Feeling Overwhelmed with the BFing

[DramaMama]

I didn't BF ds1 but I am really trying with Gabe because I think it's the best thing with all the H1N1 out there. Anyway, I am really overwhelmed by it. It is such a big responsibility that you can't share with anyone else.

I am also concerned because as of this past tuesday (when gabe was 17 days old) he still wasn't back to his birth weight. I am going to bring him for another weight check on Monday.

I have been nursing and pumping to try and build up supply. The most I have ever gotten while pumping was 2oz this AM after he nursed.

I am also kinda uncomfortable nursing in public at this point. I keep going back to the car to nurse the few times I have been out of the house when he's needed to feed.

I really hope this gets easier!!

[linden]

I only BF'ed for 2 weeks because at our 2-week pediatrician visit Sophie wasn't gaining enough weight. I thought that I wasn't producing enough milk so I pumped to see what I could get and I was only producing 1/2 ounce from each breast every 2-3 hours. That's when the pediatrician told us to switch to formula so that she could get the amount she needed. I will say that during the 2 weeks that I BF'ed, I loved the bonding experience so much more than I even thought I would, but at the same time I found it extremely overwhelming to know that I needed to be available 24/7 to feed her. I felt extremely guilty about not being able to produce enough milk for her, and I also felt guilty when I was relieved that I wasn't going to be 100% responsible for providing her nourishment.

Hope it gets easier for you...since you've had the experience of formula with Jared, and now BFing with Gabe, you'll figure out which works best for you. Hang in there!

[jonamma]

I am having lots of difficulty with BFing too. I found it really difficult emotionally to accept that I cant exclusively BF my baby because I loved it the short time it lasted and I had always wanted to BF.

Anthony suckled OK in the hospital, but when we took him to the peds office on day 4, he had already lost 15% of his birth weight. The pediatrician wanted me to supplement formula. I resisted for one more day and tried nursing almost every hour, but he didnt get any wet diapers and became very tired and cranky. I gave in and gave him formula (and cried and cried)

My DH went out and came back with a breast pump. Initially i was pumping only half to an ounce and we bottlefed him whatever we got. Now I am upto anywhere between 1.5 oz to 3 oz per session and I pump 7-8 times per day. I am able to get abt 60% of Anthony's total intake......

It is still sad that he wont breastfeed, but this works too. My hubby is able to participate in feeding the kid and I am able to get some rest!

Things will work out ladies, ultimately I dont think anything makes much difference............

[trustinginHim]

Apparently I'm the "Milk Goddess" according to my lactation consultant.. I wish I could say that was a good thing... but instead of not having enough my milk comes out so fast I've been overfilling this poor little girl! the flow is too fast, and the amount is "too much" how was I to know? she wants me to lay back to nurse hoping to slow the flow. and only nurse one side at a time.

anyways... I'm not having much fun either and can sympathize w/ you all. I remember it being very hard w/ my other 2. It's a very frustrating feeling to be the only one. I ended up nursing my dd till 2 1/2... all I can say is that this beginning stuff is VERY hard... and if you can push through it, it's more rewarding when they are older and not on you every minute! W/ my DD I remember it was so hard to stop.. I just couldn't pick a night and say this was it.

I generally go back in my bedroom and lay down to nurse, it's easiest for me to not have to hold a tiny baby but lay beside her. I turn on the TV and try to find something I enjoy doing to help pass the time. It helps to change your thought to "this is my time to lay down and relax" instead of "woo is me, I'm the only one doing this.." I'm very guilty of it, in the middle of the night!!

good luck.. PM me if you want to talk or have questions.

[AmandaG]

Keep working at it!! It will get easier. I've nursed three prior babies from anywhere from 6 weeks to 15 months. My first I chose to quit nursing at 6 weeks because I had gall bladder surgery and it seemed to dwindle my supply.

Don't give up on nursing in public. The more you try it, the easier it will be become. Last night alone I nursed in a movie theater and in a restaurant. Do you have a good nursing cover?

At Wyatt's 2 week check (he was actually 16 days old then), he was 2 oz. shy of his birth weight. But then again, I have to consider that 1) he was full of meconium at birth that had to have weighed something when it came out, 2) My milk didn't come in until days 4-5, and 3) the digital scales at the pedi's are likely off by an ounce or two compared to my midwifes scales. I can tell already he's gaining more...I'm tempted to go in to the pedi's just for a weight check.

So long as Gabe IS growing, I wouldn't worry. Our pedi said that it is very common for babies to have "stalled growth" at 2 weeks, then they take off from there to have bigger jumps in growth.

Having said all that...I have my own issues right now with Wyatt. He seems to be a cluster nurser. One feeding...even a VERY long feeding...doesn't seem to satisfy him, even if he seems full. I feel like a human pacifier where he just wants ME to suckle on for hours at a time, even if its not a true feeding. Most of the binkies he won't take for very long. My nipples are killing me! He actually gave me a blister on one nipple. I'm trying to break this habit and hope to get some sort of a regular feeding schedule.

On top of that, I'm starting to wonder if I have thrush (he doesn't---I can't see any white patches in his mouth). I have real deep pain in my breasts and nipples off and on for the past several days. I've read this can be a sign of thrush. If it doesn't go away soon I'll be checking into getting it resolved because it hurts like H*LL. Could be because I had a reduction too, and maybe I've got scar tissue on the inside making it hurt?

[trustinginHim]

Amanda, he's probably in a growth spurt. Annie was doing that as well. It's so frustrating, I know! As for the thrush, I've been there, you'll know.. it's like pins and needles coming out your nipples.. really horrible pain. if he's hurting you when you nurse it might be blanched nipples, (see if they are white after nursing) I have had that, and it comes w/ pain after nursing. Try the hair dryer, it feels good on your nipples! So sorry about your blister! I had that w my middle child! ugh! very painful! this time I just had cracked bleeding nipples. If you really think you have thrush you need to boil your bras and throw out your binkies, then get new ones and boil them after every use in between treating (if the baby gets it too) after every use... it's HARD to get rid of. Also I used "Gentian Violet?" not sure the spelling. but it WORKS! better than the meds a doctor will give you. Only problem is it gives you blue nipples and the baby a blue mouth!

[DramaMama]

I got 2.5 oz. when I pumped this AM and it felt like a personal victory

I think I am feeling more comfortable with pumping and bottle feeding him. It eases my "how much is he getting" fears, makes it easier for me to feed him when I am out and about, and lets DH participate in the feeding process all while still getting the benefits of breast milk.

[eli]

I can't add any real words of wisdom that haven't already been said. Just keep on pushing through! You will get to a point where it IS easy. Since your DS is not even a month old yet, you are not there. There are several turning points but I would say maybe by 6 weeks you will feel it's somewhat easier. And at some point you will find that it is easier than bottles! It's just very hard in the beginning!

[AmandaG]

Amanda, he's probably in a growth spurt. Annie was doing that as well. It's so frustrating, I know! As for the thrush, I've been there, you'll know.. it's like pins and needles coming out your nipples.. really horrible pain. if he's hurting you when you nurse it might be blanched nipples, (see if they are white after nursing) I have had that, and it comes w/ pain after nursing. Try the hair dryer, it feels good on your nipples! So sorry about your blister! I had that w my middle child! ugh! very painful! this time I just had cracked bleeding nipples. If you really think you have thrush you need to boil your bras and throw out your binkies, then get new ones and boil them after every use in between treating (if the baby gets it too) after every use... it's HARD to get rid of. Also I used "Gentian Violet?" not sure the spelling. but it WORKS! better than the meds a doctor will give you. Only problem is it gives you blue nipples and the baby a blue mouth!

Blanched nipples? I think I'll have to google that!! It does make sense though. The other day Wyatt had pulled off the breast so I was exposed. One of my DD's was in there with me and saw my nipple, which was all whitish looking...then I rubbed it and the color came back. Weird. (oh and we're not real shy around here when it comes to nursing...I'm doing it so frequently I'd constantly be in another room or dealing with covering issues.... so my kids are used to seeing my portable milk jugs. )

[AmandaG]

Yep...I think I have nipple blanching! Thanks for suggesting that...I wouldn't have had a clue! I just read about it and it sound almost exactly like what I'm having. Part it was something called Reynaud's....that can be caused by having had breast surgery. Well, since I had a reduction 3+ years ago, that makes total sense. I wish it wasn't happening, but it is something I can deal with, and I'd rather have that than thrush.