So bored of expressing but feel too guilty to stop

[kalia]

So, DD has been exclusively on expressed breast milk for 19 weeks now. I hate expressing and would love to stop. I was aiming it get to 6 weeks. Then 16. Now I feel I should get to 26. I'd love to not express but I'd feel guilty giving formula I am perfectly capable of providing the milk for her and I chose not to breast feed because I didn't like it. I know formula isn't poison but I want to give her the best possible start.

Sorry for the moan, I go through spates of feeling like this then I'm fine again. In 6 and a half weeks we'll start BLW and maybe we'll move towards using formula then.

 

[loz]

It is a bit of a drag - but good on you for expressing so far

I guess it is up to you - breast milk is so good and as you say it's not that long until weaning but you have to do what is right for you.

I am back at work part-time now and Emms has some formula at the childminders but BF all other times. It's not the end of the world and not everyone has the choice to express. I have expressed one bottle in the morning for Emms while she is at the childminder but I havent got time or energy to do anymore!

Dont beat yourself up if you do decide to stop, I think motherhood shouldnt be about feeling guilty all the time, it's what's best for you all as a family and happiness and making the most of having the baby. If expressing ++ bottles makes you fed up and resentful, it's not brilliant for you as a family.

Sorry for rambling

 

[keli]

I think you've done brilliant to get this far I've only ever expressed once and that was because my nipple was killing me and it was a total ball ache! I keep saying to myself that i should start trying to get a supply for when we start weaning plus i really need my hair cut/coloured but i really cannot be bothered!! So well done, you should be doubley proud.. giving your LO BM and for going through the ball ache of expressing xx

 

[Becky]

I have so much respect for people who manage to express breast milk exclusively. I just couldn't do it - the effort etc. for jsut one bottle put me off let alone doing what you've done every day for 19 weeks - well done you!

If you do decide to switch to formula you shouldn't feel guilty, you've given your LO an amazng start to life, and you have to stop at some time so pick a time when is best for you and LO.

 

[bumpmakes3]

Wow you've done amazingl well expressing exclusively for that long I BF and try to express once a day to keep a store going in the freezer. Recently she's had a couple of formula feeds out of convenience ie. when someone's taken her out all day and on Tuesday I was so ill I handed her over to the MIL with a bag of formula and bottles. She's really none the worse for it and I will continue to give the odd bottle alongside BF. You're so right - it's not poison

I think it's way more important for you to enjoy your baby now. You've done the hard work and like you say it's nearly weaning time. Do what's best for you

 

[dannii87]

You've done brilliantly!!

Whatever you decide to do, always feel proud of yourself for going 19 weeks on expressed milk. I really admire you... You've done great! xx

 

[charlie84]

Kalia that is one hell of an achievement getting to 19 weeks expressing for as long as you do everyday well done
She has definately had the best start

 

[Charlie:-)]

Hey well done kalia you need a bloody medal for expressing exclusively for 19 weeks most people would have given up after a week. Dont feel guilty about wanting to give up cause your're bored i express one feed a day and it bores me silly so i can slightly appreciate how it must feel expressing every feed. If you want to move to formula then thats your decision, you could even try substituting one feed a day with formula and gradually cutting down the amount you express. Whatever you decide you ought to be proud of what you've done i think its amazing.

 

[kalia]

Thanks girls
I'm going to reduce the time I spend expressing and we'll give LO formula when there's no breast milk - though I have 16 bottles worth in the freezer so that should keep us going for a while

 

[Gem & Leland]

jesus girl feel proud ! my boobies didnt let me do anymore then 3 blooming weeks expressing !!!! then boom dried up you should not feel guilty if at 6 months your change to formula , expressing for 6 months id prob say his harder then bottle or breastfeeding with what you have to go through !

 

[Laur_250]

You've done so well to get to here so dont feel guilty if you stop, you've already given baby the best start.xx

 

[Daffodil]

Kalia,

I just want to say that you are an inspiration to me! You show me that it can be done.

I am still having major problems getting Meadow to latch, so I am expressing breastmilk and feeding her some breastmilk and some formula (because my breastmilk isn't enough yet).

I really want to feed fully on breastmilk if I can't actually breastfeed.

If you have any advice on increasing my supply - like how often you express for etc. I would appreciate it.

Well done you - and never ever feel guilty for stopping.

Dawn
x

 

[flowergirl]

Expressing for 19 weeks is an AMAZING achievement.

You should feel so poud of yourself- I echo what others have said- that expressing exclusively IS much harder than breast or bottle feeding and requires almost round the clock effort. I understand fully why you feel that enough is enough- you MUST feel drained- literally and figuratively but I can also see why you feel that pushing to 26 weeks is also an option... after all you've already come so far!

Whatever you decide to do, it is the right decision, and you have alreasy given your LO the best start you could naturally give her.

Well done - you truly are an

 

[Leese]

Like everyone else, I think you've done magnificently and really are an inspiration to people who think there's no alternative to breast or formula. So, don't feel bad if you do decide to stop, she's had a lot of the good stuff! I've only ever met one mummy who bottle-fed ebm to 26 weeks, it must be pretty rare!