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@Vegmama: I was pretty much where you are except only pumping and six weeks was when we stopped altogether. I'm glad we did. My LO is perfectly fine, smart, healthy, blahblahblah. And I don't know how I would have survived otherwise because i also had severe ppd. I know it seems like its all there is, but it's just not. I think MANY new moms go through the "never again" phase but don't let ONE relatively small aspect of parenting change your long term plans. Being a new mom is humbling. It's harder than it looks but it gets easier no matter how you end up feeding. I know with an upper lip tie you could also have a posterior tongue tie. I think my LO did. Could explain some f your other issues too? I don't know, I am certainly no expert. Anyway, we've all been there. Don't worry about baby2 now. I said never again but seventeen months later here we are at definitely again! (Though next time I will not let bf be ALL of my life if it isn't working.) Plus both of us could end up with babies with no lip/tongue ties and perfect latches. Less pain, good supply. It could happen, well just have to wait and see. Hang in there, I promise it will get easier.

Vegmama!!! Please reconsider having a 2nd if you really want one! I can really relate to having a tough time bf-ing the first child. I remember being in tears talking to my husband about feeling so inadequate and feeling like it was my biggest failure of being a first time mom. I had supply issues and constantly painful clogged ducts. I tried so many things - pumping after every feeding session, taking herbs and tinctures, lactation cookies, drinking tons of water, waking up multiple times a night just to pump, eating oatmeal, etc etc. It was exhausting and so stressful and I, too, told myself that I would go straight to formula if my experience was anything like the first.

BUT, the 2nd was nothing like the first. DS2 was a pro from the beginning...we've had no supply issues (knock on wood) and no clogged ducts. I don't want to jinx myself but it has been 180 degrees opposite! The only problem we have is that he loves bf-ing so much, he won't take a bottle.

So if i can give you any hope, its that bf-ing can be sooooo incredibly different with each child and so positive even if your first time was difficult.

much hugs! xoxo

I quit bfing my first pretty early because I just couldn't handle it. I thought I'd try again with #2 with the knowledge that it probably won't work out. So far it's been a million times easier, I love bfing now. Before I used to cringe at the thought of it because I had such a bad first experience.

@MrsF: totally agree.

I had a terrible time the first three months with DS, terrible pain, supply issues, tongue tie, exhaustion, but we did it and I ended up BF until he was 13 months. While in the middle of it all, I also wondered what we would do with a second LO in the future. While pregnant with DD, I was more worried about BF than L&D and it all worked out just fine. I was already resolved to switch to formula if it was going to be as challenging as with DS. Well, DD is now 11 weeks old and we have had ZERO feeding problems.

First of all, hugs to you mama. You are doing amazing job! I havent reas through all the responses but I am sure 90% of the ladies can relate to how hard bfing is. On top of the struggles of bfing my first, so many other things went badly and I just couldnt imagine DH and I putting ourselves through it all again. I remember waking up every morning in tears thinking how much i didnt want to go through it all again. But by 10 months, I was so ready to have another baby. So now I am bfing #2. It seems sooo much easier this time around. I am ready to break out the formula at any time (we currently are not using any at 5 weeks). I put way too much pressure on myself the first time to EBF. I thought I would never pump or formula feed. That resulted in a very VERY unhappy mama and baby. Thats why its easier this time around because I got rifld of all of that pressure and doing whats best for us. The whole gist of my post is, try not to let this hard moment in your life determine your future. Do what is going to make you and baby happy. You have already provided your LO with so much greatness. I hope things turn around for you soon!