Hellobee Boards

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!

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!

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.
@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.

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.

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.

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?

@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!

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.

@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.

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.

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.