Sept 2006 mums breastfeeding or bottle feeding???

[busylizzy]

I am on the verge of giving up breastfeeding after 3wks. I am sick of being in constant pain & am becoming resentful towards DD (as illogical as that is). Just wondering how many of the other september mums are still breastfeeding or bottle feeding and why?

[Wondermum]

:wave: Liz,

I'm BF Rylan although he has had the odd top up bottle of formular when I have fed and fed and fed and my nipples are just too sore - this is usually one of the last late night feeds as it tends to give him a longer stretch of sleep. I did the same with Hayden too and it works for me. I want to keep BF for as long as I can though, as long as it works for both of us :) I love the connection/ bond and one on one time I get from BF. It is not an easy choice by all means. Yes, BF can be painful, time consuming, less sleep for us as BF bubs require feeding more frequently than bottle babies, but as long as I've got what he wants and I'm willing to give it to him I will.

Did you BF your DS Liz? In the end you need to do what's right for you and your baby :yes:

[bronny-jane]

hey liz im ff now for the reasons in your post, the pain was awful and i was resenting and fearing feeds:(

i dont feel bad about switching at all, its best for us both were happy:smiliedance:

plus dh can feed her too now, and grandma:D

[MrsTwith3]

Hi Liz,
Sorry to hear your not having a good time of it. You do need to do whats best for you both. I remember the resentment all to well that the pain can cause.
Noah is only just on 2 days old and my nipples are sore already with a couple of blisters not to mention the horrid afterbirth pains everytime he latches on. I plan on b/f him for as long as I can. I b/f DS1 for just over 12months, I only b/f DD for 2.5 weeks and switched to ff as b/f just didnt work for us at all.
Goodluck with whatever you choose.

Mel

[DellaWellaWoman]

We've just hit 6 weeks and still breastfeeding - the pain has finally settled down now - there were days where all that got me through was panadol and lansinoh (grazed nipples, so far I've been lucky enough to avoid blocked ducts/mastitis).

I'm planning on breastfeeding for 12 months plus (we'll see when it's time to go back to work after 12 mths maternity leave :eek: )

Liz, the only thing I'd suggest before making the decision to give up breastfeeding is get in touch with the ABA - they may be able to help (I've been living on their website & forums since before Brylee was born).

Whichever way you choose to feed your baby is ultimately up to you, and only you can make that decision - whatever you do has to be right for you and your family :)

[SammyD]

liz after getting off to a pretty rough start we're now breastfeeding & i love it.

i'm sorry to hear that you're having a few dramas....an ABA counsellor or lactation consultant may be able to help you out - there are ways around sore & cracked nipples.

at the end of the day, though, if you do decide to ff your little one will be fine! my only advice, because i was in the same situation with my DD1 and it is a gut-wrenching decision to make, it to be sure in your own mind that you have done everything/tried everything to get it to work, because it is easy to feel guilty.

[*butterflykisses*]

im finally fully breast feeding one of my kids

bj was bottle fed (was premmie and wouldnt take to the breast so i expressed but bled constantly and was in alot of pain) and cameron was both breast and bottle (wasnt gettin enough from just breast and i couldnt get my supply to met his needs)

Amelia has been an excellent breast feeder with no problems

you have to do whats best for both bub and YOU

[*butterflykisses*]

ps. i agree with sammy 100% on this

when i had the awful pain the other week and was ready to quit i rang the aba and they helped me through it and it turned out to just be the type of maternity bra i was wearing it was slighty blocking some milk from coming through and was bruising my breast when i slept on that side

thank fully after doing what they told me to do i am 100% pain free

HTH

[fruitjuice]

I went through the same experience, I was soo sore, and so SCARED of when she would be hungry next. Here's how I got through it:

- Lanisoh
- Learning proper attachment - bottom lip 2.5cm from nipple, tongue sticking out, body close.
- Expressing some
- NIPPLE SHIELDS are fantastic, I would've had to give up without them - best $7 i've ever spent.
- getting help from DF to calm me down.

I love BF, I still have pain sometimes - and DD has a habit of grabbing my nipple and it HURTS! But it's sooooooo easy when we go out and I express when I want DF to feed her.

Of course, the decision is yours and you should feel comfortale whatever choice you make.

[Valosgirls]

I agree with the girls too Liz - whatever works for you is what is best for you and bub. :yes: Stress is the last thing you need right now:hugs:

Im breastfeeding Harrison and things are going well. My right nipple no longer hurts but my lefty is giving me some grief. Just sticking to the Lanisoh and hope it clears up soon. Im a "routine" feeder so bubs is only on the breast every 2.5-3hrs and I found this has given my nipples time to have a couple of hours rest each time IYKWIM.

Hey Mel - I hear you on the HORROR afterbirth pains!! I have a FABULOUS solution though. My SIL brought some stuff called Muscle Ease down to the hospital for me - you just buy it from the chemist and its made by Bioceuticals. A white powder form you pop in your orange juice and after one drink I went from complete agony to almost nothing. It was a complete lifesaver.

[Tulp]

I am doing both.

Was having so much problems with breastfeeding. Sore nipples, not producing enough etc. Relied quite a fair bit on formula or bottlefeeding my expressed milk.

My left side is only producing about 40 ml while the right 120ml at least. Was at the doctors last Sat and found out that i have a blood infection. The doctor said it could be from breastfeeding since my left nipple looked like it was cracked. Just finished my course of antibiotic.

Breastfeeding is getting a little more easier now though.

A note of caution to you ladies. If you feel drowsy or ill, see the doctor. Thank goodnees DH made me go see the doctor and she was able to prescrible antibiotic before the infection got worse. I actually thought I was only dehydrated.