Feeling Guilty ]:

[LilMissMama92]

I'm a new mommy so I'm new at breastfeeding. I want to do it because I know its best. But its taking a lot out of me. I'm thinking about switching. And I feel bad for that. I want my baby to have the best of everything. I just don't feel like breastfeeding is for me though. I've been doing it going on 3 weeks now and I don't feel like it's been getting any easier. I feel like he's started eating more and I've started making less. I stopped feeding him from the breast and started pumping and bottle feeding because it was just too painful. My breast and nipples stay sore. I've tried everything I could to get relief and nothings helping. I'm really starting to get stressed out! I need help. I don't wanna give up breastfeeding for my baby. But I don't know what else to do!

[jessi2girls]

Give it 4 more weeks.. honestly, just 4 more weeks.. the first 6 weeks of breastfeeding are the hardest.. after that it DOES get easier!!!

But right now between 3-6 weeks is when it's the hardest.

Don't use a pump to measure how much he's getting.. measure wet diapers, his weight, instead. 

It's winter, so your breasts/nipples are more likely to chap for early nursers.. again, the pain WILL go away.. just give it a few more weeks..

If after 4 weeks, you still feel it's too hard.. then come back and chew me out! lol.. but honestly most women struggle the first 6 weeks with it.. after that, it's a breeze.. 

[LilMissMama92]

lol okay. ill take your word for it.

Quoting jessi2girls:

Give it 4 more weeks.. honestly, just 4 more weeks.. the first 6 weeks of breastfeeding are the hardest.. after that it DOES get easier!!!

But right now between 3-6 weeks is when it's the hardest.

Don't use a pump to measure how much he's getting.. measure wet diapers, his weight, instead. 

It's winter, so your breasts/nipples are more likely to chap for early nursers.. again, the pain WILL go away.. just give it a few more weeks..

If after 4 weeks, you still feel it's too hard.. then come back and chew me out! lol.. but honestly most women struggle the first 6 weeks with it.. after that, it's a breeze.. 

[melindabelcher]

What kind of pain?
when baby latches? Throughout the entire session?
Right now is the 3 week growth spurt, the worse baby will want to nurse just minutes after coming off. This is normal and expected.
If you want to try to trouble shoot and work through to try to keep baby at breast there is a wealth of info available through this group.

[melindabelcher]

oh.and exclusive pumping is aweful!!! I would never go through that again if I could avoid it!

[melindabelcher]

How big are the bottles and how often

[gizmo538]

 You are not alone. I HATED it when I had to BF my two kids and I'm pregnant with another and I am SO not looking forward to it. I didn't bond with either of my girls until I stopped nursing and started on formula. Sure, I felt guilty, but I had managed to do it for 3 months (about 6 months with my first DD) and both their pediatricians and nutritionists said I did good.

If it's really bothering you, talk to a lactation specialist. They can help you. I can promise the pain does go away when your nipples toughen up.

[LilMissMama92]

its a sharp pain in my nipples and the whole time hes sucking and they hurt to touch. I was told he wasnt getting a goo latch but I dont think thats it. it feels like he latches in pretty good. and he eats almost four ounces every 3 hours. i struggle just to get two ounces now. i us to be able to pump four ounces no prob. im thinkin the low milk supply might be due to all the stress ive been under with DS in out of hospital

Quoting melindabelcher:

How big are the bottles and how often

[melindabelcher]

Those bottles are to big. No more then 3oz bottles every 2.5-3hrs. You need to pump every 2hrs around the clock.
Normal pumping output is 0.5-2oz total combined output.
Sharp nipple pain throughout the feeding screams improper latch. Has baby been evaluated for lip/tongue tie?

[mostlymaydays]

I've breastfed 4 babies and I'd tell you that 3 weeks is the lowest of low points. New mommy high is worn off and replaced by torture level sleep deprivation and the sweet sleepy baby has turned into a screaming, seemingly-insatiable monster. Baby is supposed to be like that, stimulating your supply. No pump will stimulate like the baby so you'll have to step up the pumping if you're going to bring that same supply in. I DREAD the 3 week old. It's not going to get easier for another couple weeks. That is in no way meant to discourage you, but to encourage you that none of us are seeing rainbows and bluebirds at this stage. You are in very good company here. Do NOT EVER try to gauge your supply with the pump. Only diapers can prove you've got enough milk. 2 oz from the pump is actually pretty good, the equivalent of a full feed from the baby. But being stuck to a pump is very depressing for most as it is literally and figuratively such a mechanical substitution for something that's otherwise supposed to be very sweet.

[LilMissMama92]

i wanted to do it no less than three or four months. i was told that after that breastfeeding is no better than formula bc the only thing breast milk really aids in is antibodies and after four months their immune systems developed. idk how true tht is though

Quoting gizmo538:

 You are not alone. I HATED it when I had to BF my two kids and I'm pregnant with another and I am SO not looking forward to it. I didn't bond with either of my girls until I stopped nursing and started on formula. Sure, I felt guilty, but I had managed to do it for 3 months (about 6 months with my first DD) and both their pediatricians and nutritionists said I did good.

If it's really bothering you, talk to a lactation specialist. They can help you. I can promise the pain does go away when your nipples toughen up.