I can't accept it , i feel like a failure

Amanda • Mo
I don't have any more milk, just a few drops that are like a snack for my 9 weeks old baby. I'm giving her formula and I can see her growing, she is happy , healthy . The thing is I can't let go, I keep trying to make some time to pump, and I'm getting less and less milk , to see my milk going away completely makes me really sad, I feel like a failure ! I tried everything to boost my milk supply, took herbs , oatmeal, teas, did compressions, had her on my breasts, i read all the tecniques , spoke to consultants , pumped around the clock.I know I worked really hard , I couldn't even touch my boobs, my nipples were cracked , bleeding, but I didn't give up. And even tough i know I did everything I could, I can't accept that is time to let go and just be happy . I feel such a failure, I see my friends breastfeeding and all those women out there saying "you just need to nurse the baby constantly and you will have a lot milk" , and that makes me feel worse :( , because it didn't work for me. 
358 views • 1 upvote • 10 comments

COMMENT (10)

Ka

Posted at
It's very hard to accept, I too had to do that. It's not for everyone. I could never fill my Son up, he never seemed satisfied which made me uneasy. At two weeks old I got mastitis which led to a decreased milk supply, i introduced formula to my son, which I never wish I would've done but he's happy and healthy now. He's 12 weeks old, weighs 14 pounds. Don't be too hard on yourself it's not something that everyone is able to do. I wish I would have been able to do it longer exclusively, but I'm just now drying up. I still nursed him one to two times a day just for the bond. In all reality I know it wasn't doing him much good but it was just comfort. Hang in there, it gets way easier, especially having help! 

Ka

Kayla • Jun 17, 2015
Your welcome!

Am

Amanda • Jun 17, 2015
Thank you !! I really appreciate your comment, I too nurse my baby girl sometimes during the day just for comfort and bond, because after that she still needs her bottle haha, I'm trying not to be so hard on myself, today was a better day and hopefully tomorrow even better :)

CF

Posted at
You said it yourself, your baby is happy and healthy...that is all you should worry about

Me

Posted at
Oh my goodness, honey, I went through the exact same torture. First--you are a wonderful, loving mom. I'll say it again: you are a wonderful, loving mom. You are NOT a failure. Do not let anyone tell you that "all you have to do is keep nursing" because it's not that simple for everyone--and that makes it sound like you're simply not trying hard enough. Not true! Listen, you tried just about everything you could, so at this point, look at your baby. Is she healthy? Is she gaining weight and growing? (I'm sure she is!) Formula is good, nutritious stuff. You know what else is good? A happy mom! It was so hard for me to stop the madness, but once I made up my mind to put my baby on formula, this horrible black cloud lifted. My noobs stopped hurting (pumping hurts!) and my son was so much happier! I was free from the freaking pump that I carried around everywhere and free from the guilt.Formula is nutritious. Full, healthy babies are wonderful. Happy moms are essential!You are a great mom. Now, go enjoy that baby. 

Me

Melissa • Jun 21, 2015
My noobs? Boobs!

Pa

Posted at
With all the hype around breastfeeding I think people feel like they are failing their child or like their child will be less perfect by not breastfeeding and both are completely untrue! Don't let this interfere with you enjoying motherhood and your beautiful baby! what's important is that your babe is healthy and growing! 

Am

Amanda • Jun 17, 2015
Thank you !! I really appreciate your comment!

E

Posted at
Not everyone's body can do it. Go you for trying so hard!! 

Mi

Posted at
You did what you could and that's what counts! I too do not produce enough milk to keep my boy satisfied so I have to supplement. I couldn't do it with my daughter either no matter how hard I tried. As long as baby is healthy and growing, that's what really counts.