EBF moms or BDTD moms that BF'd.... I need encouragement!

Even though I am a BTDT mom who breastfed my 1st DD for 15 months, I am 3 weeks into EBF my DS and I find myself exhausted and wanting to quit. DS eats every 2 or 3 hours during the day, and every 2 hours at night..... even throughout the night, and I am just exhausted because I have a 3 year old to take care of during the day! A part of me feels super guilty because I feel like DS is always "on me" and my DD is getting neglected. Add that to being trapped in the house for 8 weeks (my DH is adamant about not going to stores, restaurants etc...until DS is 8 weeks as per pediatrician)... and I am starting to feel like maybe bottle feeding would be easier. The thing is .... I know it gets better... I just need to get past these first few weeks... I just wish the sleeping would be more. Deep down I DO NOT want to stop breastfeeding.... I guess right now I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, ya know?

Re: EBF moms or BDTD moms that BF'd.... I need encouragement!

The fact that you KNOW it gets better, having BFed for so long so successfully before, means that you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

My DD was a terror from weeks 2-5, eating whenever she felt like it, with almost no schedule and taking FOREVER to fall asleep afterwards. There were so many times when I just wanted to give up and FF so I could make my DH get up at night too! Plus my DS is 20 months so he still needs a ton of attention... no, it's not easy at all But now DD is 7 weeks and I am starting to feel like she is getting on a rough schedule of naps and eating, and I am gaining some of my sanity back.

I would absolutely stick with it. Do you supplement with formula at all? It's not for everyone, but I do it, and there are some nights when I am so glad I am able to hand DH the baby and a bottle and just go do something else.

Message edited 5/2/2010 7:52:41 PM.

Re: EBF moms or BDTD moms that BF'd.... I need encouragement!

Thanks!!!
I supplement with formula (one bottle) every once in a while... when I can no longer stay up and need DH to feed him.

Re: EBF moms or BDTD moms that BF'd.... I need encouragement!

awww...you can get through this

i am in the same spot, josh is 3.

i look at it like now i am a mom of 2. i am not neglecting 3 year old josh, but i am giving newborn jessie the same attention that josh had gotten at this stage.

does he watch too much tv? yeah, probably.

does poor jessie get dragged out and around town more then josh had to at this age? yes, definitely.

Re: EBF moms or BDTD moms that BF'd.... I need encouragement!

Posted by Janice

awww...you can get through this

i am in the same spot, josh is 3.

i look at it like now i am a mom of 2. i am not neglecting 3 year old josh, but i am giving newborn jessie the same attention that josh had gotten at this stage.

does he watch too much tv? yeah, probably.

does poor jessie get dragged out and around town more then josh had to at this age? yes, definitely.