Anonymous wrote:My baby is only two weeks and I also hate breastfeeding. I’ve actually been exclusively pumping for two days now because my nipples were bleeding. I’m scared to put her back on the breast. When does it get better? How long should I keep trying before I throw in the towel?

With my first it got better around five or six weeks, and with my other two it was only a little painful in the first couple weeks when I was getting used to it again. For me, it was worth pushing through the pain because I find nursing more convenient than bottle feeding (my kids all became quick nursers eventually and it is much easier to do one-handed) and have been able to do it successfully for a total of three years between my kids. But if our circumstances had been somewhat different, I would totally have dropped it and not looked back.

^^
I am the poster above with 3 kids born at home and a 6- week limit on breastfeeding. I forgot to add my sister is totally opposite of me -- 1 kid, hospital-born, high tech, painkillers, etc. She BF for 18 months and loved it to no end. Go figure.

Stay away from extremist views, OP. You are mom, you are woman, you make your own decisions.

I am an earthy-mama who had 3 kids birthed at home with a midwife. But I only breastfed each one for 6 weeks and I was done. 3 big strapping boys now. Beyond a certain amount of time it doesn't really matter. You don't live in a 3rd world country without access to clean water.

Anonymous wrote:My baby is only two weeks and I also hate breastfeeding. I’ve actually been exclusively pumping for two days now because my nipples were bleeding. I’m scared to put her back on the breast. When does it get better? How long should I keep trying before I throw in the towel?

Get a nipple shield! There is no need to suffer!

Honestly though, get a consultation with the Breastfeeding Center. Insurance covers six sessions under ACA. They are absolutely amazing there. So 100% worth it.

Anonymous wrote:My baby is only two weeks and I also hate breastfeeding. I’ve actually been exclusively pumping for two days now because my nipples were bleeding. I’m scared to put her back on the breast. When does it get better? How long should I keep trying before I throw in the towel?

Check with your doc but I would say bleeding nipples would be a "stop now" moment for me. Assuming you live someplace where clean water is readily available, there are plenty of other ways to feed your baby.

General comment: I've always thought that the idea that women should breastfeed even when it's painful or burdensome is horribly misogynistic and devalues women's pain and time.

Op glad you made a decision that’s good for you. With my first I liked it at times, but really had a hard time with the hormones and the anxiety and the feeling of being “tethered”. Being the one who has to get up at night is hard too. My husband begged me to do formula and I felt weirdly compelled to nurse - I didn’t even feel like “breast is best” hardcore; I’m be very much in the “Fed is best” camp when I’m being sane. With my second I introduced occasional formula much sooner and it made our nursing experience so much easier and let my husband and other family members be more involved too. I’m glad I nursed because it often was nice for me, but I’m also glad I backed off with the second so it could be a better experience. Everyone will have an opinion and it’s hard! Take the advice that works for you and leave the rest.

My baby is only two weeks and I also hate breastfeeding. I’ve actually been exclusively pumping for two days now because my nipples were bleeding. I’m scared to put her back on the breast. When does it get better? How long should I keep trying before I throw in the towel?

OP here. I came on here for support and it turned into a fight. I didn’t come on here to start a fight over which is best. I came on here to get other women’s experiences with hating it. I stopped breastfeeding last weekend and it’s been going well. I still have frozen breastmilk to give the baby but he’s now on formula. I feel so much happier. We had a lot of issues with breastfeeding and they never got better. I love that I’m not tied to a chair and that my husband can feed the baby. I have so much more time and I don’t have to worry about pumping. I feel formula and breastfeeding are such a small window in their lives that it doesn’t really matter. It wasn’t worth it for me but I know others love it and have had a positive experience.