under pressure to put LO onto formula

[kitabird]

grrr! Nobody is supporting me in my decision to breastfeed and it's really p***ing me off. I am struggling with various problems like pain (currently being treated for thrush) and the fact that LO wants to suckle literally ALL day long, but I'm not ready to give up! My family keep telling me that it's ridiculous and that I "need to have a life". I think part of it is that they want to be able to babysit and that's not really possible when he's being BF so frequently. Can't they just keep their opinions to themselves?? Breast is best!

 

[mommy43]

awww hun everyone around me friends n family are all/were ff's or couldnt bf for one reason or another n really arent very supportive either my lo was diagnosed with thrush yesterday too ok so bf is not always easy but u are doing it ur choice n i say good for u

 

[HannahsMummy]

I had the same problem with my in-laws. I struggled for the first few weeks of breastfeeding and I was in agony throughout every feed. My OH family were all FF and they didn't offer any support at all and thought I was being 'unsociable' because when they came round I had to keep going into the bedroom to feed Hannah. I was crying in pain and I didn't really want them all gawping at me...

My family (mum, sister etc) all breast fed their babies and were really supportive. It makes all the difference, just to visit my Mums and know she had set up a comfy chair in her bedroom for me when I needed it... but round the in laws they had no where for me to go at all.

Don't give up, it suddenly becomes easier and you will really enjoy BF soon.

 

[maybebaby3]

sod what other people say. yes, breast is best and yes, it is not always easy. they should be supporting you, not putting you down!!!

 

[Elski]

Oh dear I'm sure they think they're being supportive and helpful in their own ways. Not what you want to be hearing when you're having a hard time though. Have you tried politely (or maybe even not so politely ) telling them to keep their advice to themselves and that you only want to hear encouraging, pro-BFing comments?

Hope the thrush clears up soon!

 

[Celesse]

Abigail fed constantly until 6 weeks old and pretty frequently until 3 months old. But that's how some BFed babies are and I planned my day around her, rather than trying to fit her into my day. I still get comments from MIL about needing to have a life, or time away from her.....mostly because she wants more babysitting time. I just tell her I don't mind.

Just noticed you are in Newcastle.... which Sure Start area are you in? I'm in the Kenton Sure Start area and there is a lovely, small BFing group that meets on a Wednesday at Montague SS if you wanted to come along and have a good moan and a chat with some BFing mummy's. Other areas will probably have similar.

 

[kitabird]

Just noticed you are in Newcastle.... which Sure Start area are you in? I'm in the Kenton Sure Start area and there is a lovely, small BFing group that meets on a Wednesday at Montague SS if you wanted to come along and have a good moan and a chat with some BFing mummy's. Other areas will probably have similar.

Thanks, I'm actually in Whitley Bay so not near Montague. Plus he feeds so often that I can barely set foot outside the house before he starts screaming!

 

[Celesse]

Plus he feeds so often that I can barely set foot outside the house before he starts screaming!

I think I started being able to get out more at about 6 weeks. I did go through a stage where I had to take her everywhere in the sling so I could feed on the go.

 

[Dragonfly]

I feel sad when I see threads like this as its hard enough without all this added pressure from family. It was the same for me only I just ignored them and they got fed up complaining and backed off as I am known never to listen to anyone anyway and hand someone their head if they get to me.

what about some info to educate them on the benefits of breastfeeding and why you are doing it. Why are they against how you feed your baby? its the best thing to do or dont they know that?

I had people complaining they couldn't have my son because I breastfeed but they never would anyway as I wouldnt allow that plus expressed bottles dont exist to them!to this day no one has ever taken my son over night and i am glad breastfeeding is used as an excuse for that.

your baby your choice tell them to feck off.

 

[lynnikins]

tell them to get lost, they dont have automatic rights to hold your child or to babysit and should consider it an honor if and when you choose to let that happen you were the one who carried your baby and its your choice how you feed your LO not theirs

 

[Wish4another]

I feel for you!!! I have the same. My in-laws are always telling me to express bottles so I can go out. My baby isn't even 2 weeks old yet!!!! They dont seem to understand that if i give her expressed milk frm a bottle, she may not want to come back to the boobie!!!

I dont know why they are making such a big deal of it.... i dont WANT to go out without my baby yet, and i really dont mind the not drinking.... it didn't bother me the whole nine months i was pregnant, so why do they think it bothers me now?!!!

I just want the best start for my little girl

 

[ljo1984]

so many people give up in your postion so it's quite sad that when you do want to continue no matter what that your family are so unsuportive. and at 3 weeks your baby is your life!! i didnt leave imogen untill she was nearly 3 months and that was only for a couple of hours. maybe next time they decide to butt in again just say politly, i really want to do this so please can i have a bit of support, as pressuring my to FF really isnt want i want and its not gonna happen!!