Quitting breastfeeding at 6 weeks v. 3 months v 6

[Anonymous]

I breastfed my first child over a year. It was hard at first, but after everything settled in, then I loved it.

I am contemplating giving up with my newborn. It's been 4 weeks. For the first two weeks he didn't latch properly (so we gave him breastmilk through a bottle). Then he learned to latch but still only latches and sucks 1-2 a day. Other times, he refuses to nurse until he gets the bottle nipple. Add to that his demand has grown the past week to the point I don't produce enough anyway so we've been supplementing with six 2oz formula bottles daily.

I have odd symptoms. Apart from nipple soreness which is common, my breasts are sore to the point I can't sleep sideways, my upper back is sore, even when I lay flat on my back my breasts feel heavy and sore it disrupts my sleep. I pump every two hours, else my breasts feel rock hard and achy. I'm tired and fed up with muscle aches, aches on the , breast itself, the baby not improving, the frequent pumping.

So although I would have liked to breastfeed till one year old, I'm contemplating weaning by week 6. But how much of a difference does it make (immunity and health benefits to baby) if I hang in there till three months? How about six. My La Leche breastfeeding book makes it seem as even supplementing with formula is not as ideal for the baby and that freesh breastmilk is better than refrigerated milk.

I'm just really frustrated and trying to find reasons to hang in there. I've seen three LCs already. Or throw in the towel with less guilt if science backs it up.

[Anonymous]

OP, do the best you can. I supplemented for the entirety of the first year and went on to have long, happy BF relationship with 2 kids (DD1 18 mos, and DD2 35 mos). If you want to keep going you can; if you want to stop - do it if it keeps you sane.

It sounds like you might be on the verge of mastitis, so you may want to consult with a doc about that. And if you're feeling really down, maybe screen for PPD?

Hugs, and best wishes!

[Anonymous]

Actually, I was thinking maybe thrush, but either way the pain you're describing doesn't seem normal and should be checked out.

As for weaning at 6 weeks? I had similar problems to yours, drove myself crazy until 8 weeks trying to nurse and pump, then switched to EP'ing + supplementation until 7 mos...and I really wish I had just switched to formula at 6 weeks (or even sooner). Your child will be absolutely fine...and much happier with a well-rested and happy mother.

[Anonymous]

Are you getting enough rest? You're really working hard to nurse your little guy and you have another little one to take care of, too. And you haven't had time to completely recover from giving birth yet. You have a lot on your plate right now.

Prioritize rest for you whenever you can. Don't worry about anything else except your kids and yourself right now. Take advantage of any offers to help and rest, rest, rest!

Rest will help your body feel better which is really important right now, and then you can make the best decision for you and your baby. The most important thing is that both you and the baby are healthy and happy. Best wishes to you and your baby.

[Anonymous]

Nipple soreness is not normal at 6 weeks. It should be gone by week 2 maybe 3. I think your baby has a tongue and or lip tie. The nipple soreness and latch issues are dead ringers. Can you go to the VHC breastfeeding group? It meets Tues and Weds. Susan Howard is the LC who runs it and she's great. Or better yet make an appointment with her.

For a tie correction, I would go to Dr Jaju at Oakton Children's Dentistry, Dr Earl Harley at Gtown (ped ENT) or Dr Rothman in Alexandria (children's dentist). Jaju is the best and uses cold laser.

[Anonymous]

Pp here I hit submit too soon. I almost quit at 6 weeks. I had seen 6 expensive LCs. Then I found Susan. I learned so much from her esp that if you have pain there is an issue and it can be fixed. We had the ties released and it got better. Not immediately but by 8 weeks it was much better and we went on to nurse for 19 mos.

One thing I learned at the VHC BF group is not to quit on your worst day. Also any amount of breast milk is better than none. If you need to supplement, do it. Frozen milk or milk from the fridge is still really good milk and better than formula. Formula is just another type of food. It is good nutrition. Focus on the presence of breast milk and not the absence of formula. Rest. Drink water. Maintain your supply while working on the underlying problems.

Breast feeding problems are awful but this too shall pass. Good luck to you!

[Anonymous]

Doula and third time mom here.

I think you are pumping too often. I say that as someone who had to pump formal months with each kid before they nursed well. You could pump every 3 hrs at night and try for 2 during the day. 9 times in 24 hrs would be great.

Are you using a hospital grade pump? The supply stuff could be related to that. You need a hospital grade pump for a newborn who isn't nursing well. It'll help build your supply. You can rent one at babies r us.

As for the supply, you could easily get it up (since you aren't using a ton of formula) using More Milk Plus tincture, alfalfa tincture, or domperidone. The Dom you can order online. Dr. Newman's website can point you to where. I've found it makes a huge difference. If you can get your supply up, your baby may nurse better.

The pain you feel isn't normal. Call your doctor or midwife. You may have thrush.

Once you've done those things, kellymom has great info on how to get baby off bottles and on the breast. It may take a couple of weeks. I've done it each time and it's been hard but worth it.

You also are still a great mom if you wean. But it sounds like you need this to be easier more than you specifically want to wean, so try this stuff first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

As for the supply, you could easily get it up (since you aren't using a ton of formula) using More Milk Plus tincture, alfalfa tincture, or domperidone. The Dom you can order online. Dr. Newman's website can point you to where. I've found it makes a huge difference. If you can get your supply up, your baby may nurse better.

(If you have to take medication that is not approved in the US in order to breastfeed, formula might be a better choice.

-somebody who took domperidone)

[Anonymous]

It takes two people to have a successful breastfeeding relationship. You and your baby. If one, or both, of you isn't a willing participant, it's ok to stop. Really.

If you want to be sure you did everything, yes see an experienced LC. I'm sure they will have tips and ideas for you. But if you do that and you are still so unhappy, it's ok to use formula. It really is. Your baby will be fine.

[Anonymous]

You're doing the best you can ... don't beat yourself up, ok?

I do think you need to see a professional, though, because that kind of pain is not normal and you need to see what's going on for your health independent of breastfeeding. It might also turn out to help your breastfeeding, though.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Nobody will ever know the difference. If it's making you miserable, stop.

[Anonymous]

To address your actual Q, OP, there is no science that says it matters. People say there's not and everyone can find a link for everything, but really there isn't anything definitive out there. The most I've seen that I find credible suggests that colustrum is pretty powerful stuff, and you did that already.

I'm personally in the "wean" camp and started supplementing with my second early, weaned by 3 months, just because I didn't particularly want to do it again. No specific problems with my first or my second. But as one of the PPs pointed out, you do seem to want to do it, so if there are other options to explore, I wish you the best in exploring them! Everyone should be able to do what they want in this area, no guilt. Baby will be great.

[Anonymous]

Could you try a nipple shield? Since he will take a bottle and wants that nipple, it would both help him latch on your nipple AND feel like a bottle nipple to him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To address your actual Q, OP, there is no science that says it matters. People say there's not and everyone can find a link for everything, but really there isn't anything definitive out there. The most I've seen that I find credible suggests that colustrum is pretty powerful stuff, and you did that already.

I'm personally in the "wean" camp and started supplementing with my second early, weaned by 3 months, just because I didn't particularly want to do it again. No specific problems with my first or my second. But as one of the PPs pointed out, you do seem to want to do it, so if there are other options to explore, I wish you the best in exploring them! Everyone should be able to do what they want in this area, no guilt. Baby will be great.

+1, really OP, it's fine to stop if you want. If you want to try everything for your own peace of mine as the other PP said (which I can get, mom guilt sucks), see an LC.

[Anonymous]

I'd give it until six weeks. If it still isn't working then quit and don't look back. Your mental health is important to the baby and if all the trouble you are going through isn't fixing the problem then move on.