Too many feelings

I felt exactly the same and still has the odd day with the emotions I think it’s all part of it my little one is nearly three weeks now and as I grow stronger and more able the lesson emotional I feel as I feel more capable to do things and get out. It gets easier!!

Oh hunni. It sounds like baby blues. It's very common due to a surge of hormones once baby is born. If it continues please speak to your midwife. Are you formula feeding? Or pumping? Has the midwife given any advice/support on breastfeeding? Have you tried nipple Sheilds? X

I try to pump but only getting a small amount out, I have breastfeeding support coming this week but feel like a failure if I am just giving up and going to formula. I ball my eyes out everytime I think of breastfeeding and not able to.

Oh lovely. I formula fed my eldest two due to latch issues and no milk with my second. I was determined to feed with my third. It was exhausting mentally praying it'll work. Just remember fed is best. I struggled pumping and found I actually got better results hand expressing. My daughter's dad used to call me a cow. If get 6ozs in 15 minutes compared to 1 ozs over an hour with a pump x

It's still very very early days and sounds like a hormonal shift. Plenty of rest, fluids, favourite snacks and lots of skin to skin! Honestly I would be putting my comfys and favourite movie, grabbing a duvet and just sit with baby on your skin. You have been through a lot and it's a rollercoaster, of emotions. Dad will be going through a lot too, its a massive adjustment. Especially if your birth plan - didn't go to plan. Hang in there... you got this Mama 💕

I was so weepy and overwhelmed until I finally went out,, i only went to see my GP but it really did me the world of good

Thanks all. I really appreciate all the kind words and knowing I'm not alone ❤️

I’m 6.5 months pp after emergency c section and the first 2 weeks are a blur. The first 3 days I was definitely running on adrenaline and pain meds 😂 by day 4 the hormone drop hit me which I’ve heard is the biggest hormone shift a human will experience in their life time. And believe me I cried, I cried at everything. I cried if my baby cried, I cried at adverts on the tv, I cried cos my fiancé was watching football and a player got a red card 🙈 then I was laughing cos I was crying for stupid reason. Just felt so out of control and overwhelmed with the whole life change. Thoughts going through my head like what have I done? How can I do this? I’m not saying this is what you’re going through but maybe you might be able to relate a little. I would say it lasted a few weeks and definitely felt tons better once my hormones settled down. Just cut yourself some slack. Your body has been through a lot the last year and it definitely fucks with your head. You won’t feel like this forever ❤️ xx

Thanks Emma, can definitely relate. I know it won't last but blimey it's awful feeling so out of control at times x

It’s early so it’s normal. Promise you’ll feel better. I’m 8 months in and we are closer than ever and she’s attached to me and only me lol but Hang in there mama. I’m here to vent if needed. Just inbox me! 😘😘😘😘😘😘

I do relate, it’s extra hard getting BF going especially when you’ve had a c section. Keep trying to latch the baby 🩵 The lactation consultant will be great. Latching baby is what brings your milk in. And despite stories you hear about engorged mums with milk gushing everywhere, week PP it’s totally normal to barely get 10ml out of a pump. Pump output is not an indication of your actual supply because the baby can effectively pull the milk they need whereas a plastic pump isn’t like that. You will be alright babe 🩵🩵🩵

Thanks hun

I feel/felt exactly the same. I’m 19 days pp now and it does get easier but I don’t think I’ve yet dealt with the trauma of my induction and emergency c section. I’m struggling with breastfeeding too so now on the advice of the HV and midwives I’m combi feeding - BF/expressing and formula top ups. It’s difficult but you’ve got this. As long as baby is fed your mental health is just as important. Are there any post-birth services at your hospital? We have a “birth reflections” session to talk about your birth and process things - reach out to your midwife/HV if struggling. And feel free to PM me xx

I’m sorry you’re feeling this way! Have you talked to a therapist about your birth? Traumatic births can be really tough and considering yours was an emergency c section, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was affecting your mental state and your connection to your baby. It’s so hard transitioning to being a mama, and adding in a traumatic birth is a lot. As far as breastfeeding/pumping goes, have you measured your nipples to make sure you’re using the correct flange size? The flanges that come with the pump are rarely the right size! Good luck!!

I felt very similar after my c section! Mine was an emergency, and unfortunately I didn’t respond well to the procedure so I didn’t get the skin to skin like I wanted right away and breastfeeding was too difficult for me mentally. I didn’t feel connected at first, but I started doing skin to skin multiple times a day snd contact naps. It helped a lot I also have told my birth story multiple times to people and that was a HUGE help. It was hard but now I can tell the story without being in hysterics. I had so many high hopes for instant bond but it took me longer due to how my labor went. I’m now 2 weeks pp & doing a lot better. I still have days I break down, I still am considering a therapist if it doesn’t get better, there’s no shame in needing more time or help!

Thanks ladies. I have not measured but will do that today. I have my first HV appointment on Thursday so will reach out. I had a better evening and hopefully it's a good day. Thank you all for sharing, it really is good to know that I am not alone and not the only one that is or has gone through this. Really appreciate you all. X

I'm a bit further along the BF journey than you (I'm 8 weeks PP) and whilst I didn't have a c section I was also laid up for a week post birth and couldn't pick baby up unless someone handed her to me so BF was hard/non existent. She refused to latch to the point I was terrified she would come to harm and was on the phone to the hospital in the middle of the night in tears. But. It can and does get better. It's hard, so many emotions involved and concerns over milk etc but from what you've said it sounds normal. As other people have said, supply from a pump is not indicative of your actual supply! (I was getting barely 1ml from a pump a few days ago and was getting stressed but when baby pulled away from me she had milk all over her face🤣 so clearly she was getting it!) And it takes time for both mum and baby to work it out. I kept persevering and was supported by the infant feeding team at my hospital and they were invaluable. Be gentle with yourself🩷