Hello,
My first baby was born 13 days ago at 36 1/2 weeks. She does not have the endurance or efficiency to breast-feed, so since day one in the hospital, I have hand-expressed and pumped. There has always been so much stress surrounding her feedings. At first it was because I wasn't making enough milk, and then because she couldn't stay awake enough to finish her full bottle of expressed milk.
She is now starting to wake up a bit, and I think it tomorrows appointment she will have met her birth weight.
I hate pumping with a passion! Even with a hands-free bra, I can't manage to get much done without spilling milk. It takes time away from me sleeping, and caring for her. It stresses me out when I have a pumping session where I don't get a lot of milk, and I honestly feel like a dairy cow! Thankfully my production has been good enough that she has not had any formula yet, and I think I can keep pumping enough to make the change over to formula gradual (mixing the 2).
I am so ready to switch to formula, for my own mental and physical health (I am so stressed and tired that I have no appetite, I am barely eating two meals a day).
I know breastmilk is "best" especially as my daughter was a little bit preterm.
My husband and I are both okay with switching to formula, but it feels like we are the only ones. I just really need some reassurance, and encouragement to help me make this decision and be strong against those who have differing opinions of how I should feed my child.
Thanks in advance…

Being a happy FF'er is all about being happy with your decision to use formula and being certain it is what you want to do. As long as you are happy, sure of your reasons and make a free choice then it will always be the right decision. Whatever choice you make as a mother there will always be someone who disagrees with you. If you are happy with your decision they will not bother you. You know your own and your baby's needs better than anyone and in the nicest possible way stuff everyone else! Good luck with your decision - it will be the right one for you X

Could you maybe see a lactation consultamt to see if you can get her latched on. It is very possible to get her back to the breast so you don't have to pump. You may have to use nipple shields at first.

I know how you feel, I had loads of difficulties breast feeding and ended up pumping exclusively from 3 days until 7 weeks old. I ended up swapping to formula because there was no way I could manage pumping up to 8 times a day whilst doing the school run as well. You make the best decision for your family xx

I also had to exclusively pump as despite advice from lactation consultants, lo would not latch well enough. I managed for 4 weeks but found it utterly draining. Could feel myself getting down about it so I then moved to eff. I felt some guilt at the start but he was so much happier that I soon felt better about it. Plus I was happy he'd had a few weeks of breast milk and tried to congratulate myself for pumping as long as I had rather than beating myself up for stopping. Exclusively pumping is damn hard work. You don't get a break at all.

Ultimately you need to make a decision you are comfortable with. Don't let other ppl judge you - you do what is best for you and your lo, no one else.

Ugh I'm struggling with this right now. Cnstand recurring mastitis, clogged ducts, thrush/yeast and all the pain that goes with those are getting me down! Not to mention I'm producing less and less all the time because of it all.
I exclusively pump.
I don't want to switch but I don't know what to do or how much more I can take

Guess I'm not much help to you, but you're not alone with struggling with the decision!

you need to do what's best for both of you. i am a very strong BFing supporter, and yes breastmilk is best, but breastfeeding isn't always best for everyone.
if you think you will struggle with any guilt about FFing then seek help from lactation consultants etc. however, formula isn't poison, and it's a good substitute for breastmilk if breastfeeding is going to cause you too much stress. a happy baby needs a happy mummy!
could you perhaps combine the two? maybe just pump enough for one feed a day and use formula the rest of the time. that way LO is still getting some mummy goodness, but you'll feel less like a cow on a milking machine.
don't let anyone pressure you either way, just make sure you're certain if you want to stop pumping as it's hard to go back if you change your mind.
good luck!

Thank you everyone! Spoke with her ped today who is fine with us moving to formula. Right now im trying to wean myself off the pump...already have clogged ducts on left (unfortunately tried using super tight sports bra which made it worse). Will be moving to FF as soon as we run out of breast milk...feeling good

I pumped for eight weeks, and you are so right a out it being so exhausting. I had problems with production from my metabolic diseases. ( I have PCOS, insulin resistance, and hypothyroidism.). I would pump two ounces a day if I was lucky. It was really frustrating, and being a FTM to twins was exhausting. Ultimately, I ended up quitting pumping, and I was much happier and relaxed. Plus, it gave me more time to spend with my girls. I was really torn about it, and I had a hArd time giving it up. Just do what is right for you and your family. Good luck!!

Feel proud of the breast milk you have given, and all that precious colostrum!
I did just the same as you, I had a fine supply, I couldn't latch my baby at all, he had jaundice and didn't eat for hours and hours, wouldn't wake up. I'm the end I was so stressed and tired after two days of this I pumped, then continued till I started adding formula, now he's ff and thriving. Yes I'm sad I didn't bf like I wanted, but we're both happy now, no more mastitis and pumping at 3am :-) I'm trying to focus on what he did get, not what he didn't.