I HATE BREASTFEEDING

Bethanie - posted on 01/13/2010

I defintely know how you feel! My son was still nursing, day and night, every 1 1/2-2 hours until he was 5 months! I will say though, when we went out, I would supplement with a little soy formula (from the time he was 2 months) cause it wasn't as easy to just whip out the boob to feed him and I wasn't able to pump more then a bottle's worth. I weaned him just a few days shy of 6 months and then he was solely on formula after that. Is she sleeping next to you at night, in a co-sleeper or bassinet? Eventhough my son was still nursing, when I moved him out of our room and into his own, he slept through the night the second night he was in there and has since. My Doctor also suggested adding rice cereal to my breast milk and I tried it a few times but it didn't really help. I weaned him onto the formula by mixing my breast milk in with it. He really detested just formula at first and I had to try several brands before I found one he liked (he preferred Similac over Enfamil). The most important thing is that you were able to breastfeed within the first few days of her life when they get the important nutrients and benefits from the Colostrum. Yes, breastmilk is best, in my opinion, but you have to do what's best for you as well! If you don't factor yourself into the equation you won't be able to be your best for her! Good luck!

Bethanie - posted on 01/13/2010

I defintely know how you feel! My son was still nursing, day and night, every 1 1/2-2 hours until he was 5 months! I will say though, when we went out, I would supplement with a little soy formula (from the time he was 2 months) cause it wasn't as easy to just whip out the boob to feed him and I wasn't able to pump more then a bottle's worth. I weaned him just a few days shy of 6 months and then he was solely on formula after that. Is she sleeping next to you at night, in a co-sleeper or bassinet? Eventhough my son was still nursing, when I moved him out of our room and into his own, he slept through the night the second night he was in there and has since. My Doctor also suggested adding rice cereal to my breast milk and I tried it a few times but it didn't really help. I weaned him onto the formula by mixing my breast milk in with it. He really detested just formula at first and I had to try several brands before I found one he liked (he preferred Similac over Enfamil). The most important thing is that you were able to breastfeed within the first few days of her life when they get the important nutrients and benefits from the Colostrum. Yes, breastmilk is best, in my opinion, but you have to do what's best for you as well! If you don't factor yourself into the equation you won't be able to be your best for her! Good luck!

Colleen - posted on 01/13/2010

Breastfeeding is not for everyone. If it's stressing you out, it's stressing her out too.



It is said that the best a mother can do for her baby is to breastfeed for the first 3 DAYS of her life!!! You did that.



Way to go, that's awesome.



The first 3 days, she gets all the life long germ fighting stuff she needs.



There are several ways to look at this...if you want to stop only because you're exhausted (welcome to parenthood! ha ha)...then that's one thing; if you want to stop because you don't feel right doing it, then that's another.



If it's because you're tired...try mixing the last 2 feeds of the day with formula (it's thicker and will stay with her longer; meaning she should wake up not as early). If you choose this method...you'll need to slowly add it in, over the course of a few nights as it will taste different, and be a different thickness, so she'll need some time to get used to the change.



I'd suggest until you know she'll do it, buy a couple cans of ready made formula of the brand you choose; mix 1/4 of the bottle with the formula and the rest with your breastmilk for the first and second feed of the day and see if she takes it, then nurse like normal the other feeds, then at night time give her the last 2 feeds with the formula & breastmilk mix....see how it goes during the night, then the next day do 1/2 Bm and 1/2 formula for the same feeds.



if she likes it and it works for her and you, then you can slowly switch it over, so her last feed or even the last 2 of the day are all formula.



If this all works etc, then you can switch to the powdered variety, as it's way cheaper than the ready to use stuff.



Nursing is by far cheaper than going to formula but your sanity counts for a lot.



You need to do what is best for Baby and You! You are both equally important.



My 3 sons were all preemies and so I didn't have a choice but give them the mix like above. It helped us all. Otherwise, they were hungry every hour.



You are not being selfish, you're being a great mom. It's hard to function when you're extremely tired all the time.



Good luck! Sleep when baby sleeps; get Daddy or a friend to watch baby while you take a nap in the later afternoon too. It will help everyone.



Have fun!

Colleen