Community› The Bump Local Boards› D.C. Area Babies
D.C. Area Babies
New Discussion

Well, I'm done with BFing

AgrippaRidesAgainAgrippaRidesAgain member
in D.C. Area Babies

Last night and this morning were horrendous.  They were filled with feedings every hour, only 15 minute naps, and more explosive mucousy poops than I can count.  It culminated in Conrad saying, "Why you always feed Maggie?  Play with ME!  Play with ME!  You no love me."

Lately, our days alone have involved me feeding and attempting to put Maggie to sleep more than I would like, but until he said that, I didn't realize how much I was neglecting him.  Seriously, my 2.5 year old got himself his own bowl of cereal and milk this morning, sat himself down at the table, and ate.  All alone.

So, after DS said that, I gave Maggie a bottle of formula.  She burped, smiled, and went to sleep for 3 hours.  She is now happy as a clam, and isn't pooping any more.

I think I'm done.  My son is basically raising himself, my daughter is obviously having problems with my breastmilk, and formula would make them both happier.  It makes me sad though.  

image
Report Reply to Post

Re: Well, I'm done with BFing

  • tomandcourttomandcourt

    Ooof, that sucks. Not sure if you're looking for advice, but it sounds like you might have an overactive letdown - she's getting too much foremilk, so she's gassy and having weird poops and also not getting enough fat from the hindmilk. So it might help to try expressing or pumping before feeding her? I've also heard just feeding on one side for three-four hours and then switching can help even it out.

    But if you're not looking for advice ;-), a happy (sleeping!) baby and more time for your older LO sounds pretty nice.

    image
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    TTC #2: BFP 12/17/11, m/c 1/7/12 and D&C 1/12/12

    baby blog/cooking blog
    Follow Me on Pinterest

    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • emackemack
    I am so sorry that you have to quit not on your own terms - that stinks. Otherwise, it sounds like you've made a good decision for you and your whole family. Just don't make yourself feel guilty over it - it is a great example of really good parenting. 
    image
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Pregnancy Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Amy&Steve0421Amy&Steve0421 member
    Sounds like a hard - but good - decision for your family. 
    Report Reply
  • SofkaSofka

    BFing #2 is hard b/c you do "ignore" #1 - that was definitely a hard adjustment for me. I chose to keep BFing b/c I BFed #1 for so long, I felt like I had to give #2 the same benefit. It sounds like you made a decision that works for your family and that's the most important thing!

    I did read that some women have too much sugar in their foremilk and that expressing/pumping some before nursing will eliminate that problem as pp said.

    but formula is certainly not poision and hopefully now you can STTN while your DH does some of the nightly feedings!

     

    Report Reply
  • WinesNotWhinesWinesNotWhines
    I'm sorry you're sad. Did you BF Conrad? I remember how all-consuming it was to BF a newborn, and I can't imagine doing it while taking care of another child. If you want to give it another go, I'd try wearing the baby in a sling. You can BF while she's in the sling and still spend time with your older child, and she'll also probably fall asleep in it. But if you're definitely done with BFing, that's fine too. You have to do what works for your family.
    AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers
    Report Reply
  • HikerBride07HikerBride07

    Obviously you know what's best for your family.  But to add another suggestion, BF'ing doesn't have to be all or nothing.  You could nurse for every other feeding and supplement with formula.  Or nurse at night and FF during the day to save yourself from making bottles.  Your body should adjust to the change if you do it gradually. 

    Also, with DD I had an oversupply and that led to the foremilk/hindmilk imbalance pps mentioned.  I had to nurse on one side for several hours then switch so she'd be getting more of the richer, fattier milk, thus going longer between feedings and no mucousy poops. 

     

    imageimage

    TTC #1 Cycle 14 - IUI#1=BFN, IUI#2=BFP | TTC #2 Cycle 8=BFP!! imageimage

    Report Reply
  • ****AWS********AWS****

    HUGE hugs! I agree with the PP, it does sound like she's not getting the hindmilk...

    I also understand, my 3 year old tells me that his baby brother isn't hungry and that I don't need to feed him b/c he wants all of my attention. It's so hard.

    Report Reply
  • AgrippaRidesAgainAgrippaRidesAgain member

    I was already BFing with one breast at a time for a 3 hour span--maybe that still wasn't long enough?  Her poop, while mucousy, was still yellow. I thought it was green if there wasn't enough hind milk?  I considered just BFing at night, but all of her problems seem to start at about 4 am.  I don't know if she is a lazier eater at night, so she's definitely just getting foremilk, or if it's something else.

    We're 5 feedings in and, despite being a little gassy, she's a much happier camper.  She even went down easily for a morning nap.  I think this will make us all happier.

    I BFed DS until 6 months.  At his 6 month appointment, I found out that he had lost weight between 4 and 6 months old, and was just barely 13 lbs.  In hindsight, there were lots of clues that something was going wrong.  6 month olds shouldn't still be eating every 1.5 to 2 hours...  

    image
    Report Reply
  • mommmyzmommmyz

    I'm with everyone else, it is hard to quit when you're not expecting it. Sounds like I had a similar issue to you at our 6 month appointment, that was when I stopped too...I'm hoping with a #2 I'll go longer, but all these new issues that I am hearing about! Agh! 

     Lots of hugs and fingers crossed that she keeps being more content! 

    Pregnancy Ticker Lilypie Third Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • ArtslvrArtslvr
    Hugs to you!  It's not easy making that decision. 
    Wife, Musician, Fed, WW-er, and Mom of three little kids - not necessarily in that order.
    Report Reply
  • clarajclaraj
    Hey, you have to do what's best for your family! It's not an easy decision to make, but no matter what, your DD will be a-ok!
    Photobucket
    Report Reply
  • Hey JellisyHey Jellisy
    Hugs, and there is no need to feel guilty.  In the grand scheme of things, this will be seen as an easy decision.
    image
    From December 29, 2011
    Report Reply
  • victoria1212victoria1212 member
    It is okay to be sad but it sounds like the right decision if everyone is happier :-)
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • Lion&HokieLion&Hokie

    Hey, things happen.

    imageimage
    AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers
    AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers
    Report Reply
  • imkhrisimkhris
    imagetomandcourt:

    Ooof, that sucks. Not sure if you're looking for advice, but it sounds like you might have an overactive letdown - she's getting too much foremilk, so she's gassy and having weird poops and also not getting enough fat from the hindmilk. So it might help to try expressing or pumping before feeding her? I've also heard just feeding on one side for three-four hours and then switching can help even it out.

    But if you're not looking for advice ;-), a happy (sleeping!) baby and more time for your older LO sounds pretty nice.

     

    omg, this looks like it might be an answer to my problem... maybe my son is getting too much foremilk, that's why he's so colic-y?

     

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v236/criscy/lucas/?action=view
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"