i know breastmilk is best...

but i am having such a hard time loving it.

i have been mostly BFing for 12 weeks now, with 1-2 formula bottles a day, and i am pumping as well.

i hate hate hate pumping and the truth is, i don't love breastfeeding either. this may sound strange, but as soon as DS latches on, or i start pumping, i actually get a very strong feeling of sadness (instead of happiness, which i know is what a lot of other women experience). i know it's just hormones, and it goes away quickly, but that can't be normal right?

i don't really want to give it up, because i know how good it is for DS, and i know that he loves it too. did anyone have success not pumping at all and only BFing first thing in the morning and once at night?

Re: i know breastmilk is best...

You summed up my feelings about BFing to a tee. I did my best with it but did not love it. However when I was forced to stop out of medical necessity, I was a lil bit sad. I wish I had some advice for you regarding your question.

Re: i know breastmilk is best...

I didn’t love nor dislike BF. I was just indifferent! I did it for only 4 weeks and hten stopped! The next baby I will try for longer but my thought is that although BM is best, the truly best thing for a baby is a happy mommy! So you have to do what is best for you!
My DS is FF and is happy, independent, chatty, walking 11 month old so I don’t believe he suffered.

With that I have never done what you suggested, but when I went to my BF class before DS was born, the LC did say that it can be done with success. Maybe call a LC and get their advice...I can give you the name of the one I met, she was very non-pushy about BF which I liked – She is in Smithtown

Re: i know breastmilk is best...

I have been bf and bottle feeding since justine was born. i love the breastfeeding, the closeness to her but i really am having a hard time with how it feels. in the hospital i was cracked, sore and bleeding. it is starting to get easier but when she first latches on sometimes i think why am i doing this. i dont want her to feel me tense up and get anxious when she is feeding. it is definately hormones. you do what you think is best. i think you have done a good job for 12 weeks!

Re: i know breastmilk is best...

Re: i know breastmilk is best...

Posted by headoverheels

Posted by mia818

I have been bf and bottle feeding since justine was born. i love the breastfeeding, the closeness to her but i really am having a hard time with how it feels. in the hospital i was cracked, sore and bleeding. it is starting to get easier but when she first latches on sometimes i think why am i doing this. i dont want her to feel me tense up and get anxious when she is feeding. it is definately hormones. you do what you think is best. i think you have done a good job for 12 weeks!

thanks i just wanted to tell you that in terms of soreness it gets MUCH better after a few weeks - if you love it and stick with it you will be fine! when DS latches on now i barely feel it at all.

Re: i know breastmilk is best...

Posted by mia818

Posted by headoverheels

Posted by mia818

I have been bf and bottle feeding since justine was born. i love the breastfeeding, the closeness to her but i really am having a hard time with how it feels. in the hospital i was cracked, sore and bleeding. it is starting to get easier but when she first latches on sometimes i think why am i doing this. i dont want her to feel me tense up and get anxious when she is feeding. it is definately hormones. you do what you think is best. i think you have done a good job for 12 weeks!

thanks i just wanted to tell you that in terms of soreness it gets MUCH better after a few weeks - if you love it and stick with it you will be fine! when DS latches on now i barely feel it at all.

i hope so! i have noticed it is a bit better...at first she would only latch on to the nipple. i do like it but she likes to nurse for a long time all day!

Re: i know breastmilk is best...

I think 12 weeks is great! Around that time was a big turning point for me. I had a hard time with pumping (didn't get much) and nursing was just exhausting. Then something clicked and it just got easier. I swear that hormones played a part in this. BUT if you really are unhappy doing so, don't force yourself. You gave your baby the colostrum, which is SO important. Good luck!!

Re: i know breastmilk is best...

I feel your pain bc i am pumping, ds could not latch. I hate pumping!!! he gets half formula which aggravates me even more bc I can't pump enough for him. If I could BF i would totally give up pumping. DS is 10.5 wks now. Good luck in whatever you decide!

Re: i know breastmilk is best...

If you BF only twice a day...eventually your supply will diminish. It's a choice you have to make. Personally, I loved BFing, but I hated it at first. Frustrating and painful. But that went away and eventually it was good. I HATED pumping though. The moment I stopped pumping I felt like a free person. DD self weened at 7 months.

Re: i know breastmilk is best...

Love BF??? Does anyone???? I HATED it for the first few months and was in terrible pain! But it was important to me and I stuck with it and I'm soooo glad that I did. I never loved it though!

At four months I cut out one daytime feeding (morning) & replaced it with formula. At five months I cut out an afternoon feeding & replaced with formula. By 7 months I cut out another afternoon feeding entirely & was just BF first thing in the morning & before bed. I did this because DD was in daycare during the day.

I would never pump full-time. Not my thing.

Good luck! It's definitely a sacrifice.

Re: i know breastmilk is best...

I actually do love b/feeding my daughter - I love our time together and honestly, it couldn't be any more convenient. I do, however, abhor pumping. We're at the point where she's eating some solids and I use expressed b/m for her cereal and I dread having to pump. Since I nurse on demand I feel like, "when does it end?" When the heck am I going to get a good pumping session in (worthy of more than 2 measly ounces!) between the nursing, solids, diapers, errands, etc, kwim?

I think what's best is what works for you and your dc - not what any textbooks say.