Vent!!

I swear, I'm about to give up trying to breastfeed my son. I don't want to but it is VERY draining. Just wish my boobs drained half as well as I do!

I'm trying to take LO off the formula. Had only started it in the first place to get his weight up so he wouldn't go into the NICU after losing 10% of his birth weight. Now it seems that decision will be the end of me.

This morning, bright and early at 6am we woke up and I started breastfeeding like I always do. Instead of offering a bottle 30 min after, I just kept letting him go. He'd suck for a couple of minutes and I'd feel the let down and then it would stop. Or he would fall asleep. Or he would unlatch or pull. This went on for 6hrs straight before I gave in and gave him formula.

He took 3oz like regular. It's as if he got nothing and I was just starving him the whole time! Tried again after he woke up. This time I only tried for maybe 3 hours and gave him a bottle. It was 2.5oz. I hope this means I'm getting somewhere?

Ugh, I really want to do JUST breast. Not just because 'breast is best' but because it will be financially easier (I have WIC but it won't cover everything forever) and, ultimately, I blame formula for killing my first premature son and I don't want complications to arrive with this LO.

Thanks for reading the rantings of a frustrated mom!

Quoting Mirror Seeing:" I swear, I'm about to give up trying to breastfeed my son. I don't want to but it is VERY draining. Just ... [snip!] ... premature son and I don't want complications to arrive with this LO. Thanks for reading the rantings of a frustrated mom!"

You are getting somewhere!
I'm not sure how old your son is, but my son was 32 weeks early, & I started pumping the day after I had him. At first I only got half an ounce, & he got that..But my supply kept going up daily. When he was around 1-2 months old, he ate about 3 oz every 2-3 hours. You are doing fine, I promise. Have you tried calling the Le Leche League for any information?

Quoting Mirror Seeing:" I swear, I'm about to give up trying to breastfeed my son. I don't want to but it is VERY draining. Just ... [snip!] ... premature son and I don't want complications to arrive with this LO. Thanks for reading the rantings of a frustrated mom!"

You can do it!!!!

Is there a lactation consultant at your hospital? Maybe spend a whole day topless and nursing him on demand?

Quoting Mirror Seeing:" I swear, I'm about to give up trying to breastfeed my son. I don't want to but it is VERY draining. Just ... [snip!] ... premature son and I don't want complications to arrive with this LO. Thanks for reading the rantings of a frustrated mom!"

Have you heard of Motherlove brand?
I was just introduced to the brand by it tonight on BG...
http://www.motherlove.com/product/592-More-Milk-Special-Blend-Alcohol-Free.html
And I haven't heard anything bad about it, You can search on their website in the store locator section to find a store around you that sells their product, it's worth a shot !
GL mama, I know how frustrating it is, went through this with my first and I eventually gave up !  

Keep trying momma, its what your body is made to do! You're doing awesome  

Quoting Mirror Seeing:" I swear, I'm about to give up trying to breastfeed my son. I don't want to but it is VERY draining. Just ... [snip!] ... premature son and I don't want complications to arrive with this LO. Thanks for reading the rantings of a frustrated mom!"

What your'e experiencing is totally normal!

Don't give up! It gets easier.

My son is 3.5wks old. He was born at 35.5 wks gestation. I've had only one lactation consult and that was like 5 days after he was born. I think he has a problem expressing the milk, honestly.

And I've tried pumping, still am sometimes after feedings, but it's frustrating for me because I barely get 15ml out and that's with both breasts. Not each.

Quoting Mirror Seeing:" My son is 3.5wks old. He was born at 35.5 wks gestation. I've had only one lactation consult and that ... [snip!] ... am sometimes after feedings, but it's frustrating for me because I barely get 15ml out and that's with both breasts. Not each."

Its either that or it could be your nipple.

I would call the lac consultant at your local WIC office.

Quoting **milfshake**:" Its either that or it could be your nipple. I would call the lac consultant at your local WIC office."

I plan on it because even with a nipple shield, it seems my milk isn't flowing very long.

maybe just pump??? i know that i had to monitor how much my little guy was gettin at first and he was formula every other feeding ( i didnt want to do all formula)......and now he is all breast milk but during the day i pump and at night we nurse we are both just a whole lot more relaxed then =]

Quoting tana1991:" maybe just pump??? i know that i had to monitor how much my little guy was gettin at first and he was ... [snip!] ... now he is all breast milk but during the day i pump and at night we nurse we are both just a whole lot more relaxed then =]"

How did you get the milk out because i'm having trouble pumping.

Quoting Mirror Seeing:" How did you get the milk out because i'm having trouble pumping."

i massaged my breasts right before pumping for the first little bit...do you have different strengths to turn up?? i had mine pretty high for the first week or so till my breast got use to it. also maybe hold on to a blanket of your LOs or look at a picture (its odd but it helps too)

Quoting tana1991:" i massaged my breasts right before pumping for the first little bit...do you have different strengths ... [snip!] ... or so till my breast got use to it. also maybe hold on to a blanket of your LOs or look at a picture (its odd but it helps too)"

Yea it has different settings. And I heard that helps but I've only tried to think of him. Not the physical aspect though. I'll give it a try. Thanks.  

Quoting Mirror Seeing:" Yea it has different settings. And I heard that helps but I've only tried to think of him. Not the physical aspect though. I'll give it a try. Thanks.  "

Put a heating pad on the boob your not pumping and then switch the pad to the opposite boob when you switch to pump the other breast. Avent sells gel pads specially for your boobs that are shaped perfectly that you can heat them up or freeze them. You can buy them at Walmart.

Quoting Team PINK²:" Put a heating pad on the boob your not pumping and then switch the pad to the opposite boob when you ... [snip!] ... pads specially for your boobs that are shaped perfectly that you can heat them up or freeze them. You can buy them at Walmart."

didn't even think about those! Ty!!