Need some motivation

[Sprk]

I'm ready to give up bf. I don't know how much longer I can take all the cluster feeds during the day. It's like she just goes from one greats to the other all day, switching back and forth anytime she's awake. I'm tired and desparate for a break. (Some of you might have seen my fb post). She's been doing so well gaining weight etc and I know bf really is best for her, but I'm feeling guilty for wanting her to nap so I can rest and feel horrible when I see her waking up and think to myself 'oh no, not again.' I kept going out of sheer will and I'm running out of steam. I can't even find time to express. I need some motivation to keep it going and it's so hard to find any.

 

[HL28]

How old is your LO? First 6-8 weeks are the hardest hun but I promise they start to feed quicker and go longer between feeds. Have you considering co sleeping? Sorry if I've already mentioned it. But even so you can have a nap in the day I'd get in to bed wearing maybe a dressing gown so your warm and maybe your duvet up to your waist but wrapped around you so not on bubs and practice latching her on (with your first it does take a bit of practice for you both) and let her feed while you both nod off. It really is a life safer in the early weeks. Or have your tried a dummy? (Again they will spit it out and you might need to find one your low likes) You're doing amazingly well and I'd try to just think positively about spend all your time cuddling your lo and feeding because if you have another it's not as easy at all to sit for long with them. If you lo is just comfort feeding I also would latch them off! If they aren't actively sucking and swallowing after a big feed I'd latch them off. And if they were still fussing try the other side. But if I'd have let them dictate how long to stay there they'd have been there all day lol. SorryIm rambling just things keep popping in to my head lol. Hope your ok hun. Xxxxxxxxx

 

[Maud]

It is really tough, but it gets so much better once they get past the early growth spurts (I know it's little comfort at the moment as it feels like forever). We found it helped if my OH took our little one off me for a bit in the evenings, as being close to breasts made her want them more. It didn't always work of course and it was only for a couple of hours a day, but every little break helps with early breastfeeding!

 

[Sprk]

Thanks. I'm really doing my best to hang in there. I'm sad to say I just don't enjoy bf because of all this, though. It does help to gve her to dh to burp her because if I try, she gets upset knowing she's near boobs and can't get at them :/ Unfortunately, a lot of the time he takes her, she screams until I take her back. I've started taking her out during the day so she'll nap (yay for car rides) and give me a break. I feel guilty about it though. I feel bad for wanting her to fall asleep quickly at night because I'm tired.

 

[HL28]

I remember almost getting panicky about evenings and night times. But to help with this I went to bed super early and got as much sleep in as possible. Like I say first 6-8 weeks are the hardest then it does get better and so much more enjoyable!!!! Xxx

 

[Maud]

No need to feel guilty, you are doing amazingly well but of course you need your sleep! If you want to continue breastfeeding then try to focus on the positives - you don't have to buy formula or worry about how much to take out with you, it is super good for baby, it is super good for you, and all that feeding is sorting out your supply so that once she's finished her growth spurts it will become much more smooth sailing.

 

[CamFi]

My mum told me to only feed from the first side for ten minutes (they've got most of the milk by then), then unlatch and switch sides, let her feed for as long as she wants from the second side. This reduced her feeding times from up to hour down to about 20-25min, as she was feeding efficiently for that time rather than carrying on sucking from a breast that was nearly empty. Worth a try?