in April 2025 Babies 🇬🇧

Tired of breastfeeding :(

My baby is combo fed, with the majority of feeds being formula. I couldn't stand the sore nipples when I first had her. However, I have continued with pumping daily, admittedly not as much as I probably should be. The tiredness is getting to me and with having 3 other children, it's all becoming tiring & demanding. I've been trying to have her back on the boobs by using shields which have helped for the soreness, but she never seems full for long enough when breast feeding. I know she's getting milk because I test my boobs first and she always comes away with a wet mouth, but she falls asleep quite quickly, then wakes up soon after and is hungry again. It's tiring to keep up with it and on the verge of giving it up and exclusively formula feeding because she's fuller for longer & seems more satisfied. But I really wanted her to have some breast milk, rather than none at all. We're just over 2 weeks PP so I don't know if I'm just feeling overwhelmed at the moment. Tired, still bleeding, 3 other kids to look after 😴 and not to mention trying to stay on top of regular pumping. And when I am pumping I don't get alot from one sitting between both boobs which can be disheartening. Just me having a vent more than anything!

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I feel you! I was solely set on breastfeeding. Then for various reasons some like yourself I moved to pumping, the demand of that got to much and now we’re combo feeding with formula being the majority. I managed to build a bit of a freezer stash so that I know she can have a few oz a day for at least a month, so now I’m stopping pumping. Could you do something similar? I found it helped me feel less guilty because I know she’s still having some breastmilk but it’s taken the pressure of me xx

Have you tried using a Haakaa (silicone pumps)? Buy two, squish them on and have a cup of tea. It's what I do when I'm too overwhelmed to electric pump and too touched out to breast feed.

I could literally write this post myself. I have been doing pumping and formula feeding along with nipple shield feeding. Don't be hard on yourself and do what's best for you can your baby! I'm pumping until my milk dries up itself. At least you've given some breastmilk 💕 you've got this!! Xx

@Amber I'm switching between 3 different pumps. The manual medela, momcozy M5 & a cheaper one from Amazon. I started with the Amazon one and thought I'd invest in something better incase it was an issue with the pump, but I'm still getting tiny amounts from the other two :( it's just becoming tiring and was hoping I would have more milk by now

I feel like I could have written this too! Honestly going through the exact same thing - 16 days and it’s exhausting. My little one never seems full after breast feeding- I know the milk is there but she doesn’t seem efficient in getting it out and she will just fall asleep then wake up really hungry soon after. I then top her up with expressed milk or formula depending on how much I’ve managed to pump. I’m only able to get 4oz in the morning and then it becomes less and less throughout the day. Not sure if that’s because I’m then BF her throughout the day. At night I’m trying to BF then give formula after as top ups but that takes over an hour with winding etc so it’s very tiring! I wish BF was easier and she would be full from her feeds. Not sure if I’m doing something wrong but I’ve seen multiple midwifes who’ve said the latch is perfect and she is drinking! 🤯 Hoping things improve for you too 💕

@Shivy you're doing well to even be getting 4oz in the morning. Is that in one sitting? I sometimes barely get one ounce :( Im wondering if my supply is low/slow because I'm not exclusively breast feeding/pumping, but I just feel like I physically and mentally can't keep on top of it, then it makes me feel guilty. Like you, I have milk there and I know she gets it when on the boob but it's just not enough and I can't stay in top of the demands/cluster feeding. I'm hoping it will increase over time but I'm losing hope with it now

I think it’s also tricky having other little ones around. I have 3yr old and can’t spend all day BF as she wants me to play with her. Trying to find a balance for what works best as a family. Hoping it will feel easier soon; even if they are getting a small amount of breast milk it will benefit them 💕

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