Struggling to Decide

[Tasha89]

I'm having a total dilema!
I always said i'd breastfeed my baby until she was 6 months then see how I got on afterwards.
Now looking at it now I cant decide whether or not to carry on after 6 months... I mean heck it's been difficult at sometimes. The lack of being able to just leave her with OH for a few hours without it been planned for at least a week is hard.
But I love it and I imagine that if I stopped I would really miss the closeness. I'm what's made her, her as she is now. Handing that over to a bottle of formula is proving to be quite difficult for me... I mean, putting her on a bottle just to have a bit of freedom would be quite possibly one of the most selfish things I could ever do.
I'd love to be able to express loads and have her take that now and then but I never get much more than an oz or two a time so getting one feed is just too much work!
I'm really at a loose end
What would you guys do?

 

[Rowesb]

I think you have answered that one yourself

I have got this far now that I will be really peeved if I end up buying formula


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[Tasha89]

I have got this far now that I will be really peeved if I end up buying formula

You've summed it up in one my lovely!

Think I just need a positive boost and i'll be fine! lol! Xx

 

[Minchin]

hey hon
I also thought I'd just do til 6 months, and am back at work for 2 days a week when Owen hits 6 months and just can't face expressing so much to try and get those 2 days of feeds (and makes me feel crap and selfish) What pump do you have for expressing? I can express quite well and LO has bottle fro OH at dream feed (although switched that one feed to formua recently). Could you possibly combine feed? maybe one feed formula? If you want a little more freedom and for others to be able to feed her I don;t think that's selfish (although easy to say but not too feel, feel guilty about even thinking about quitting bfing!!)
x

 

[isobel84]

i hope i manage to breastfeed to Noa is 6 month, but gosh i find although i love it, its hard work. Demba wants me to breastfeed him until hes atleast 8 month, but preferebly a year.. i think 6 month is enough for me tho.

you know something funny.. if i lay down n let him feed i feel sick. i think thats why im struggeling, i have to sit up every nightfeed n it makes me so tired.

 

[Tasha89]

I've always found it difficult to feed Evelyn lying down anyway so always sit up to feed her. I use to be falling asleep upright! lol! It does get easier

I did have the CTN Electric Pump but found it not much good and a bit brutal - I was then given the Avent Manual Pump by a friend to try but never got a good vacuum with it. Just bought Tiny's Medela Swing and seem to be getting more out with that but it's not great. Not sure if it's my supply or my inability to pump! Evie seems to draw quite a bit, even after i've pumped and there's no milk!

Just ordered some Fenugreek and i'm living off porridge to increase my supply if that's why i'm struggling to pump.

I was adopted as a baby so my Mum couldn't physically breastfeed me so I feel priviledged to be able to breastfeed Evelyn. Think that's why I worry so much. I never got the best start so want hers to be perfect x

 

[Rowesb]

I have only recently been able to feed laying down as Toby used to throw it back at me!! I'm planning on filling my freezer from march so that we can use that when I go back to work in may... But found it easier to express when Toby was sleeping through as was really full...


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[xxbeckyxx]

Have you tried just feeding off one boob for a few feeds and using the other for expressing? The one you're using to feed Evelyn should adjust to what she needs and the other might then fill up enough for you to get a good amount from? Also, have you tried plain old hand expressing? I can't use my pump at all, but get plenty when I hand express.

 

[Tasha89]

Hand expressing is better but I get awful cramp in my hand by about 2 oz lol! Far too lazy too tbh

 

[xxbeckyxx]

Lol!
Sometimes if I'm really organised, I'll have Lizzie on one boob and when the let down reflex kicks in my other boob expresses by itself so I just shove a container under it, but it's a bit of a faff. Better than it running down my clothes and getting wasted though!

 

[Tasha89]

Good idea! I sometimes leak quite a bit from the other side when feeding Evie. I sit there stuck on the sofa thinking, damn, I could do with a container!