When breastfeeding stops bonding and feels like a chore (From The Argus)
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Giving up the Breast
2:07pm Tuesday 16th March 2010
By Michelle McCann - Mummy McCann »
After not having the birth I wanted I was determined more than ever to have at least one thing I wanted happen for me and my daughter. I started breastfeeding with enthusiasm and perserverance to ensure me and Isobel were comfortable.
To be honest breastfeeding got easy at 10 days, then 6 weeks. Isobel is now 13 weeks old. For about 3-4 weeks now I have felt increasing tired and frustrated with breastfeeding. It gives neither me or Isobel the freedom to explore the outside world as much as I'd like us to when she is growth spurting (this seems to be every other day at the moment). Sometimes she feeds every 2 hours during the day and between 3 and 4 at night (if I am lucky 7 hours). Occasionally she'll feed for 2-3 hours at a time. I don't feel the bond there was at the beginning. I feel like a constant teat and in my mind there is always one breast is always exposed.
Don't get me wrong there are many advantages to breastfeeding. In the beginning it forged a bond between us. Feeds were 3-4 hours apart, Isobel looked at me during them and it felt good to be able to provide her with something no one else could. As time passes this has phased out, Isobel becomes more aware of her surroundings, takes in all around her and I love introducing new ideas for play.
So after exclusively breastfeeding since week 3 we're trying to once again combine feed and I'll start to express breast milk with a view to Isobel being on a bottle fully by 6 months. This phases in with her being able to take solids and then in 4.5 months my return to work. At the moment it is proving difficult so if you have any tips at all I'd be glad for them!
Comments(4)
ReluctantHousewife
says...
9:28am Wed 17 Mar 10
I combined fed from about 3months and found that helped me to breastfeed for a lot longer than I would have (up to 10months) because I wasn't a slave to it. I enjoyed it a lot more just breastfeeding at night, during early morning cuddles etc - but during the day we could be more mobile and I could have a drink in the evenings etc.
Good thing about a bottle is the feeds become faster and you can see exactly how much she has had. On the boob she can sit there for hours and you still have no idea, sometimes she won't be feeding at all just enjoying the comfort (we introduced a dummy too during combined feeding to help with the sucking need!)
Never feel guilty about combining or giving up - even if you had only breastfed her once as soon as she was born and decided it wasn't for you I would still say well done!
Love to you all x
Brighton John
says...
3:07pm Wed 17 Mar 10
... to ensure me was comfortable?
Should be:
"... to ensure Isobel and I were comfortable."
Michelle McCann
says...
8:12pm Wed 17 Mar 10
Any ideas for reintroducing combined feeding, we had an issue with some cartoned milk at week 3 and think this may have caused issues when trying to start up again.
After twittering I've been sent some breast to bottle bottles from babybornfree.co.uk. They give practical advice via twitter too.
Brighton John - apologies for my sleep deprived mistakes. When I figure out how to settle Isobel into a routine I'll work on making the blog understandable to everyone and not just other sleep deprived mums!
emmalondon says...
9:23pm Tue 16 Mar 10