Need advice/encouragement

We made it to 6 months! Woohoo! My goal was 3 and we doubled that so I should be happy. However, I am getting really burnt out on nursing. I was thinking of cutting back to only nursing in the morning and at night and doing formula during the day. They are not ready to wean. They love to nurse. I give them a 6oz bottle once a day and they nurse afterward or they scream. I don't know how to make myself like nursing again or if there is another alternative. Once I made it to 6 months I was convinced I could go until 9 (the end of flu season), but now I'm not so sure. I really don't want to wean them since its apparent they aren't ready, but is there anyway I can cut back without them flipping out? Or maybe a pill I can take to make myself excited about nursing again?

TIA for any advice!

 

Thinking of the cost of formula for two babies is enough of a motivator for me . It really is okay either way. If you keep nursing- awesome. If you decide to wean-getting them to 6 months is fantastic and they'll get used to formula. Theoretically your body should adjust to whatever amount you are nursing them so if you only want to nurse a few times a day it should work out. Is there something you could do as a treat to yourself to make it more enjoyable? I tandem nurse with the EZ2 nurse pillow which leaves my hands free, so I tend to surf the net while I'm nursing to pass the time.

 

My boys are getting hungry as we speak (or type). So...can't say much, but good luck with whatever you decide. 6 Months is great!!

A little advice, give yourself some time. Don't make a quick decision you might regret later. Just sleep on it for a few weeks and then you might feel better, one way or another!

:hug:

 

Are you tandem nursing? I know that always helps me psychologically because it goes so much quicker and my hands are actually more free doing that than one at a time.

If your original goal was 3 months and you surpassed that, maybe set another goal of 7 or 8 months and then re-*****. Like pp said, your body should adjust if you drop a couple of feedings and you've done awesome getting this far with BF both.

Whatever you decide, great job giving them such a good start!!! :woohoo:

Laura

 

The hassle and expense of formula is enough motivation for me too! :lol: But seriously... 6 months is wonderful, and if you feel like you need to quit there's no shame in that. I was 'done' at around 6 months too, but then I just kept going because we were going away and I didn't wantto change their routine... and it gets easier and easier every day. Now at nearly 9 months I can't imagine giving it up. Hang in there for another few weeks if you can and see how it goes... it might just get easier!

 

When mine were tandem nursing, the only place I could nurse was on the couch in the sunroom b/c the pillow was so big. My "treat" was to watch shows that I recorded on the DVR while I was nursing. I never had the tv on otherwise unless they were sleeping.

Great job making it to 6 months!!! :clapping:

 

Are they biting you or something? After making it through the first 6 weeks or so, now adding solids, you are on the downhill slope! Nursing them will look different as you start incorporating more solid meals. I would encourage you to hold on another couple of months to get out of cold/flu season & add solids in, then reasses. It must be crazy right now, but I don't think formula is your answer. Just more dishes/time spent in preparation of feeding them.

 

I know I've been in a funk before with BF. I would always set a timeline though. I'll keep going for 24 hours, or a week, or whatever, and reassess. If it's still not working out, for whatever reason, we can stop. But normally my hormones, emotions, the problems would even out by that time, and we'd keep going. I would hate to quit, and then look back with regrets, you know?

Plus the thought of making, washing, warming bottles was pretty daunting, when currently all I have to do is get out the "equipment!"

Hope you get things figured out. Whatever way you choose, you've done a great thing BF this long!

 

I tandem nurse occasionally and do not like it at all. I do not have a nursing pillow though so maybe that would help. They bite and pinch me all of the time and they want to nurse 8+ times a day. I get free formula from WIC because DH is military so the cost isn't an issue. I made an appt to see my lactation nurse to see if she can help me. I feel like I may gain my sanity back if I cut back. I have never enjoyed nursing and I'm thinking I may have just had enough. I like the idea of giving my girls the best nutrition possible. Maybe I can start pumping more and do that. I never really minded pumping too much.

I'm just rambling now... Sorry!

 

No nursing pillow? Yikes, I'd hate that too! The EZ2Nurse pillow is awesome. It is SO much more comfortable than anything else. Once you get them positioned and latched, you can just zone out and do whatever you want, pretty hands free (esp. at your babies' age).

If you're done, that's perfectly ok. But there are things to try to make it easier.

 

Man, 8 times a day? And no nursing pillow? And your DH on deployment? In my honest opinion, you are totally awesome!!! :woman:

I can honestly say that BFing stressed me out totally until my DD's were about 7 months old. At 6 months I started with solids, and at 7 months they were having 2 little "meals" a day. It really wasn't like they were eating much at all, but just the fact that they were eating some solids seemed to take the pressure off and help me to enjoy nursing more. Out of my 5 close "twin Mummy" friends, I was the only one who nursed past 6 months. I made it to 11 months, when I weaned them onto cow's milk. Here are my tips - take them fo what they are, merely suggestions. It worked for me, but I appreciate that it may not be for everyone!

At 6 months, here was my schedule:
6am wake, BF
8am nap
10am wake, BF
12pm nap
2 - 2:30pm wake, BF
3 - 3:30pm solids
4pm tired, but no formal nap - chill out in bouncy seats usually
6:30pm Bottle (8oz) formula, then bed
One of my girls started STTN at about 4 1/2 months; the other (the smaller of the two!) would wake between 11 & 12 midnight for a feed until she was about 8 months old. My DH usually gave her EBM that I pumped at about 9 or 10pm before I went to bed (she usually took 6oz); if you don't have anyone to give a bottle you could BF this session, I guess.
The girls would then sleep thru until 6am.

Nursing 8 times a day would drive me insane. I think you are doing amazingly well, but the truth is, your little ones probably don't need to nurse 8 times a day. It would definitely be worth seing a lactation consultant about how to stretch out the time between nursing so that you get a break. I found that for me, giving the 6:30pm feed as a bottle of formula really helped - I had a bito a rest, therefore I felt less stress, & the girls got a good feed before they went to bed. I usually then pumped a lot more at my 10pm session.

Really, the most important thing is to enjoy your babies. If nursing is making you frustrated and resentful of them, then don't feel guilty for cutting back. A happy Mommy is the most important thing your children can have, & you already have a lot of stress not having your DH around to help with the everyday stuff that is so wearing.

Good luck!

 

we get WIC also--but 2.5x the food stuff, not formula because we exclusively bf.......i also 'treat' myself--its internet/fb time....AND, no special pillow, just in a chair where we get comfy...... :youcandoit:

 

If you're anything like me, it might help to think of the cost not just monetarily but also health benefits for you and the girls by continuing to nurse. The more you nurse the less likely they are to have obesity, diabetes, ear infections etc and the less likely you are to get several types of cancer (breast, ovarian etc). Plus it keeps your period away

Have you introduced solids & cups? Are there certain times of day they demand to nurse or do they associate you sitting in a certain place as time for them to nurse? You might try a little distraction or change in routine and see if that doesn't help.

I know nursing isnt always easy, but its a very short time in your life and will be over before you know it. Hang in there