am I a bad mother? :-(

Question

My LB is 10 days old and has a very bad tongue tie. Nursing the last 10 days has been an absolute nightmare I haven't slept in so long or hardly even eaten I know newborns are meant to clusterfeed but it's just so much harder with a baby with tongue tie as he is constantly unlatching and crying and getting frustrated that it's hurting me to see him like that.. 
I've been to a lactation consultant and the earliest we can get the procedure done is in two weeks which seems like a lifetime for me! I'm feeling so depressed as I'm constantly worried he's not getting enough, SO is unable to bond with baby because he's always latched to me 😢

So I was thinking about expressing and hand pumping to give myself a little break but everyone is telling me not to and no to give up on the breast yet generally making me feel bad about it now I feel like a shit mother!
I love breastfeeding but man am I jaded 😪

Anybody any similar experiences with tongue tie? Or anyone give me some advice on how to start pumping?

Thank you any help xx

Answer

I ebf but I have a large untouched freezer supply. I pump after my sons first feed in the morning then again after his last feed of the day. I imagined you'll have to pump a lot more if your ep but that's ok. Don't feel bad! Believe it or not my family AND my so family are both giving me guilt for still breastfeeding. Just do whatever you need to be happy. Happy mom, happy baby!

Answer

Have you tried a nipple shield? It might work wonders with protecting your nipples and helping his latch until you can get it clipped!

Answer

Nothing wrong with pumping!!! I started this week (baby is 2 weeks old) because my nipples are so raw and I don't want to get so miserable that I give up. So I pump twice a day giving myself two times that I can give a bottle (or my husband can) and it gives my boobs a break.

Answer

No experience with a tie, but wanted to tell you it will get better. The first couple of weeks are really hard in general. Did the LC suggest a nipple shield? My LO had a poor latch to begin with and it was a lifesaver. Before getting it I was in tears. Good luck momma. You are doing GREAT!!!

Answer

We introduced a bottle at 2 weeks old per our pediatrician because I was desperate for a break. My husband would give her a bottle before bed and I would pump. It was a nice break for me and gave him a chance to feed her. Had no issues with nipple confusion or anything else. It's perfectly acceptable to do and doesn't mean you are a shit mom at all.

I would break out the pump while you LO is taking a nap or while your SO can watch your LO. That will give you your first bottle's worth. From there you can pump while you SO gives a bottle. You baby only needs 1 to 1.5 ounces of breast milk per hour that you will not be breastfeeding.

It's a shame that you have to wait two weeks for the tie to be clipped. I wish hospitals would check for and remedy the clip right after birth. It would help mothers and babies so much.

am I a bad mother? :-(

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