giving up on bf

ok so i am giving up on breast feeding. my avent hand pump is great but i think i have carpal tunnel since my arm/rist goes numb. it hurts to pump sometimes. then i bought the avent electric pump but it su$k$ and i feel i sit there forever and get nothing.

so what do i do? do i just stop? do i have to call the dr?

i feel like a horrible mother but its just so hard and im not producing enough to satisfy her anyway.

Re: giving up on bf

if you want to stop just get some tight fitting bras because you will probably become engorged and it will help. You don't need to call your doc.

Re: giving up on bf

how much formula do i start to give her at feedings? i dont want to over or under feed her

Re: giving up on bf

How old is she? I'd start with 3oz of formula. She'll only eat what she wants from that, and you'll know if she needs more after that.

Re: giving up on bf

Give it some more time.

I actually gave up after a couple of weeks because I was not getting enough milk either. I gave her formula those few weeks and very little breast milk. Maybe a few ounces a day at best. At that point, I was already set on giving up.. until I spoke to a "specialist" during one of DD's check-ups who encouraged me to keep trying, no matter how hard it is because it WILL get better.

So, with a newfound sense of hope and determination, I tried getting my DD to latch on - and failed miserably, lol. So, I continued pumping, against the advice of the specialist who told me that I need to have baby latch on and suck to bring my supply up.

After about a week of constant pumping and trying to get her to latch on (still no luck), I was just about to try some fenugreek to increase my supply. But, I never got around to it because for 2 weeks straight, I was getting clogged milk ducts very often. I remember staying up till 4am trying to unclog a duct. Sooo painful. I even had to prick myself with a nedle at one point. After hours and hours of all that BS, guess what, my milk supply increased!!!!!! Since then, I have a good supply of milk. I pump twice a day now I make about 12-15 ounces each session.

I'm SO GLAD I didn't give up. And so thankful for those horrible clogged ducts. If it weren't for that, I'd probably have no milk and quit a long time ago.

Good luck!

Re: giving up on bf

she is 17 days

Re: giving up on bf

Re: giving up on bf

If you want to stop just stop. You don't have to wean her off. Do what you feel is right for you. I couldn't do it anymore and stopped and haven't been happier. I had a lot of problems.

I would def start out on 3oz of formula. And your boobs are def going to hurt but buy some gel pads and a tight bra and it will go away soon.

GL

You are not a bad mom. It is better to be happy then worry about FF.

Message edited 9/7/2006 5:55:54 PM.

Re: giving up on bf

You're not a horrible mother if you stop BFing.

I know how hard it is, especially in the first few weeks but it does get better/easier. Is DD gaining weight?

If you want to stop, just stop. No need to call your doctor or feel guilty about it.

But you may want to try supplementing before you stop completely, since it seems like its important to you. I started supplementing with formula a few weeks ago, and it helps take some of the pressure off.

I pump/BF when I can because I want her to get as much BM as possible. But she usually has some formula each day also. Its a big relief to know the formula's always there even if I'm not or if I haven't pumped.

Re: giving up on bf

i have been giving her formula. i wouldnt mind pumping when i can and giving her both knowing its good for her.

at birth she was 6 lbs 8 oz
when released she was 6 lbs 4 oz
at 5 days she was 6 lbs 7 oz
at 12 days she was the same

we have to go back again sat

Re: giving up on bf

Message edited 2/8/2007 3:15:52 PM.

Re: giving up on bf

If you want to stop, then stop. There's nothing wrong with formula. If you still want to BF but just don't think you'd be successful, definitely go to a lactation consultant. I had so many issues BFing and she showed me what I was doing wrong and explained everything - when to pump, when to BF, how to BF, how to increase supply, how to get a proper latch, etc. If you want her name, FM me - she's really good (she's in Babylon).

Do what will make you happy - a happy mommy means a happy baby.

Re: giving up on bf

Re: giving up on bf

I feel for you. DD never got the hang of breastfeeding even with the help of a lactation consultant and nipple shields. I pumped for two weeks before giving up. I didn't produce much either. It was a hard and sad decision to stop pumping. I didn't talk to my Dr first, I just stoped cold turkey. It was painful for a couple of days so I wore snug fitting bras (with pads for leaks) and iced them. Gerber makes gel packs you put in the freezer that fit nicely over your breast. I used bags of frozen peas.