Why is breastfeeding so difficult???

Question

I hate it. I don’t mind pumping but we are having so many difficulties with nursing. I saw a lactation consultant today and of course everything went perfectly while she was here helping us but the next time I tried nursing it was all a mess again. I’m only 6 days PP and I know it is a learning process I just feel like at what point do I put my own sanity first? My plan the lactation consultant and I came up with is that I nurse four times and day and pump 5-6 times a day and I’m already dreading the next time I have to nurse. Anyone else in a similar boat?

Answer

This is my second. I breastfed my first till he was 13 months old & then just couldn’t do it anymore. I’ll be the first to also say I really dislike breastfeeding. I was under such a naive notion that because I had went through the motions with my first that I would be able to seamlessly breastfeed my first with no complications. I was completely wrong. People don’t talk about how difficult it is. They say every 2-3 hours but then don’t talk about cluster feeding, and witching hours, and growth spurts. 
Remember your mental health is most important. A fed baby is a happy baby, no matter Breast milk or formula. They’re not asked how they were fed on a college application or even a preschool application. A happy and sane mom makes for a happy baby. 
Take it from someone who went through bad post partum depression that was heightened by my fear I’d be depriving my child if I stopped breastfeeding. The moments are so short and they go so quick. Do whats best for you to make these moments count and feel the most blissful for you both. You’re best is THE best & your baby will love you whichever you decide.

Answer

I just have to say do what works best for you, you also have to take your mental health and sanity into account! A fed baby is what’s best!

Answer

It’s really hard at first... probably for 2 months. Which I know seems like forever... But after that you’ll be so glad you hung in there because then it’s the easiest thing ever!! So with it. Put your time in through the struggles upfront to safe yourself the hassle of having to do bottles later on! Best of luck.

Answer

My baby was early and didnt want to suck on the nipple but would take a bottle. the lactation consultant give me a medela nipple shield and it totally changed everything. She could nurse and latch easier also helped the pain of sore nipples. If you are having trouble staying latched I recommend you get a shield. They sell them at walmart. I also got pumping lubricant to help with friction while pumping it did help along with bigger flanges for the pump.

Answer

Omg it’s so hard! I had a four day stay at thebhospital( comingnto an end Tom) and this place is stacked with certified lactation nurses. If not for them we would have given up and been on full time formula. One nurse literally came for every feed on her shift and helped me latch him. I thought I was doing well and yesterday crashed after he stopped feeding after a crazy cluster in the morning. I felt like a failure because I didn’t call in supplemental milk for him. Hubby got here and I was crying. But he talked me down, we ordered back up mmilk( my hospital has donor bam so yay!) and came up with a feed and nursing plan with our on duty nurse. Hubby put his foot down and sent lil guy to the nursery between feeds so we can rest and I feel better about continuing. 
However my motto for food is the same as my motto for delivery healthy baby first ! If I can’t feed him he will get formula ( donor milk might be too pricey to keep up moving long term). And I won’t be disciuraged if I couldn’t feed. I tried and that’s enough.  But seriously it’s hard! Don’t Feel bad.  If your hospital or birth center has support groups register for them ( I will be) massage those boobies and use warm rags before nursing to sooth. And have someone to cry to hubby or a bf who will talk you through the crazy moments and help you make a plan for whatsnext

Answer

Hi, breastfeeding it’s super hard! It hurts so much and there’s desperate times when you just want to quit but it is all worth it at the end. It does work for some but not for others. For example with my first two I just couldn’t but this last two babies they were the ones showing me. As soon as my toddlers was born she was trying to latch. So they showed me and helped me get better. Also I know that when breastfeeding  is going on your uterus is contracting so pain is there several ways to me once Baby and I got the hang of it it became wonderful trying to keep those memories for ever. But again every mom every baby is different. Do what works best for you! 
Good Luck! Treasure this moments they pass by fast and soon baby will be a toddler running around! Take care

Why is breastfeeding so difficult???

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