feeling like a breastfeeding failure today...

Re: feeling like a breastfeeding failure today...

• cokt member

  January 2009

  I am sorry you are feeling bad, but you have so much to feel good about! What if you still nursed at home and on the weekends? I know my supply has gone down, but DS still nurses at night and in the morning and that is going well for us. ?Even if you just nurse her part time, you can still make your goal of 12 months. ?I think even if she does have formula, you are still meeting your goal.

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• wellfleet04 member

  January 2009

  I'm sorry   I can understand why you feel the way you do, but you can still reach your 12 month goal even if you wind up supplementing.  You are so close and have done so well so far.  Try not to feel too bad about the formula, and maybe adjust your goal in your head to be part time (at home) nursing and formula as needed.  She will still be getting all the benefits and you will still be reaching your 12 month goal, just modified to fit her needs.  Congrats on the last 9 months!  I can't imagine sticking with it through all that you have been through, so you have done AMAZING already!!
  

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• Angela814 member

  January 2009

  squishywife:

  yes, i know it wouldnt hurt her.  yes, i know tons of babies (including dd1) are fine with formula.  but i set a goal of 12 mons - if she has formula i have obviously not met my goal.  and duh, i know her needs come first so i will send it just case she needs it...i just didnt want to have to do it.

  You will still be able to meet your goal!  Even if you have to send a bottle or two of formula to daycare, you can still continue to bf her to 12 months.  It's not an all or nothing thing.

  Annalise Marie 05.29.06
  Charlotte Ella 07.16.10
  Emmeline Grace 03.27.13
  

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• REOM member

  January 2009

  Ditto the PP

  And don't you DARE feel like a failure! Look at those chubbo arms- YOU did that!

  DD1 12.18.06 DD2 9.18.08 DD3 EDD 5.10.2012

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• Temp374386125003286

  January 2009

  I totally relate.  I'm pumping and only getting about 6-7oz a day and she is eating more.  My freezer stash is dwindling!  I had a huge freezer stash and then our freezer broke on Christmas and I lost it all.  So, I had to start over nad I'm barely breaking even.  So, we might be having to do formula in the not so distant future.  We need to do what is best for the kids and not put so much personal blame and emotions in it.  Easier said then done!  GL!!  Hopefully you won't have to suppliment much and can still mostly bf. 

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• SumnerBride

  January 2009

  Don't feel like a failure!  Look how far you made it already!  I'd be so proud of myself if I were you!  She's happy and healthy, and that's all that matters.  Just keep going with what you're doing.  Like the PP said-it's not all or nothing!

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• Andrewsgal member

  January 2009

  (((HUGS)) You are doing an awesome job! Look at that face and those arms, love the baby chub and you did it! I agree it is not an all or nothing thing just because she gets a bottle or two of formula a day does not mean that you did not BF for a year. You are doing a great job, I understand why you are upset, but shake it off because she is a cute chubby HEALTHY little thing because of you.

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• lsufan

  January 2009

  It's definitely not an all or nothing thing. ?The same thing happened to me with my oldest. ?Went back to work at 6 months, and by 7 months I was barely getting any milk when I pumped. ?I had to start sending formula to daycare along with the small amount I pumped. ?By 8 months, I stopped pumping altogether, and he pretty much switched to formula during the day. ?I still breastfed him morning and night, though. ?Sometime after 12 months, he dropped down to once before bed, and we kept that up until 16 months. ?It never even occurred to me to think I hadn't made it to 12 months. ?If someone asks me how long I nursed him, I say 16 months.

  I also think that giving him formula at that age helped us to have a slow, painless weaning process. ?My younger son refused all bottles, breastmilk or formula, and he is so much more attached to nursing than my oldest was at this age. ?I feel bad because I'm having to force the weaning process on him rather than let it happen on its own. ?I'm 21 weeks pregnant and want him to be weaned well before the baby gets here.?

  

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• neesernicole

  January 2009

  in my breast feeding rulebook it says that as long as you are breast feeding, you are breast feeding.  you can still make your goal.  it is damn difficult to keep up the supply/demand thing when you are pumping.  supplement with formula, pump, nurse when you can - you aren't failing.

  
  ""
  Ethan {1.11.10} & Malia {12.28.06}

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