Breast feeding, how long did you last and was it harder than you thought it would be?

Question

My entire pregnancy i planned on breast feeding to the point were i didn't buy any bottles at all. My baby girl was born on 4-5-07 and i have been breast feeding everyday since then. The problem is i didn't know it would be so difficult, not for her but for me! It litterly depressed me and i am exhausted. She had Jaundice when she was born so i'm determend to stick with it until she's better and her weight is up. I really do want to breast feed for the next few months but i don't think i can do it. I need people's advise who are going through the same thing.
Also i have been seeing a Lactation consultant three times already and have to go back tomorrow but it only seems to be adding to my stress. Can anyone help me?

This is my 2nd baby, i also have a 3yr old so i don't have time to sleep when the baby does except some during the night.
I also have been giving formula after beast because she seems to never get enough with only the breast.

Answer 1

My first baby was hard to nurse... I believe because she wasn't ready to be born (induced) and drugged (I had nubain during labor). It got much easier when she was 4-6 weeks and she nursed until she was 20 months old.

My son was born totally natural and latched on about 30 seconds after he was born... he weaned at 32 months old.

My second daughter was another natural birth and she didn't latch on until probably 30 minutes after the birth... no problems nursing her. She's 11mo and still nursing.

Give it time! Set a goal of six weeks because by then usually mom and baby have learned to work together and nursing is easier. You'll be glad you stuck with it. :)

Good luck!

Answer 2

First of all, breathe :) It all gets better so soon, you will forget about this in a months time! It is a bit difficult at first, because you are basically feeding around the clock. But you can do it! Get some help from your significant other, your mom, his mom, a friend, anyone. Just concentrate on yourself and your new one. You absolutely can do this!! Your horomones are freaking out right now, and you may possibly be suffering from something more than a litte "baby blues" if you are feeling this down. But, give yourself some time.

Also, dont' top off with bottles. This will only add to your stress. Just feed her on the breast until she seems done, then switch to the next one until she falls asleep. Topping her off with bottles is only hindering your supply of milk. It may also make her latch weak, and that will hurt your nipples and frustrate her to the point where she might not want the breast.(and besides formula can cause problems with your little one as well!)
Get it into your head that YOU CAN DO IT. You can, I promise. Come talk some other mommy's that have gone trhough the same things, the Yahoo!group MilkDrunk. You will get lots of support and can ask for advice 24/7. I hope you take up this offer, and I hope tp see you there! You can do this hunny, and you will NOT regret any of it :):):)

Answer 3

Breastfeeding can be very hard when you get started! It sounds like you need some coping strategies.

The best thing I ever did was set up a command center. I had every pillow in the house, baby nail trimmers, all my remotes, the phone, a glass of water, a healthy snack, a piece of good chocolate and a book. Others recommend having diapering supplies, toys for your other child and picture books to read to the older child. Once you are able to settle into your command center for a good nursing marathon, you'll be more relaxed. Chatting on the phone with friends was especially helpful for me while I was learning how to nurse.

Another strategy is the baby sling. You can buy one or make one. I love my Maya Wrap, and I have a friend who loves her Ultimate Baby Wrap. Once you feel more confident getting baby latched on, you can practice sling nursing. There were days when my second baby went into the sling in the morning and only came out for diaper changes. Am I right, ladies?

The sling is great for another thing: you can put baby into the sling and head outdoors for a walk. The fresh air is good for you and baby (and your older child), and the exercise will give you more patience to deal with the feeding difficulties.

I do wonder what the LC says about using a bottle to supplement? Please tell her about it if you haven't already so she can help you get rid of it. It's only hurting you now.

You're right about needing to hang out with women who are going through the same thing and are determined to breastfeed. La Leche League is a great place to find that. Call a leader right away. The next meeting might be a few weeks away, but a leader can help you now.

ETA: I forgot to answer the original question: My first baby self-weaned at 14 months (due to my pregnancy). My second shows no signs of letting up. She's 17 months. I promise that if I can be successful at this, you can be too. Keep working and it will happen! It's soooo worth it.

Answer 4

My son was born 4/3/07 and also was jaundiced.

I always planned for the worst, so I was pleasantly surprised! Doesn't mean it's always easy though!

I was really stressed for a day or so (I don't remember why) and it really affected my milk supply and/or letdown. So avoid stress as much as possible!

I had some minor problems and I used a breast pump on and off for a while. Sometimes that makes things worse - so maybe not the best idea to try. It really worked for me as a temporary solution.

You're doing the best thing for your baby girl! The La Leche League website has a lot of support for mothers who are having difficulties. I learned a lot from the site (much more than I did by seeing a lactation consultant!).

Hang in there if you can. But remember that you must take care of yourself before your children! If you are stressed and overly tired, you won't be the mother you want to be. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Having a brand new baby in the house is exhausting whether you are breastfeeding or not....and the depression, well, that's called the baby blues are are very very common. It is tough starting breastfeeding. It gets easier, tho!! I didn't think I was going to stick with it, but I am soooooo happy that I did! I mean, it is far easier (and cheaper) than mixing formula and cleaning bottles. Also, it's so much better just to pop the boob into the baby's mouth in the middle of the night when she is crying then trekking into the kitchen to mix a bottle up (warming, etc). I know it is hard on you, but it is just the earliest of stages now and it is not just the breastfeeding that is exhausting you...it's the constant 24 hour care our babies need from us! There are NO BREAKS. Try to remember that this too, shall pass and you will wonder where the time went. If nursing her is still painful for you, try taking a ibuprofen (ask your MD first, of course) to take the edge off the pain. My advice if it's hurting when she latches on is "count to ten". Usually after counting to 10, it doesn't hurt as much. Breastfeeding is BEST for your baby and if you just hang in there for a few more weeks (one day at a time) it WILL get better. It did for me...and I wanted to quit, too. STICK WITH IT! You can do it!!!

Answer 6

RELAX

I guess as another mom that is breastfeeding herself (my daughter is 6 months old,I also have an older child too) That would be the best advice I can give you.
Give it some more time, you are doing really well... It kinda stresses you out for a little while until you find your routine. Exhaustion is part of it, I know! Just keep saying to yourself... one more week, one more week, (This is what I said to myself everytimeI felt like giving up- and I DID- A LOT around 2 months) then all of a sudden, your daughter will be 2 months, 3 months etc old and still breastfeeding and it'll be a breeze.

PLUS- NOT warming up a bottle in the middle of a night is so worth it!

Answer 7

Oh honey it gets better I swear, just dont fall into the habit of allowing the baby to sleep with you all the time or it will get worse I know my nine month old daughter sleeps with me every night, a little sun exposure not direct sunlight though thats what I did with my son hes 11 now when he had jaundice, I also breast fed him as well dont forget you are still breast feeding if you express and allow someone else to feed your baby bottles are not a crime get her used to a bottle and breast feeding you'll be able to free up sometime for you which is vitally important for your baby they need us to be sane,
the most important thing a lactation consultant is going to tell you is to drink make sure the baby i latached on properly and to make sure you are comfortable while feeding
take care and calm down no one expects you to be perfect but you, dont be depressed just think of how hard you have worked so far, how beautiful your baby is, and how wonderful putting her in all those adorable outfits is going to be when people stop you and tell you how wonderful she is
Congratulations your a proud Mommy of a wonderful baby girl!

Answer 8

Breast feeding should be relaxing for you and your baby. Seems to me you are stressed out a little and not sleeping enough

Remember it is ok for your baby to have a bottle or 2 of either expressed breastmilk or formula (yes i said it would be ok to have some formula) from his father or grandparents, so you could get some extra sleep.

You should be taking a nap when your baby takes a nap, then you will feel more rested, and better able to deal with your child. Don't worry about the housework, it will still be there when you feel better.

Breastfeeding was harder than I expected, but honestly it does get easier! I Promise!

I breastfed all my children, my son until he was 12 months and the girls until they were 16 months.

Answer 9

I think that alot of people are surprised at how hard breastfeeding is. I thought during my pregnancy that breastfeeding was going to be so rosey and nice.
Then my son was born... what a wake up call.
First came the sore nipples.. then the jaundice.. with the doctor that told me to wean...
I cried on the phone with the pediatricians nurse several days in a row. I bet she was truely tired of me!
Finally I ask her if there was a more breastfeeding friendly pediatrician around and she said yes and gave me a name. LOL was she ever glad to get rid of me!
I also learned about La Leche League about that time. What a life saver!!!
I called the Leader and she gave me advice on the sore nipples and how to help baby with the jaundice.
She told me about lanoline for my nipples and how to correct my latch on also she said breastfeeding really frequently day and night to get more breastmilk into my baby would help with jaundice.
A few weeks later I was calling her crying again. Because my baby kept me up all night.. She suggested letting baby sleep beside me part of the night. It really helped.


Now I am telling YOU... it will be ok time will help this. Breastfeeding DOES get better.
Make a serious goal of breastfeeding until your baby is six weeks and see just how easy it is then. Then you can make yourself a new goal.
But for right now you can make daily goals if that seems to help.

Answer 10

Breastfeeding is best and easiest in the sense that, it is more healthy and tastes better than formula, and you don't have to worry about filling up and cleaning bottles!
I have 3 kids and nursed all 3 until they were each 2 years old.
It can take a few weeks to get used to, b/c initially it can be very exhausting.
But if you stick with it, you and your baby will reap the benefits of breastfeeding. You might want to consider checking out amazon.com or barnesandnoble for books on support.
Hope this helps and Good Luck!