Breastfeeding guilt

So as many of you have read, I struggled a lot with getting DD to latch and my milk supply is not the greatest. We have been seeing a lactation consultant and have made a lot of progress and the milk supply has increased (although not enough for a full meal but enough that DD has milk running down her chin after she nurses)

Now that I have made such great progress I am feeling exhausted and I am going back to work next week and really feel like stopping or at least cutting back how much I nurse but now I feel guilty.

Why do I feel so guilty? I feel like I should stick it out but I desparately want to sleep through the night and not wake up engorged.

How do I ease my guilt and cut out a feeding here and there?

Re: Breastfeeding guilt

Im no help- I struggled and then started pumping and or substituting a feeding with formula, then slowly lost my milk supply...

My son is 18 months old- and I seriously think I need therapy- for the extreme guilt and sadness I feel for giving it up...

You have to do whats best for you- and Im a firm believer in- some BM is better than no BM...

Just make sure you do what YOU want... it will get easier- BFing is alot of work...

Message edited 4/3/2007 10:09:49 PM.

Re: Breastfeeding guilt

Nursing can be tough AND time consuming. You may want to pump a few times a day and just give her that. There's no shame in having a hard time with nursing.

Re: Breastfeeding guilt

Oh, I know that guilt all too well. I struggled with that guilt so much until I realized that I needed to stop for my own sanity and for the health of my baby (severe allergy issues). If you still want her to have BM, I suggest renting a hospital grade pump and seeing if that works for you. There's nothing wrong with putting her on formula if that's what you choose

Re: Breastfeeding guilt

You have done it now for a couple of months...nothing to feel guilty about at all if you stop. You gave her the best stuff in the beginning anyway. Maybe you can still pump a little just so she is still getting some? Don't beat yourself up over it. A happy and more rested mommy will be the better mommy for your baby!