Remind me why- It's over :(

[Jenn+Ethan+Emily]

Remind me why I'm doing this again? So annoyed at myself for even posting about this again

My milk supply seems to have plummeted yet again. It seems to go up and down every couple months so I know I shouldn't get too worked up about this, but here I am

After all of our sleep problems, gas problems, etc, I  am feeling the urge to switch to formula again

I am so sick of the unknown parts of BFing. How much they are taking, how what I'm eating is affecting them, etc. Somehow formula just feels like it should be easier. Yet somewhere deep down there must be something going right because I keep doing it.

Then talking to my DH who thinks I should switch to formula probably just because he's sick of my complaining, but it just wasn't helpful ATM.

Can I have some encouraging words maybe?

[becj86]

You do this because you decided it's the right thing for E. I remember the backwards and forwards as to whether to go to the formula a while back. BF isn't always easy, esp. when you have to change your diet due to intolerances/allergies.

You've done an amazing job BFing this long and I just know you can keep going if that's what E needs/you want.

My DH often said we should switch to formula - to take away my frustration or my pain... he's a fixer.

HUGS!
and milky vibes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[EnzoMama]

I am so sick of the unknown parts of BFing.

But the known parts must be big enough to keep you breastfeeding!

You are doing this because you want what is best for your baby!

Imagine washing all those bottles...you can spend that time other ways...

But seriously either way is OK but there are so many wonderful things about BF. Maybe write them down for yourself and write what annoys you too and then go about your day and come back to it later.

Have you been taking supplements to increase your milk production? I started to worry few days ago and started to take sup again and it made a huge difference in just two days.

Hugs!

[j.and.e]

My ds2 has always been a bad sleeper. Reflux etc. I got dh 2do a formula DF so i cud get a few hrs of sleep. I am still BFing at 15mo (althou gently trying to wean). I know ur situation is difrent as formula may help her allerges, but i just wonder if mixd feeding may help you to continue? At least u can get a sleep/rest at some point? Xx

[Roseii]

((hugs)) Jenn you're doing an amazing amazing thing for your bub. My DH was supportive of bf but also would have been perfectly happy to switch to formula too, I know it does feel like the simpler option. I did do mixed feeding from about 5m fwiw, and it worked fine, although part of me always wishes I hadn't You need to do what feels right in your heart for your little one xxx

[cuckoochick]

I'm offering hugs too. We didn't have any intolerances to contend with but I so remember those conflicting feelings. There were so many times I wanted to give up (she wouldn't take a bottle back then either) but here we are still BFing and showing no signs of self-weaning

I had to introduce some formula from 8 mos when I went back to work for one feed a day so mixed feeding has worked well for us but she still prefers BFing!

Hugs ((((((((((Jenn)))))))). What is one of the most wonderful things can also be the hardest.

[teilvnav]

Yes, whenever anyone talks to me about how BFing is natural and the easy way to feed your baby they get an earful from me! It is NOT easy. And it doesn't always feel natural. I have to practically tie Anna down to get her to nurse, and it helps if I put a blindfold and earplugs on her.

I mix feed, too. She gets a bottle of formula before bed each night because she just refuses to nurse. Looking back at my old posts the other day I realized that DS did the same thing at about her age; I must just naturally not produce enough in the evenings for my kids who want to fill up. I am ok with formula; it isn't like it's crap. And bottle feeding is easier in some senses but then you have all the bottles and their tiny parts to wash, formula to buy and make sure you don't run out of, and a cranky baby who has to wait for a feeding to be prepared (which makes NWs last even longer).

The main reason I keep doing it: when she does settle in and my milk is flowing, her eyes roll back and she gets the most blissful look on her face. It only last a few seconds and then she is ripping off and whipping around trying to find her brother (who is usually meowing like a kitty or playing with his loudest firetruck, since I am nursing and he wants attention). But in those few seconds I feel like I am her safe harbour in her crazy sleepless little life and that if she could thank me, she would.

[kerry,(kaceys mum)]

Huge hugs first off!X

I know what you mean about the unknown,,I've felt that will all 3 of my lo's,,more so the baby just now because of the gas problems to,,but after reading that his problems would probally become worse if formular fed then I decided to conntinue with the bf.

That said,bf doesn't have to take over your life,,,with all my lo's there has been a bottle and a carton on formula on the top shelf if it gets to much for me (but I've always had a good suply),,, so if I'm tiered,,or wanting a break,just to go to the shops and leave kids with dh without the worry of feeding time,,I go,,knowing that there's a stand by there just incase,,,, or if I wake through the night,ir want a long lie in bed,its there for the same reason.sure I could pump,,but it just didn't suit me to pump,,might do for others.

They might have had 2 bottles one week,,,,none for 3 weeks,,1 bottle next week and so on,,,never did them any harm and sure didn't do me any either. Hats off to the mummies who don't need to have a wee break but I did,,and I think I did so that I wouldn't have to give up bf all together,,so you do what's best for you!

I'm not sure of all the names of the stuff you can take to work on your suply,,but you said you've been there before so I'm sure you'll know already,,also the pumping an hour before the next feed also,,to do all this before shows what breastfeeding means to you,so you must feel its worth it!XxX

[Love, laughter, & PJs]

Major hugs, Jenn.  BFing can definitely be hard.  You're doing this because it's so good for her!  It's work but you're building her immune system and giving her all that good, natural fat and you're bonding with her.  That said, if you need some formula for a break, that's understandable too.  Hugs.

[~Emma~]

Big hugs darling. I threw in the towel at 8/9 months and regretted it. Not to say that you will but thats my experience from having an intolerant LO. At the time the BFing relationship felt so up and down but in hindsight it was truly wonderful....but hindsight has a way of tinting everything rosy sometimes. 

 Big (((((hugs))))))

[Mrs Coops]

{{{{hugs}}}}

Breast feeding is one of the hardest things I've ever done, the pain, the mastitis, expressing pus and just awful misery! But I stuck with it as there is asthma in my family and I just new it was the best start they could have!

The distraction stage is just SOOOOO annoying, but it passes!

The bonding is amazing especially as they get older, it's just so cute now when J gets the giggles mid feed.

You keep going because you want to. Because you know your LO is benefiting from your immunity.

Everybodies supply suffers peaks and troughs, GS's make you feel like you haven't got enough, but you have. You're doing great. x

[Jenn+Ethan+Emily]

Thank you girls. Reading these words of encouragement helps a lot. Will be back later with more. Just a have second.

[Fiver]

Just {{{hugs}}} for now

[Jenn+Ethan+Emily]

The main reason I keep doing it: when she does settle in and my milk is flowing, her eyes roll back and she gets the most blissful look on her face. It only last a few seconds and then she is ripping off and whipping around trying to find her brother (who is usually meowing like a kitty or playing with his loudest firetruck, since I am nursing and he wants attention). But in those few seconds I feel like I am her safe harbour in her crazy sleepless little life and that if she could thank me, she would.

This sounds like my house

I love BFing. I honestly love every minute of The actual feeding part. I hang onto this simply because this is my last baby and I can't stand the idea of never BFing again

However, I just cannot get over the feeling that I am hurting her. Hearing her screaming with gas pains makes me feel so guilty. Like I am selfishly inflicting pain upon her. Then I cannot stop questioning whether the formula would make her sleep better. I am desperate for just two hours of sleep. I just need something to change; I am drowning.

Tonight I made a bottle of formula. Had it on her bedside table. My plan was to nurse her first and then offer the bottle of formula. For no reason other then I just need something to change. She feel asleep at the breast which she never does. I took that as her telling me to back off, she knows what she's doing.

I want to stop worrying. Why can't that be easy?

Thank you all do much for your words of encouragement. They really got me through the day today

[Erin M]

((((hugs))))) Jenn, I really wish that I had some answers and a magic wand to fix it all for you, as you certainly need a break.