Don’t like breastfeeding?..

Question

Anyone else not really enjoying breastfeeding? I LOVE the benefits of breast milk and want to give my baby the best but it hurts and it’s not fun lol I EP’d with my last and I’m thinking of just doing that again. It’s more work at first but it’s nice knowing exactly how much baby eats and when instead of guessing with nursing. But I’ve always heard about this magical bond you get when you actually nurse your baby, am I really missing out? 
My poor nipples are tired of being pinched 😬

Answer

My first son and I had so many issues with breastfeeding that I ended up supplementing with formula before he even left the hospital. Even at home it was such a struggle all around and the longer I tried to force myself to keep going at it the worse I felt mentally, emotionally AND physically. Once my milk dried up (within a month of his birth) I was actually thrilled that I didn’t have to do it anymore. 
I’m going to try breastfeeding/pumping with this second child but this time around, I’m not going to put pressure on myself if it doesn’t work out.

Answer

The bond - in my opinion - is overstated.  I am significantly older than my youngest brother and formula fed him often - we were buddies.  The bonding comes from talking to them and snuggling and making eye contact when they eat...not from the breast.
If it did come from the breast, dads/non-lactating SOs would never bond with their children...right?
Now, I do think some moms experience sort of a runners high from breastfeeding that makes them feel very bonded to their child, but like a runners high, not everyone experiences it.
Do what makes you comfortable.  I hate pumping, but my SIL loved it for knowing she was only going to be on the pump for 20 mins and for knowing how much the baby was getting.

Answer

I EPed with my first and am likely doing it again this go around. I think today was probably my last day or trying to get a good latch. She just WILL NOT latch deeply and totally refuses my left breast entirely, so my right gets no break ☹️ ever single tone we try is excruciating. I’m ok with EPing this time around, just frustrated that I have to do the middle of the night pumps again. It would be so much more convenient if I could just feed her directly. I’m hoping to be less obsessive about it and maybe supplement to save my sanity

Answer

This is the first child I’ve ever breastfed and my daughter is now two weeks old. My nipples have started hurting really bad and I’m contemplating pumping and supplementing if I’m not pumping enough. I didn’t know it would be so painful. I want to push through but the pain is almost unbearable. I love the bonding experience and knowing she’s getting the best start,but I’m struggling. As long as your baby is fed that’s all that matters.

Answer

I was the same way. My baby is a month old and he is my first. I wanted to breastfeed so badly for the same reasons. I wanted him to have the benefits of my breastmilk but I also wanted that sweet bonding time everyone raves about. We struggled with breastfeeding on day 1 but I kept trying. I have kind of flat nipples so I tried a few different methods (like pumping to draw them out more) but it didnt work so I tried a nipple shield. the nipple shield worked to get him to latch but he would constantly pull off screaming and get frustrated at the breast, which frustrated me. It made me feel like a failure and all I wanted was that sweet moment. Finally, i decided it wasn't for us. My son doesn't deserve a frustrated mommy, he just wants to eat. I decided to exclusively pump and while it was hard at first, it has gotten so much easier and now I know exactly how much he is getting. Mommy and baby are much happier now!

Answer

With my first I was just like that. It hurt so bad.. it wasn’t bonding for me. It made me angry every time he was hungry. I stuck it out as long as I could though and my milk ended up drying up at 4 months. With this baby I plan to exclusively pump, hoping that it’ll be better this time around and hopefully pumping will give me a better milk supply. I’m a SAHM so I think it’ll be easier to exclusively pump. It’s not like I have to take time off in a work place to do it

Answer

Decided to try to get her to latch one more time before making a decision. Now I’m going to get my pump out 😭 #Ouch

Don’t like breastfeeding?..

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