Feeling Bad About Breastfeeding

laurencg2393 · July 2015

I saw two lactation specialists while at the hospital. Neither one could get LO to latch. When we got home, I tried getting him to latch every way possible - still nothing. So, I gave in and got an electric pump. I pump every 2-3 hours. First pump I get maybe 3 oz in total. By the 3rd time pumping, I get maybe 1 oz. I have to stop pumping by the evening because nothing is coming out!

With that said, it's making me upset and extremely tired. I don't want to breastfeed or pump - I didn't want to from the beginning but forced myself to want to. Am I terrible if I stop pumping and just use formula??

babybless · July 2015

First of all- no you are not terrible if you choose to use formula! Each mom chooses what works best for you and your baby... Whatever choice you make is the right one, mama!

Second of all- amazing job!! 3 oz each session of pumping is amazing! I only ever get 1 or 2... And less by the end of the day.

Keep it up.. You're doing great!

smccall3838 · July 2015

Whatever u decide is OK! Don't add stress to something (birth of a baby) that is already stressful. I'd suggest seeing one more consultant then if u feel still like u wanna stop pumping and breastfeeding then go head, girlie!

gatormom73 · July 2015

All the pumping and breastfeeding stressed me out too so I give her half formula half expressed breast milk it takes its helped me a lot

klirwin82 · July 2015

I was getting super stressed breastfeeding, it's freaking hard! My baby latches, unlatches, falls asleep then screams if I move him and shoves his fists in his mouth. We repeat this for up to 90 min sometimes. I started pumping and just nursing once daily, it was a huge relief. I can enjoy our nursing session now instead of being frustrated. I am drinking Gatorade (I heard someone say it could help) and started taking fenugreek yesterday to help my supply. I'm only 30 hours in so I'll know if it's helping by 72 hours. Hope it works!!

abrinley · July 2015

klirwin82 said:
I was getting super stressed breastfeeding, it's freaking hard! My baby latches, unlatches, falls asleep then screams if I move him and shoves his fists in his mouth. We repeat this for up to 90 min sometimes. I started pumping and just nursing once daily, it was a huge relief. I can enjoy our nursing session now instead of being frustrated. I am drinking Gatorade (I heard someone say it could help) and started taking fenugreek yesterday to help my supply. I'm only 30 hours in so I'll know if it's helping by 72 hours. Hope it works!!

This is exactly what my LO is doing. He gets so mad and it makes me so sad to see him so upset. I pump like 4 times a day and a couple times I've had to give him formula but I started taking fenugreek too. I just took it a couple hours ago so we'll see if it works out.

But don't feel bad If you have to use formula. You do what's best for you and baby. That's all that matters.

glaguardia · July 2015

I ask myself that all the time if I'm terrible for stopping breastfeeding. It was to stressful for me and I have been giving my baby formula. Do what is best for you and baby. my baby is continually growing and gaining weight with formula. Hope this info helps.

maybebaby84 · July 2015

It's what works for you and your little one. I'm having a heck of a time breastfeeding. Just producing colostrum at the moment and my son is feeding nonstop. I have barely slept more than a few hours the past few days and my nipples are killing me!

jtenkorang · July 2015

Whatever choice you make is a good one as long as your baby is getting the nourishment he needs. Do what's best for you and baby.

don't sweat the small stuff! But I know formula is expensive so just go with whatever you need to do.

LBland09 · July 2015

If you're really set on breast feeding, try a nipple shield, for some reason my little guy will latch to that and not just me. BUT don't feel bad if you want to switch to formula. You have to do what is going to be least stressful for both of you. I'm pumping and bottle feeding every session now and I've actually had to freeze a ton already. It's exhausting. I've just recently starting using the shield and actually breastfeeding too. I just really like how breastmilk is free

jesicabrennan · July 2015

Please use formula to take the stress off and then continue to try with the pump/nursing. If baby is happy and full from formula you might have better luck either with the latch or getting more milk pumping as stress definitely affects letdown and supply! Do what you need to feed your baby and keep your stress levels down!

ashleytiff · July 2015

Maybe pump after you shower?
My boobs leak so much after I shower.

Mama.Anna · July 2015

Breastfeeding is hard! I had to use the Medela shield for a bit to get my baby to latch properly and it worked like a charm! Either way, all that matters is that baby is fed! So don't feel bad if you have to use formula. You're doing whatever is best for baby! Good luck!!!

Knottie6877531 · July 2015

Try a nipple shield. My baby has never latched to my breasts as my nipples are inverted. I use the shield and she can nurse with that. I also got the medela nipple shells to un-invert my nipples.

greatgrandbaby7 · July 2015

AnnaAT said:
Breastfeeding is hard! I had to use the Medela shield for a bit to get my baby to latch properly and it worked like a charm! Either way, all that matters is that baby is fed! So don't feel bad if you have to use formula. You're doing whatever is best for baby! Good luck!!!

Absolutely agree with all of this. Breastfeeding is so much more challenging than I could have imagined. Do what's best for you and baby and hang in there!

Leahauc · August 2015

Absolutely not. Breastfeeding is so tough. I wanted to quit after temporary latch issues from engorgement, you have more patience than I do to still be at it. If you haven't tried it yet, and I'm sure you have, I recommend trying a nipple shield. It saved my sanity when baby girl wouldn't latch.

kelckings · August 2015

NO. I saw three lactation specialists, a chiropractor, a ENT specialist and STILL had ridiculous pain and she has an upper lip tie. Crying and having to yelp in pain is NOT worth the bond of breastfeeding. LO and you will bond just fine when you're not frustrated, crying, and hating every second and dreading every feed. My. life has done a complete 180 since quitting nursing at 3 weeks. I actually smile and enjoy my baby, stress is gone, and baby is much happier. You have to do what's right for your body. My nipples and my baby did not mix. Do what makes YOU happy because baby will be safe and fed either way. I was FF and my mom and I are best friends and have an incredible bond. Plus, you can look at your baby and bond while giving her a bottle... I'm not worried about bonding, her immune system, or any other benefit of BF. I was so worried about what others would think that I let the first three weeks of her life be miserable so I could BF and I hated every second. Good luck and don't let guilt get in the way of doing what's right for you!

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