I don't know what to do

[Aidan's Mummy]

I stopped breast feeding over a week ago because i was finding it painful and my family didn't really seem that supportive of it. All i got was "that milk isn't satisfying him" and it made me feel like crap. So i basically because of the pain (which i could have dealt with, with cream) and because of all the negativity and i felt uncomfortable doing it in public.

But now last night i just had the urge to put him to my breast when he was screaming. And I actually did it in secret, i actually felt like i was being wrong and kind of bad for doing it because of my familys attitude.

And the one person i thought i could tell was my OH becasue he was supportive when i was breastfeeding. But i got "what the the hell did you do that for, you will have totally messed up his feeding now." And he started listing all these negative things of while i shouldnt breastfeed

Some examples are.
he said

1. He wouldnt settle as fast (but i know this is stupid because as soon as i put him to my breast he settle)
2. It won't satisfy him
3. He will be up more in the night
4. It will make him constipated (don't know where he got that one from)

I really want to start breast feeding again before my milk goes away. I mean i have this really strong urge to put him to my breast. Is that such a bad thing?? But everyone around me seems to hate it. I just don't know what to do

 

[sam's mum]

I can't believe people aren't being more supportive of you! How awful that you feel you have to do it in secret If you want to breastfeed him, so it. Your OH is wrong on all 4 of his points. I've never had a problem settling Sam, he's slept through the night from day 2 (apart from when he was teething), and why on earth wouldn't it satisfy him?

I was in so much pain at first too but it really does get better - if you haven't got some already, get some Lansinoh - you don't have to wash it off before you feed and it's amazing. Because you haven't fed him for a week you might have to supplement with formula for a bit as you may have less milk now but if you want to breastfeed don't let anyone stop you... you don't want to stop and regret it just because of pressure from other people

Toria managed to get Caitlyn completely breastfeeding again so might be worth talking to her x

 

[marley2580]

Hun if you want to breast feed your son then do it! Don't let all these people (who by the way don't seem to know anything) tell you what is best for your child. Many people combination feed successfully, but if you want to go back to full time breast feeding then there's no reason you can't.

He wouldnt settle as fast - Absolute rubbish, BF babies settle almost as soon as they are put to the breast.
It won't satisfy him - While it's true that he will need fed more often, the reason is because breast milk is so easy to digest compared to formula, not because it doesn't satisfy.
He will be up more in the night - This is a possibility that you need to be aware of, but many BF babies sleep through from an early age. It seems to be more about the baby and less about the food.
It will make him constipated - the opposite is actually true. When switching from breast milk to formula or changing formulas, constipation can be an issue. But because breast milk is so easy to digest, it is very uncommon for BF babies to become constipated.

I hope this helps you a little, if your OH is still against it maybe ask your midwife or HV to have a word with him.

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

Thanks girls

Sams mum- I pm'd toria

And i have just got my pump out again and i'm gunna start pumping to get my milk flowing a bit and then on Aidan's next feed i'm gunna put him to my breast.

Any tips on how to get him to latch on??
xx

 

[marley2580]

Lots of skin to skin. I've found taking a bath with LO seems to encourage them to want to feed.

Good luck hun

 

[sam's mum]

That's great

There are some pictures showing you how to latch a baby on here: Breastfeeding and a few good videos on youtube as well which I found really useful.

Good luck x

 

[hannahx]

Good luck hun, my MIL tryed to make me stop bf both of mine!! I stopped feeding millie at 3 months but im still feeding Jake and i love it. Im so glad i didnt listen to her. The first few weeks are always the hardest but if its something you really want to do then stick with it xxxx

 

[ryder]

If it is what you want, then definately keep trying.

Your OH is right, he will need to be fed more, that doesnt mean he isn't being satisfied. It means tht BM is digested quicker so they need to feed more. Since he has had formula which can be more filling you may definately find him wanting to eat more. Especially during growth spurts he will be on you all day!.

While some people get upset hearing this, yes it does mean there is the potential for him to wake more at nighttime, and it also means your on your own in that department cause your the only one with breasts lol...

I cant see him getting constipated or unsettled unless you eat something that makes him that way...

Good luck though!

 

[leeanne]

If you want to breastfeed, don't listen to others hon. It's your choice and your baby.

Hope it works out for you.

 

[babe2ooo]

they shouldnt been making u feel like this, its not fair on you, if u want to bf then go for it, do breast and bottle a bit of both if u want, but dont make anyone feel u shouldnt bf, its up 2 u not friends or family

 

[FEDup1981]

like everyone else has said, its ur choice. Dont let these people continue to push u around, ur doing very well and dont need the criticism.

 

[Pyrrhic]

Arrrrgh! This is EXACTLY what I am facing from my family.

Apparently I'm confusing Niamh, she prefers the bottle to my breast and I'm tormenting her because she wants the bottle and not me.

Just ignore them. Are you still producing milk? I've started a re-lactation journal. Ive been expressing every day and it's recommended to do it every two hours. Then when my supply is up I'll be BFing her more. Just for now I'm trying to get a latch.

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

Arrrrgh! This is EXACTLY what I am facing from my family.

Apparently I'm confusing Niamh, she prefers the bottle to my breast and I'm tormenting her because she wants the bottle and not me.

Just ignore them. Are you still producing milk? I've started a re-lactation journal. Ive been expressing every day and it's recommended to do it every two hours. Then when my supply is up I'll be BFing her more. Just for now I'm trying to get a latch.

That a horrible thing to say too you.

yerp im producing the milok hun, i just need to get my supply up again. i'm gunna do what your doing pump every 2 hours and then try and get him to just latch on for now.

And i'm off to read your journal lol
xx

 

[Tiff]

How horrible that they arn't being supportive of you (or Nic for that matter!)

It IS your choice. Your milk is so much better for them than the forumla (not that forumla is bad by any means... but breastmilk has tons of antibodies and whatnot that you just can't mimic in forumla).

Sure, you might be confusing him... but babies are adapatable (IMO) and will learn regardless. My SIL exclusivly breastfed and is having a hard time getting her LO to take a bottle now that it's getting time to wean him. At least you know that Aiden will take a bottle when the time comes.

Do what you feel is right. You are his mother, and trust your insticts. They won't steer you wrong when it comes to your son. He's such a cutie, btw. How is he doing otherwise?

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

How horrible that they arn't being supportive of you (or Nic for that matter!)

It IS your choice. Your milk is so much better for them than the forumla (not that forumla is bad by any means... but breastmilk has tons of antibodies and whatnot that you just can't mimic in forumla).

Sure, you might be confusing him... but babies are adapatable (IMO) and will learn regardless. My SIL exclusivly breastfed and is having a hard time getting her LO to take a bottle now that it's getting time to wean him. At least you know that Aiden will take a bottle when the time comes.

Do what you feel is right. You are his mother, and trust your insticts. They won't steer you wrong when it comes to your son. He's such a cutie, btw. How is he doing otherwise?

He is doing great hun. Such a happy little man. He did a massive smile at me yesterday and i could tell it wasn't wind because his whole face lit up

What about claire. How is she doing??

 

[Plumfairy]

OMG Im so sorry you havent got the support of your family! They really should be encouraging you, not putting you off!! You are doing a fantastic job though! I think the other ladies have given you the advice you need already so just wanted to offer some support and hugs. I hope you're feeling like you can stand up to your family and put your foot down when with them! Keep at it hunny! x x x x x

 

[Jemima]

How awful for you to have to face such negativity. Makes me very cross!

Good luck with the feeding and I hope things work out for you. xx

 

[Lucy&Pard]

Well I think you should ignore them - what do they know. If you feel the urge to feed him then it must be right surely!?? And it doesnt make them constipated anyway it has natural laxatives in so its the opposite!

 

[claralouise]

get some of the tommie tippee bottles the teats are the closest think like a breast it may help with the latching.

like everyone says YOUR his mum its up to you no body else if you want to BF they should support you not give you hastle

 

[Novbaby08]

Do it if thats what you feel is right. Breastfeeding is such a wonderful bonding experience, and has many great benefits. Who cares what they think, its your choice. It obviously feels natural to you. And in the long run it will be his comfort. And will settle him much more then any bottle. He will not get constipated from breast-milk. And it will not throw off his feeding schedule. Yeah so he'll wake up more at first, but my baby is 6 weeks old, and she only wakes up twice a night. But its your choice, not theirs.