Did anyone convert to formula because they couldn't take it

I feel bad for even saying this, but I just can't do this!! The fact is, I don't really have a choice. Once you are in it the boat, you can't get out.
Has anyone just given up on BF'ing altogether? I feel guilty, but I just don't know if I can do this. Today all my DS did was fuss and fuss. I had to keep feeding him, and usually I have plenty...today however I am not giving it. He just won't stop. Here I sit at 6pm, still in PJ's and still haven't even brushed my teeth. Would formula be easier, or am I just kidding myself into thinking it would be? I just want to cry all day....

will it really get better? And, if it does when will it? I feel like I will never have a piece of myself again. Is there a time when I will be able to have a life?

Thanks for letting me vent. I am just really struggling.

 

I DID!!!!!

I found all I was doing was feeding, my nipples hurt and I started to cry all the time. So I threw in the towel. It was so much easier for me. With the lack of sleep I couldn't deal with watching what I ate (when I actually got to eat) on top of the pain, leaking etc. So I would feed one BM and the other Formula, alternating each feed. That way i was only feeding one baby really, which was not as taxing. Also DH could feed the other if he was home. In the end I smelled freedom and I weaned them at about 4 weeks. The relief was immense. I felt guilty but I felt I had a responsibility to my babies to keep Mummy happy. Happy Mummy, Happy baby/ies.
As for the life........ah......we'll need to ask someone furthur down the line.
:hug99:
PM me if you ever need to whine/cry on someones shoulder. GL

 

First off, big hugs to you :hug99: I think you should post this over in the Breastfeeding forum. Those ladies are so encouraging. I didn't do formula because I don't see how it could be easier. But it is definitely a personal choice and I'm sure you'll hear just as many people saying formula is easier. My advice is to hang in there even though it does TOTALLY suck in the beginning. But it's a lot easier to give that advice now that I've been EBF for almost 8 months. My other advice-don't beat yourself if you do decide to quit. Giving your babies formula to maintain your sanity makes you a better mommy, not a child abuser . It's perfectly fine.

 

I nursed the boys and gave them EBM in bottles and supplemented with formula. This went on for 2 months and finally I switched over to formula. To be completely honest, I really hated giving up the actual nursing part. I tried really hard to get the boys to nurse exclusively, but I had been using nipple shields and the boys never quite got the hang of it without them. So, DO NOT feel bad if you go to formula. You have worked really hard, but it is tough!! If mommy ain't happy, NO ONE is happy!!!

 

:hug99: I'm so sorry you're having a rough time. Having newborn twins is SO hard, no way around it.

Personally, I don't think formula would be easier. BFing is an incredible commitment of time and energy in the beginning - but once you slog through those early weeks, it is SO much easier than bottles. Bottles are probably a bit easier in the beginning, but much harder than BFing for the entire rest of the first year. If you can tough it out, the rewards are enormous - full feedings in 5 min or less, with no prep work and no cleanup, just open your bra and you're set... If I had to make formula and wash bottles every day I swear I would shoot myself!

That said, there's no way around it, BFing IS hard in the beginning. And it is perfectly ok if you want to switch to bottle feeding. Please please PLEASE don't beat yourself up about it. Your kids will be fine no matter what.

Also want to add that it's not all or nothing. It's not like you either have to EBF or FF. You could always just BF as much as you want to and give bottles the rest of the time, or BF most of the time but have DH give some bottles so that you can get out, get a break, recharge your batteries, or just plain get some sleep!

And whatever you decide to do, you should be SO proud of the BFing you've already done. You've given those babies a wonderful start - WTG mama! :bow2:

Oh, one more thing - do you think you might be suffering from PPD? On the one hand, wanting to cry all day is a perfectly normal response to having twinfants - but OTOH it also sounds like it could be PPD. If there's any question about it in your mind, please don't hesitate to talk to someone. You deserve to feel better. :hug99:

 

All i wana say is it is really hard to prop bottles up, really my dd can't sit still and she always kicks the bottle off :blink:

 

If you don't have help then formula feeding will most likely not be any easier. They still need to eat, and instead of putting them to breast you will be making bottles and feeding them. If you are looking for relief of the fussiness, switching to formula is not going to solve the problem.

Breastfeeding is a VERY emotional process, bfing moms tend to blame themselves when their babies are fussy, they tend to think because they are nursing the baby must not be getting enough.

So I say take a break tonight if you can, if you have ANYONE to help get them to come TONIGHT (or as soon as possible), as it sounds like you are at the breaking point. Have that person give them a few bottles, and you rest. Then think long and hard with a clear head about what your goals are.

BIG :hug99: When we say that soon they will be nursing in under 5-10 mins, you will have no pain, and it WILL be easier to bf than formula feed we are NOT lying!!!!

 

Not sure if anyone metioned this, but your baby could be going through a growth spurt right now. So, the moe you nurse him the better your supply. We went through a growth spurt around 2 weeks, then 6 weeks. It does get easier, and not so time consuming.

 

:hug99: I did switch at a week old, and had a lot of guilt over not hanging in there longer. But, looking back, I think I did what was best for our WHOLE family at the time, including mommy. If you are feeding your babies, that is all that matters, not the method! :hug99:

 

i have definately felt that way. bottle feeding seems sooo much easier but there are three reasons i stick with it - in order of importance to me -
1. burning 1000 cal/ day helps to loose that baby weight - its like running 10 miles per day while sitting on the couch
2. formula for 2 babies = lots of money i'd rather spend elsewhere
3. its good for them

i can relate to the 6pm-still have morning breath feeling, but its just their way of saying, hey i'm having a growth spurt and need you to make more milk. the way i get through it is to pump for the midnight feeding and give a bottle and have my husband do the 4am feed, that way when its a really crappy day and its 7pm and i am still in my pjs i know i will be able to take a shower and give the boobs a break until 7am. hang in there, they say it gets better.

 

:hug99: It is hard. It is a challenge. It does get better! The first 6 weeks can be very rough. I was successful because I had a great support system around me, I am stubborn by nature (ask my husband), I am 'frugal,' and I knew the great benefits!
There is nothing that says that you can't go to 100% formula. Your babies will survive and probably thrive on that. You have to do what is best for YOU and your family. I can't help you with the guilt. I think that is natural, especially if you had your heart set on breastfeeding. I would definitely see your OB and check into PPD! It is very real and very debilitating! :hug99:
Just a word of warning. If you do quit you can't go back. You can however do both. Breastfeed & suppliment with formula. You can also pump & bottle feed. There are many options. I do welcome you to the breastfeeding forum for support in your decision. :hug99: Hang in there!

 

I think I wrote this post about 2 yrs. and 9 mos. ago!!!

Ok, 2 weeks in you are in the throws of it all! It's REALLY HARD. That said, if you stick with it you do have benefits (I gave up and quit at 3 mos. btw) like no $$ cost for formula (that's a powerful persuader for some people) and you don't have bottles to mess around with and wash and cart around etc.....

If you do decide that it's too much, do NOT be too hard on yourself. I know many a great woman who didn't even ATTEMPT it and they have wonderful children that are healthy and happy!!
:love0028:

 

I totally understand where you are.

I too did BF for about a month and all I ever did was nurse (literally!) For me it wasn't working, to be honest it is a personal choice to quit and don't feel bad if it's not working,to be honest I got alot of slack and MAJOR guilt trips from my lactaction nurse and others for deciding to quit, to the point where my DH yelled at her and family members for telling me I was going to hurt my babies, I was a bad mother, and I'll loose weight quicker. I went to a lactaction consultant because I never produced enough milk so I was CONSTANTLY feeding and I was crying all the time because it hurt and they cried if they weren't nursing because they were always hungry.

I got so fustrated I went to my ped doctor and wanted another opinion and they told me QUIT BFing and I love them for it! They told me to bottle feed and they will turn out fine. I know this is the opposite that everyone that is BFing wil tell you but my doctor told me they will survive and thrive to be great babies without BF'ing. He told me it's not worth my sanity and well-being to try to keep doing it when no one in my family is happy and either are the babies.

Honestly quiting was one of the best things I did, I know cry less (I still cry, I think being tired is part of it) and now DH is part of the feeding process especially at night. During the day I uses podee bottles (they also fit dr. brown bottles) and I use bottle prop pillows (little wonders) when I feed both at the exact same time.

http://www.littlewonders.com/index.html

DH doesnt' like the little wonders pillow he prefers to prop them in the bobby and using swaddling blankets to prop up the bottles.

Look BFing is hard some people produce enough milk to feed both other do not. If you feel its not working stop, tons of babies go to bottle and turn out fine. Don't feel guilty! You tried and for your sanity and your well being do what is right for you.

Like I said my boys stopped at 1 month and now at 3 months weigh in at 15 lbs each and wear size 9 months clothes!! My doctor said they are the picture of health so I think I did something right by switching them to formula.

 

QUOTE(belinda07 @ Feb 12 2008, 06:17 PM) [snapback]618637[/snapback]
I DID!!!!!

I found all I was doing was feeding, my nipples hurt and I started to cry all the time. So I threw in the towel. It was so much easier for me. With the lack of sleep I couldn't deal with watching what I ate (when I actually got to eat) on top of the pain, leaking etc. . . . In the end I smelled freedom and I weaned them at about 4 weeks. The relief was immense. I felt guilty but I felt I had a responsibility to my babies to keep Mummy happy. Happy Mummy, Happy baby/ies.



this was my story to a T! Do NOT feel bad! The best advice I ever got at that stage was to do what works best for me and my family (instead of doing what I think others would want me to do). I weaned them at around 4 weeks and now my 3.9 and 3.15 lb babies are HEALTHY (knock on wood) and ~19 lbs each - I don't regret my decision for a second!

 

I'm doing both with my babies. I pump breast milk sometimes enough for two, not always. Than next feeding I will give them formula to give my nipples a break. They don't seem to mind the switching. Although I think two more months I'm going to give up the pumping.

Don't feel guilty, sometimes it can be about you too.

 

You are not alone. I could only make it a month and I think I only made it last that long because one of them was in the NICU for 14 days and I was really only BFing with one and doing EBM for the other. I felt bad about it but I felt so much better when I threw in the towel. It was like a huge giant weight lifted off my shoulder. I figure they got the best stuff (colostrum) so that makes me feel good.

Do whatever you have to do.....BFing is wonderful and kudos to all that can do it for many months, just make the decision that is best for YOU and don't feel quilty about it!

 

I breastfeed DS and formula feed DD. I got too frustrated w/ breastfeeding both when they were 10 weeks old. I felt like that was all I did all day was breastfeed them and I could not take it anymore. DS loved to breastfeed so much that I never quit feeding him breast. DD is actually just as fussy as DS. I don't see a difference in formula and breastmilk except that DD is heavier than DS and she has had ear infections, eye infections, breathing difficulty, reflux, and colic. DS who is breastfed has not had one single health problem. Both my babies are still fussy at night. I really don't think the breast has anything to do with the fussy baby. My DD (formula fed) used to cry from 6pm-12 am EVERY night until she was about 4 months old. She also eats every 2 hours during the day just like DS.

 

QUOTE(chocomilko @ Feb 12 2008, 06:05 PM) [snapback]618615[/snapback]
I feel bad for even saying this, but I just can't do this!! The fact is, I don't really have a choice. Once you are in it the boat, you can't get out.
Has anyone just given up on BF'ing altogether? I feel guilty, but I just don't know if I can do this. Today all my DS did was fuss and fuss. I had to keep feeding him, and usually I have plenty...today however I am not giving it. He just won't stop. Here I sit at 6pm, still in PJ's and still haven't even brushed my teeth. Would formula be easier, or am I just kidding myself into thinking it would be? I just want to cry all day....

will it really get better? And, if it does when will it? I feel like I will never have a piece of myself again. Is there a time when I will be able to have a life?

Thanks for letting me vent. I am just really struggling.


I haven't read the other posts, but you described me when my babies were that age. At 3.5 weeks, I had enough and just stopped, it was one of the best things I have done. Bottom line a happy mommy equals a happy baby and please don't feel bad if you can't do it. I felt guility as heck at first, but there was only so much I could do and the babies have done just fine on formula!

And it was a bit easier b/c instead of wanting to eat every 60-90 minutes, it was 2 hours, and gradually 2.5 and then 3.

 

I definitely felt this way. I was emotional wreck trying to bf 2 newborns while trying to deal with a jealous toddler. I started giving formula for night feedings pretty quick. I think I gave it up completely by 1 month. I felt terribly guilty, but it was a relief. Once we all got into a groove, I wish I could have still done it though.

 

:hug99: :hug99:

I agree with the poster who said that it doesn't have to be all or nothing. I've been supplementing with formula for awhile, and at this point, I'm making enough milk that I'm able to bf most of the time, with maybe 1-2 bottles a day. A spot of formula just takes off the edge a little bit.

If you can get someone to help for a day or two, I'm sure it would make a huge difference. Even getting your DH to help give a bottle in the middle of the night for a few nights would help you feel more sane. Then you can make the best decision for you and your family with a clearer mind, instead of out of desperation, you know?

 

Just what happend to me...

I gave up at 9-12 wks with my daughter (for various reasons) but thought formula would be easier. With the twins I hit what I like to call the 12 wk wall, and again considered giving up BUT this time I didnt... AND.... Nursing was so much easier as time went on. I am serious, I never really gave the bottles a second thought the 1st time but really they made her no happier AND then i was stuck washing, packing and making bottles. After you get through those rough couple weeks nursing is way easier IMO. Another thing, the formula/bottles might make them even crankier. PM and I will tell you anything you wanna know (and probably a few things you dont!! LOL)

 

I gave it up at around a month. The babies seemed to latch well but would nurse for 45 minutes straight and then would scream their heads off b/c they were still hungry. I started supplementing some meals with formula and did only formula at night. After everything the lactation consultant had said I felt like I was doing something terribly wrong, but when I told the pediatrician what we were doing she not only said it was ok, she recommended supplementing with every feeding. The pain was bad enough that I dreaded feeding them and hated the whole experience. I tried to feed pumped milk but found it difficult to pump with babies wanting to eat every 90 minutes and my milk supply started to dwindle. I did not sleep. I told DH that I was running out of milk and he asked if that would be such a bad thing. I then realized that everyone could see that I was completely miserable. It seemed almost inhumane to continue spending the better part of hour in pain when my babies were totally unsatisfied! Since I was already making bottles I decided to go ahead and stop nursing all together. My mood improved instantly. I did feel guilty at first but everything was going so much better that I got over it. The babies were eating better, seemed calmer and slept better. What a relief. They are growing very well and have not had a single health problem. It doesn't take much time to wash bottles. It does cost more but we use a generic brand which is half the cost of the name brands. I use the Podee bottles when I am alone with them, which is most of the day, and the girls eat very well.
Having said all of that, I do know that many people say it gets much easier eventually. If you can stick with it for another month or so you may be very glad you did. I just didn't think I would survive that long! Good luck with your decision.

Jen

 

I too am on the formula wagon. Mine never took to the breast and I didn't get good help at the hospital (they just gave me one of those SNS things, and it made things worse). I was able to pump and supplement with formula, but at 5 weeks, I gave up all together because the lack of sleep was killing me. Since they were eating every 2 hours or so, I'd feed #!, feed #2, pump for about 20-30 minutes and then get back to bed, only to be up in another hour or so to start all over. It was just TOO much, and I was an exhausted (both physically and mentally) mess. I resolved that my sanity had to be worth something so that I could be a good mother to the twins. Don't feel bad...it's very easy to beat yourself up over it because of the big push for BF. Maybe you can try doing a little of both--BF and supplment w/ formula so it's not so crazy for you. Good Luck!

 

It's already been said, but I'll add my two cents anyway!

I pumped and feed mine EBM for the first 6 weeks during the day and did formula at night. DS never latched. I tried so many different LCs in the first week it wasn't funny, but he just never got it. DD would latch, but only with a nipple shield. Well, I lost the shield in that first week (and didn't have the energy to go get another because I was healing from 3 months hospital bedrest and a c-section) so then I was pumping for 2. OMG. What a nightmare! It was so exhausting for me. Finally, like a lot of others, I decided that my mental health was important to them too. I talked to my ped, who assured me that while BM is best, formula is NOT poison and he agreed that it was important for me to happy for them too.

I do still feel some guilt over it. But I know that they are healthy and are fed and in the long run, that's what's most important.

Also, as for as ease goes, at home I think it would be tons easier to BF. But out and about, for me, bottles are easier. You do have to pack them, but for me it's easier to have a bottle ready than to whip out a boob. (But I'm terribly modest and don't think BFing in public would have ever been something I could do- let alone with two.)
It does get old washing bottles day in and day out. Sometimes I think all I do is wash baby clothes, babies, and bottles! (And then feed them to start the whole process over again!)

 

QUOTE(ese @ Feb 12 2008, 08:37 PM) [snapback]618904[/snapback]
i have definately felt that way. bottle feeding seems sooo much easier but there are three reasons i stick with it - in order of importance to me -
1. burning 1000 cal/ day helps to loose that baby weight - its like running 10 miles per day while sitting on the couch
2. formula for 2 babies = lots of money i'd rather spend elsewhere
3. its good for them

i can relate to the 6pm-still have morning breath feeling, but its just their way of saying, hey i'm having a growth spurt and need you to make more milk. the way i get through it is to pump for the midnight feeding and give a bottle and have my husband do the 4am feed, that way when its a really crappy day and its 7pm and i am still in my pjs i know i will be able to take a shower and give the boobs a break until 7am. hang in there, they say it gets better.



Does going all night without expressing at all mess with your milk supply for the next day? I think part of the issue is just that from all I read it seems so rigid. Like if I miss one feeding I am doomed to lowered milk supply. Is this true?

 

QUOTE
Does going all night without expressing at all mess with your milk supply for the next day? I think part of the issue is just that from all I read it seems so rigid. Like if I miss one feeding I am doomed to lowered milk supply. Is this true?


Not at all! Sure, the "rules" are to nurse/pump as much as possible. But you can probably break or bend the rules without dooming your milk supply.

When I had PPD, for a few nights I went to bed at 7 and slept until 7 without nursing or pumping at all. (DH - my hero! - took over all the night feedings.) This was during the "critical" first 6 weeks, when I was "supposed" to be establishing my supply. After that respite, DH & I would always trade off night feedings or do shifts so that we could each get some sleep. Also, when I was struggling with PPD, I took a LOT of breaks away from the babies (thanks again to my wonderful DH & my mom), skipped feedings without pumping, etc. And guess what? I'm still going strong nursing my babies today, and have never had any supply problems.

So by all means, go ahead, take a break, get some sleep! You need it so bad! And it's not the end of the world, you'll still be able to nurse. :hug99:

 

do what you have to do to stay sane ... first and foremost ... but if you can just take it hour by hour ... it WILL get so much easier!!! Also, every fuss and cry doesn't mean he is hungry. I thought that, too. My girls were colicky and screamed day in and day out for the first 4 months of life ... it took keeping getting them weighed to show me that it was NOT a hunger/breastfeeding issue ... they were just fussy babies! They tripled their weight by 5 1/2 months on breastmilk alone ...

Babies will always nurse. It is comforting to them ... just because they are crying and want to nurse and are rooting doesn't mean they are hungry. Really, it took me a long time to realize that ... but rooting is a reflex ... nursing is comfort to them whether there is milk or not because babies like to suck. It is the only thing that is a certain in their world right now. They are freaking out b/c they aren't too sure what is going on ... but when they are nursing it is familiar and comforting to them. So it is more than just a "feed me!" thing ...

It IS hard at first and honestly you will spend almost half of your life nursing at first ... mine nursed for 45 minutes (b/c I "cut them off" at 45 minutes ... they would have nursed forever if I didn't) every 2 hours around the clock for about 9 weeks ... then they started stretching out the nights. I don't have another child so I could just camp out in the nursing chair and watch TV or whatever ... talk on the phone ... enjoy some peace and quiet.

As committed as I was to BF'ing ... I remember saying to my Mother once ... I am just going to QUIT! it is too uncertain and too hard b/c you have no idea how much they get to eat! ... my girls were 4 pounds even when I brought them home ... under strict rules that if they even lost an ounce, they were back in the NICU ... I was super stressed! They are tongue tied and it was hard to get a good latch. I am so glad I stuck with it though! It just got easier and easier! Now it is CAKE ... so much easier than feeding formula. Really, either way, in the beginning, it is time consuming!

I told myself I would keep on nursing until 6 weeks after their DD (nursing is "supposed" to get easier then) and then reconsider ... but go through whatever I had to until then ... by then, things were easier ... I was in love with nursing and it was worth it to me. I had found a routine and a comfortable place to nurse. If you aren't tandem nursing ... try that ... if you are and it is too tough ... try one on one for a while ... The babies will eventually just learn what to do ... now (and for a while now) mine totally dive bomb me as soon as the nipple is in sight =) I could knit a sweater if I wanted (not that I know how to knit) ... I remember the days of meticulously holding their teeny selves in the perfect position and not being able to even scratch my nose!

Take a break ... hire a sitter or someone to even just come and spend one night with you and let her feed formula for a few feeds just so you can get a good stretch of sleep ... when you do feed the next time just pump afterwards ...

Or even try pumping and giving EBM in bottles for a while until you feel more energized to go "from the tap" again. There is a woman in my MoM's group who didn't feed hers from the tap until 7 months old ... so I guess it is never too late to teach an "old baby new tricks" =)

pm me if you want to chat more ... I can give you my phone # too if you would rather ... I would love to be any help that I can be ... it IS tough but it WILL get easier ... eventually easier than bottle feeding, I promise! ... and if you decide to feed formula ... so be it! There are plenty of smart and happy formula fed babies and people out there. My husband was formula fed and he is one of the healthiest and smartest people I know!

 

I tried to bf and my two had so much trouble latching that I started pumping. Eventually I gave up trying to bf because we all ended up in tears and went to exclusively pumping. I did that for about 6 weeks (and had enough stored to give them bm another week) and then switched to formula. For me it was an awful struggle between giving them bm which I thought would be so much better for them and feeling like I wasn't a good mom for not spending enough time with them and being so exhausted from pumping around the clock. For me, I was a much happier person and better mother for switching to formula. I know moms of multiples that loved BFing though after they got the hang of it and are still going strong at 9-10 months.

 

I hear you totally! I'm just a week ahead of you and I am breastfeeding too. I have been and am still going through the same difficulties and dilemna. I too find it nerve wracking to BF, you never know if they are getting enough milk, gaining enough weight, you're exhausted because they nurse so often, and the night feedings don't help! Also, I have a strong feeder (who was also born bigger) and a weaker one, so I can't help comparing them and worrying for the smaller one. And I am dealing with a difficult toddler on top of it!

A few things I can share from my ongoing experience:

- to make it physically, it is VERY important that you eat and drink a LOT. I am trying (but don't also always manage) to have: breakfast, morning snack, lunch, 2 afternoon snacks, dinner and bedtime snack. Drink a big glass of water each time you BF.

- as other pp said, you don't have to do one method exclusively. To keep my sanity and reassure myself, I give a bottle to my DSs when I am too exhausted and I feel I don't have much milk left in there. It is usually 1, but sometimes 2 bottles of formula a day. When I go back to work (in a few weeks), I intend to BF mornings and evenings, because I like the special contact with them, and have them formula feed during the day.

- your babies may indeed having a growth spurt right now - they usually do at 2 to 3 weeks, and then I think at 6 weeks, and later on. You can find the info in books or ask the pediatrician.

Good luck!

 

Hang in there! :hug99: Of course it gets better...you are just two weeks into it!

But yes, I gave up BF and switched to formula around 3 weeks old and by one month we were totally off breast milk. I know that I could have given them a better nutritional option by giving them EBM or BF, but I was just so much happier and healthier when I switched to formula. For my family and my sanity, it was the best option.

 

QUOTE(chocomilko @ Feb 13 2008, 06:10 AM) [snapback]619420[/snapback]
Does going all night without expressing at all mess with your milk supply for the next day? I think part of the issue is just that from all I read it seems so rigid. Like if I miss one feeding I am doomed to lowered milk supply. Is this true?



I never pumped at night and my supply was always just enough... just me

 

I couldn't handle the lack of sleep in the beginning. Each baby would take 45 minutes to eat and they were doing it every 2 hours- I was not sleeping. I started doing bottles at night and bf during the day, but then all I was doing during the day was bf. Eventually I went to all formula. I know I did what was best for me, but I still feel guilty that I didn't try harder for them. I loved bf'ing my dd and it's way easier whipping out your boob than it is preparing/cleaning bottles all day... But I also know that doing what's best for me, ultimately is what's best for them (happy mommy, happy babies)... Good luck with whatever you do and whatever that is will be the best choice for you and your family!

 

First of all not everyone is the same-I feel like people dont understand that it takes A LOT of time to breast feed, and not everyone has these perfect breast feeding nipples and babies that just latch right on, not everyone has a 3yo to tend to and cant just sit in a recliner and nurse all day and night. It can be a very frustrating and disappointing experience for some moms. This is how I feel, I want so badly to be one of those moms where it just comes naturally and "easily" but it isnt working out. I do want very badly to give my babies breast milk so I pump and that way others can help me feed them in half the time. My ds is unable to eat anything but Enfimil AR or else he throws up...I keep trying to sneak in breast milk but to no avail-but my dd is getting pumped breast milk...and this is working out fine.
Do what you have to do to be happy and sane, your children will love you for that!
Good luck and try not to fret over it too much.

 

OMG- I could have posted this myself this week. I am so torn with what to do. I had very little help from the nurses in the hospital, my nipples scabbed and bled, the scabs just fell off a few days ago but my nipples are still so sore that I am almost in tears when I am just pumping. I supplement with formula for all night feedings and some day feeding depending on how much milk I can pump. I so want to quit and just do formula- but I feel so guilty. I am going to try to make it to four weeks pumping and then re-evaluate. However, every time I think if continuing I get so sad and frustrated. When I think of quitting and just doing formula, I feel a sense of relief.
I hope you figure out what you are going to do- and don't let the guilt get in your way.

 

I recently had to give up breastfeeding. While it made me sad, I know that it's better for all of us in the end. My DS was not gaining weight and was in the hospital for two weeks with RSV. That killed my milk supply! I was so stressed out! I could not get my supply back and he was not gaining weight so I switched to formula and kept pumping. The pumping and pumping started to drain me physically and mentally. I also have a toddler who is not going to sit around while I pump and feed. Anyway, I pretty much did a slow wean (which really messes with your hormones) and then ended this week. I am sad to have to wash all these bottles now but it's okay. We have a new "normal" (as Oprah says).

Lanie