How long did it take before BFing started working for you?

mrs.g_6708 · August 2010

We have had a lot of issues from the start (percocet/sleepy baby, latching issues, supply), but I am trying to hang in there. How long was it before BFing was not a struggle for you and LO anymore?

PAmiler82 · August 2010

I hated it for about 4 weeks. Then I disliked it until about 6 weeks. I was okay with it by 2 months. I kinda liked it by 3 months. By 5 months I was completely hooked.

At the beginning I would just commit to a week at a time. When I'd have a bad day I'd think, "okay, just one more week from today and then I'm switching to formula." But in the days that would follow things would always improve. I'd get to the end of the week and decide to stick with it just a little bit longer.

Everyone I knew who BF'd said "It's going to be really hard at first, but stick with it b/c it will get better!" And they were 100% right.

greengirl0909 · August 2010

I loved it the first 4 weeks. Then we went to the doctor and found out we werent gaining enough weight. We had a latch problem and low supply. I hated it for several weeks then because I had to do so much extra work to make it effective and LO still wasnt gaining enough weight. Around 3 months it got better because we saw some success. At 4 months I loved it because he got so much faster. He can eat in about 15 minutes now, which is about as long as it would take me to make a bottle and feed him, you know? No clean up with nursing though!

Ohio_Wedding · August 2010

I have started to have good days at five weeks. And still bad days too.

AdaraMarie · August 2010

It improved a lot for me at about 2.5 weeks, but it is still not that great. I am hopeful that it will keep getting better.

labbie1821 · August 2010

Like one other pp, I hated it in the beginning because we had SO MANY ISSUES! I had to supplement in the hospital because LO was losing weight and had jaundice, and I felt like a complete failure! However, I was determined to do it because it was something that was really important/special to me.

By the 6 week growth spurt I thought I was going to die, then it progressively started getting easier. Now at 6+ months I can honestly say I LOVE it and it's soooo easy. Everyone who says to stick with it because it gets easier was so right!

You will be fine Momma, give it time and know in your heart you are doing what is right for your baby!

lite-bright · August 2010

With DD1, the first six weeks were awful. I was in a ton of pain, my nipples were torn up and slow to heal, and I cried through a lot of feedings. I saw a LC twice, went to a weekly BFing group, and my DH was hugely supportive or I never would've made it. My milk came in slowly and I pumped a lot for the first couple of weeks in order to get my supply up.

Around six weeks, things suddenly improved and the pain was gone. It was amazing. I actually enjoyed BFing, and never looked back.

With DD2, I figured my body was used to it (I had BF'd DD1 for almost 15 months) -- I still had minor soreness for the first two weeks, but it's been smooth sailing since.

TeenyLilac · August 2010

It started to get a little bit better by 2 weeks, a little bit more by 4 weeks and much better by 6 weeks. I've had intermittent soreness during growth spurts or periods of cluster feeding. But, overall it is sooo much easier and more comfortable.

There were several points in time during those first few weeks where I genuinely thought that I just couldn't stick with it and felt like I was just going to hate it forever. I really thought I had mentally prepared myself too, so it was really tough to deal with realizing how hard it really can be. Making it to 6 weeks seemed like a lifetime away in those early days. But, it went quickly and I'm so glad I stuck with it. It will get better! Hang in there!!

0danielle0 · August 2010

I'm still struggling with supply issues and sore nipples.

AbsoluteLM · August 2010

I had a similar experience to many of the pps. The first few weeks were rough with bad latch and sore/cracked/bleeding nipples and I had to supplement. Then came the 6-week growth spurt during which I was constantly BFing and would agonize over wanting to stop BFing all together. But after that, things got so much better and I am so glad I stuck it out. We now EBF and it I feel like it has given DS and me such a tight bond.

JenniferL923 · August 2010

It took us 10 weeks to get good at it finally. She'd usually reject me and get frustrated and refuse to nurse at some point once a day. Her latch was bad, I was in pain, we struggled with thrush for weeks....it was a stressful nightmare....but it got better. Now I've got a painful plugged duct, but at least she's now eager to nurse to try to help me out.

catycombs · August 2010

It took 8 to 10 weeks not to feel like I was BFing a piranha. We had a bad latch for the first 8 weeks. I used nipple shields for 4 days and it was corrected. After a week or so, I finally healed. I have been in love with BFing since then. It is worth every ounce of pain.

MommaMcG · August 2010

I hated it for 6 weeks and totally wanted to give up. She didn't latch (or take a bottle) for the first two days, I had to supplement because she was jaundice, and then she turned into a "snacker" by eating for just 5 minutes at a time. It sucked, but I'm so glad I stuck with it!! Hang in there, you can do i!

bethanylang · August 2010

I cried pretty much everyday for the first week. I had mastitis, blood blisters, latching issues, you name it. After 2 weeks, I started pumping once a day just for a little break. Now at 4 weeks, I'm still just pumping once a day and only get occasional soreness.

HailsLyrics · August 2010

I've always loved BF but at almost 4 months it's still a struggle!

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