https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 28 May 2026 19:26:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1110271 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:55:37 +0000 wonderstruck 1110271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: Haha, yeah I felt slightly out of place amongst all the emotional 'you can do this, it gets better posts', but I figured that would sound fairly inauthentic from someone who quit BFing after two months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1110121 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:09:05 +0000 Adira 1110121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>6 weeks was when I almost quit too!!! We hadn't been supplementing at all at that point so I went out a bought some formula so I had the option if I decided I just couldn't take it anymore (which I almost couldn't)!</p> <p>Definitely go see an LC again. In the beginning, every time I'd try to get an LC to help me with Xander's latch (he was fine on the left but TERRIBLE on the right), they always told me his latch looked fine (and it always FELT fine during the LC appointment too) but then we'd get home and it would be terrible again. It wasn't until my six week LC visit that, even though he latched fine DURING the appointment, the LC gave me a ton of tips of things to do and look for when we were at home and that helped TREMENDOUSLY.</p> <p>Some of the things I wasn't doing correctly were that I'd bring my boobs to the baby. Don't do that. Bring HIM to your boobs. It was so hard at first to get this right. I had to sit in a rocking chair with my feet up so I could lean back, which forced me to not hunch over him. Then I'd squash his face into my boob! I also had to work at pulling his lower lip down when he was latched to really get a deep latch - he wasn't good about opening his mouth wide enough in the beginning so I often had to help fix his latch once he was on. The other thing that helped me was that a lot of advice/tutorials/pictures say that you get more of the bottom part of your aerola into the baby's mouth than the top, but for me that didn't work - I had basically center my nipple into his mouth to get it far enough to the back.</p> <p>And I think that it's true that as your baby gets older and bigger, his mouth will get bigger too and it will be easier to get the correct latch going. You're almost there, Mama! &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1110042 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 11:34:57 +0000 JamieLee 1110042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Beyond2: that is so what I do!</p> <p>@wonderstruck: this is what I need to hear. I keep thinking formula would be easier, but I know in the long run, it won't be. </p> <p>Thanks to all you ladies for the encouragement. That's why I love this community! So much support, and I really needed this last night. I have to give myself a pep talk before every feeding because of the pain, and I get so frustrated when he screams as if he's starving. But I'm so glad to hear it gets better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1109961 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 10:53:32 +0000 Trailmix 1109961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It definitely gets easier, hang in there!! It sounds like you've just started BFing regularly so I would give about 4-6 weeks before it doesn't hurt at all, although others have brought up good points about tongue ties and proper latch.<br /> I wanted to quit so many times when I first started but I'm really glad I stuck it out. I had cracked and bleeding nipples and it hurt sooooo badly every time they latched (I have twins). But little by little everything healed and now at 4 months old, I don't even think twice about having to nurse them and it is much easier than a bottle, especially when you leave the house, etc.<br /> I thought I didn't have enough supply either around that point bc mine would be hungry less than an hour after eating but I think when they're that young, your body is still establishing a supply and it's normal to be nursing around the clock!<br /> You're doing such a great job giving your LO as much breastmilk as you can, keep it going, you can do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1109922 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 10:38:29 +0000 Chastenet 1109922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It gets better, it gets easier! He will get more efficient at feeding in time. Remember you are both in the learning-how-to-do-this-breastfeeding-thing phase. Right now it's hard, but if you just persevere before you know it it'll have been several months and he'll be feeding less often. I remember those days at the beginning when it felt like my LO fed all day long - I was tethered to her and it was hard. But, pretty soon we were down to 4 feedings a day. You can do it!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1109901 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 10:32:43 +0000 regberadaisy 1109901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It does get easier! My LO was a classic cluster feeder and I felt like ALL I did was nurse. She was also milk intolerant so I cut milk out and we switched to a soy formula.</p> <p>@wonderstruck: I love your perspective from the other side. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1109897 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 10:30:36 +0000 Beyond2 1109897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a really hard time with the 6 week growth spurt too. If you can just hang on it really will get better. My midwife always recommended the "Shove" latch lol. AKA shove as much of your boob as humanly possible into the baby's mouth when they latch. I found that was my best chance at a good latch at that age. If you can hold out, by 12 weeks you really will look back and think man I'm glad I stuck it out, it's so much easier now. Best of luck mama!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1109796 Wed, 25 Sep 2013 10:09:04 +0000 birdofafeather 1109796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lots of great advice so I just want to encourage you to keep at it. Since you started a little later, your nips need time to adjust. LO had a great latch from the start but it still took about 6 weeks to not hurt! You're strong mama! Keep it up! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1109134 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 21:44:56 +0000 Kemma 1109134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JamieLee: you're doing great and I know it's hard now but it does get better! You could try applying a little breastmilk to your nipples and make sure they get plenty of air and sun on them to help them heal.</p> <p>Hang in there mama, be kind to yourself and this too shall pass. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1109131 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 21:42:15 +0000 Foodnerd81 1109131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Even though people frequently say it gets so much better at 6 weeks, remember your nipples started a little later, since it sounds like he only latched recently. So it will get better, you are just working through that really sore and painful stage. Everyone had great advice, just wanted to remind you of that. For me it got so much more comfortable between 5-7 weeks. Now it almost never hurts (8 weeks). It does sound like he needs to work on his latch though- I know the exact toe curling pain you are talking about. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1109067 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 21:03:13 +0000 hilsy85 1109067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JamieLee: definitely ask about that, and ask to have him evaluated. Also, educate yourself on it, in case your LC happens to be one who believes that TT does not affect nursing or if she is unwilling to consider it as a potential issue (I unfortunately had this experience). This seems to have good info:<br /> <a href="http://www.borstvoeding.com/files/breastfeedingdrkotlowtx.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.borstvoeding.com/files/breastfeedingdrkotlowtx.pdf</a></p> <p>ETA and if it isn't a tongue tie that's the issue, that doesn't mean that things wont get better--they will! Just take it day by day, feeding session by feeding session. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1109054 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:55:53 +0000 MsLipGloss 1109054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Take it one day at a time . . . anything more than that can be overwhelming! It really does get better, and so much easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1109049 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:54:43 +0000 Grace 1109049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JamieLee: you are in the middle of the 6 week growth spurt, I imagine. P is in the middle of the 3-week one and is also eating all the time. Just remember that all the feeds are working to build up your supply - it doesn't mean that you don't have enough. Also, it shouldn't last too long (according to what I've read, it's 2-7 days). I hope it ends soon for you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1109038 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:49:46 +0000 wonderstruck 1109038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As you mentioned formula is expensive. It is REALLY REALLY expensive. When I first quit BFing I was like, "Oh sure I have to buy formula, but it'll be okay, it's not too bad. Breastfeeding is turning into such a pain and I'm always so concerned about if he's getting enough to eat, buying the formula is worth it." But here's the thing - the older they get, the more formula they need! I now spend double each month on formula than what I had originally expected, and my LO is only 4 months old! Plus, it really sucks when your baby is frantic for food and you have to scramble around making a bottle. Or he's just about to fall asleep, when...oh no, the bottle is empty. LO then starts screaming and you have to make a new bottle and start calming him down all over again.</p> <p>I really wish I had tried harder to stick with it and saved myself a lot of money and baby tantrums when he's waiting for a bottle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1109037 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:49:29 +0000 immabeetoo 1109037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JamieLee: I really loved the soothies gel pads by lanisoh. they're pricey but worth it in the early days! I found disposable nursing pads helped me recover too - fabric/reusable ones were too rough until I was healed up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1109017 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:39:17 +0000 Purpledaisy 1109017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Things do get so much easier! The beginning marathon nursing sessions are rough. It's totally normal though for babies to eat so frequently for such long periods of time and definitely doesn't automatically mean that you have supply issues. Now at 6.5 months a lot of the time nursing sessions are only around 10 minutes or so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1109016 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:38:44 +0000 JamieLee 1109016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: he hasn't been checked. I am planning on calling my LC tomorrow so I will ask about that.</p> <p>@JennyG: he's six weeks, which I think is a typical growth spurt time. I've tried a nipple shield but it doesn't really work with him. </p> <p>@emg86: I haven't tried coconut oil. I've tried lanolin, Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple butter, and magic nipple cream. I will try the coconut oil next. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1109009 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:34:43 +0000 junebugmama 1109009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is baby 3 weeks old? If not How old? It's really normal and I promise it gets better. My nipples hurt for 6 weeks to be honest. People told me they shouldn't, but they did. My guy nursed for hours. I was so tired. I cried. I got frustrated. I walked away sometimes. I wanted to quit, but I didn't. I stuck with it. It was all worth it. We're 16 months strong now and I wouldn't change that journey one bit. It made me a strong and better mama.</p> <p>You can do this. You are strong. You want this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1108998 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:30:01 +0000 immabeetoo 1108998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JamieLee: hang in there mama! if you found that cutting milk helped, have you tried cutting soy too? I know many babies are sensitive to both. Mine was only sensitive to dairy, but even if I ate something that had butter in it, he would react. </p> <p>You asked for encouragement so I'll give it - it WILL get better! I swear! These days (10 months) LO nurses for maybe 8 minutes total 4x a day and it is so super duper easy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1108995 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:28:25 +0000 heartonastring 1108995@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How old is your LO? Sounds like he's pretty new -congrats! And also big hugs...those first weeks are so very hard and you are doing a great job.</p> <p>I too struggled with BFing at the beginning - toe-curling pain for the first eight weeks. I wanted to quit. I came on here and wrote a similar post and got so much encouragement from HBers and so I stuck with it and we're still going strong EBFing at five months. So, I know where you're coming from and you're in the hardest part.</p> <p>Here's what I think: if BFing ever starts to threaten your mental health or your bond with your babe, quit if you think that will help you. Do what you need to do to be a happy, healthy mama.</p> <p>Know this though: the beginning is so hard. And it gets so much easier. If you have concerns about latch, please, please, please see a well-qualified LC. My LC is an angel and she saved my sanity and my BFing relationship with DD. </p> <p>Also, the fact that your LO is nursing all the time? Normal. Cluster feeding helps establish your supply so that your body knows how much milk to make for your baby. If you have other reason to believe your supply is low (poor weight gain, not enough wet/dirty diapers) then start taking fenugreek and blessed thistle (three capsules of each, three times a day). So many women think they have supply issues when really it's just their baby cluster feeding to build supply.</p> <p>If you want to BF, keep at it and it will get so much easier, I promise. If it's too much for you right now, that's okay too. Feed your baby throu pgh whatever means works best for you :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1108988 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:26:08 +0000 JamieLee 1108988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: thanks for the encouragement. I've had two LC tell me his latch looks good, so I don't know how to assess that any further. Oh, and the only reason it would cost us so much for formula is he has to be on Nutramigin which is crazy expensive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1108981 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:24:09 +0000 emg86 1108981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hugs! How old is your LO? Breastfeeding is hard work in the beginning but it does get better! They do become more efficient as they get bigger and nurse for shorter periods of time and eventually will space out their feeds too. Have you tried coconut oil to help with the pain? Do you have a good lactation consultant you can see? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1108980 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:23:55 +0000 JennyG 1108980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How old is your LO? It sounds like he's going through a growth spurt. I remember being so frustrated during J's first big growth spurt. I felt like I was feeding nonstop. Trust me, it gets better.</p> <p>I was sore on the right side for about 3 weeks. I used a nipple shield on the left (have you tried one of those?) for a while and was pretty sore when I finally weaned him from it.</p> <p>Hang in there! You're not alone and you can totally do this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1108977 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:23:19 +0000 hilsy85 1108977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First of all, hugs!</p> <p>Second of all, has he been checked for a tongue/lip tie? It's a commonly overlooked thing that can cause fussiness, inefficient transfer (hence marathon nursing sessions) and nipple pain/poor latch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1108976 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:21:47 +0000 DillonLion 1108976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This period is so hard. Hang in there momma! If he's clamped down too shallow that might be the cause of the nipple pain. Make sure he latches on with a wide open mouth and you get as much breast tissue into his mouth as possible. </p> <p>I have supplemented with formula and don't spend nearly 250 a month. </p> <p>Just remember to try your best to relax and figure out what works for YOU and your LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-me-put-of-quitting#post-1108968 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:18:33 +0000 JamieLee 1108968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have had an uphill breastfeeding journey. LO wouldn't latch from birth so I was pumping and feeding him expressed milk and formula. Then we had issues with milk intolerance, so we switched to Nutramigin and I quit milk. His fussiness improved somewhat. </p> <p>Last week I tried him on the breast and he latched, so we've been breastfeeding with some formula since last Wednesday. He wants to feed constantly, like for two hours straight. I wouldn't mind but my nipple on my left breast feels like it's being cut off with a razor blade. I think he's clamping down on it wih his gum. And I'm also worried I'm not making enough milk. He never seems satisfied for more than 20 minutes after eating. </p> <p>I'm getting really discouraged. It would just be so much easier to feed formula but I really want to be successful at this. Also, I really don't want to spend $250 a month on formula...</p> <p>Will it get easier? Will he want to eat for shorter periods? Will it start to hurt less? I don't have a lot of encouragement from the people around me, so I really need some help. </p>