Hun, I'm sorry to hear that you are still having so much pain I think you are really amazing for putting up with the pain for so long. That is really courageous. Making the decision to formula feed is totally understandable and you shouldn't feel bad for making the decision that is right for you and your family. At this point you can make that decision knowing that you did all you could to bf for as long as possible, and that you put up with a lot of pain to do so. That is really something to be proud of, and I hope it is enough for you to be able to switch without guilt.
Definitely give yourself the chance to heal and see how you feel about it in a few days. Many women have used formula just to get them through a rough patch and even just having a day ot two where you know you don't have to BF can do amazing things for you emotional state and give you a chance to try again.
That sounds like a good idea. Maybe after a bit of expressing you might find your nipples heal and you may want to try again.
BF'ing can be so hard to begin with, if you do manage to get past the rocky-ness at the beginning it does get easier. I had bleeding cracks and so much pain for about the first 8 weeks, i really sympathies, it was horrible, toe curling pain and i didn't look forward to feeding at all. But down the track i was very grateful to still be able to BF. It made my life much easier at times.
If it doesn't work out for you, that's ok too.
Regardless, how ever you chose to feed your baby is certainly no indication of how 'good' you are as a mother. So what ever path you choose, be happy with it and don't feel guilty.
no one can tell you what is best because you are her mum and you know.. I would totally do formula if I felt V needed it eve if it was just about the emotional relationship with her and I.
Good luck with whatever you do...When I was comp feeding I was using nan ha on recommendation from the hospital.
Sorry, one handed typing is not my forte....On another note take care of you too and I hope your bbs feel better
I was in a similar situation my little man and i just couldn't get it to work, I was so sore and he was so hungry and we would both end up in tears. So I stopped feeding him at 4 weeks old and expressed until he turned 5 months old (to the day)....and now that i have stopped expressing I am a much happier mum and in turn have a happier baby. Whilst i was expressing i was also giving him one bottle of formula a day to get him through the night and he was happy to go between both, my mchn recommended Nan Ha1 as apparently this tastes similar to BM and easy to digest....he is happy with either and hasn't had any problems with his tummy.
With the next bub if i have the same problems with BFing I will not hesitate with using formula as i missed out on a lot of cuddles whilst expressing...but i still have BF envy when i see other mum's successfully BFing.
If you can see your way clear to do both thats a great idea..as the others have said it might just help get over the intial pain, let you heal and grab a bit of rest. Good luck with it all.
I think you are really amazing for putting up with the pain for so long. That is really courageous. Making the decision to formula feed is totally understandable and you shouldn't feel bad for making the decision that is right for you and your family. At this point you can make that decision knowing that you did all you could to bf for as long as possible, and that you put up with a lot of pain to do so. That is really something to be proud of, and I hope it is enough for you to be able to switch without guilt.
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