My original, well intentioned goal was to breast feed for six months. It seemed like the "right thing to do." I read several books on it and prepared myself for it being hard, but a positive bonding experience.
The problem is that Gabe never read those books. He has fussed and fought breast feeding from the start (somehow the whole experience stirs up his struggle with gas and a stuffy nose). Consequently, I struggle and feel like I am wading up stream.
In order to get some sleep, my hubby takes the 10-2am shift and of course bottle feeds. From his first few sips of formula from a syringe in the hospital, Gabe has loved the stuff. He quiets, folds his arms across his chest, and laps it up. Knowing this makes the whole breast feeding thing even more difficult.
So, I still breast feed him (when he will cooperate) and then we supplement with the bottle. I'm not sure if I produce enough or not, but I don't relish sitting around the house all day with my shirt unbuttoned. I already experienced a most embarrassing scenario--after having breast fed him for what seems like all day, I simply moved him to the burping position where he fell asleep. The neighbor later knocked on the door and I proceeded to open the door and then show off our little darling. It was two minutes into our polite social chit chat that I realized my shirt was still fully unbuttoned, though mostly closed. The neighbor, thank goodness, is a post-partum nurse so it didn't shock her to say the least. But, it didn't do anything for my ego!
So, we march on. I'm trying to stick with breast feeding for as long as possible. And, I have some nascent hope that it will get easier...or else the bottle is looking awful good right now.
4 comments:
It definitely takes time to learn how to nurse! Remember, there are options. You can be a pump-only mom, if that's what suits your sweetie-pie best. Or you could have a post-partum doula/other lactation professional come over & observe, offering some expert opinions?
Tulip
I don't mean to sound like a breastfeeding nazi, but I would really encourage you to push on with it just a little longer...I don't think you'll regret it!
It really, really does get easy...so much easier than bottles once you've mastered it!! And much, much cheaper!
(Okay, plus it's good for baby too).
Man, he is cute.
He's adorable. And as long as you are doing what's right for the two of you - *and that's what you choose* - then just keep right on at it.
Have you thought about pumping? This way you could button your shirt, bottle feed, but still have the benefits of breastmilk/free cost.
I have a friend who pumped breastmilk for her twins and it worked fabulously. You'll need a really good breastpump, but your hospital may have them for rent. This seems like it could be a great solution for your family.
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