I need permission to stop....

SadieO · January 2012

Also posted on Facebook.

I need permission to stop!!.....

-pumping every 3 hours
-taking fenugreek like crazy (I smell like maple syrup)
-eating oatmeal
-putting my baby to the boob even though she HATES it & have to give her a bottle after any way
-sitting around skin-to-skin all day
-meeting with and paying a lactation consultant

...ALL FOR 1.5 OZ OF BREAST MILK A DAY!!!

I want the best for my baby, but when do you say ENOUGH? Met with pediatrician yesterday who is SO positive and is trying to keep me motivated, but UGH

jkanyugi · January 2012

What are u feeding LO in the meantime? I found an organization yesterday called Human milk for Human babies...they are on facebook and have pages for each state. The milk is donated and free to accept apart from shipping/driving to get it. Maybe being able to give BM, even if its not yours, would help you feel more at peace with wherever your efforts lead. Way to be persistent and stick in there-it sounds like you are really trying hard!

SadieO · January 2012

She gets Enfamil

I've had supply issues obviously. NOT how I saw things going before LO was born. I was naive to how difficult BF COULD be.

SadieO · January 2012

And thank you for the resource!

smilelari · January 2012

I don't know your work situation or your child's medical situation, but assuming that you're not working, LO is healthy and you haven't confirmed supply issues, there is no reason you HAVE to give a bottle. Just keep nursing. She'll get the idea eventually and you'll be much happier without the pump

jnealet · January 2012

Stop pumping. Formula isn't the antichrist and your child will grow, thrive and even succeed in life w/o bm. Take the time to enjoy your lo and let your lo enjoy you without the stress.

Froggy76 · January 2012

I EBF, but I would have given up a long time ago. I don't know if you want encouragement to keep going, or you really want to quit, but I think you should go with your gut and not worry about what other people say.

sap05e · January 2012

Froggy76:
I think you should go with your gut and not worry about what other people say.

This. I BFd and pumped for a month, hated it but kept going, supply dropped, decided going to formula would be best for all of us. 100x happier after reclaiming my boobs. Some people are great with BFing and love it. I'm jealous of them but it doesn't change my situation. Do what you gotta do.

thsyearsgirl · January 2012

jnealet:
Stop pumping. Formula isn't the antichrist and your child will grow, thrive and even succeed in life w/o bm. Take the time to enjoy your lo and let your lo enjoy you without the stress.

This to the 10th power. Good grief. My mother EFF me and my sister. We were never sick, sis never even had a prescription until she was in her 20s and even that was for wisdom teeth surgery pain. I graduated grad school in under two years with a 4.0 average. My point is that breast milk can only do so much - it cannot over-power genetics, environment, and pre-natal care. Do what you know is best for yourself and baby.

junebug_07 · January 2012

Not that you need it from me, but I give you permission!! It sounds like you've done a LOT to make it work and I think that's awesome! Similar situation here...I wanted it to work so badly but it just didn't for me and my LO. I felt guilty at first as I began to drop pumping sessions but honestly, I don't miss it. I feel more relaxed about feedings and life does not revolve around when I need to pump. Life is so much simpler now and I'm okay with the fact that she got as much milk as I could produce for the first 6 weeks of her life.

MrsCaddyshack · January 2012

Only you can give yourself "permission" and it sounds like it's high time that you did! There is nothing wrong with formula, your baby will be fine!

sbelle3 · January 2012

jnealet:
Stop pumping. Formula isn't the antichrist and your child will grow, thrive and even succeed in life w/o bm. Take the time to enjoy your lo and let your lo enjoy you without the stress.

THIS! Sooo......Stop the insanity!!! Flame me to hell and back but it just isn't worth it. I have been in your shoes 2 out of 3 of my babies and it sucks. Life with LO is better when you relieve yourself of the stress. Formula is OK. You have given your baby a fantastic start and have given a heck of effort. Way to go! Now dump that pump and enjoy your baby!!!

blairy926 · January 2012

Unfortunately, we all have to work through that guilt/permission thing. I did. It took a while. Now I am one happy mama with a SUPER happy formula fed baby.

SuzJune04 · January 2012

My first LO didn't like nursing and went on multiple nursing strikes, etc, and I thought I had it tough. Hon, it sounds like you have been killing yourself trying to make BFing work. I can't imagine how tired you must be! It's okay if you are ready to stop...you've given it your all from the sounds of it. Maybe LO will want to latch on every now and then for comfort but I'd just switch to formula and stop pumping if I was you.

Btw- my second LO does like to nurse and it's been so much easier! Each child is different.

pghjen · January 2012

jnealet:
Stop pumping. Formula isn't the antichrist and your child will grow, thrive and even succeed in life w/o bm. Take the time to enjoy your lo and let your lo enjoy you without the stress.

Agreed! My milk never fully came in and I had to start supplementing due to weight issues and a hungry baby I stopped pumping/nursing when I was getting 2 oz a day. I figured it was time better spent with my baby. I'm much less stressed out and baby boy is thriving. I agree breast is best - but sometimes it doesn't work out and that's OK too.

authorofdreamz · January 2012

jnealet:
Stop pumping. Formula isn't the antichrist and your child will grow, thrive and even succeed in life w/o bm. Take the time to enjoy your lo and let your lo enjoy you without the stress.

This x 100000

A happy mommy > BM IMO

ReneeRN · January 2012

blairy926:
Unfortunately, we all have to work through that guilt/permission thing. I did. It took a while. Now I am one happy mama with a SUPER happy formula fed baby.

This exactly. I had a hard tim giving it up, but afterwards we all were happier. Its not worth the stress on you and your baby.

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