How did you decide to stop BF'ing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Same here!!! It routinely takes me over an hour to feed my child. I'm also very interested to hear other's replies.
I think this is much more common than they'd like us to believe. I met someone who had the same problem and lasted only 4 weeks. I'm on week 9 now. I was hoping to make it until I go back to work.

Just wanted people to know that in the early weeks/months it is totally typical to have a BFing session take an hour. I know this is not the only issue being raised here, and I don't mean to push one way or the other, but just wanted all to know that this is not unusal at all, even for mamas with tons of milk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: It eats up a lot of time and I still think DS ends up with 75%-90% formula.

I know BF'ing can't be too long term for me. DS gets frustrated...sometimes it goes OK, sometimes not.

These are the exact reasons I stopped. I felt pressure from people (mostly rude comments from strangers), but finally started saying outloud to them - this is what works best for me and my baby. It made me feel better about my decision and I think it helped curb the annoying comments from peopl. Do whatever works for you and your family!

Jeez...you can't win. Some people in public freak out if they see you BFing, and the others scold you for formula feeding....

[Anonymous]

It's such a hard, personal decision. I've been there too. With DC#1, I was never able to give 100% BM. At best I got to about 75%, so we always had supplements (formula). At the beginning I tried to pump round the clock, BF, give what I pumped in an SNS or finger or syringe, then supplement if needed. It was exhausting. I did move to bottles at about 3 weeks or a month, still pumping, nursing, supplementing. In my case I have mostly flat nipples and DC never got a good latch. I worked with LCs. Eventually I started taking Domperidone, which helped up my supply (I had tried Feenugreek, Mother's milk, etc). I breastfed (or provided breastmilk) until DC was about 13 months old. I grew to accept the bottle and would breastfeed mostly for comfort (DCs and mine).

Here's the interesting thing to note: DC#2 is receiving only breastmilk. I breastfeed when I'm home, and pump at work. Supply is not high, but enough. DC is now 6 months. I do not take the Dom this time and I only pump 2-3 times a day (2 at work and sometimes 1 at night if I need more BM--especially now that I'm mixing some in with the rice cereal).

A few thoughts...

This is such a short time in your child's life, and you don't want to spend it being stressed out. Do what works best and try not to feel guilty.

I believe loving and nurturing your baby is so much more important than whether he is BF or formula fed.

Remember that many of us who were born in the 60's and 70's were formula fed, and most of us turned out just fine.

As you can see from the responses to your inquiry many of us are in your boat. We can all support each other by sharing our experiences