If you quit breastfeeding...

eastsidekitty · July 2010

When did you do it? baby is almost 8 weeks and my OB is strongly recommending I stop nursing because I am so miserable from the hormones I guess. I never sleep, have terrible anxiety, feel depressed and stressed - and I don't want to take antidepressants while I bf. I feel so guilty about this though - I am having such a hard time making this decision. Anyone else?

Alyssa102 · July 2010

I just stopped this week. DD is 8 weeks also.

My decision was based on the fact that DD was not satisfied on my boob and is much happier with a bottle. I still pump and I do 2 bottles of breastmilk and the rest is formula.

CaliforniaSunshine · July 2010

I know what your going through. I only BF for 2 weeks and had enough. I wasn't producing enough for LO, so then she lost a lot of weight and her jaundice got a lot worse. She was always fussy, cried all the time, wanted to feed all the time, always wanted to be held, etc. It was breaking me down and I was miserable. I finally made the decision to stop BF and start FF and felt horrible about it. Now that LO is FF, she is so much happier and so am I. I am finally ok with my decision.

eastsidekitty · July 2010

How often do you pump? How do you retain supplyiof you are not bfing all the time? Maybe something like this would work for me - less nursing and therefore less of the hormonal issues maybe

Lambie. · July 2010

I stopped this week too. DD has GERD and who knows what else but she was probable twice as fussy on my breast milk as formula. There is much more peace in the house how.

madhatter2003 · July 2010

Have you seen a therapist? I had PPA/PPD and just going to a therapist really helped me. There are medications that are safe as well, but I didn't take any. If you don't want to stop yet at least explore the options so you don't have to feel so bad all of the time.

JulzRulz · July 2010

I'll be weaning over the next month, because I'm going back to school mid-august and won't be able to nurse or pump. I know what you mean about feeling bad about it, but I really hate it to be honest, so I know my life will be a lot easier once I stop. It was when I switched DS to formula when he was a baby. Don't beat yourself up about it.

Alyssa102 · July 2010

eastsidekitty:
How often do you pump? How do you retain supplyiof you are not bfing all the time? Maybe something like this would work for me - less nursing and therefore less of the hormonal issues maybe

I pump when I can (usually around 4 times a day.) I can only pump 2 OZ. at a time now, so I think I am starting to lose my supply. (When I was BF I could pump 4 OZ at a time)

FWIW someone told me on the board when I posted about having a hard time making the same desicion that "Formula fed babies can also get into harvard" I thought that was quite funny and it made me think that there really is nothing wrong with formula feeding your baby. Don't feel bad and GL with your desicion.

naturegirl417 · July 2010

I made the decision to quit pumping this week. I am gradually increasing the length of time in between pumping sessions until I'm done. DD had a horrific latch and we went to several LCs to correct the issue, but nothing seemed to work. I just couldn't handle the pain anymore so I switched to pumping. Pumping has been good, but its a huge time commitment and I just can't seem to pump enough to satisfy her needs.

Its been a hard decision, but I know she is healthy and that's all that matters. DH and I were both formula babies and I think we're just fine!

naylon511 · July 2010

Riley*sMom:
I know what your going through. I only BF for 2 weeks and had enough. I wasn't producing enough for LO, so then she lost a lot of weight and her jaundice got a lot worse. She was always fussy, cried all the time, wanted to feed all the time, always wanted to be held, etc. It was breaking me down and I was miserable. I finally made the decision to stop BF and start FF and felt horrible about it. Now that LO is FF, she is so much happier and so am I. I am finally ok with my decision.

This, nearly word for word. While stopping was guilt-ridden it was hands down the best decision I've made both for me and for her. She gained her birth weight back (and then some) got rid of the jaundice and is thriving. I am no longer anxious, miserable, depressed and weepy.

08summerbride · July 2010

LO will be 4 weeks on Sunday, and I am trying to make that decision now. I have to opposite problem with an over supply where LO is choking, gagging, and gulping to keep up. This is making her gassy and uncomfortable, which is making me miserable. I feel like I am making her gassy, and wonder if it is worth it.

Dec31stBride · July 2010

2 weeks. For my sanity. It was liberating.

ohiomama2355 · July 2010

I had major nursing issues but stuck it out until her 6 week birthday. That's the date that the peditrician (who also advocated that I stop and FF) and I agreed upon because studies show that the majority of the antibodies are passed during this period. You continue to get benefits but the first 6-8 weeks are generally considered to be the most crucial. Since you've reached that milestone, I'd pat yourself on the back and be comfortable with any decision you end up making. GL!

tece · July 2010

Reading that other people have problems bfing makes me feel so much better, b/c my lo is 6 weeks and I have had so many problems and issues. It is something I wanted to do so badly, but it just has not been working for many reasons - Mastitis twice, a very low supply, poor nursing habits on Lo's end - my milk puts him to sleep instantly it seems... and too many more to mention. I pump 2-3 bottles a day and he nurses to go to sleep at night, although this is in addition to a formula bottle. I feel guilty every day, but am slowly getting over it. My baby is healthy and happy and that is all that matters. I will probably stop pumping soon b/c my supply is diminishing even more and it is time I can spend enjoying my lo.

Aleacus · July 2010

I think its impressive how many women (especially on here) fight for their lives to breast feed exclusively. I think I lasted a week before I decided I would be happier pumping exclusively. We supplement with formula. I was tortured over that decision. Every woman on here is probably tortured with that decision. But the truth is that you're not a bad mom for doing it, there's nothing "wrong" with you, and your happiness and sanity is just as important as your baby's health. If you're miserable and going nuts you're not nearly as qualified to take care of your baby.

A question to OP, would you describe your anxiety?

BelleIsa · July 2010

My dd is 2-months-old and I'm toying with the idea of quitting breastfeeding as well. It's just been so difficult for me and everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong. Mastitis, thrush, clogged ducts every time I wear a bra, poor latch from DD, tongue-tie... the list goes on.

I'm just so miserable and I dread feeding her sometimes.

I figure a miserable mom = a miserable baby and a happy mom = a happy baby. So, you have to do what makes you happy.

My problem right now is that when I try to give her a bottle with formula, she won't take it. So I think I have to start with pumping to get her use to the bottle-feeding, then slowly start putting formula in with the breastmilk... it'll be a long process, but I think in the end I'll be much happier bottle-feeding.

katenney · July 2010

I had to stop at 3 weeks. I take medicine for anxiety and needed to back on it. I was having terrible anxiety attacks, stress, my supply was tanking, and I was getting depressed because of it. I also felt horribly guilty about quiting and kept putting it off and trying to BF. DS's pedi finally set me down at his one month appt and told me that I could not give my son the best of me, nutritionally or otherwise, if I did not take care of myself. I switched to formula, started taking my meds again and both my son and I are happy. I enjoy him so much more!

Take care of you for your little one. You are all he/she has.

rhythmicgoldfish · July 2010

have you talked to your doctor about getting a referral for a therapist? it seems like you would feel guilty about quitting and if the meds don't work the guilt might add to your problem i had PPD and went un-medicated so that i could breastfeed this may not be the decision for you but it was the right one for me and my son

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