How did you decide to stop BF??

Re: How did you decide to stop BF??

• Mzbr

  November 2012

  For me BF stopped after DD latch issues and refusal to nurse started to affect my sanity! I started to stress out so bad that I would cry just thinking about nursing then she would sense my anxiety about it and that didn't help at all. So I started with EP and she was getting all BM for about 2 weeks from that. My goal was for her to get 6 months with BM alone. Well we didn't make it : she is getting formula and BM but I feel like some BM is better then none. So I pump 3 x per day because that's what works for me. My supply has dropped a fair amount but I'm still hanging in. Pumping so she can get BM has helped me with the guilt of stopping nursing. I figure when I really can't stand pumping anymore then I will quit doing it but for now I'm still hanging in.

  

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• WhimsyGirl14 member

  November 2012

  Have you tried changing your position? After I went back to work it became hard to feed her when I'd hold her, and she wouldn't latch well. It became easier when I'd lay her next to me in bed even though that wasn't how I'd typically fed her before.
  
  Whatever you decide you will have support here. I definitely struggled with BF after returning to work.

  

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• WhimsyGirl14 member

  November 2012

  Mzbr:

  For me BF stopped after DD latch issues and refusal to nurse started to affect my sanity! I started to stress out so bad that I would cry just thinking about nursing then she would sense my anxiety about it and that didn't help at all. So I started with EP and she was getting all BM for about 2 weeks from that. My goal was for her to get 6 months with BM alone. Well we didn't make it : she is getting formula and BM but I feel like some BM is better then none. So I pump 3 x per day because that's what works for me. My supply has dropped a fair amount but I'm still hanging in. Pumping so she can get BM has helped me with the guilt of stopping nursing. I figure when I really can't stand pumping anymore then I will quit doing it but for now I'm still hanging in.

  
  
  I agree with this. Don't let it affect your sanity.

  

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• MeredithML member

  November 2012

  WhimsyGirl14:

  Have you tried changing your position? After I went back to work it became hard to feed her when I'd hold her, and she wouldn't latch well. It became easier when I'd lay her next to me in bed even though that wasn't how I'd typically fed her before.
  
  Whatever you decide you will have support here. I definitely struggled with BF after returning to work.

  
  
  I have tried all the holds I can manage. Laying down used to be my go to and even that's not working. I have even tried just shifting my position a little bit so that he is kinds sitting up if that make sense. Thanks for the support. I feel like some one just flipped a switch in my DS and turned off his breast feeding button.

  

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• Mzbr

  November 2012

  I forgot to mention! It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made! I always imagined myself nursing for at least 6 months! So not an easy decision and one you have to make with confidence. One thing I was worried about was people giving Neva hard time about "quitting" that being said not a SINGLE person gave me a hard time except myself! Talk it out with your SO so you have the support you need!

  

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• Neener73

  November 2012

  Have you tried giving 1/2 to 1 ounce in a bottle, and then breastfeeding?  Occasionally DS will go on a BF strike.  I think he gets frustrated with the slowness of BF when he is really hungry.  When he goes on strike, I will give him a little bit from a bottle.  It usually will calm him down enough to BF.

  I still BF although I supplement with around 4 oz of formula a day.  I have the utmost respect for women who exclusively pump.  I think it would drive me crazy.  I don't mind pumping when I'm away from DS, but I wouldn't like having to feed with a bottle as well as pump.  Do whatever will work best for you. 

                   

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• krissi813

  November 2012

  Wow! I was thinking about the same things today. I stopped BFing because it was really hard for my son to go back and forth between breast and bottle. I've been pumping only for almost two weeks and I hate it. When I get home from work, I do not want to spend time with that damn machine. I want to cuddle my son. I know breastfeeding is the "natural" choice but, unfortunately, I don't live in a "natural" world. 

  My son and I were doing so good with breastfeeding and I really feel I could have gone so much further if I didn't have to go back to work. I decided today that I'm done pumping. I suppose I'll have to pump a little to relieve engorgement when it gets really bad but, other than that, I guess it's over  

  

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• krissi813

  November 2012

  Oh I forgot to mention that there is a clear correlation between length of maternity leave and length of time breastfeeding. In countries where maternity leave is longer, women are able to breastfeed longer. The US really pisses me off. We are the only developed, modernized country that doesn't have paid maternity leave and, oh yeah, we have the shortest maternity leave. RIDICULOUS. I'm starting to think the formula companies conspired with the US government to do this.

  

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• MeredithML member

  November 2012

  krissi813:

  Oh I forgot to mention that there is a clear correlation between length of maternity leave and length of time breastfeeding.nbsp;In countries where maternity leave is longer, women are able to breastfeed longer. The US really pisses me off. We are the only developed, modernized country that doesn't have paid maternity leave and, oh yeah, we have the shortest maternity leave. RIDICULOUS. I'm starting to think the formula companies conspired with the US government to do this.

  
  
  I just had this convo with my mom. I really feel like if I was a SAHM that I would with out a doubt be able to bf DS until at least a year. However if I don't work we are basically unable to live our current lifestyle. I have even talked to DH about me going part time but that not currently an option.

  

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• Jillwithani member

  November 2012

  We stopped BF after about 3 months. After I went to work I had major supply issues (pumped like 3-6 oz in 12 hours) and it was becoming a serious stressor in my life. It was very emotionally challenging, I cried every time I gave him a bottle of formula. I'm still "touchy" about it but had a lot of support from the ladies here. Do what's best for you and your family. I will say that I am a lot less stressed and don't have the anxiety that was weighing me down in regards to feed. Now sleeping... 

   

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• brandyleighxx member

  November 2012

  Wasn't able to nurse due to latch issues so I started formula and EPing when DS was 2 weeks, pumping every 2 to 4 hours for several weeks. By the time I went back to work 7 weeks pp, I was only pumping 2 or 3 times a day so he got mostly formula. We lost power for several days with hurricane Sandy and I was unable to use electric pump so I didn't pump for almost 24 hours until I bought a manual pump but missing a day made my already pathetic supply almost non existent. I tried nursing him because I could use my fingers and express milk. I nursed once a day for about a week but it left my nipples throbbing for most of the day... for what? An ounce or 2 at the max then still needing a bottle? So we stopped a week shy of him being 3 months. I feel good knowing he got some BM every day for 3 months despite issues with his latch and my supply.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  

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