Did you stop breastfeeding earlier than you wanted to? If so, what made you stop? I'm currently on my 9th week of thrush and have had a lump in my breast the size of a tangerine for 3 days due to a plugged duct that I can't resolve. I feel like all I think about these days is my breast health. I feel really selfish about stopping breastfeeding, but I'm not sure how much longer I can do this. If my plug turns into mastitis, I may throw in the towel. Cue the mommy guilt...
-
Originally I was like, "I'm going to breastfeed for AT LEAST one year." But I had so many issues in the beginning (LO was tongue-tied, nipples were cracked, I got mastitis, etc.) and was about to quit at 3 months. But miraculously, things got better and better and now LO is a champion breastfeeder. No pain, it's even "easy" now.
I know how painful it is and how discouraging it feels right now. I encourage you to just get through this terrible time and continue to BF. *BUT*, no judgement here if you choose to throw in the towel...I can totally understand.
-
I quit after a week! My milk didn't come in on time and then it was all downhill from there. I dreaded feeding my lo because it was so painful, and I hated that I dreaded what was supposed to be such a great bonding experience. I figured it it was stressful for both of us and it really didn't need to be. So I switched to formula and cried about it for days. But I have a perfectly healthy baby girl who I love feeding now.
-
I was hoping to make it to a year, and it's been 3 months now. I may end up throwing in the towel soon. I've been struggling with supply issues on-and-off, and now he's starting to teeth and hasn't been wanting to nurse. He seems to have developed a bottle preference, too! I can't pump enough for him, so right now he's getting about 50% formula at daycare.
-
Have you gone to see a Dr. about your thrush? I started to get that and it was REALLY painful. The biggest thing that helped for me (this was just my own idea) was vinegar rinse on my nipples and any pump parts, bras, etc at least every day. Also, when I really needed soothing a little Milk of Magnesia helped (wipe before feeding LO).
-
My goal was 1 year. I made it to 8 months before my production refused to keep up with my son's intake no matter what I did.
-
Aw, don't feel guilty. You have to be good to yourself and your body too. I'm still nursing. LO is almost 5 months old. While I'm glad I've stuck it out, I had my moments where I just wasn't sure I could go on. I never really considered how physically taxing it is. I had a quick bout with mastitis in the very beginning. It's the worst.
-
I'm still nursing at 9.5months! It's been a loooong road for sure, but it's so easy now. I hope to go until she's 18 months old. Ideally I'd like to continue for 2 years!
I probably would have been tempted to quit and just pump, but my LO won't take a bottle so I was forced to continue. Glad I did.
And no need to feel guilty! -
i know it's hard to keep going when it's so tough right now. i had 2 bouts with mastitis with olive, and if i got thrush, i don't know if i could keep going too!
you make the decision that's best for you, and don't guilt yourself about it. if quitting is right for you, then do it without beating yourself up. ultimately a happy mom means a happy baby.
-
Thanks for your encouragement ladies!
@Thehistoryofus: Unfortunately, I've tried just about every thrush remedy out there to no avail. We've seen my OB and LO's pediatrician, tried ointments, grapefruit seed extract, gentian violet, coconut oil, vinegar rinses, washing everything in vinegar, boiling everything to sterilize it, consuming less sugar, taking diflucan, and we're both taking probiotics...nothing seems to work. Fortunately, I'm the only one exhibiting symptoms, so at least LO isn't suffering.
-
I couldn't exclusively breastfeed for as long as I would have liked because I didn't produce enough
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
10 comments