https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Jul 2026 17:25:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-862018 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:49:11 +0000 erinpye 862018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh I so feel your frustration. It's so hard, especially in the beginning. You really have no idea what a HUGE time commitment it is until you're there, and it's rough. Your body goes from being a home, to a food supply, and it just hasn't been your own in a very long time. I felt like for the first few months, I might as well have not even worn a shirt, and I rarely was able to get out of the house. You're not alone, mama, and it DOES get easier. Baby begins to take more, less often, and you'll get into the swing of it. Hugs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861699 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:52:14 +0000 sarac 861699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hergreenapples: I think that talking about it is really crucial - both the good and the bad parts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861692 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:45:52 +0000 heartonastring 861692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not that I wish these feelings on anyone, but it is certainly nice to know I'm not alone. This sh*t is HARD! Hardest thing I've ever done.</p> <p>@Espion: wow....I seriously commend you on your dedication. You are awesome!</p> <p>@silver1: yep, all about the small goals. The first was six weeks and the next is three months.</p> <p>@hilsy85: she's 7.5 weeks. Things ate definitely better than they were when every single nursing session = tow curling pain, but things are still so tough. Glad to hear you made it through!</p> <p>@sarac: I agree about needing these feelings to be normalized. I'm committed to talking about it. I'm not going to keep pretending like everything is perfect and easy. It's hard and I cry a lot, but I also love that kid to death and will do everything in my power to do my best for her. But yeah, women need to start being more honest about this stuff. Thank goodness for HB where everyone tells it like it is!</p> <p>@aprk: we all get lucky in some ways. DD is a great little sleeper, but she's a SLOW eater and likes to comfort nurse. Each feed, once you factor in diaper changes and burping, lasts 1-1.5 hours. I am so happy that hasn't been the case for you though....you give me hope that maybe DD will eventually become more efficient :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861627 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:38:25 +0000 aprk 861627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After our initial challenges with breastfeeding, A turned out to be a quick nurser. I got so lucky. I can't imagine nursing sessions lasting so long. I can totally understand how it would drive anyone nuts! Vent, mama, vent. Hope you feel better knowing you are not alone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861619 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:33:15 +0000 sarac 861619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: I mean, I just opened up, latched on, and went about my way. For 8 freaking hours a day, for the first four months. Then 6 hours, for months more. I would like to see these feelings normalized - it is NORMAL to be touched out at the end of the day. It is NORMAL to go a little nuts because you want to be doing something on your terms and not just breastfeeding all the time. It is NORMAL to feel this way! Absolutely normal and you are not alone, not even amongst those of us who had a very easy time. </p> <p>It is one thing to know that breastfeeding is the healthiest choice, that it's great for your baby, and that you're committed to doing it. It is another thing to sit on your ass for hours at a time going stir crazy! You can do both of these things, and still be awesome at breastfeeding. And I can tell you that it certainly gets faster and better with time - but when you're in it, it feels endless. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861611 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:27:42 +0000 MrsF 861611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It really is so incredibly hard. Glad you could vent at the BF support group. A lot of other people were probably feeling the exact same way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861586 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:00:09 +0000 Revel 861586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Totally relate! 2 weeks in and it is so hard. The pain is subsiding but the mental aspect of being the sole food source, and primary source of comfort is so challenging. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861517 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:46:16 +0000 runsyellowlites 861517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I forgot to add this earlier, but I seriously read this kellymom post COUNTLESS times for months!</p> <p><a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/normal/love-breastfeeding-24-7/" rel="nofollow">http://kellymom.com/bf/normal/love-breastfeeding-24-7/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861510 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:40:47 +0000 Boheme 861510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@silver1: Every time I see an early feeding cue from LO, I pump for about 5 minutes on both sides due to engorgement and an over-active letdown. I also pump for about 20-25 minutes twice a day while LO sleeps his two long stretches. He is two weeks old. His first week I woke him to feed him every two hours and pumped for 20 min afterward, which amounted to no sleep for mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861508 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:37:18 +0000 Espion 861508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: At least for me, it totally helps to know that we're not alone in this. My sister (who has 2 kids) never mentioned any of this. I'm just now learning how hard it was for her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861476 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:10:38 +0000 hilsy85 861476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is so so normal--it's so hard in the beginning when it seems like all they want to do is nurse!! It will get better and somehow, you'll probably find yourself missing these days of marathon nursing sessions (that's where I am now when it's hard to get Lo to latch for 5 min!). Hang in there!! How old is your Lo? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861467 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:01:37 +0000 CarrieLouWho 861467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I felt the same way! At 6 months it got better. But even now at 8 months its pretty good, but after an extended weekend (where I nurse a lot) I start to feel overwhelmed/trapped a little bit, but not nearly as much as I once did!<br /> {{{hugs}}} </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861461 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 13:55:20 +0000 lomom 861461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Omg. I'm glad I'm not alone (well, not really, i wouldnt wish struggles on anyone). I've been posting like crazy about all our struggles and it just seems like everyone around me just opens their shirt, latches baby, and goes on their merry way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861458 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 13:50:15 +0000 SleepyMonkey 861458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The mental aspect of breast feeding can be incredibly difficult. It was hard for me to lose control of my day/schedule. So hard. I hated breast feeding in the beginning so much because of that. But it gets easier I promise. Take it day by day. Getting through each one at the beginning was a feat. Soon it'll become just a nuisance and then dare I say you might even like it at one point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861445 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 13:39:13 +0000 JoJoGirl 861445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>YES. yes yes yes. DH and I went out to dinner this week and left LO with a cousin (she's only 6 weeks) and I went out a bought a hand pump yesterday - even being able to leave her with a bottle, I kept checking the clock so we could get home in time for me to pump. I absolutely feel like I'm being held hostage too. Since we hit 6 weeks I'm already saying "one more week before I give up".. and we've had it easy w/latch/supply issues etc. You're not alone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861434 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 13:31:34 +0000 Espion 861434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hergreenapples: Can I get an amen? AMEN!</p> <p>Between an inefficient nurser with a disorganized suck reflex and my ridiculously low supply, I hit rock bottom when the LC helped me realize that I'm starving my kid. Plus, his bili levels went back up after his hospital stay. Thankfully my supply has (maybe?) started to increase and we're seeing a speech therapist on Tuesday.<br /> But nursing 10 minutes each side to stimulate supply, taking 30-40 minutes to finger feed EBM or formula, then pumping for another 15-45 minutes....by the time I'm done, it's time to eat again!!</p> <p>I can't wait for the day I can grab him from the co-sleeper, nurse him, then lay him back down. </p> <p>I wish I could figure out how much (volume) I'm technically supposed to be pumping at 10 days post-partum. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861380 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:33:07 +0000 silver1 861380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Its been incredibly hard for me too I would be crying every day the first couple of weeks with pain and frustration. Its been 3 months now and things have slowly gotten better at home front. I think it helps to set small goals and work towards it. First it was 1 mo, then 3 mo and right now its 6 mo. Hugs.<br /> @grizz: same here I was going crazy with pumping 50 min every 3 hours. How often/long do you pump? I have been able to cut down time to 20 minutes and it definitely has made a huge impact. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861361 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:08:05 +0000 heartonastring 861361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@highwire: Yep, I have a lot of those same chats with myself every day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861357 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:52:51 +0000 Boheme 861357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's been hard for me too. Frustration after frustration. I freak out when people want to come visit... They dont understand that i spend 90% of every day pumping, nursing, Googling what we're possibly doing wrong, cleaning pump parts, with our LC and/or doula, or letting my nipples air dry. I have no advice, but i can tell you im in the same boat and support you! Hugs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861353 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:48:49 +0000 DillonLion 861353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I still find it hard all the time. I just stopped wondering when it was going to get easy. It is a huge commitment of time, my body, etc. But that's okay. When we are done I know I will feel proud that I made the choice to do it even if I didn't enjoy it. I tell myself it is a good lesson for motherhood in general. we sacrifice whatever we have to for the wellness of our children. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861352 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:47:31 +0000 katsupgirl 861352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope you're right. It's crazy hard. I totally felt the same. I swear it gets better but it sucks hardcore in the beginning. Pun intended! It also feels like its easier for everyone else. It's not. People just don't let on. Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861351 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:45:00 +0000 runsyellowlites 861351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It took 6 months for me to get to where I didn't feel "touched out" all. the. time! Seriously! After P would go to bed I wouldn't even let DH sit NEXT to me most nights b/c my body NEEDED some space!</p> <p>I think it's totally normal b/c the reality is bf'ing is so demanding is so many ways! I know that alot of the intolerance issues we had attributed to P being so high needs in the beginning, but still, when you're in it it's just overwhelming!</p> <p>Hang in there, it does get better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-suddenly-understand-the-appeal-of-a-wet-nurse#post-861345 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:38:26 +0000 heartonastring 861345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know all I ever do lately is post about how hard breastfeeding is, but...seriously, why is this so hard for me? We have overcome our early challenges, my injuries are almost completely healed and I have next to no pain now (YAY!) but I am still having a hard time. I went to my Friday morning BFing group this week and burst into tears.</p> <p>I feel like I am being held hostage by DD and my boobs. I've always been an incredibly independent person and maybe that's the problem? I just find myself wishing for a day off. I don't have enough of a stash to really take any time off.</p> <p>I'm not looking for a solution, because there isn't one so long as I'm committed to EBFing, but I just need to vent. I spend over half of my waking hours nursing and it's freaking HARD. I feel like I'm broken because it doesn't seem to be as hard for other people to adjust.</p> <p>I just feel like crying today. </p>