I've given up :(

As the title suggests, if have given up trying to feed DS.

No support, supply issues after a premature weaning due to incorrect doctors suggestion (suggested not enough milk even tho DS put on 150 grams in 3 days, a toddler who has decided not to wear nappies anymore, and DS getting nipple confusion and not wanting to attach and fussing while attached.

I had hoped this time would be different.

I had hoped that I wouldn't listen to everyone else telling me to put DS on the bottle.

But I did listen, and I caved. I will miss the quiet morning feeds (strange I know) where he would just attach and feed nicely and finish with a full belly and a smile on his face. I liked knowing that my body was feeding him and helping him grow strong.

I'm tired of the struggle and of the frustration. My boo hoo about my bf journey and something that I will always regret.

Thank you to all the ladies on here who have offered their support and suggestions. It was nice to know someone was on my side.

Oh I'm so sorry it hasn't worked out for you. :( It's just so hard without adequate support, and certainly having people constantly mention bottles would wear anyone down.
:hug: Have you considered doing half bottle half breast?

:hug: You have done an amazing job feeding him for so long. If you need to stop that is ok, don't feel guilty because you have done everything you could to have a bfing relationship with your little man. Or if you don't want to stop just yet then perhaps contact the ABA and see if they have some tips so you can still breastfeed for a wee while longer without putting the pressure on yourself.

Im sorry, by the sounds it seems as though you have been through a fair bit. Im not sure what others have suggested but would a lactation consultant be doable for you? Another option is expressing and bottle feeding, even if its only one or two small breast milk feeds a day it is all good.

If you have looked at these options then please disregard the post.

Sending much love your way.

Hun, I'm sure you've done an amazing job with your DS, so you should be very proud of yourself. And a sane and happy mum is what your babies need. So if it's a bottle, then it's a bottle. Simple.

Don't think of it as giving up, ok? It's a comromise.
And we're still on your side :hug:

keep the quiet morning feeds if you can - it can't hurt, and it gives you more options down the track.

Bf isn't an option anymore as DS just doesn't feed properly due to the nipple confusion. He doesn't stay attached long enough to get the letdown. If he dies stay on, he starts to fuss when the flow slows down. It's a no win situation. It gets frustrating and he ends up getting a bottle anyway. I've tried and tired to fix it but as my supply wasn't enough to toss the bottles completely out the window.

And no support from dh makes any real single minded efforts to build up my supply impossible. I'm tired of the fights it brings. I will just have to bond with DS in another way.

I just looked at your sig to see how old your bubs is - you have done so well to get this far and like MadB said, it's a compromise

There are so many ways you can bond with your son, breastfeeding is not the only thing that bonds the two of you together. You love him and have cared for him since conception, and you have done a wonderful job. If this is the end of the road for breastfeeding then so be it.

:hug: It took me a full 3 months before it all fell into place with DS. A very lovely lactation consultant said to me that a child gets more benefit from a happy mum than it gets from breastfeeding.

You do what is best for you hun and don't look back. You and your kids' happiness is all that matters.

*big hugs* I'm almost at that stage myself. Pure stubbornness is keeping me going at this stage. I know how it feels. I have been so determined to make it work and I feel completely slammed that its not.

You have to do what's best for your family. Happy mum, happy baby. That's the most important thing in the end.

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I'm sorry it didn't work out the way you wanted. :hug:

Well done to you, breastfeeding is not easy!!! You gave it your absolute best shot. Breastfeeding is definately not the only way to bond with your beautiful babe. I think back to FF my first daughter and snuggling her in close, her gorgeous smiles with the teat still in her mouth, falling asleep on the bottle and her little mouth continuing to suck even once the teat was removed....awww good times. Your bub will be perfectly fine and be gentle on yourself, you will be fine too.

:hug: well done. You gave it your best shot and you've achieved heaps to come this far.

Hun, I know how hard you have tried :hug: I really have an urge to change the title of this thread - to me you have not given up at all. You have fought and battled and tried your hardest. You have been let down by the medical professionals who have given you bad advice, and by your lack of an IRL support network cheering you on and providing practical help. Please don't feel like you have given up - you have reached a decision that is the best one for you and your family at this point in time - there is a big difference hun :hug: I really hope you can find peace with your decision - you are doing, and have always done, what you needed to do. I hope you can be proud of yourself hun - you deserve to be :hug:

don't feel like you've given up - as MR says, you've done what you needed to do. BFing may be a mum & baby activity but it often requires the support of a whole lot of other people to make it happen. i think my journey was relatively easy (in hindsight!) but even then it wouldn't have happened without the support of my DP, BB, the ABA, my MCHN etc....it takes a lot of different factors to really make it work.

feel proud that you perservered without the necessary support & BF for as long as you did :hug:

:hug: PinkLilly good on you for persevering! I think you've done a great job and overcome a lot of issues to get this far. Try not to feel bad about stopping and make sure you have some lovely pics of you and bubs feeding.