EBF; need encouragement

RachelB104 · November 2014

LO is EBF. I love feeding my baby and know how good it is for him and have a goal of 6 months. Lately I have been struggling with keeping that goal. LO is super fussy so I have to be very careful with what I eat. I know it sounds selfish but I just want to eat whatever and sometimes I'm just so tired but don't want to dip into my small frozen milk stash. LO isn't going as long through the night as he used to between feedings. Need some words of encouragement to keep me going. TIA

wandsandwine · November 2014

I have the same goal of 6 months. You can totally make it! Every lo is going to have rough patches, just keep at it. If you need to use your freezer stash sometimes there's nothing wrong with that. You rock momma! Stay positive!

jamjoyful · November 2014

You can do it!! Sometimes EBF is tough since it is all on you! Dig into the stash if you need to and even have someone else do a feeding! You might feel refreshed after a small break. Remember you are amazing.

mmsweeney1 · November 2014

Maybe making smaller goals will help you get through this fussy time. Every time you get through another week or two you could reward yourself with something little. My favorites would be a glass of wine or a new nail polish or something.

I know people have different opinions about sleeping with the baby in your bed, but when my baby stopped sleeping well it really worked for me. I would nurse her on my side and we'd both fall back asleep. I never got out of bed and felt much more rested. (Hard to break the habit though!!)

Hang in there!

winterkate · November 2014

I'm with you with LO not sleeping as long as she used to. It's definitely hard to still feel like your body is not solely yours, even though you aren't pregnant anymore. Just think about why you started bf and why you made that goal. Your body is making all the nutrients your LO needs- that is amazing! If you are able, check out a breastfeeding support group through your local hospital. It's so nice to talk through these issues with others who are going through the same thing. Stay strong, mama!

SoSayWeAll · November 2014

You're doing a great job! Have you tried pumping after your first morning feed? You might be able to build up more of a stash that way and then you can use it if you want to eat something that doesn't agree with your LO. I think a lot of us are dealing with an increase in wakeups right now. I know I am. I am not sure why, but hopefully this is temporary for all of us.

lynds002 · November 2014

Sometimes I feel the same way. I love breastfeeding, but sometimes I just want my freedom. You feel kind of tied down. It's kind of silly, but the only thing that really keeps me going is the thought of how you can't turn back once you switch to formula and formula is so expensive.

RachelB104 · November 2014

@mmsweeney1‌ we weren't co-sleeping but have the last 3 nights bc as soon as I lay LO down in the pnp he wakes right up. I'll have to try the side feeding technique. I also like the little reward system.

Thanks all!

violajack · November 2014

Can I just add, I want dairy SO bad right now,but i don't want to even try introducing it again until 6 months. Also, we've gone from 1 wake up to 4, so hugs to you all. Side lying nursing is awesome.

RachelB104 · November 2014

Any tips for side nursing?

becominggold · November 2014

You can do it mama! I don't have a large freezer stash either but I am going to break into it soon to leave LO w my mom for just one night....go w DH to am hotel and drink as much wine as I want! A small break might help you feel better about it.

IceHide61313 · November 2014

I sooooo wish I was able to BF for even just a month! My supply was super duper low and the hospital had given LO formula while she was there so I feel like I was doomed from the beginning. I am envious of you. Use it for motivation, if you can! This is a valley in your BF journey. Try to push through it! But know your limits. Know that it is absolutely okay if you need to be selfish for YOUR well being. You got this far! That is AWESOME! I know you can keep going, though! That 6 months is right around the corner! It really really is!

MC03 · November 2014

You can do this. This is my second go around and let me tell you I think the 3-4 month fussiness with bf is almost as tough as the initial pain/learning curve. I thought about quitting every day. But I promisd myself I would never quit on a bad day, and since they were all bad I never quit.

mmsweeney1 · November 2014

For side nursing I lay LO's head on my lower arm and latch her on that way. That arm then wraps around her back to hold her on her side and pat her back if I need to. I kind of curl my legs around her too (like spooning kind of?) to make sure she is safe from me and DH while we sleep.

cdseno · November 2014

I am having similar struggles right now too. I nursed my first for 22 months and he was so easy. #2 has been so difficult. If you need a small break, use some frozen milk. For me it would start to be that I loved BFing but I needed a little time when I wasn't being touched and then H would give a bottle. It is hard work to EBF. Give yourself credit. You can make it to 6 months. And once you do your LO may become a super efficient nurser and outgrow food sensitivities and you might want to continue to a year. I feel like I am giving myself a pep talk at the same time I am giving you one.
Side laying to nurse at night is awesome like PPs have said. If you are comfortable with the fact that you might fall asleep. LO will go a longish stretch but once he wakes up he is back to eating every 1 1/2 - 2 hours and then he ends up in bed with me. I just lay belly to belly with him and have my arm over my head so it prevents me from rolling. He nurses back to sleep then just snuggles my boob until he wakes up to eat again and then we switch sides and do it all over. I push the blankets down and am a super light sleeper though so that is why I am comfortable with it.

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