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I only breastfeed DS1 for 2 weeks. It was incredibly stressful to me - he had lost too much weight in the hospital, he didn't really "get" it, I could tell he wasn't getting enough from me, etc. Anyway, I quit. He gulped down bottles and I was so upset. I felt like a failure. Well it passed, he did great and is now a super healthy 2 year old.

I tried bfing DS2 and I only lasted one week. It hurt so bad. I knew he was getting a good amount but my boobs were killing me. The pain, bloody nipples was not worth it to me. I didn't enjoy feeding him because of the pain.

If we have a 3rd, I'll probably try again. But I'm totally cool with formula!!!

I struggled with my first. She latched okay but I struggled and never made any milk. I never got engorged, I never produced, I couldn't pump, etc. So we formula fed and that was that.

With my second, I was determined to BF. She was put to breast in recovery and latched right away. She ate like a champ and liked to eat often. My milk came in the next morning, and we've had an easy, great breastfeeding relationship. A few stumbles like cracked nipples and bleeding nipples once or twice, but nothing lanolin didn't fix in a day or two. Kid loves the boob & we are going strong three months later. I have to say I am shocked at how easy and natural it is for us, considering how horrible and hard it was the first time. I'm so glad I gave it a second try.

I only lasted 2 weeks with lo 1 BC of weight gain issues. Lo#2 had the same exact weight gain issues and I had to pump on top of breastfeed for about 2 weeks (that was hell)were 4 months in and have a good nursing relationship but has.to fight for it since he is still very little in regards to weight gain. Hibeslty I love breastfeeding but in the beginning in contributed to my PPD so much. I always felt like I was couldn't get a break and that was so so hard.

Yes! Huge struggles with DD1 didn't stop me from nursing DD2. I had to supplement at 5 months with DD1, and stop BF her at 8.5 months. I'm still going strong nursing DD2 at 9.5 months, no supply issues this time, and it's been SO different and much easier. Have hope that just because you struggled with your first, it doesn't mean you will with your second.

I will. Although I'm sad that T had major weight gain issues due to BFing not being enough for him. Now he's behind in gross motor development because he's so small. It makes me want to just FF next time so I don't have to worry...but I loved BFing. I'll just be much quicker to supplement if I noticed a weight drop in my next baby.

I struggled so much with my first. He was small for gestational age, had reflux and MSPI. He never ate a ton and never seemed happy at the breast. I cried a lot and worried a lot about how much milk he was getting. So I started exclusively pumping at 6w....and that was the best decision for us at the time.

I'm due in a few weeks with #2 and am going to try to BF again but also will not place pressure on myself to make it work. I'm open to a combo of pumping and formula feeding if necessary.

No I will not attempt BFing with #2. My journey showed me that I hated BFing, but loved EPing and supplementing. I will do that right away with next LO. I think it will be easier because I see how happy, healthy and bonded dd is. I love me some bottles!

Same here. I'm going to try, but I'm not going to kill myself or base my self-esteem on it. I used to joke that E was a "formula fed baby with breastfeeding supplement" and I would be more than okay to do that at the outset instead of walking on coals for the first 3-4 months. I am encouraged that some say it was easier the second time.

I love how we're all essentially resolved to be kinder to ourselves.

With my first it was a nightmare, a big horrible nightmare. I was determined to breastfeeding because everybody doctors, nurses, friends and relatives told me i had to. And so I tried. The pain was umbearable, my nipples were cracked and bleeding, then 2 rounds of mastitis. I gave up after a month but again felt I HAD to pump for at least six months. And I did and i was exausthed and hated the pump so much I broke it the day i stopped. With my second i thought i would not do the same mistakes. I would try if it worked fine if it didn't fine as well. I had a great LC who encouraged me and corrected my latch and my positions, made me relax and give me some amazing tips like usi g the boppy pillow and Silverette cups for my poor nipples and it worked! No pain a happy mum and a happy baby! But I am honest... If i would have had the same pain I had with my first I would have quit right away and not feel guilty because you mum have to be happy too and enjoy those first few months with your baby!! Good luck!

I am SO reassured to hear all the positive stories!

I had chronic low supply from the onset. My milk never truly came in & despite trying everything, I never produced enough to exclusively breastfeed. We dealt with some gnarly nursing strikes too & I was a wreck over it for a good 4 months. But eventually it clicked and now at 13 months we love nursing.

Next time I will definitely BF. If I have to supplement I will know it's not the end. I'll also try an SNS so I don't have to get sucked into the nurse-pump-bottle cycle that drove me nuts. I'll have the baby on the breast often, pump if he/she sleeps too much, but I won't pump after every feeding like I did.

Awful time, ended up EP, will not be attempting with #2. It did nothing but aggravate my PPA.

I struggled for 11 months. The first 2 months were the hardest of my life. I have chronic low supply due to genetic factors. Baby had lip and tongue ties, and everything else wasn't in our favor. With that said, I will absolutely try to BF again. I am thankful for the empathy it gave me for other moms, and I am so thankful for formula!!

We're still in the trenches of a really hard breastfeeding struggle, but I know I'll try again if we decide to have more kids. Can't have it happen twice, right? Plus, I'll have the experience from this time and hopefully be able to avoid some of the same challenges.

@littlejoy: Yes yes yes to Dr. Bobby Ghareri!

I struggled a lot with my first and eventually we stopped BF'ing at 5 months. I had mastitis 3x, clogged ducts, bleeding, you name it! I had my second born's ties revised (after my ped and the hospital LC didn't pick up on them!) and we are going strong at 5 months and it has been so much easier this go around - no mastitis, clogged ducts, etc. So glad I had another mom tell me about tie issues.

@blackbird: @Espion: Pre baby #1, I did loads of research and had already made some very firm decisions about how far I would go to BF. I was determined to be kind to myself, not struggle, not feel guilty etc. The posts are all on here and its funny to read back because the reality was just so different. I had no idea how I would *feel*.

I had a terrible time BF #1. Flat nipples, a tongue tie and a small bit of retained placenta meant that I never produced a drop of milk. My nipples cracked so badly they bled into my baby's mouth then the mastitis kicked in. Horrific. We battled it out, pumping and "supplementing" (read:FFing - I was pumping nothing but pus) for about 3 weeks before giving up but I was heartbroken for months afterwards.

I am going to try with #2.... I do want to BF still......

@Giulia1977: @yin: @lamariniere: @Mrs. Jump Rope: Can I ask a question? Did you feel guilty when your first child saw you BFing your second when you didn't have the same BF relationship with them? Do you ever mourn what you didn't have with #1 but have with #2? (in other words, is it weird that I feel guilty thinking about BF my next child when I didn't BF E??!).

@Cherrybee: I don't feel guilty. She needed to eat! I tried, I did my best, and we chose to formula feed. Even if we hadn't given BFing a shot, I wouldn't feel guilty.