NOT enjoying bf'ing

My son is 2 1/2 weeks old and I'm bf'ing him. I've been very lucky in that he latched on right away and had no problem with nipple confusion (even though I had to supplement for the first week bc my milk hadn't come in yet.)

BUT ... I am really having a hard time with it so far. The baby seems to want to eat all the time. Sometimes he will want to eat an hour and a half after he started his last feeding - which means that he's only been off of me for about a half hour. Yesterday we decided to introduce a pacifier to see if that helps, but I don't know how to tell if he is satisfited with the pacifier or if he's actually hungry. Also, I'm wondering how long it takes before it starts to get easier. Right now I can't figure out how we're ever going to leave the house because there doesn't seem to be a discrete way to feed him. I don't know -- I guess I'm just overwhelmed by this whole experience.

Re: NOT enjoying bf'ing

BF takes time..it is a challenge. You are NOT alone!!!
Right now your baby is working with your body to get your milk production up..this is VERY normal.
Once you get a better at nursing you will easily be able to feed the baby out in public, without anyone seeing anything.
You will get more time in between feedings shortly. Around 4-6 weeks things seem to ease up a bit. There will be times when the baby nurses more than other times..being sick, teething, growing.
Right now your ONLy "job" is caring for your baby. In most countries new moms do NOTHING but feed and change their babies for weeks and weeks. In our country we do not have that type of support. If anyone ask you "can I help you" say yes and ask them to go to the store for you, drop your laundry off at a laundry place for wash-dry-fold, maybe get a cleaning lady once a week for a few weeks or ask your mom/MIL if they can wipe down the bathroom or run the vacumn for you.
This WILL and DOES get easier!!! You are doing a GREAT JOB

Re: NOT enjoying bf'ing

i never breast feed my children. but alot of moms find it difficult at first. just do your best. and hang in there. your doing great.

Re: NOT enjoying bf'ing

Here is the mom in me talking:
It is definitely overwhelming at first. It will get better once his stomach gets bigger & he's able to ingest more milk to keep him satisfied. I think we can all say that we've felt like all they did is eat in the beginning.

Here is the MILF in me talking:
Just keep thinking, I'm losing the baby weight, I'm losing the baby weight...

Re: NOT enjoying bf'ing

I didn't have it in me to even try.... good luck! Has your milk come in better now?

Re: NOT enjoying bf'ing

OMG....You sound exactly like I did!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was in tears every single day when I had to BF, she was eating every single hour, sometimes 45 minutes!!!!!

I was glued to my couch in the beginning!
It got better for me around 6 weeks, but she still eats every 2 hours, so it DOES get better.
Just try your best!

Re: NOT enjoying bf'ing

I know where you're coming from.... DS would nurse for up to an hour sometimes then want it again very soon after.

My husband would come home from work and there I was on the couch, nursing, exactly as he left me 12 hours ago... it was very draining.

But it did get a little easier for us and will get alot easier for you.

Re: NOT enjoying bf'ing

Re: NOT enjoying bf'ing

Hang in there. You're a rush of emotions right now and BFing is not easy or natural for everyone. I had this dream of how easy it would be an it wasn't but it does get better I promise.
You two will get into a routine that works and eventually you'll feel comfortable nursing out and about and you won't feel so trapped.
Babies have to nurse a lot in the beginning to get your supply up, it won't always be that way.

Re: NOT enjoying bf'ing

oh, do I know how you feel. I would never have given up breastfeeding bc of it, but it really is tough. What saved my sanity was pumping - I would pump and then give my newborn a 3 or 4 ounce bottle several times a day - that way I knew she was getting a good feeding, she would sleep well after, and I had a little freedom from the couch. I would nurse 3 times a day or so, when the house was quiet and I wanted some bonding time. This pattern really saved us!