Failing at Breastfeeding

Hi mommas. I am 2 months pp and my LO and I have been fighting a journey of part breast feeding, part pumped breast milk in bottles. Since birth we’ve had to do SNS, bottles, breast, some formula, as I hemorrhaged at birth and had major surgery and my supply took a hit. Even now I make 20-25oz a day and sometimes that’s shy if what she needs. I’m feeling like a total failure and a loser mom. I’m feeling like I can’t feed my baby. I’m feeling like the end of my nursing journey is near as I’m setting myself up for failure with this unrealistic expectation that I could be an EBF mom even at this point 9w pp. I am thinking maybe I need to adjust my expectations so that I feel less like a failure. Our LO is on a medicine where feeding her every 4 hours is critical, so I am scared to take away bottles and EBF because she hasn’t done great strictly nursing in the past, and I don’t want her health to suffer just because I want to EBF. What works for you all? Do you pump and bottle feed, nurse for fun? When do you do formula? Did baby do okay adding formula? Any suggestions on non cows milk formula that’s gentle? I’m feeling so sad and down on myself. I just spilled 3oz of my precious milk all over the nursery and handed my baby to my husband and now I’m crying in bed.

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Momma, I was breast feeding, pumping & feeding while also having to add formula bc she was a preemie baby. I ended up in the hospital 2 weeks ago & had to have surgery, due to a band getting wrapped around my colon & my stomach and wasn’t allowing anything to pass through, I was in the hospital for 5 days and ended up losing my milk supply. I feel you on this bc my baby will take 20-25 oz a day also, she’s also on a special formula due to her having a milk allergy currently. My baby girl seemed a lot fussier since I can’t nurse her anymore & it’s been super hard on me so I know how you feel, if you need someone to talk to you can always message me. I know the emotions you’re feeling & id love to be a listening ear 🤍

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Please don't feel like you are failing momma. I couldn't produce enough I pumped for a month and a half and I'm just now stopping because I don't make enough to even feed her one bottle. I too felt like I was failing. It doesn't help I have a friend that pumps just as much as she feeds her lo a day. She gives me the milk she pumps because her lo won't eat from a bottle. I'm thankful for that but still makes me feel less of a mom

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I’m 9weeks pp and I’m all dried out. We’ve been formula feeding since birth. I had an emergency C-section 3 weeks early.i really wanted to EBF but my milk never came in and even working with a LC my supply never really came in. I try not to let it bother me because making sure I’m in the right mental state to take care of my baby is important to me. I never made enough. Remember fed is best and i really believe it. In the end whatever way you feed your baby doesn’t make you a bad mom. My baby is doing great on his formula. He’s happy and healthy. Of course I wish it went the other way but I’m not going to let it get to me. Also my baby will still latch if i try and he will use me as a pacifier. We do that sometimes lol. Whatever you decide to do remember you didn’t fail your baby or as a mom.

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Kendamil goat formula seems to help my baby!

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We combo feed and I pump. My kid never latched on to me so we have been bottle feeding from DAY one. There are days where I do feel like I want to stop pumping and go to just formula... but the guilt gets me EVERYTIME. I just tell myself that I'll truly know when to stop when its time. I also only get about 24 to 26 oz a day (I use the pitcher method). But my kid I feel only takes about that much per day anyway.

You're definitely not failing! You're doing a great job! Just you coming on here to vent or talk, shows that you're looking for solutions! ❤️

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Kabrita

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You are a great mom!! Please don't feel like a failure!! Tell yourself that you are succeeding and be kind to yourself. Speak kindly in your mind to yourself. All these other mamas give great advice.
I am exclusively pumping and giving her bottles because my baby is just not good at breastfeeding and she just doesn't seem to want to eat a lot. I have an oversupply. Sometimes I try and breastfeed if I'm in the mood or I forgot the milk and we are out and about.

I hope this helps. You are not alone, mama! ❤️

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