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typing with one hand while breastfeeding so excuse mistakes
...so this is about breastfeeding again, I know we have had many posts re difficulties of breastfeeding, and I myself have and am struggling this time around again. Ive posted replies on other posts trying to be supportive and positive but reality for me (as it struck last night), is that it's just too overwhelming and so stressful at this point.
I'm doing EVERYTHING to increase my supply. Taking fenugreek, offering baby the breast first, pumping some more after each feed, eating right, drinking plenty and most of the time my boobs have NOTHING to give. Now baby has thrush on her tongue and my nipples now do too... anyone experienced this? It's friggen!! painful... as if it wasn't painful enough without bloody thrush!!!
Last night baby was starving and I just had her on my useless boobs pretty much all night, until i resorted to formula in the early hours of the morning At least she wasnt hungry anymore.
I broke down sobbing several times last night, not only could i not get her to drink/sleep all night, then when i gave her formula she spat it all up (reflux) had to change her clothes and bedding 3 times. I am getting about an hour or 2 broken sleep each night and then the next day /i have to deal with a toddler, take care of myself and hold a baby with reflux. Do you know how hard it is to get yourself some jam toast using one hand???? ? I literally used my hip to hold my toast while i buttered it!!!!!!! not joking.
Midwife coming in an hour so will voice this all to her as well. Just had to let it out on the forum too. Thanks for listening, anyone else out there struggling with this stuff?, which im sure is a few of us... just know your not alone!!!!!!
Ugh I know how you feel. I went through the breastfeeding trauma for a couple weeks. He wasn't gaining and I could never pump more than 1/3 of an ounce total! He was on the boob constantly. Had to give him formula cause he went from 9-3 to 8-2. Had to stop breastfeeding all together bc he refused the boob after he got a bottle. But now I'm proud to say he is back up to 9-2 and healthy as an ox and on complete formula and I'm ok with it now! I sobbed and sobbed bc I failed once again but my boobs failed me. I'm in the 5% that can't produce enough. I've been told that by several LC's. I've come to terms with it and all I care now is that he is gaining. My toddler was formula too and he's only been sick once ever! So if this doesn't end up working out for you it's ok!! I can tell you I'm getting sleep and he is content after eating and man it's awesome! You at least are trying and that's what counts. The colostrum was the most important part in my eyes anyway! Hugs mama!
Ugh I know how you feel. I went through the breastfeeding trauma for a couple weeks. He wasn't gaining and I could never pump more than 1/3 of an ounce total! He was on the boob constantly. Had to give him formula cause he went from 9-3 to 8-2. Had to stop breastfeeding all together bc he refused the boob after he got a bottle. But now I'm proud to say he is back up to 9-2 and healthy as an ox and on complete formula and I'm ok with it now! I sobbed and sobbed bc I failed once again but my boobs failed me. I'm in the 5% that can't produce enough. I've been told that by several LC's. I've come to terms with it and all I care now is that he is gaining. My toddler was formula too and he's only been sick once ever! So if this doesn't end up working out for you it's ok!! I can tell you I'm getting sleep and he is content after eating and man it's awesome! You at least are trying and that's what counts. The colostrum was the most important part in my eyes anyway! Hugs mama!
Thanks chicky! Reading this made me cry hahaha I'm so friggen emotional at the moment! EVERYTHING makes me cry whether its happy, sad, angry. So good to hear that you got over the breastfeeding thing and are happy with formula feeding now. Ill give it another week to see if it improves (but unfortunately i'm doubtful) Being so unhappy over feeding your baby seems stupid but really it's not a small thing at the time. In the end I will be ok with it all if I end up just formula feeding. Part of me wants to just give up right now! and the other part wants to keep giving the boob. Bit of pressure to keep up with the breastfeeding from the stupid media and government, even hubby (he doesn't say anything but i know he'd rather i persevered with the boob)
Thanks for your comments girls!
Quote:
Originally Posted by JTsquared
I am so sorry you're having such a hard time All of these posts have me terrified of breast feeding! Hope it gets better for you soon!
I think i'm one of the unfortunate few, you will probably feed with ease Julie!! dont let my story scare you.
You should have seen me in the hospital! Everytime Jett came back to the room from a weight check and he lost 6 oz here and 6 oz there, I would start bawling right there. Because he was on the dang boob constantly and he's dropping almost 1/2 lb in 12 hours. Made it worse bc I worked around these people and nurses/my friends from labor/delivery just happened to show up right after Jett's weight checks and my face was red and swollen from crying so much. I kinda laugh about it now! Can't wait to see what they say to me when I'm off maternity leave haha. Anyway, The hubby should see that you are giving it your all and honestly they have no clue what it's like for us! What it's like for our bodies to not do what they are supposed to do. So if he gives you any grief you send him my way ;-)
I just cried for two hours b/c my supply stopped. She can't latch well, so it is hard to stimulate and she does 20x better with the shield but I lost my only one and have to wait 3 days for a new one to come in the mail. Meanwhile, I don't have a toddler to tend to, would sob if I did, but I do think I pulled a stitch on the inside and that hurts. I busted my *** pumping 8-10oz at a time with NO sleep all b/c by the time I pumped it all, it would be time to feed again - just to wind up needing formula anyway, so I absolutely know how frustrating and heartbreaking it is to WANT to feed your baby but not make enough.
I really hope that you are able to get more milk, or if not, at least not feel bad about it.
I had the same exact issue. I still pump about 1oz a day and give it to him at the end of the night or the morning so he at least gets something ya know... but Im right there with ya girl...
It's hard, hardest thing I've done. I thought 9 months of pregnancy was hard... It was overwhelming my experience. I did it for 3 weeks 2 days...I started giving formula yesterday, I'm going to ease her in...14 days from now she'll be 100% formula.
She liked it, but the slow flow nipple made it a super long feed. I will get a medium one, bc my boob gives her milk faster.
I wish I could have gone longer but am proud about doing it for 3 weeks. My sister didn't ev en try longer than 3 days. Im at ease about my decision.
This makes me tear up, breastfeeding is so hard! I've resorted to pretty much just pumping bc she gets so frustrated trying to latch she just screams. When I pump I was getting 2 oz from 1 breast and 1oz from the other, now my supply is slowly decreasing! Now she gets formula a few times a day, and soon I feel like every bottle will be formula she started out so good!
Why does breastfeeding have to be so challenging! Aren't we supposed to be built to breastfeed! Certainly easier for some. If we were cavewomen we would have to pass our babies to another milking mum or our baby would die!.... hehe sorry just thought I'd comment some more.
As I sit here my boobs are stinging! OUCHy... dreading when she wakes up for a feed. eeeeek
Breast feeding for the last 2 hours and she comes off the boob starving still, just downed 2oz of formula! Breastfeeding FAIL. Oh well starting to come to terms with the fact this girl will be a formula fed baby also. Night all!
That was a hard night. I also tried to do another 2 oz of milk but his time she did not like it!!! Eekkkkkk 8( im using enfamil gentle"something" and yesterday she kept pausing, stiffening up...my guess she was stopping throw up and continuing to drink... She has been spitting up a lot since then.
What formula are you taking? I hope to find one she likes...
I'm sorry you are having a hard time. Is she gaining weight as expected? Having normal amounts of wet/dirty diapers? What makes you think she isn't getting enough? I just ask because some women bf just find but don't respond well to pumps, so maybe baby is getting the milk while at the breast but it doesn't seem like it if you aren't getting much from pumping? Just a thought.
You should invest in a wrap to carry her around in so you can free up your hands!
She gained a small amount since her weigh in 3 days ago. Still not up to birth weight 9 days down the track. Still hungry after most breast feeds. Plenty of dirty and wet nappies. I agree pumps are useless on me and that the baby is my most efficient 'pump' I will keep trying and you are right I definitely need a front pack or sling for freeing up my hands. Cheers!
Yeah my midwife is so lovely, she said that I was doing all I could do and just to keep it up and see what happens. She isn't opposed to formula feeding especially when a mum tries hard to get it going. She said some woman just CAN'T breastfeed and she hates how the media ****s us. It really is forced down us that breastfeeding is crucial and you are made to feel so guilty if you don't. But what if you can't! Just recently a well known sportsman was seen 'bottle feeding' his new baby and the press went to town on him and his family! Poor poor guy... how do they know it wasn't breastmilk in that bottle anyway! And even if it wasn't they needa get out of his business.
I think it is great that bfing is such a norm there, but wow that is a lot of societal pressure! I would say ffing is probably more the norm here in the states. I think bfing is great, but so long as the baby is fed and happy it is no one else's business. Have you considered seeing a lactation consultant? I had to see one with dd. I didn't have supply issues, just major latch issues. The guilt that can come from not being able to bf is just horrendous. I remember sobbing the first time I pumped. What a mess I must have been huh? Sitting there topless with my boobs hooked up to this machine just bawling my eyes out. I hope that you guys are able to solve this riddle! In the mean time, I'm glad you have a supportive midwife.
I'm sorry you're having a hard time! (((((hugs))))) Are you and baby both being treated for the thrush? I've been through it and know how horrible it is to feel like your nipples are on fire every time you feed the baby.
Oh I'm so sorry sweetie! This is exactly what happened with me last time with Jojo, and exactly why I wasn't hesitant to solely pump and give formula as needed this time around with Olivia. It's so super duper frustrating, and there were many nights that I would wake Mark up by my crying in the other room. So pitiful and stressful. You do what ever works best for you two - if formula gives you a break and lets you calm down a bit and maybe a bit of rest, then I say go for it. As for the spitting up, I'd say to try a more gentle formula maybe? Or more burps?
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Ashley & Mark - parents to Jojo & Livy
3Likes
anyone experienced this? It's friggen!! painful... as if it wasn't painful enough without bloody thrush!!! 
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