Hi all,

v been reading the posts on this ebsite and am getting lots of reassuance from all of the discussions!

In short i have one question - when do you start to enjoy breastfeeding?

It's not that i hate it but i am struggling wit it following issus around weight loss and being redmitted to hospital where feeds wee topped up with formula. My baby is 3 weeks old and i don't think i am producing enough milk for her! I am really keen to carry on BFing but am not sure i have the staying power!!

Any words of support?

its still early days for you hun. the first month or so is the hardest. at this stage your baby's tummy is tiny and only needs a tiny amount of your breast milk to fill it up. breast milk digests a lot quicker than formula which is why they seem to be hungry all the time. please dont give up, i would hate for you to regret your decision later like i did when i stopped bfing my eldest at 3 weeks. you little girl probably just wants to be close to you too. after all she has just been pushed from her warm cosy womb into the big scary world! keep at it and your body willk produce as much milk as she needs. you will enjoy it when you can relax a bit more. take it a day at a time and try not to worry too much if it seems she never leaves the breast, its totally normal x

I no im only 5 weeks but at 3 weeks i was ready to throw in the towel 2, im glad i didnt cuz now it is starting to get easier and this morning was the first morning i had a whole hour and a half to myself! it will get better and today i saw the first glimse of that so please hang on in there!

x

I found the first 6 weeks the hardest. After that everything started to fall into place. Once you're getting out and about a bit more you'll be glad you're bf as you won't need to worry about preparing formula and carrying it around.

Breastfeeding CAN be hard, especially at the beginning... it's not something that just comes naturally to all mums (although it does to some).... And it's really time consuming at first, too.

What is it especially that you find difficult about it? Do you experience pain? Is it the time taken? Can you only feed in a certain chair, with your cushions just so? Do you like to nurse in privacy? Can you rest while feeding, or feed in bed? Can you telephone friends or read books or watch TV while feeding? It's really hard if you feel resentful towards the baby because of surmountable breastfeeding issues!

As you become more experienced at feeding, as your supply builds, as you get more confident feeding in sociable places, as you grow to marvel at the extraordinary and wonderful ability of your boobs to soothe and gentle and nurture the wonderful baby that you have grown first in your womb and then that through your amazing milk, it does get pleasureable.

Nature made breastfeeding a enjoyable activity.... but it takes a few weeks. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...e-hormone.html

I hope you start to look forward to feeds soon!

Melanie

I bought myself (and LO) some nice fleecy throws to wrap up in while we nurse in the evenings. I enjoy that closeness and time together and actually hope I can continue to have 'blanket time' with my LO for years to come.

Is there any way you can make feeding times more comfy and enjoyable for yourself? Like maybe get a nice blanket, or a nice mug to drink from, or a super comfy cushion - get yourself a treat to reward yourself for all you have done so far?

Thanks to all for your words of support and encouragement! I just never dreampt it would be this hard!

As for why I am not enjoying it - I am quite lucky that she seems to have been able to latch on well since day one and the physical feeding of her has been ok. I just can't seem to satisfy her! She literally feeds constantly and as soon as she comes off (even if she takes herelf off) she is chewing her hand again and crying. For example today she fed at 6.30, 7, 7.45, and 8.30 before we mde it downstairs. Sone then she has cried constantly when not on the boob so has fed literlly constantly from 9.30 until now pausing only when she falls asleep on the boob for 10 mins and then wants back on again! My boobs are now really sore and i don't know how i can manage the rest of the day/this eve. I can only think tha i am not producing enough milk for her, a prolem i suffered in the first few days and ended u back in hospital where she was topped up with formula. I am tring very hard not to give in (I occasionally top at ed time to enble us to get a coupl of hours sleep but always make sre tha she has fed from the breast first to try and promote my milk supply) but when days are as hard as today i can't see myself carrying on for long!

n the last few days I have started sufferng with deep pains in my breasts after feeding which seem to go up to my arm pits - any ideas what that may be??

Any words of wisdom again apreciated!

i know how hard it is when you dont get enough sleep and seems like baby is hungry 24/7 but the only advice i can give you is to just stick iat it, your body WILL make more milk. the more your baby demands it, the more your body will supply. i know its easy for me to say but when i stopped bfing my eldest i felt terrible and have regretted it eversince, i truly believe it is my biggest regret. we have all been where you are now and we know how you are feeling, we are always here and there will always be someone here to support you. you could try pumping to increase your supply but its not recommended before 6 weeks. the benefits to yours and your baby's health far outway the bad points x

i have only just started enjoying it at 6 months in, I used to detest it but I have always love giving my baby what he needs.

If ur who i think u r, did u find that book helpful at all? if not sounds like yr lo is trying to increase yr milk supply by constantly feeding. This happened to me and is completely normal as previously sed. The more she sucks the more milk yr body will eventually make, but it wont happen over night it takes time. Ru sure she is latched on properly for the nipple pain? u can get someone to check at yr local bf support group. Lansinoh cream is a life saver can get this from boots its expensive but cleared up my cracked nips after 2 days!