No longer EBF

jbbolton · August 2013

I can't keep up with LOs eating. I feel like a dairy cow. Two days ago, we started supplementing. It has helped both her and I to sleep a little more at night. I'm trying to only supplement in evenings. Now that we've done this a few days, it raises temptations to quit BF all together, and then I feel terrible. Anyone else over BFing already? What keeps you going amidst the exhaustion that comes with it?

BlueJewelM · August 2013

Honestly the main motivator is cost for me. I mostly SAH and formula would be a pretty big expense. I hate nursing especially right now because DS2 insists on nursing every 2 hours or more.

But you need to do what makes you happy and keeps baby fed! Whether its bf or ff, don't be ashamed of your choice or feel guilt!

CelticWife · August 2013

I don't like BF. Well, I like the benefits and it is great having the snuggle time, but most of the time I feel like a cow.

The very first time, I had a goal. 8 weeks. I was going to do it for 8 weeks. After that, we would see. Well, I made it the 8 weeks- past the rough patches and through the first vaccines- and I was surprised that it was getting better. So I set a goal of 3 months. Then 6 months. Then a year. As LO got bigger, it got easier. He wasn't eating as often, he was sleeping more, etc. It was just easier. At 15 months, I weaned him.

DD1: same thing. She was 14 months when I weaned her.

This little lady, my goal is 8 weeks right now. After that, we will see.

What got me through the first time? Giving in. BF laying down and I could take a catnap. Before, I kept trying to get him to sleep in his crib or sitting up in front of the tv. The ability to rest is a great thing.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

Edkitten · August 2013

I am in the process of switching to formula because I will not have time to pump due to the nature of my job. I breast fed for a month and I go back to work in 2 weeks. LO hates bottles but we are working on it.

MoMmy Of GrAcE · August 2013

I can relate to this. I had to supplement for a week after we were discharged because of jaundice. It's SOmuch easier all the way around. I EBF until 9 months with dd1 and since I'm not having any issues at all this time, I told myself I have to keep going.

kanned0121 · August 2013

I'm struggling with this, too. And now we have thrush and it's painful, I'm even more tempted. But my reason for keeping it up is mostly selfish. I love that it's something only I can do for him. Everyone else gets to hold him and love on him, but I'm the only one who can feed him, and I love that binding time with him... That's what keeps me going.

ashleyamberRN · August 2013

Same boat. Like @celticwife I have short term and long term goals. Short term goal: 3 months, long term goal: 6 months and ill go from there. I'm already looking forward to when she starts eating cereal and other food so that I don't have to BF/pump as much. I feel selfish, but to me, it suck!

rh10264706 · August 2013

I have a few motivators: benefits of bf, expense, losing weight, and the ability to take him away from my mil when he's hungry. Otherwise she would hold him for 8 hours straight!

Madisonwiggins · August 2013

I was three or four days into breast feeding and I wanted to quit. I usually am such a strong advocate for breastfeeding. I could not understand why people would use formula, until I was the one that was breastfeedig. My boobs were so sore, engorged beyond belief and I did not want to continue. I wanted to be selfish, I didn't want leaky boobs for the duration of bf. I was worried he was not getting enough to eat and I could not latch him worth a damn. I cried to my husband and my mom and told them that I felt like a horrible mom, I knew I had formula under his bed and I was so tempted. My mom really encouraged me to keep going, get past the difficult hump and things DO get better. I tried to go to sleep with my tired cried out eyes and I woke up the next morning with my little man on my husbands chest and I stood there and watched them and thought how could I give up that time I have with him? Regardless if it makes me uncomfortable parenthood is about being selfless. A flip switched in me completely. We are six days in now and it's already getting better. I have pumped a few times which has reassured me that I have pleanty of milk to give. I just got done breastfeedig, yes I am still sore but I love my boy and this time that I have with him. Very long, but I had such a hard time with it for a few days and i can only hope that I bring you the encouragement to keep going.

girlmama83 · August 2013

The benefits for LO.

kje120 · August 2013

The big motivation for me is the cost and the health factor. I BF'd DS1 for 14 months and he was very healthy during that time and also never got an ear infection until he was 25 months old. It might not be related, but my nieces, who were formula fed, were sick all the time and seemed to have ear infections all the time.

lydsyjane · August 2013

I am forcing myself to EBF due to cost and health benefits for me & baby. It's been hard lately, though. I was telling DH I feel resentment towards him because I feel like I'm constantly with her because she eats about every hour or two. I never get a break, and sometimes it feels like his life has hardly changed. Plus when people are visiting I struggle to keep myself covered up because I'm so new at it.

ELauren88 · August 2013

I just never considered not EBF. I always knew it was something I wanted to do for my child. Plus, after seeing how much formula my nephew went through, and how expensive it was - no thank you! I'll EBF for as long as I can!

Plus I do love the time LO and I get to spend together. I love that I'm the only one who feeds her (aside from the occasional bottle that MH gives her), and that when I'm feeling overwhelmed by visitors, and I can just take her and go hide for a while. Of course, all this said, she's been a wonderful sleeper for the most part (knock on wood), so I'm also rested and my supply and her latch are just fine. I consider us pretty lucky!

amandarins · August 2013

We have been using formula from the start. Do what's best for your family, you don need to feel guilty nor do you have to explain yourself to anyone.

kkay1982 · August 2013

We had to supplement for a few days due to jaundice. We have some left over and there are times when I am so tired and just want to grab one of the bottles and give it to him but trying to stick with BFing. Most the time I like it but when he gets so upset he forgets how to latch or wants to nurse for five mins every half hour those little formula bottles looking tempting. You have to do what us best for your family and that can be different for everyone.

Missuskeekers · August 2013

The health benefits for Lo is my main reason. I would love to give up but I really want my lo to be as healthy as possible because I have a really shitty immune system and am allergic to most of the major antibiotics, and I don't want Lo to have to worry about that kind of stuff. I wasn't breastfed for long due to severe colic and a BM allergy (or this is what they told my mom 25 yrs ago) and I always wondered if that is why my immune system sucks so much.

LJUTCMommy · August 2013

I am at the point where FF seems like a PITA. Dd nurses every 60 to 90 min, even at night. I can't imagine having to get up, go make a bottle, bring it back to our room and feed her. I just sit up and pop her on my boob.

Also she takes way longer to bottle feed. When DH gives her a bottle? It's a 30 to 40 minute event. I have a fast flow and she has a strong suck, so nursing only takes 5 to 10.

We did have mastitis at 3 weeks so that was rough, but we're over it now.

caramia582 · August 2013

I started out EBF but with a 3 year old, it is very difficult at times. Nursing LO can take up to 45 minutes sometimes, and a bottle takes 10-15. I do not own a pump since I was waiting to see if I took to BFing (did not BF my first). Right now I BF if I'm able to, and if not I give a bottle of formula. So far it has not hurt my supply. I have started to quit BFing twice now (2 weeks PP) but get sucked back in because at times it is actually more convenient. I just take it day by day.

CaliforniaDream87 · August 2013

Why would you feel horrible for not EBF'ing? I'm not either and I am fine with my decision.

My LO is getting fed and that's all that matters.

jbbolton · August 2013

I'm going to stick with it but we are going to supplement at night so i can get one 3 hr sleep in and dad can feed her.

She is a "lazy" feeder and it takes an hour or more per feeding. At night, this is too hard to do every other hour or so. I've tried everything to wake her up before feeding..diaper changes, unbundling, etc., but she continues to get drowsy about 5 min in and I constantly have to stimulate to get her to eat. This makes the feelings sooo long! That is what makes FF tempting. But lil others have said, I do love to nurse her and it is a great money saver.

Thanks everyone for advice and encouragement.

jbbolton · August 2013

CaliforniaDream87 said:
Why would you feel horrible for not EBF'ing? I'm not either and I am fine with my decision.

My LO is getting fed and that's all that matters.

Thanks! You're right

jbbolton · August 2013

MrsWahidi said:
I am at the point where FF seems like a PITA. Dd nurses every 60 to 90 min, even at night. I can't imagine having to get up, go make a bottle, bring it back to our room and feed her. I just sit up and pop her on my boob.

Also she takes way longer to bottle feed. When DH gives her a bottle? It's a 30 to 40 minute event. I have a fast flow and she has a strong suck, so nursing only takes 5 to 10.

We did have mastitis at 3 weeks so that was rough, but we're over it now.

I can't believe you can nurse that quickly!!! Jealous! Ours takes over an hour!

jbbolton · August 2013

ELauren88 said:
I just never considered not EBF. I always knew it was something I wanted to do for my child. Plus, after seeing how much formula my nephew went through, and how expensive it was - no thank you! I'll EBF for as long as I can!
Plus I do love the time LO and I get to spend together. I love that I'm the only one who feeds her (aside from the occasional bottle that MH gives her), and that when I'm feeling overwhelmed by visitors, and I can just take her and go hide for a while. Of course, all this said, she's been a wonderful sleeper for the most part (knock on wood), so I'm also rested and my supply and her latch are just fine. I consider us pretty lucky!

You're lucky to have a good sleeper! Im glad things are going well. I do like having quiet moments away from company to BF as well! It's a major advantage.

ashleyamberRN · August 2013

CaliforniaDream87 said:
Why would you feel horrible for not EBF'ing? I'm not either and I am fine with my decision.

My LO is getting fed and that's all that matters.

I swear so many people feel that way. The first time I fed LO formula, like not MH, but me, I cried. It's silly, but I felt so guilty.

MidwestMeetsMA · August 2013

Go you! I planned to EBF, but baby was born tongue-tied and feedings felt like a thousand mini swords stabbing me for 40 minutes at a time. Even after it was fixed, it was still traumatic and painful for me.

We started formula in the hospital and I've been pumping. The plan is to do a mix of both, and when we talked to the pediatrician about it, she said that was beyond fine.

I did feel guilty about this (the third day was the roughest), but you know what? It works for us. Happy mommy, happy baby.

janneann1127 · August 2013

I quit BF after 4 days both times. Personally I just couldn't handle it and ended up FFing. I felt sooo guilty with my first, but he turned out perfectly fine. The kid's never even had an ear infection. Don't feel guilty - do what you gotta do.

jbbolton · August 2013

Since 2:30, ive been nursing this baby. I'm at that point again... Time to supplement!

MtB2013 · August 2013

CaliforniaDream87 said:
Why would you feel horrible for not EBF'ing? I'm not either and I am fine with my decision.

My LO is getting fed and that's all that matters.

Listen to California she gave me the best advice when I asked about supplementing at the end it doesn't matter about our goals. If we need to supplement we do it for or LO's

MtB2013 · August 2013

CaliforniaDream87 said:
Why would you feel horrible for not EBF'ing? I'm not either and I am fine with my decision.

My LO is getting fed and that's all that matters.

Listen to California she gave me the best advice when I asked about supplanting at the end it doesn't matter about our goals. If we need to supplement we do it for or LO's

jbbolton · August 2013

She's gaining like crazy. I think it's a combo of growth spurt and comfort nursing. We are trying a pacifier because she loves to suck. She is 12 days old and almost 7 lbs. she gained 7 oz and 1 inch from Thurs to Thurs.

This evening I gave her a 1 oz supplement and she finally is satisfied.

Thanks for all the advice.

jbbolton · August 2013

I will try pre and post weigh in.

She is pooping all day long! Lots of wet diapers too. Since this am, at least 6 poops.

jbbolton · August 2013

Thanks so much! We will give it a try!!

Alicia1111 · August 2013

My DD1 was formula fed.... It gets so expensive as they grow and want more and more to drink... Yes she slept through the night at a vey young age but the cost was outrageous!!! Along with anytime i went somewhere having to pack a bottle and formula was annoying (i cant tell you how many times we'd forget to grab a bottle) With DD2 I am not giving formula an option, I don't want to pay to feed my child and as long as I'm there she has food. Breastfeeding is so hard but gets easier!

karenaguilar0471 · August 2013

My daughter in law was so stressed out she barely produced any milk for her baby so while she dealt with PPD my daughter and I fed her formula and the only problem with it was it gave her the worst constipation even if we added more water, nothing like breast milk. But better than letting her starve, that is why formula was created.

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