I HATE breastfeeding!!!!

bwarren1210 · July 2015

At first it was really easy, baby lached on with no problems for the first couple of days. Then out of nowhere she stopped latching so I started using a nipple shield because that's the only way she will eat. Once she's on she will suck hard a few times then just sit there and barely do anything, most of the time she just falls asleep. I take her clothes off and change her diaper to wake her up but as soon as she gets back on she just goes back to being lazy. It takes about an hour each time to get her to where she has eaten enough. Im worried that my supply will go down because I'm not getting stimulated like I should. I had the same problems with my first daughter and I eventually had to switch her to formula because she was having issues gaining weight. I don't want to have to stop this time but I'm just so frustrated and discouraged! I absolutely hate it, and that upsets me because this is supposed to be a time to bond with her, but instead I spend the whole time upset and wishing I wasn't doing it. On top of that, my husband is pressuring me to quit because he is annoyed with how long it takes for her to eat, and that causes fights because I want support from him and he is doing the opposite. Any advice? I'm ready to just give up!

mamacas15 · July 2015

I'm in the exact same boat!! At the hospital he did awesome and everyone was impressed! Now at almost 5 days old he refuses feed from the boob. I had to start pumping because I was so engorged and heavy. The docotor said to pump just a little before offering him the breast so that when he does latch on, it's not so overwhelming for him and he stops. It kinda worked. I pumped one day got an oz right away. I didn't want to throw it away, so I thought hey, give it to the baby. He took it like a champ. I felt bad that perhaps maybe i was starving him so j continued pumping but now he'll only take the bottle with breast milk! I'm so upset! Did I just totally screw everything up?! Ugh. So overwhelmed and confused.

bwarren1210 · July 2015

That's what I did with my first daughter, I started giving her some formula because my supply was dimishing and and after that she wouldn't feed from the breast at all. Which was fine in my case because she wasn't gaining weight.

mnj05 · July 2015

I hate it too. My first never latched correctly and I didn't produce so I quit after about a month of doing everything I could. My second was born last night and holy mother of pearl the contractions that are brought on when he feeds are insane! It's like labor all over again but it doesn't stop for more than 30 minutes. Latch issues are present but not as bad. I still don't like it though, it's just not for me. I'll keep at it though.

shay092185 · July 2015

https://www.mothering.com/articles/natural-breastfeeding/

Check out this site...its a lil long but it may be able to help u and the baby get n a better position...towards the end of the long description are you tube video's.

audi681 · July 2015

I'll admit that it is not pleasant, but you might be doing better than you assume!

My baby started to latch well day 3, and now- day 8, I have trouble with the initial latch. I think it is because my boobs are huge and he can't get the right grip. It probably takes 5 minutes of being patient, but he does eventually latch. The same as you, he is a lazy eater and falls asleep intermittently, and typically by the end of the ordeal he is asleep. I questioned how much he was gaining, and upon going to the pediatrician 3 days apart, I learned he gained 5 ounces! So your baby might be getting more than you think.

Also, my dr. told me to cut each side's feeding to 25 minutes max, so that they do not turn into marathon feedings where the baby is just using the nipple as a pacifier. I've also found that the times baby is really sleepy, he will latch on both sides for 10 minutes or less, I take him away, burp him, and start talking to him on my lap. Within 5 minutes he is more alert and I put him back on whichever side he took the least from. Even if it is 5 or 6 more minutes, it ensures he is getting enough!

I hope you have more success, and if not, don't beat yourself up! You are doing your best, which is what a good mom does!

mrsjones1012 · July 2015

https://www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com/twitter-and-blog/low-milk-supply-101

https://www.mothering.com/articles/natural-breastfeeding/ (this might be the same one as a PP mentioned)

These are both great articles I've found lately- the first one clears up "low supply" myths and truths, and the second is about a position more conducive to breastfeeding.

Look to get ahold of a lactation consultant I your area- don't rely on just what a pediatrician says. Good luck!!

corndogrobot · July 2015

Could the baby be "tongue tied" this can affect the latch.
Look under the tongue. The little thing that looks like skin holding tongue to the floor if the mouth called the frenulum.
My dr thinks my baby has a tight frenulum and that's why I have to try at least 3x to get a good latch. Hurts like a bitch. But I think it's worth it.

sarahsairsair · July 2015

audi681 said:
Also, my dr. told me to cut each side's feeding to 25 minutes max, so that they do not turn into marathon feedings where the baby is just using the nipple as a pacifier

This!!! I made this mistake with my son, because I was so worried about feeding on demand- but some babies just like to suck - and snack

What helped us was spacing out feelings a little (not strict routine, just making sure i wasn't putting him back on in an hour or two) and introducing a pacifier

sarahkonn1 · July 2015

I had to switch to formula for pretty much the same reasons. It broke my heart but if breast feeding him makes you extremely stressed and you'll look back years from now and think how terrible it was, you should just switch. These are suposed to be the most precious times momma!

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