Originally Posted by larudy13

I am starting a full time job at the end of April, so for myself it is the best decision for me I wouldn't be able to continue either way.

Originally Posted by jenniferttc1

If this is something you think you will regret giving up, then I would stop all formula and continue feeding whenever she wants to build up a good supply. The early weeks are important for supply build up its very draing but also very rewarding once you get around 6-8 weeks! Its gotten so much easier for me the past week. I too almost caved in and gave up but so glad I didnt

Originally Posted by larudy13

small update i stopped for 1 day felt bad so started again pumping and feeding LOL i guess i am lucky i still have a good supply

Originally Posted by daddiesgift

I think you should do what you feel is best for you. If you do not like it then do not feel bad. I only breast fed for the first month and have NEVER been so depressed in my life so I know how it feels to feel you are stuck in one place ect. I gave up for health reasons but now that I am pregnant again I WILL NOT breast feed EVER again. Even if the doctor told me that I would never get sick again, It would not hurt me or cause me depression. Just not for me. Some may say thats selfish but you know I felt horrible at first but 7 months later my son has NEVER been sick, he has NEVER been over the 50% of weight, he has reached more milestones sooner than most babies his age, he is just as healthy and smart as a breast fed child so why put myself through hell when he is going to be just fine!

With next baby I plan to combo feed..but never from the breast, ill pump as long as I have some but If I dry up after a day then I do and I will have no regrets. You should'nt either! You tried your best, youre not happy, your baby is happy with formula..so whatever YOU want to do. But whatever it is do not feel any guilt formula feeding solely is not as horrible as everyone makes it seem. After having a long talk with my doctor about formula I found out a lot of interesting facts about formula feeding and its not posion like most make it seem

Originally Posted by raychmumtobe

I felt exactly the same, i ended up starting to combi feed at 2 months, and then ended up doing what youre doing now. I had some pretty traumatic experiences feeding in public, and ended up dreading feeding in public, so started taking bottles everywhere, so it usually resulted in her only having like 2 or 3 BF's a day, and then i had surgery just over a week or so ago, and couldnt breastfeed for 24 hours afterwards, and just felt sooo much more relaxed just preparing bottles and not having to worry about finding a comfortable position, or whether she was getting enough, (this was always a huge worry for me... i hated not being able to keep an eye on how much LO was feeding.. and always worried she wasnt getting enough)

Im now exclusively FF, and although i miss the closeness of BFing, and i do feel guilty, its so much easier and less stressful to make up bottles, it also means that OH or the in-laws etc, can help out with feeds, which ive found very useful.

Either way, you will feel guilty, but you need to be happy in order for your baby to remain happy. Good luck in whatever decision you make.

Originally Posted by readytotry

This is really good advice (if not for op then generally). Keep it simple - try not to express/supplement in the early days and by 2 months it will be the easiest thing in the world.

I had a tricky start to breastfeeding - thrush, tongue tie, flat nipples - but I realised this morning at nearly nine weeks that I now love it.

For me what helped was getting comfortable feeding in public so I could properly feed on demand and not have to time outings so carefully.

Feel free to ignore but the following might work well until you go back to work:
Try to stop supplementing unless Lo is losing weight as this will decrease your supply (even if you have to when you go back to work). Pump from other breast after morning feed, then pump again and freeze when you give bottle to build freezer stash. That way you won't be pumping all the time. Other than that feed on demand until you go back to work.

Every little extra breast milk is a bonus but it's about what w

Originally Posted by larudy13

So I have been thinking a lot about my decision and whats best for me and LO.
It has been a hard one, but I am going to give up breastfeeding within the next 3 weeks. What really helped me what someone had replied saying how so far what I have accomplished is a lot longer than a lot of women do, and also how I am only 20 years old and a lot of young women like me don't even try to BF. I am going to talk to my LO's doctor at her appointment tomarrow. I don't feel like a failure because I think I have given my baby a fairly good start to life. She is very healthy and happy and I need to keep my sanity to be able to be a good mom, breastfeeding has taken so much out of me emotionally and basically drained me. I think giving it up will allow me to have more *me* time and be able to take care of myself better to be able to care for my baby better. I guess breastfeeding just isn't for me, but at least I gave it a try before deciding that.