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Do you know why she yells at the end of the feeding? Does she just get frustrated and start crying or is this only when you try to stop nursing? You can pump for a while and take a break from breast feeding until you feel relaxed and ready to give it another try

IF you want to keep breastfeeding, one of the first things I would do is look online at the Le Leche League website and try to locate an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in your area. Many hospitals and pediatricians offices have people "trained" in lactation, but an IBCLC is more trained and has to pass an exam to be certified, rather than just get some training. A lot of places have LLL meetings run by IBCLCs where they can help you out for free, or set up a consult/initial meeting to help you breastfeed your LO.

I was given a nipple shield at 3 days post partum and it really wasn't the best solution at the time, but I didn't find that out until I went to a LLL group meeting.

Second, are there any other moms who you know who have breastfed? Any new mom groups you can get out to? Other moms can be a great resource for support and tips that worked for them that you can try.

Next, take it one day at a time. It WILL get better, one way or another, and you WILL get sleep again! If you are breastfeeding and your LO's jaundice improved, then you are certainly doing something right! Count that as a huge success and pat yourself on the back. Breastfeeding is hard. There is a HUGE learning curve for you and your LO.

There were plenty of times in the early months when I yelled at DS, usually around feeding or sleeping, and we are still together, doing great and happy a year later. This will pass. If there is something he can do to help you, let him know at a point in time where you are not super stressed.

Supplementing with formula isn't the end of the world, and it also doesn't mean that you will have to continue once you start. If you need a nap, have DH take over and use the bottle for a feeding, while you rest.

Have you been pumping at all yet?

*Major HUGS to you mama! I remember those days and just know you are doing great!

So sorry you are going through this! I also had trouble breastfeeding, but for different reasons. My milk didn't come in on time and LO would try for hours at a time to feed and she wasn't getting anything so she would cry and cry. Naturally it killed my nipples, and it was just crazy painful. We ended up supplimenting with formula, but by the time my milk came in I was done. It was just too painful. I would dread feeding her, and I'd be crying every time she ate. Finally I decided it just wasn't worth it. I wanted feeding time to be a happy time, and then it was just unhappy and stressful for both of us. So I told my husband I was finished breastfeeding, and I cried and cried and cried for days. I felt so guilty. Like you, I spent tons of money renting a breastpump and buying the extras, and I felt awful about that too. But for us it just wasn't meant to be.

LO has been on formula most of her life now and she's healthy and happy. And that's what matters to me most.

Hope you figure out what works best for you and your LO. Just know that if you decide on formula, although it might seem like the end of the world, it's not!

I know just how you feel. Just like a commenter above, I have some confessions:

1) I never enjoyed breastfeeding.
2) I had an emotional breakdown (as in full-out bawling and saying "I'M DONE") almost every day. At least 5 a week in the beginning.
3) There were times when Wagon Sr. would bring Wagon Jr. to me because he needed to be fed and I would say no. Obviously I'd end up giving in, but I resented the baby so much for needing me just an hour after I had fed him. Just as I was done cleaning up and settling back in to sleep!

For me, I really didn't care if I gave up... but I couldn't dispute the facts that 1) breastmilk is free, formula is expensive and 2) nursing was keeping Wagon Jr. from getting sick because he was getting all my strong antibodies.

I made little goals. Just make it through the end of this week, and if it's still horrible, you can quit without feeling guilt. Just make it to month 3 and you can quit, that's when all the big benefits start to fade off anyway. Just make it to month 4...

It just so happened that every time I reached one of my goals, it was a good day, so I'd grudgingly say "ok fine, I guess I'll try one more week" or one more month, towards the end. I made it to 7 months when 1) Wagon Jr. stopped having interest in nursing and 2) my milk supply dried up due to stress and a decongestant I was taking. I'm really proud of the fact that I lasted so much longer than I expected to, especially when I "officially decided to quit" (hah) so, so, so many times.

I did not expect to be so emotionally affected by breastfeeding... still definitely the hardest thing I've ever done!!

Deep breaths, small goals, even if it is one feeding to the next. If you want to switch exclusively to formula, don't feel guilty about it. If you want to find a way to make breastfeeding work, please consider finding an IBCLC in your area and a great support group through a resource like LLL. Breastfeeding requires a heck of a lot of emotional support and championing - more than I ever imagined before I did it. Make an appointment with an IBCLC to watch you during a feeding (or two or three!) and give you suggestions for things that might help make it easier for you and baby. You and baby are both learning and though your body may know what to do, that doesn't mean your head and heart do.

That sounds like a great goal. Those first few weeks (she was healthy full term) I also tried to limit feedings to every two hours. Sometimes that meant dealing with an upset baby for a little bit and even fudging the clock a bit (meaning sometimes she would feed at 4pm and by 5:30 she'd be starving again, we could hold her off until like 5:45 but would go ahead and feed her just shy of the 2 hour mark).

I would highly suggest going to the LC group. I went to one twice a week while on leave and it was SOOOO wonderful. I think the other thing that people don't mention is that yes the first few days are the hardest, but the first few WEEKs are still really hard because everything is changing so fast. You never know if its a growth spurt, low milk, their latch changes, etc. Its really helpful to be able to see a LC/other moms to help discuss.

Keep setting small goals, you can do this if thats what you want. If you need a break, do like others have said and try just pumping! I know a mom in another group pumped at first and around 4 months was able to get her daughter to nurse again!

your plan sounds awesome. small goals are the way to go with breastfeeding... it is so difficult in the beginning, but like everyone says, it does get easier. best of luck. we are here for support too.

You have already got a lot of great advice the one other thing I would recommend for the emotional aspect of breast feeding is to coach the people around you how you want to be supported. I had talked to my husband about breastfeeding and how important to me it was so I needed him to support that. But we were having twins and I knew I might have to supplement so I wasn't against them having formula. In the early weeks when I was having such a hard time my husband was great because we had talked about it but I ended up screaming at my mom. I was crying while feeding them (trouble latching and pain and constant feedings were wearing me down). My mom kept saying you can always quit you don't have to do this. I blew up at her and screamed that I wanted to and I just wanted her to believe in me and stop telling me I could quit when what I wanted to hear was you can do it keep at it, it gets easier. Granted I shouldn't have screamed at her but after that she was my biggest support. She helped me latch my twins ( literally grabbing my breast and shoving the babies head toward me). She helped me set small goals. I know she was just trying to help by saying I could quit but it wasn't what I wanted. Let you support system know how to help you. If its to leave you alone while you cry so be it. If its to sit next to you while you nurse and talk you through it let them know.

Good luck to you. You are not alone!