Feeling like I can't breastfeed for much longer

Hey Jaydee, all I can say is that breastfeeding is really hard in these early days. First time round it took me ten weeks of crying through most feeds before it clicked. If you can access any support from a breastfeeding group (lots online or possibly local to you) then please try but equally, your mental wellbeing comes first and it is okay to not exclusively breastfeed xx

@Lucy thank you 🙏🏾

You're not a bad Mum at all for struggling with breastfeeding! Breastfeeding is SO hard. With my first we introduced one formula bottle at bedtime very early on. I was worried it would ruin breastfeeding but at the end of the day, your mental health is more important. My sons latch was awful and it was so painful. They said it would take a few months for his jaw to come forward so it hurt less. I just couldn't bare it once I got tired in the evenings. The bottle filled him up and he slept so well and that gave me the capacity to nurse the rest of the time. Breastfeeding is brilliant if it works but it doesn't work for everyone, please don't torture yourself if it's not working for you ❤️🙏

Fed is best it doesn't matter if you breastfeed or formula feed. If you really want to persevere with breastfeeding you can contact your health visitor for some advice and support, some local children's centres run breastfeeding support sessions but don't feel pressured to as your mental health and baby's health is more important. My milk supply dropped with my first and I was expressing and combi feeding in the end I just moved on to formula feeding Kendamil and my boy thrived on it and it was the best thing for both of us.

Just wanted to send you love! Breastfeeding is SOOO hard in the early weeks. Then suddenly it became the easiest thing ever! Hang in there (if you want to) you're doing an amazing job. They are cluster feeding in these early days, and seeking comfort from you, and it's intense and overwhelming and can also be draining and painful. Always unlatch whenever the latch is bad, and teach them how to latch properly as the baby will soon get it! Def look up local breastfeeding clinics etc too, most are free in local village halls/churches and can be so helpful. Sending love ❤️❤️❤️❤️

my baby girl is 6 days old and honestly up until today it’s been rough! i was doing a bit of both, formula when it got too much for me.. every time she latched i would cry for ages! it’s so so normal.. i’ve only just started to feel okay and even then, it’s still a little painful, don’t feel bad! do what you think is best for you and for your baby! it’s definitely not a must to breastfeed, you need to do what you feel is right for yourself, there is no shame in formula feeding! at least you’ve given it ur best! If you want to try and carry on, i use the nipple balm from lansinoh after every time, i also have been hand pumping to make my nipples more used to it and its softer than baby sucking! Hope all goes well x

When you say it's hurting, do you mean on the nipple? Or your actual breast? While feeding or all the time? Have you made contact with any breastfeeding support groups? Or got help from a midwife?

I tried different positions for each boob as baby didn't like lying on right ear for some reason. Ask ur feeding team in the hospital. They are normally great. X

@Katie it's the nipple

Thank you everyone. Much appreciated 🩵🙏🏾❤️

@Jaydee it may be a latching issue. You should get someone from the infant feeding team to look at your latch. Usually there are also breastfeeding support groups you can go to in your area. With being in London there will definitely be something. Have a look at your local council website, or do you know of any family hubs nearby? Your midwife or health visitor should be able to give you details x

You aren’t a bad mum. It is HARD. My little one was on formula top ups for the first week because we struggled. If you can and want to access any help try and get hold of a lactation consultant and infant feeding team. Equally if for your own sake formula is the way to go then do it. Your baby is being fed either way it really doesn’t matter. But you need to look after you too and do what’s best for you. You are the best Mum when you’re taken care of so don’t struggle and suffer through something when you can be kind to yourself. You matter too

First off… you are doing a great job! We make these babies, birth them and then feed them- it’s an unreal task we do as women. With my first I remember sobbing in pain and just being exhausted. What helped me was slapping on as much nipple cream I possibly could and using good quality nipple pads. It will take a while for your nipples to toughen up. Take regular salt baths and use flannels to submerge your boobs in the water. Use paracetamol and codeine together to manage pain. Try nursing while lying down on your side and reach out to breastfeeding support. The most important thing is that you get support and rest. Reach for the formula if you need to and never feel guilty for making sure your baby is fed and your mental and physical health is upheld too. You got this whatever you choose to do ❤️

Breast feeding is hard. I found day 4 the worst. Milk was coming in she was super hungry and fussy and would just snap at me before getting in a good position and the she would scream because I moved her off and then wouldn't settle enough to attempt again. Today was much better. Left side was still tricky as I was so encouraged on that side but I pumped and then fed from that side first most of today and it seems to have settled and is easier to get a good latch than yesterday. I pump so that hubby can have some 1 on 1 time and 2 I can nap and know she has everything she needs with her dad while I catch up on some sleep.

Here to say I'm two weeks into EBF with my first baby and this shit is HARD. Day 5 I was still crying about 5-6 times a day that I couldn't do it, that I was failing her and that I wasn't good enough.. This far in, I still feel like it at tough moments but I'm getting there ever so slowly. You are absolutely not alone in this. Especially in the early days as your milk takes a few days to come in and by day 5 if it's not in, the colostrum is giving them what they need but it's not filling them. Mine took the full 5 days to start coming in and by that point I'd already cried to the midwife that I was a crap mum. Recommend a support group. I went to one last week and there was only one other mum there but she cried and I felt better knowing I wasn't the only one crying 😂

I understand your pain, my little boy has jaundice and I feel like the midwife is trained to push BF to us because even after telling her I’d rather know how much he’s having with formula they keep pushing me to pump and try latching again 🥺 I really wanted to breast feed too but surely fed is best 💛

Thank you so much ladies for making me feel better xx

I’m 1 week PP and had a breastfeeding midwife come visit me at day 5, she showed me the ‘flipple’ to help position the nipple correctly in babe’s mouth and it was honestly a godsend. Also took 5 days for milk to come through and flow so hang on in there if it’s not right in the first few weeks!

@Megan Colette it's totally up to you. Only you know what you are happy to do. The midwife is probably supporting you how she thinks is best to allow you to continue to breastfeed (as that's what you wanted). However it isn't the be all and end all, so if you're struggling, you should do what is best for both you and for baby x

I felt exactly the same way. My sister encouraged me. I am glad I did not give up. Just completed 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding. You know yourself well. If that is what you truly want and there is no health issues, keep going. The first 8 weeks are the toughest but it will get regulated