I just don't think I can breast feed anymore :(

[Water_Melon]

I'm feeling like a failure but I don't think I can do it anymore!!

I have been doing it since birth (he is 4 weeks old now)
My nipples are killing me, he wants to feed all the time which makes me think he isn't even sucking.

Is it normal for the baby's mouth to look as though he is doing a biting motion? How is their jaw supposed to look when feeding? Because mine looks like biting insead of sucking.. ?

As far as I know I am doing everything correctly. I have had health visitors come out and show me how to position etc. So maybe he just can't latch properly?

Is 4 weeks enough do you think?

I'm also worried the health visitors will be dissappointed in me for giving up with the BF because they always go on about how important it is and how bottle fed babies are not nearly as healthy.

 

[Hunnie]

4 weeks is really good!! I only managed 3 days so you should definitely be happy with yourself. I can't offer much advice but you need to do whatever makes you a happy mummy in the long run whether it be sort your issues and continue BF or formula feed because a happy mummy always helps for a happy baby.

Have you tried visiting a local breast feeding group for support??? Xx

 

[TORino]

Well done sweetheart. 4 weeks is a fantastic start.

What I will say is you are soooooo close to it becoming very easy, most of the hard work is done with the constant feeding to build up your supply etc and your nipples will stop hurting (assuming latch is correct) very soon.

If you can grin and bear it a little longer then you will be rewarded I promise.

The only way you can tell if the baby isn't getting enough is by the scales so don't worry about that if he's putting on weight.

You've done really well though so don't beat yourself up if you really can't go on x

 

[Princess81]

Totally agree with TOR Hun. Big hugs xx

 

[BabyBrain]

4 weeks is longer than we managed. You've done brilliantly in my book hun. I felt really terrible that I couldn't bf but if it's not working then sometimes you just have to realise it for your own sanity.

My hv was fantastic and so supportive. She had a student with her once who just happened to be on the mat ward when I gave birth. It was lack of bf support and Albert not latching that caused all our problems. When the student got a bit funny that I was formula feeding my hv cut her down stone dead lol. You'll probably be surprised at how supportive she is xxxxxxx

 

[KarenC]

you're doing AMAZINGLY well, hun. Maybe just try to keep going for another couple of weeks. You're so close. By about 6 weeks, your milk supply will be established and it will get so much easier. The pain will go away eventually. My LO looks like she's biting down when she feeds rather than sucking, but she's fully breastfed now and has gained loads of weight. I had real problems with supply at the beginning and it took 8 weeks of dogged, mindless persistence to get where I wanted to be. Maybe keep going and see if it gets better, but if you do end up stopping, DO NOT beat yourself up over it. You've tried so hard and given your LO the very best that you can! It's brilliant to have made 4 weeks. And if anyone tries to make you feel bad for giving up, don't listen to them. In the end you will make the right decision.

Good luck! Let us know how you get on xxx

 

[Karate Kid]

It's how you feel hun, it's not the HVs choice.

Now that C is 13 weeks old and BFing is established I find it the easiest, loveliest experience ever. But we had major issues until 7 weeks. C had Tounge tie which was missed by The hospital, MWs and HVs. It meant that he would hardly ever latch and when he did it was so painful. So i expressed day and night. We were referred to our local hospital to get it snipped but turned away because they couldn't see a tie! We consequently paid to get it done privately.

It's been tough but I wouldn't change it for the world.

My advice would be to get yourself to the nearest support group. Baby Cafe has been invaluable to me, the BFing counsellor was an amazing support.

Bear in mind that at 4 weeks they have a growth spurt so they tend to feed a lot. Have you tried a dummy to prevent any comfort sucking?

Xx

 

[Rowesb]

have you got a baby cafe near to you? might be worth giving them a visit, a lot of mums have gone through what you describe, LO is still getting your supply up and might be going through a growth spurt. may see if you tube can offer and visual aids on the sucking look... what about you HV, are they helpful?
WEll done for getting this far

 

[Karate Kid]

Oh and never doubt how well you are doing Hun, this whole mummy business is so hard.

If you can push through it will all click into place but a good support network it vital. Xx

 

[kaz1983]

ur doing well hun and as others have said if you can grin and bear it it will get better

i completely sympathise with you in the first week I was ready to give in as it was so painful, tiredness didny help and both elise and me were getting frustrated

its now nearly 7 weeks ive bn bf-ing and it is far easier now she seems satisfied quicker tho does have days where she is on and off me like a yoyo and even when she comes off herself she sometimes starts trying to re-latch on herself (eh no happening missy cos ul suck in the wrong place) xx

 

[PeaPod]

Well done for getting to 4 weeks! As others have said, this is great so please dont feel like a failure.
Have you tried lanolin cream for your nipples? Its a tad pricey but its been fab for protecting my nipples. It sounds like you LO is a bit like mine in how he feeds, i call him my little zombie because he looks like he's trying to bite (and its even more frustrating when he 'argues' with my boob and that bloody hurts my nipple at times!). When he starts playing with my boob i will take him off and give him a dummy and this normally works at stopping the comfort sucking. If you want to continue BF, maybe try the lanolin and a dummy. I have had no issue with nipple confusion and Fraser will only take dummy if he wants to, if he spits it out i know he needs more feeding. You also have the option of maybe expressing and bottle feeding? Ive just bought a pump as although i love breast feeding, after 4weeks im exhausted and would like daddy to take over some feeds. Its definitely worth seeking support from a BF group as even if you decide that you want to stop they can advise on how to manage your supply.
If you are certain you want to move forward with formula that is great too. I know the NHS pipe on about breast is best but formula is almost just as good and all of my nieces and nephews were FF and they are bright and healthy ( basically your HV has to promote breast but its not her job to be disappointed, its her job to support!) Ultimately the decision is yours as you know what will keep mummy and baby happy. Hugs!

 

[Water_Melon]

Hi,

I just wanted to say a big thank you for your support

I haven't given up just yet... I really hope I manage to carry it on

Yes I am using that special nipple lotion mentioned above. Maybe I'll look into some breastfeeding groups.. although I'm not exactly the most social person. I'm really shy and find this sort of thing akward. Who knows though!

Thanks again xxx

 

[Karate Kid]

Hi,

I just wanted to say a big thank you for your support

I haven't given up just yet... I really hope I manage to carry it on

Yes I am using that special nipple lotion mentioned above. Maybe I'll look into some breastfeeding groups.. although I'm not exactly the most social person. I'm really shy and find this sort of thing akward. Who knows though!

Thanks again xxx

Bless you Hun. If you just want to speak to your local BFing counsellor then check on the NCTs website for details or ask your HV xx

 

[BevG]

my lo looks like shes trying to bite me when she feeds but shes not actually biteing. good on you for keeping at it it really does get easier and groups are awesome!