March 2008 Expecting Club

I totally understand how you feel.  Luckily I have not experienced mastitis and thing as far as the latching have been good.  I do know what you mean about the mess.  It will get better though and not as messy.  I have been struggling with this issue for few days due to exhaustion and it is time consuming.  I have read somethings though that say to hang in there and it does get better. 

I also read somewhere that the feedings decrease by three months and my little man is a little over 5 weeks so we are almost half way there.  I am not to sure why I feel so guilty thought with him because I did not even nurse my first. 

I do give him formula maybe twice a day.  I give him formula before bed because he sleeps longer and sometimes once through the day if I am out or just need a break and dont have BM pumped. 

Dont feel guilty though and do what is best for you and the baby.  Remember that you are a person too and what is best for you is good for the baby too.  If you can tough it out thought do it!!  I know I like to hear that from people because I really want to enjoy nursing!  Good luck!!

Tonja

 

 

 

I gave formula for a few feedings here and thereand my nipples are still thanking me.

The messiness is annoying, but it's starting to get better.  I'm at 4 weeks.

  If your pumping, wait for a while, that was too much for my sis and she ended up with mastitis.

Ok, so I'll tell you, I had one day that it hurt, and the next day the pain was gone (until I dragged out the pump, but that was nothing compared to the first 2 weeks of toe-curling pain)  It was that sudden that the pain went away.

And lastly, are you confident the latch is good? Because if not, the pain would continue, but I'm guessing you're working with an LC.

good luck with your decision.  I'm too lazy for bottles...I'd rather deal with the dripping boobies.

PLEASE do not feel guilty if you want to formula feed!!  If you are miserable, it isn't the best thing for him because he doesn't just need breastmilk to be happy and healthy - he needs a happy mommy, too!!

I breastfed for about a week and a half with my almost-four-year old and you know what?  I was miserable.  I wasn't good at it, she wasn't good at it, it hurt and I was resentful.  So, I went to formula and life was so much better.  She turned out wicked smart and is hardly ever sick.  I figured that I was formula fed and I think I turned out okay <wink> so my daughter would be fine, too.

Honestly, I didn't even try with my March baby (started right off with formula) because I know how miserable I was with my first. I don't feel bad about not breastfeeding because I know in the end that it's important for our little ones to have a happy mommy, too.

Don't feel bad if you decide to quit.  Your baby is going to be just fine!