Controversial: does anybody else hate breastfeeding?
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I don’t hate it but I’m finding it difficult which is making me dislike it at the moment. I breastfed my elder 2 kids as well but this time around I struggle with an extremely forceful letdown, baby has reflux, she had tongue tie, she has a high palate, and overall she is very colicky. All of this has made it not so enjoyable. I’m only persevering because I know it usually gets easier around 3/4 months.
With my first I found it got easier and more enjoyable the bigger they get. When they’re so small you’re dealing with cluster feeding and constantly trying to get them to latch correctly. It also takes a while for your boobs to regulate. Personally I would rather get through the tough early weeks than deal with bottles
I currently combi-feed and I feel like I can really enjoy the time with her. It wasn’t my choice to combi-feed she lost a lot of weight in her first few weeks (over 15%) so the pediatrician said I had to go onto formula to prevent her being admitted to hospital (where they would feed her formula). Possibly scare tactics but fed is best right? They blamed the fact I had a unilateral mastectomy (only one natural boob to feed from) After repeatable asks if tongue tie was the issue it’s been confirmed and was released on Tuesday. (9 weeks) I’m thankful they finally listened and stopped blaming my boob because I was right. I wonder how different our journey would have been if they had diagnosed at birth but hey… I have a good supply and I’m pumping each time she has formula so I can eventually bottle feed her breast milk while I wind down. I am planning on continuing to combi-feed for another 2 months while storing milk for the final 2 months being bottle fed formula and breast milk.
All in all combi-feeding will give you a bit of rest-bite and helps you to enjoy the time with your lo and allow your nipples to heal. I would recommend hand expressing or using a pump so you don’t reduce supply. Lots of skin to skin and eventually you’ll get used to it. I’d recommend these products. I love them Cooling gel pads (for injuries) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CYH5HDMR?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Reusable breast pads (for leaks) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B094WC9P2F?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Nursing tops (I live in these and they are very flattering) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DD6WY855?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
So I wouldn’t say I hate it, but I don’t enjoy it as much as I think most people do? Similar story in terms of this is my second baby & I bottle fed my first. I’m struggling with the constant overstimulation, leaking, tingling, not being able to wear what I want, constant feeding (especially on an evening) & currently being the only person to calm her down. I’m finding it overwhelming & hard with a toddler. I’m currently in the midst of deciding if I might want to combi feed more (we tend to do a bottle a day) but she’s began to refuse the bottle and now I’m stressing I left it too long 🙈🙃