thinking of stopping bf :(

[AC81]

I had Erin weighed yesterday and in 4 weeks she's put hardly any weight on. She's 4 months old and doesn't even weigh 12lb yet. I'm so worried that I'm doing it all wrong. I saw 2 hv's about it and all they did was tell me that I must not be feeding her in the correct position and then they gave me a breastfeeding basics leaflet and told me to go home and practice and look at the pictures of the babies feeding correctly.

I feel like such a failure that I'm not even feeding my own baby right. I'm thinking I should move her onto formula so that I at least know how much she's drinking at each feed. I think I'm feeling down now because I'm so sleep deprived too. I finally got her out of our bed, where she would sleep soundly all night, and now although she sleeps in her own cot she's up at least 3-4 times a night lately. She takes forever to settle now and I never get more than 3 hours sleep in a row and I usually end up bringing her back into the bed just to get some sleep. I get no help from my oh either who gets annoyed when she's in the bed and has always been anti-breastfeeding too - he thinks it's overrated and I should be giving her formula.

Sorry for rambling on. I feel like a sleep deprived failure.

 

[Serene123]

You are NOT a failure. You have done brilliantly!! Do what's best for you and your little princess and never regret it x

 

[marley2580]

you are not a failure, you're doing wonderfully. I know you don't want her in your bed at night but what about taking her to bed for a nap during the day? It might help you catch up on your sleep. People often forget that breast fed babies are slower at putting on weight, as long as she is having wet and dirty nappies and seems happy and healthy then she's probably fine. Kaya was really slow at putting on weight as well, but because she was happy and healthy then the doctor said not to worry.

 

[Angelface]

i got the same from my midwife, said maybe i was holding her wrong?! but my mum and nan both said i was doing fine, shes got wet and dirty nappies, my midwife said her poo being too watery was because shes only getting my fore milk? but shes on my boob awake for at least 45 mins!! some times up 2 3 hours! i dunno, i feel like im at the end too!

My OH is also anti B/f as he cant get to feed her!! feel like its all against me!

 

[Whisper]

Amelia was very similar, she wasn't gaining weight at all well. I started to introduce baby rice at lunch time then dinner time around 4 & 1/2 mnths old and since then she has gained really well.

Do you think she might be ready for a small amount of solids?
If you don't want to do that then maybe a bottle of formula in the evening would be a good idea, you have done an amazing job getting to 4mnths...well done

 

[jenstar]

Do you think she really has put no weight on? Or is it a case of last time she was weighed just after a feed and before a poo and this time she was weighed "empty"... if it really is NO weight gain then take what help you can get from HV etc etc and if it's the second one just make sure and get her weighed right after a feed next time!

 

[Freya]

Hey there, you're so not alone in this. Gracie is 14 wks old and also not near the 12lb mark. SHe is on the 2nd percentile, but gaining on the line..... so your LO has actually lost weight? (have a look at the breast feeding chart available to view on the world health organisation website, to compare how LO is really doing, I bet you'll be pleasantly suprised)

BF soooo hard, I'm sooo sleep deprived that lately I wonder if I can go on, I feel like I'm not getting any quality of life and enjoying Gracie as I should because I'm staring into space most of the day like a bloody zombie.

Gracie feeds every 2 hrs through the night so have supplemented a FF at 12 to give me a lil break - could you do this?

OH isn't overly sympathetic either and is looking for any excuse to tell me to stop. So much so I dont talk to him about how I feel because I know what he'll say.

I really wonder why I wont let go.

Hope you see some improvement soon, remember you've done so well to come as far as you have!!!! You must do what is right for you.

xx

 

[Rachiebaby24]

Hun Maley is nearly 4 months old and she is only 11lb 7oz....and she has 7oz bottles, baby rice for lunch and dinner....!!! maybe your baby is petite......

Maybe try supplementing the evening feeds for forumla and maybe she might sleep for longer and you get a break (daddy could feed her the formula feeds).....

hope you find out whats best for you and your bubba soon.

 

[angie0235]

I started giving Katie a formula feed last thing at night and she went longer between feeds at night. I BF for 3 and a half months then slowly introduced bottles. You are not a failute at all. BF is hard and not knowing how much milk they are taking is really hard. If your LO seems to be happy and content then keep doing what you are doing because you're doing a fabulous job!

 

[AC81]

thanks for all your kind words, they really cheered me up! I've decided to slowly move to formula feeding. Erin has always been a REALLY fussy feeder anyway but I think now its becoming a problem as she's needing more food and I spend forever reattaching her. She is on and off the boob constantly throughout her feeds and has lately started squealing at my boobs (sounds like a really frustrated cry). I've given her some formula tonight and I'll see how she sleeps!

It really is nice to hear that others are going through similar things xx

 

[Logiebear]

Well I was going to suggest finding a bfing counsellor in your area as the NHS should have one available to you through your HV. Mine has been a godsend and has been round to my house to help with positioning etc. It honestly sounds to me like an attachment problem but I will be the first to say I don't have much experienc ein this area and if you are happy to move to ff then I wish you luck sweetie xxx

 

[Wobbles]

You have to do whats right for you and LO

Good luck in whatever you decide is best x