you could benefit from swaddling.

MFalor · July 2010

I basically agree with all the pp! Try seeing a LC, try swaddling, & it's okay to FF if it doesn't get any better.

ecu1995 · July 2010

You can definitely do both..bf and ff, I mostly bf, but have been giving ds about 2, 4oz formula bottles a day. My goal is to be able to bf in the evenings, night and morning when i go back to work, the ff during the day at daycare. i did this with my dd and it worked out beautifully. dont let you dh make you feel bad, if you are having a bad experience, it is not good for you or your lo!

1ht

mrsjenni · July 2010

Laura0575:
Here's what my doctor told me:
Formula fed babies go to Harvard too.
Do what you need to do. If BFing is getting in the way of your relationship with your baby, then switch to formula. And tell your husband that YOU gave birth, they're YOUR boobs, and if he wants YOU to have a good, non-resentful relationship with your baby, he'll keep his mouth shut about it.

This exactly.

Your DH should not be deciding for you. At all.

shari_rngleson · July 2010

no flames here either! i really do not like it at all either. i only lasted about 3 months with dd, but i am determined to go longer with ds!

my nipples are soooo sensitive and always hurting.

in the end you need to do what makes you happy, dh may have an opinion but ultimately it is your decision!

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