Breastfeeding.. I don't really want to continue...?

Question

First off please don't be rude to me I know a ton of moms are really mean to those who don't choose to breastfeed..
I will breastfeed the first six weeks but I am going to have to find a job after the 6 weeks. I have tried using my breast pump and it hurts and I never got anything out of it. I pumped for 45 minutes and couldn't even get an ounce. I don't have the time to do pump for 4 hours a day just so my baby can eat twice while I am working.. I have no choice but to go back to work or be homeless.
Whats the best way to switch them over from breast to bottle?

Okay.. I dont know of anyone work place that lets you take a newborn with you.. It's hard enough to find a job that will let you pump milk on the clock.. unless you work at a day care or something..
YES I AM STILL PREGNANT!
Thats not my point.. I know how milk comes in any everything else I have done a ton of research. My friend had her baby a month ago and has the same problems with her pump and her milk comes in.. I know I will have to reduce the breastfeeding and at least combine it with formula..
some of us aren't so lucky to be able to stay home and still pay the bills..

Answer 1

Often babies will take to the bottle fairly easily - it takes less effort on their part to get the milk out. Just start introducing it here and there, and you may find the switch happens quickly and easily.

And don't beat yourself about the issue. Know that even breastfeeding for two weeks is highly benecifial for your baby. In the first few weeks, your milk produces many immune-boosting substances. it's like natural vaccinations!

Answer 2

Since you're still pregnant, it is unlikely that you're going to get anything out of your breasts when you pump. Try it after you have your baby before you determine that you can't pump. I breastfed through my second pregnancy and I didn't have any milk past week 18. That is totally normal.

If you decide that you don't want to pump, you can still breastfeed at home and formula feed while you're gone. Breastfeeding is not an "all or nothing" commitment.

Please check out the links I posted for more information.

Answer 3

I understand that breastfeeding can be challenging in this day and age, but it is very important for the babies health to receive its mothers milk. There are tons of studies that say formula is the same as breast feeding and this is simply not true. The main reason why you want to continue breast feeding is you will pass some of your immunity onto your baby and a mothers milk has everything a growing baby needs. You may try breast feeding and pumping at the same time which seems to work well for my patients. Also make sure you pump at the same time or close to the same time each day which will increase your milk production. If you don't want to breast feed at the same time as pumping, keep a picture of your baby near by and this seems to help. The key is to make sure you drink a lot of water. 1 quart for every 50 pounds of body weight (ex. 200lbs = 1 gallon). I know this sounds like a lot but remember your body has to feed someone. Also make sure at least 25% of the food taken into your body is protein based (nuts, seeds, beans, chicken, eggs, turkey). With this you should be able to pump enough milk to freeze and unthaw when needed. If you do decide to go the formula route make sure the formula doesn't contain soy, whey, or milk. This will help prevent problems in the future. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

Ohhhh, that pump does hurt at first and it is nothing like a good latch. Your baby will pump much more efficiently that the pump. I would suggest using formula while you are at work and breastfeeding when you are with your baby that way s/he will be getting the best of both worlds - breastmilk and a not too stressed out mom.
I know breastfeeders can be mean- I'm a breastfeeder and I see what some opinions can do to you. I support exclusive breastfeeding but I know the workplace culture does not always allow you to do what you need to do. Just do your best.

Answer 5

Looking at your other questions, this is obviously a brand new baby. Didn't they tell you in the hospital that sometimes it can take a few days before the baby finds out how to latch on properly? Also that it can be a couple of days before your milk starts to flow easily and in sufficient amounts. Keep at it, it will get better and easier with practice.
Do you have somebody to take care of the baby when you start to work (no, I'm not offering!) or will the baby go to your new workplace? If the baby comes with you, the employer should be able to let you use an empty office to breastfeed your baby during the day - even babies have Human Rights including the right to feed when hungry.

Answer 6

So if you are still pregnant then why are you trying to pump milk out? If you are still pregnant then you dont have milk yet you have colostrum...and you wont have as much colostrum as you will milk. That could be why you arent getting hardly anything during pumping. Also how far along are you? Because pumping can stimulate contractions and you could go into labor.

Answer 7

You don't have to breastfeed or bottle feed exclusively. If you want to, you can have the caregiver give your baby formula while you are work and then nurse the baby when you are at home in the morning, and evenings and weekends.

To help the baby go back and forth between breastfeeding and the bottle, I recommend using a nipple that makes the baby open wide to drink, like with breastfeeding (Nuk or Avent types) also - choose the slowest flow nipple (usually a #1).

Answer 8

Just do it. Don't let anyone give you a guilt trip. I hate those sanctimonious holier-than-thou types who give moms who have done their best (and even if they haven't) a hard time. Formula is fabulous, your baby will be healthy and strong, don't sweat it. I nursed my first for 6 weeks; stopped cause she still wasn't back up at her BIRTHWEIGHT yet! nursed number 2 for 3 1/2 months but she was too skinny too; didn't nurse the others at all and they are healthy as horses.

Answer 9

#1. don't let anyone guilt you into thinking you aren't a good mother if you don't breastfeed. I breastfed for 6 months and then 2 months for the second, and my mother never breastfed me, because it wasn't 'hip' to breastfeed in the 50's. now its 'IN"...so...the best thing you can do is to add formula slowly, and by the end of 6 weeks you won't be needing to breast feed.

Answer 10

Pumping at work sucks! My friends called it "code moo". I breastfed my first daughter for ten weeks after I went back to work full-time. Eventually the stress of work and time away from her took its toll on me. I tried with #2 for two weeks...it just wasn't for us.

Try mixing some prepared formula with your milk, to try to acclimate the baby to the taste.

Whatever you decide is best, do not feel guilty about switching!! It is a personal choice!