Breastfeeding makes me depressed

Ania - posted on 05/03/2012

Normal pumping output is 1 oz from both breasts....unfortunatley pump is not as efficient as a baby. I exclusively BF my son for 2 years and now I will do it again with my daughter. I don't know who these women are who told you it is so beautiul because it is not especially for the first 3-4 months after that it is getting easier, but it is never easy. I don't understand why people can't say how it really is. You are basically tied to your child....constantly 24h a day for a very looong time, you are loosing your identity I know it will happen to me again, but I will do it. The most important part is to get ready for a long and hard work, because that's what breastfeeding is. I read a lot of research on it constantly just so I can keep going. If you feel like you cannot do it don't...just make sure that you make a list of pros and cons for both. i reccomend www.kellymom.com website as a resource Breastmilk is very important... If I wanted to convince you I would say. babies are only small for a while. Breastfeeding and loosing your own identity for a year of breastfeeding is not that bad (at least to me)
Good luck!!!!

Amanda - posted on 05/03/2012

Sophia...you've given your daughter a fantastic start with three months of breastmilk...maybe it is time to switch to formula? Tell your Dr or obgyn how you are feeling. You may want to try an anti depressant for a short period to feel a bit better about things.

breast feeding isn't for everyone. A happy mom is of more value to your baby, than to breastfeed when it brings on so many negative feelings.
hope this helps,
good luck Sophia (Beautiful name btw.)
amanda

Cantaremos - posted on 04/29/2012

"sick of hearing women say what a beautiful bonding experience it is for them. I don't relate."



Of course you hate them. They simply LIED.

BFeeding is a frustrating, painful, boring, humiliating experience.

Not only do women have to bear babies, suffer because of pregnancy, but they should be tied to their babies, stand the pain, no social life, sleep deprivation, have no right to complain...



So your feeling is very NORMAL and USUAL. Simply, most people do not dare to say it. Taboo..



Problem is, most people believed LLL's crap. Breastfed babies are not healthier than Bottle fed babies. No SERIOUS scientific proof about so-called "benefits" of breastfeeding. Just ideology.

You do not have to suffer any longer.



http://significantself.com/2010/newborn/...



http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arch...

Misty - posted on 12/16/2010

If you visit the website for la leche league www.llli.org they have some useful information on oversupply and how to regulate it, and also about clogged ducts.
Breastmilk has so many advantages over formula. To name a few: breastmilk is free, formula is very expensive. Breastfed babies spit up less and the spit up does not stain. A breastfed baby is less likely to get sick because of the antibodies in breastmilk. The poop of a formula fed baby STINKS so bad compared to a breastfed baby.
I recommend visiting the website as it is very insightful.... dont disregard because it is a site for bf'ing...the same methods apply to pumping when concerning oversupply and clogged ducts, etc.

Lacyn - posted on 12/15/2010

Breastfeeding is a skill you have to learn and perfect. I had a bad time getting the hang of it with my daughter and gave up after 3 months. I tried again with my son, who is 4 months old now, and it's going great. It sure didn't start that way however!! He was a very aggressive feeder, I couldn't get him latched on right, I would become engorged, get plugged milk ducts, then get mastitis, leak all the time, used a pump as well, was always cleaning the parts, ect...Breastmilk is by far the best thing you can give your baby, yes, but don't feel bad if you can't keep with it. Any breastfeeding was better than none was what the pediatrician always told me about the case with my daughter. If you can stick with pumping, great! If not, it's ok! And if you're concerned about wanting your baby on breastmilk, check online to see if anybody is donating frozen milk they have too much of. I think there's even milk banks for that.

Heather - posted on 12/02/2010

I breast feed and I enjoy it, it is a hassle but I feel it is worth it for at least 6 months. I have trouble tryin to pump I cant get much out but when my son sucks he seems to get full. It makes going out in public rather hard cuz i cant feed him anywhere but I do enjoy it. I am starting to wean him slowly now to one bottle of formula a day but breastfeeding is not for everyone and it sounds like you would be happiers giving your baby a bottle.

Tania - posted on 12/01/2010

I feel the same. I have to constantly fight with my son at the breast it seems. He's 4 months and is getting 6 teeth, and it hurts when he bites!! I have been now only nursing morning and last at night...all the rest of the day I pump (only every three hours) and bottle feed. If I don' t have enough milk, I'm giving him formula now. I'm thinking I'm going to wean him completely as I'm miserable nursing. My breasts are so big for such a small person and my back/neck are always in pain. (I"m like 105 lbs and a 32 G/H now!!)

Nicole - posted on 11/29/2010

3 months is a great supply of brest milk for you baby. I tried breastfeeing with my first daughter and hated it. I felt stressed, depressed and worried all the time wating for the next feeding. I was not enjoying my child. I stopped within a week, switched to formula and loved it. Best decision I ever made. With my second daughter I didn't even try breastfeeding, I started with formula right away and didn't having any of the depressed feelings. My sister had a child around the same time as my second and had the exact same feelings. She also switched to formula within 3 weeks and is so much happier. We both have wonderful relationships with our daughters and had no problems bonding. Don't let the feelings you have about breastfeeding ruin your precious time with your child. Stop breastfeeding and enjoy every moment. You'll be happier and wont regret it.

Jennifer - posted on 11/29/2010

Don't beat yourself up, firstly. And, second, happy mommy equals happy baby. I was determined to breastfeed, as I believe in all the benefits to my core. I have inverted nipples, so I saw a lactation consultant before I delivered to prepare in everyway I could. I spent the weeks before my child was born wearing nipple suction cups to draw out my nipples. When my child was born, I tried to latch him right away, but needed to use a shield. By the fourth day, he started getting jaudiced because my milk hadn't come in. I had to give him formula. When I tried to get him to latch, he was screaming, because there was no milk, and I was crying because the shields were tearing up my nipples. So, I started pumping. I would pump 8 times a day, 20-30 minutes each time and get 8-10 oz for the WHOLE DAY. By the 7th day....still no milk. I tried fenugreek, mother's milk, Domperidone, three lactation consultants...rented a hospital grade pump too...I was exhuasted & miserable, and not bonding with my son because I was too busy pumping. Then I had a clogged milk duct, so after much anguish, I decided to stop pumping when he was six weeks old. End of story, my baby has been doing great on the formula. He is happy, very healthy, strong and developmentally perfect in every way. I am much calmer, happier and can bond with him so much better at feeding now that I am not attached to the pump and worrying over drops of breastmilk. Babies get all the antibodies they need in the first six weeks, so you have done a great job giving your baby three months worth. There will be so many other challenges to face in motherhood, so my advice is to pat yourself on the back, and let it go:) Happy mommy, happy baby!

Laurie - posted on 11/22/2010

dont stress yourself out! being a new mommy is hard enough, give yourself a break. LOTS of babies are formula fed and its perfectly fine. maybe you will bond better with your baby if you are giving him a bottle and dont have such a demand on your body. if you do decide to stop pumping, reduce the pumpings by one a day at least... to allow your body to adjust. i had really bad clogged ducts with my son and even got mastitis, i know how bad you feel! just do it slowly, also, massaging your breasts while you are pumping helps the ducts emptty better. good luck!

Sophia - posted on 11/22/2010

I don't want to sound lazy but I'm a single mommy and sooooooo tired! Never get a break since I have very little help to none. I'm switching to formula!!!! :)

Kelly - posted on 11/22/2010

The most important thing in all of this is urs and babys happiness.
If u dont enjoy breastfeeding, switch to formula!! Baby has had 3 months of breast, u have done well to do so long.
If u dont feel depressed bottle feeding, give him formula. U dont want to look back on the past and regret it all. Ur happiness is most important for both u and baby

Sophia - posted on 11/21/2010

Thanks for responding!! I guess what I'm trying to say is breastfeeding feels like prison to me. The constant upkeep up my breasts, icing, heating, massaging, breastfeeding, pumping, storing, cleaning... It's takes away from the pleasure of caring for a baby. It makes me sad. When I formula feed him I am so happy... So is that PDD?

Ashley - posted on 11/21/2010

You are not comfertable with breastfeeding and your baby because of the PPD. I know...I am diagnosed with PPD. Have you been to someone to talk about it and maybe get a anti-depressent prescription? What you are explaining sounds more like a psychological issue over a medical one because you say when you breastfeed you get angry or depressed. Personally, aggressive behavior therapy was the best way for me since I didn't like my baby at the breast but after i was done with a session I felt so much better and could feed him. We do have to deal with the pain of clogged ducts. Most women have this problem at some point. Whoever told you not to pump is wrong. The best advice I can give is to pump or breastfeed as often as you can to help clear the clogged ducts and then slow down so the milk supply will lessen. I can understand that you don't feel it's a bonding experience. I did not with my frist for at least two weeks after his birth. What I am wondering is why would you hating breastfeeding make you feel like you hate being a mother? The two are not the same. Someone who breastfeeds does not make them a mother just as someone who bottle feeds. you are a mother because you carried that little baby for nine months, delivered it, and will be responsible for it for the next 18+ years. Its your choice on breast or bottle. Do what is comfertable for you and baby. If baby is taking the formula well then do it. Its going to hurt when you quit but have some tylonal and ice packs and you will be good. I wish you the best either way you go. Feel free to message me if you would like to talk.

Brittany - posted on 11/21/2010

I am the same way! I over produce way too much so I had to start block feeding. I stepped away from the pump for a good solid month and strickly block fed (feed from one side for 2-3 feedings then switch). Yes I had some pain but it ended up regulating my milk supply. Now I don't hate bf'ding as much but I still don't enjoy it. I pump every 3 or 4 hours depending on how my breasts are feeling (too hard or ok). My son is 3 1/2 months old and will only get pumped during the day while I am at work. I think they told you to stay away from pumping because your child can empty your breasts a lot more than a pump can. That would help your clogged ducts. I ended up giving myself a couple weeks to get my supply manageable and if it didn't, I was giving up as well. Maybe try letting your child completely empty you, both sides even and see. Listen to relaxing music or watch some TV to help relax if possible during. I'm not one to say it's a beautiful bonding experience, you can bond with a bottle and cuddling as well. Health wise, I would choose breast over formula but have even heard from a pediatrician they make formula so good now. If you do stop breast, keep in mind you will still have some pain until you dry up. Hopefully this gives you some insight!