Breastfeeding Disappointment

Amira - posted on 11/01/2011 ( 2 moms have responded )

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My baby girl was born on October 5th, easy delivery, no major issues, calm baby. We were discharged from the hospital 24 hrs later and were told that she will not have jaundice. 4 days later, signs of jaundice had started. I was not too worried since she was nursing regularly. I started to worry when she was not having any bowel movements 3 days in a row. I called a specific health line here in quebec was told to keep a close eye but not to worry. I was worried sick and finally had to do some anal stimulation with vaseline to make her go. Another 3 days go by and no stool, this is when we went to the dr. She gave me samples of formula and told me i needed to supplement. I was devastated since my heart was set on breastfeeding especially after my failure to do so with my first. Looking back, my daughter was indeed at the breast all day but apparently was not nursing effectively...wish i had paid closer attention to this and knew better... I am now breastfeeding and supplementing and pumping which is exhausting and so time consuming especially with a 3 year old who needs my attention. I can't help but be depressed about the whole thing wishing i had done things differently...how can i shake this feeling and focus on what's really important?? one day i feel great and the next i hit a low and feel like a failure...husband does not get what i am going through and keeps telling me that formula feeding is fine...any advice?

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Daphny - posted on 12/26/2011

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I really hope by now you feel better already and still are breastfeeding. My baby boy was born on Oct. 13 and I experienced exactly the same thing as you mentioned. My doctor gave us formula to supplement too. But as soon as he made the bowel movement I reduced supplementing almost to none. And I started going to the local breastfeeding support group every week and people there made me feel amazing. It is very normal for breastfed babies not making bowel movement for several days in a roll. Mine only went every 5 or 6 days! It did worry me sick until I went to the support group and was assured he was fine. He did have many wet diapers a day and I was told that was a good sign that the baby was getting enough milk from me. I do supplement when I feel really tired, or just feel the baby needs a little boost to calm down from screaming his head off, but I never exceed 2 oz and it's not every day at all, only as a last resort to give myself a break. Right now I'm still breastfeeding and supplement only an ounce once in a couple of days and both my husband and I agree the formula is not because he's hungry, more as a break for me and he doesn't really need it. He sometimes still fusses after being fed with formula. My baby's gaining weight very well, almost a pound a week! Although sometimes I feel I'm empty it's amazing the baby is still thriving! So trust your body and relax, follow your instinct and nurse your baby whenever you feel she needs it. As long as she does have bowel movements on a regular basis, have many wet diapers and gain weight well she is fine. At this point my baby boy poops a little more frequent than before and appears more content than the time when he was a newborn too. So don't worry, breast milk is the best for your little girl and it must have been all absorbed there's no garbabe to be disposed of from her system.

Tiffany - posted on 11/28/2011

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I breastfed my now 3-year-old for a year. I had my 2nd girl on October 17th. I've been succesfully feeding her ever since. If i need to run out or have something to do, my boyfriend gives her a bottle of formula(the 'ready to feed' stuff). I didnt do this with my first, but i find its realy good, because im not always worried about pumping (or if i've pumped enough) when i have to go out.

In my opinion, you're AWESOME for still breastfeeding, and pumping for your baby. I'd think most mothers would just take the dissapointment and give up breastfeeding totally! At least you're continuing to give your baby the best milk possible, while still giving her the formula! You're doing an amazing thing for your baby! :)