having a down moment about it all :(

[ThunderPearls]

I am so dissappointed in myself. I really wish I hadnt been so naive as to think breastfeeding would just 'work'. I did little to no research about it when I was pregnant, I focused on the birth and that was it, I hadnt even thought about looking up how to after the actual baby.

I fell at the first little blip and looking back there werent really any problems. I just didnt stand up for myself in the hospital and was one of the silly new mothers who 'thinks' she has low supply because her baby constantly wanted to nurse.

I admit there were latch problems and it hurt but I wish I had persevered with it as this whole relactation thing is so slow going and I tried to latch him with the sns and he is having none of it I dont want to give up but its so heartbreaking when he pushes away from me crying and its all my fault for being to weak in hospital and worrying about being the only one on the ward breastfeeding and it was only my baby who was screaming because he was hungry. I hate how I have gotten myself in this stupid mess of FF as I hate the stuff, it smells awful, it has fish in it ffs! Wtf? I know its fine and healthy but Ive never wanted to use it and was so pro-bf and now im just stuck depending on the stuff with a baby who rejects my boob and only able to pump an ounce a day!

Gah im just so frustrated and angry at all of my choices I have made!

I wish I had a time machine!

Just needed to vent lol

 

[Windy1986]

Didn't want to read and run so sending massive hugs.

I would hate to give the wrong advise but maybe a couple of days in bed with plenty of skin to skin may encourage little one to latch...

Keep pushing through and stay positive. Your baby is loved, happy and healthy - you are doing a great job mummy. Xx

 

[Pielette]

I'm really sorry

Have you tried a warm bath with him? You could strip both of you naked and have a nurse in, cuddle up in bed. I don't know how the sns works but what if you dripped some expressed milk on your nipple to encourage him to latch?

If it helps any, I understand exactly how you feel. The same thing happened to me with my first and I ended up ff. I was just so naive about what was normal and I realised looking back that there was no reason I couldn't have made it work. BUT he has thrived on formula. It wasn't what I wanted but he's a strong healthy toddler now and I've made my peace with it. If you do have to ff, please don't beat yourself up over it. Formula is a good substitute and your baby will grow and develop well, it isn't the devil's work at all!

And I have gone on to successfully breastfeed my second baby, which had ultimately laid it all to rest for me. And now you know where it went awry, you'll be able to overcome it next time. Whatever you decide, your baby will be fed and loved and that's all that matters.

 

[optimistic1]

Maybe do what they do at the hospital and strip him down and lay him on your chest skin to skin and let him search for your nipple. My niece was ff but when she was young she'd still trying sucking on my boob through my shirt while holding her when she was hungry so maybe if he does it himself he might latch on, get a taste of yummy breast milk and go to town.

 

[TheNewMrs]

How long have you been working at relactating hun? It took us a good while! Do you have any support?

 

[starshinebby]

I am so dissappointed in myself. I really wish I hadnt been so naive as to think breastfeeding would just 'work'. I did little to no research about it when I was pregnant, I focused on the birth and that was it, I hadnt even thought about looking up how to after the actual baby.

I fell at the first little blip and looking back there werent really any problems. I just didnt stand up for myself in the hospital and was one of the silly new mothers who 'thinks' she has low supply because her baby constantly wanted to nurse.

I admit there were latch problems and it hurt but I wish I had persevered with it as this whole relactation thing is so slow going and I tried to latch him with the sns and he is having none of it I dont want to give up but its so heartbreaking when he pushes away from me crying and its all my fault for being to weak in hospital and worrying about being the only one on the ward breastfeeding and it was only my baby who was screaming because he was hungry. I hate how I have gotten myself in this stupid mess of FF as I hate the stuff, it smells awful, it has fish in it ffs! Wtf? I know its fine and healthy but Ive never wanted to use it and was so pro-bf and now im just stuck depending on the stuff with a baby who rejects my boob and only able to pump an ounce a day!

Gah im just so frustrated and angry at all of my choices I have made!

I wish I had a time machine!

Just needed to vent lol

Oh my gosh. I could have wrote this myself!

My LO was put on formula at 3mo when he hadn't gained really anything over his birth weight. Now he won't take my breast even though I have a great supply (going strong with fenugreek, mother's milk tea and pumping when I can). I mean, I could probably get a good enough supply going eventually to bottle feed him BM, but I want to nurse him. I want to have a 12mo nursling. It's something I always dreamed of doing while I was pregnant with him. He's still young though and has only been on formula for about 2 weeks, so I am confident that with determination I can get him to re-latch. I'm thinking of going out to buy a bottle that is closer to the breast and giving him pumped BM for half the feeding the switch him to the boob. I find that he's more apt to try and latch when he's fed a bit first.

But, I digress.

What I want to say is: You are not alone. I believe that it is possible to get them to re-latch and feed exclusively from the boob again. If I don't try with everything I've got, I know I will regret it later.

I'll be stalking this thread. I actually came on tonight to find something similar to my situation to get some support in my breastfeeding journey. It's not too late!

 

[starshinebby]

I just started doing a bit of research on re-latching. I hadn't done any before now, assuming that it would be easy to get my LO back on to the breast.

https://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/child/back-to-breast/

And this woman pumped for her daughter exclusively. She has a lot of good advice and articles on increasing and maintaining supply.

https://www.mamaandbabylove.com/2012/03/07/how-to-increase-your-milk-supply/

Hoping some of these help you as they are helping me right now.