Having such a struggle.

Re: Having such a struggle.

• rconrad6714 member

  October 2015

  I struggled with breastfeeding, so I pumped. I was still hurting and having issues, and then my little girl wasn't gaining enough weight. I had to give it all up and put her on formula. It wasn't my plan at all, but I was much happier knowing she was growing! Do what is best for you!

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• shireeallason member

  October 2015

  We just got over thrush! Ouch, I had no idea how painful it could be!
  
  I will say there is light at the end of the tunnel. I wanted to give up due to the pain, stress and thrush induced low supply and thought about quiting everytime I nursed my son
  
  After a round of diflucan, nystantin for LO, APNO cream and some good ol perseverance we are now better and back at happy breastfeeding!
  
  That being said, if it doesn't feel right to you there is no shame in stopping nursing. Be kind to yourself

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• TeacherMom210 member

  October 2015

  If you don't want to BF or if it is making you miserable, don't do it. I have a friend who says, "Breast is best, except when it's not." A lot goes into the decision to BF or use formula. If you want to keep trying it, maybe have a length of time in your head that you will continue to try but that if it doesn't work, you will make the switch. That might help take the pressure off.

  
  

  FWIW, I didn't breastfeed either of mine by choice. I had zero interest in it. I know I would be miserable, and I want to be able to enjoy my family and our time together. They aren't little very long (which I'm sure you know). There is no "best" that fits everyone. You need to do what is best for you and your situation.

   

  
  

   
  

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• momofsweetps member

  October 2015 edited October 2015

  I have 6 kiddos and have breastfed 4 of them for 15+ months and 3+ weeks in with #6. I battled through thrush, mastitis, severely cut nipples that had to be glued back (instead of stitches), in the first 8 weeks. I questioned whether to stop each time. I stuck it through (I never got #1 to latch so I gave up) and it did get better and didn't have too many problems once establised, aside from blocked ducts. I really questioned whether or not to try breastfeeding this time but decided to do it. Once it gets going it is so much easier to not have to wash bottles, make sure we have formula at all times, etc. BUT it isn't for everyone and as long as baby is fed and Momma is happy, that's what matters. I always say that my #1 is an intelligent, beautiful, amazing almost 12 year old and she was formula fed from 4 days old on. Whatever you decide, it's OK and do not feel guilt about it. I felt so much guilt for not sticking with it with my 1st that it made my PPD worse. But now I look back and know it was what was best for all of us, plus she wouldn't probably have her little brother if I had kept pumping. Good luck Momma.
  

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• seamonkey4 member

  October 2015

  DD will be 4 weeks on Thursday and I struggle everyday with continuing to BF or exclusively pump. There's a local LLL this weekend and I'm just trying to push myself to make it till the meeting and see if they can help. But honestly, I really dread each feeding bc of the pain. Good luck with whatever you decide to do, mama! I hope the thrush gets better soon

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• lmbrandt member

  October 2015

  I am also majorly struggling with breastfeeding.  My son is 3 weeks old today, and my milk supply still has not come in.  We have a routine at every feeding that I breastfeed for 20 minutes, then pump, while my husband supplements him with a formula bottle.  In between feedings I go back and pump again in shorter time intervals.  We have been doing this all along, and I have not noticed any real increase in my supply.  I have been drinking tons of fluids, Mother's Milk Tea, eating well, made lactation cookies, etc.  

  
  

  At the end of the day I am lucky if I have pumped an entire ounce from both breasts.  I have met with a lactation consultant and saw him latch on, which was fine.  But she is understanding that I could possibly have an issue with supply, and it's something that just might not increase.

  
  

  I totally understand how you feel, the stress this is causing is really hard to deal with.  Last night, in the middle of the night I was thinking to myself, how much longer can we put up with this routine and not see any results?  I have other friends who have had similar problems and chose to formula feed, and their children are beautiful and thriving.  It is REALLY hard though to finally say enough is enough and move on, trust me..I'm struggling with it too.  But, at some point I need to realize I tried my best, and put in good effort and need to do what's best for baby and me.  

  
  

  Hang in there, and don't feel any guilt with what you decide to do.  And remember, there are so many others moms out there going through this same situation, you are not alone.  

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• ktbkitten member

  October 2015

  I'm at that point with breastfeeding as well. It's really easy to beat ourselves up because it didn't workout as planned. I'm trying to hold out on BFing but as each day goes by and my supply stays the same I wonder how long I can really do it. What's the definition of insanity?
  
  Best of luck to you. Do what is best for you and your family.

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• InesCH member

  October 2015

  It's so reassuring to read that so many others are in the same boat.
  
  Since day 1, breastfeeding has been close to a nightmare for me-bleeding nipples, cluster feeding, thrush-almost every day I would sob out of frustration. I felt insane, like a failure, and sad because I wasn't bonding with my baby
  
  We made the decision to supplement with formula and things have been much better. I have decided I will BF and pump as much as I can, and that will be the best I can do, and not to feel like I was committing a sin every time I give the bottle!
  
  One day at a time!

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• amanda_wahl member

  October 2015

  Thanks so much ladies!! It's wonderful to have such kind messages to read. It's so awful what a stressful thing it can be for so many of us...of course we all want to do the best we can for lo's. I'm trying pumping for now and will just see how long I can handle that and if it's worth it as I don't get much out with pump. Thanks again and good luck to everyone else also struggling!

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• purdyone member

  October 2015

  Your routine sounds like ours, we had been doing that for 4 weeks and I met with a LC, I'm now giving my LO boob on demand, but immediately after I'm giving him formula so that he actually eats, and we both get rest. Idk how long we will continue this route, but I never saw any increase in supply.
  
  At this point the lil he gets from me I'm looking as an immunity booster ( plus he still wants it) and a bonding time. The formula seems to be his food though. Just do what is best for your family and don't let anyone make you feel bad for it.
  I was waking up in tears with guilt over supply for two weeks and my hubs was the one who said no more. My mental health was more important to the LO then what amount of which he got as long as he was growing.
  
  Be strong at the end of the day we can only do our best. Eventually the LOs will know that too!

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• purdyone member

  October 2015

  Doing what we all are and trying to get the supply that isn't coming to come in... Definition of insanity... All of us.;)

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