OH wants me to give up expressing.

[asacia]

OH and I are going through a difficult time, and he thinks that if I didn't spend so much time expressing, we'd be able to spend more time together, and it might help us work through our problems.

I'm hesitant. There are benefits for the baby having breastmilk, but also to me. I've got PND and I feel like expressing is the only thing I've managed to do right, and the only thing I can control.

On the other hand, expressing is so hard, stressful and time consuming.

 

[Mervs Mum]

You have to do what's right for you ALL. You have to weigh ALL the pros and cons up b for you, OH AND baby before you can reach a decision.

I cant remember why you were exclusively pumping.....is direct BFing not an option?? Maybe you could pump less that way?? Sorry for not remembering your reasons

 

[moo2]

Sending you really big

I've been exclusively expressing for just over 12 weeks and I can empathise with you. Unless you've done it yourself I don't think anyone can understand how difficult it is.

I think its easy to get fixated on it and lose focus on the bigger picture. The best thing for your little one is a happy and healthy mummy and if the expressing is not conducive to this then maybe its time to reconsider the options?

I don't get on here as much as I used to ( Cos I spend so much time expressing!!!! ) but if you fancy a chat PM me.

Vickie xxxxxxxxxx

 

[asacia]

DS is 7 weeks old today but still won't latch on. I was hoping he'd get the hang of it!

 

[Mervs Mum]

Exclusive pumpers have my total admiration. It would be so much easier to just go to formula so what you are doing is very selfless.

It's never too late to try to BF - lots of women relactate successfully and you have the advantage of a milk supply of over them. If you want to try getting him to latch again you can. I appreciate he's been getting him BM through a bottle so you are up against it but it you want to, you might have some luck and find a compromise for you and OH.

Good luck honey and well done you for getting this far - its a wonderful achievement

 

[ryder]

You have done so amazing for how long you have been able to express! Expressing to feed is probably at least twice as hard and time consuming as breastfeeding.

This is really your dicision... your baby has gotten the best start and the most important anti-bodies... Right now your decision should be based on what is going to make everyone happy... Formula is not poison and your baby will thrive well if that is the choice you make.

 

[mommyof3co]

Good luck with whatever you decide! I think you have to put you and the baby first, I understand DH is having a hard time with ti all but if you stop are you going to regret it? Do you feel that is the best thing for the baby? I'm obviously not in your situation, but I think if it were me I would be even more upset that he would ask me to stop after all the really hard work I had put it. I'm very probreastfeeding so for me the decision would be to continue pumping and try to get him nursing, but that's me. I think it's amazing what you have done so far, exclusively pumping can be soo hard. Good luck with everything!

 

[asacia]

My Mum was a Breastfeeding Counsellor when I was growing up, so I've always been very pro-breastfeeding. Its something I've always wanted to do, to breastfeed.

I'm pretty upset that we haven't managed it. He latch a couple of times in hospital for a few seconds. We had one good feed on Day Two, then nothing. He did latch about a week ago, and fed for about 10 minutes. That renewed my hope, and we've been trying really hard since, but haven't managed to repeat it. There isn't a medical reason why he won't latch, but after all the rough handling in the hospital, I think he just got so upset that its taking a while to make him realise that it isn't a horrible thing. He will lie with me peacefully now, but still won't open his mouth wide or try and latch. Even with shoving a load in his mouth, only a few times does he try and suck, and he gives up really easily.

I don't know if things will work out with my husband and I'd hate to give up expressing and then the relationship end anyway.

I wonder if the baby would be happier on forumla. I barely get out, and sometimes feel like I don't have enough time to cuddle him and just love him.

I'm scared I'll feel like a total failure if I stop.

 

[Logiebear]

I really admire you hun and can relate to a couple of your problems. Not pnd but I have struggled bonding with other babies but my lo now and I have an amazing bond due to bfing and we have struggled so much with some times 12 hrs latched on. My oh, although he knows I love bfing and it is best, has said that he wants attention and has hinted that we could spend more time together if I FF.

Our relationship will withstand this though. I have a determined streak and my oh knows that I will stop when I am ready. He will have to wait as he agreed to have a baby and all that comes with it. I know your oh must be finding it difficult and you will ultimately make the best choice for your family just be sure it is what you really want.

Don't ever think that what you have done this far is a failure, I think you are a star hun