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My LO had his first big growth spurt at 5 weeks (rather than 6) and I remember thinking at the time that my nipples were raw from nursing so much. A week later, once he got back to a normal eating pattern, everything seemed so much easier. By 8 weeks I was enjoying it, and now at almost 4 months, I really love the experience. The look in his eyes when he is feeding is amazing! And his little hand on my boob... So sweet! Hang in there, mama!
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It never got better for me. I personally think that breastfeeding is tough for everyone -- but it's a LOT tougher for some women (myself included) and it's hard to really understand how tough it can be unless you're on the extreme end of the spectrum.
With that, I hope it does get better for you. But if it doesn't, do what's best for you and your babe.
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Ugh, I am asking myself the same question! LO is just past 5 weeks and there have been so many tears shed. I kind of despise the whole production of breastfeeding -- get the brest friend pillow, put on the nipple shields that are hopefully washed and ready to go, try to position LO who is swaddled so he doesn't send the nipple shields flying and then start a nursing session that will inevitably be an hour. And then get mentally ready to start it all over again in 2 hours. DH's co-worker said she never had to nurse for more than 10 minutes a side ... and when I heard that I wanted to start sobbing. And to think a 6 week growth spurt is around the corner??
I'm trying to hang in there but it is really, really hard! I keep on hearing that things will get easier soon - 6 weeks, 8 weeks - but I'm afraid that those times will come and things will still be the same.
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@extrasprinkles: ugh, ignore that woman!! Weaning off the shield when you and your LO are ready will help and your nursing sessions will be a lot faster. You are doing a great job! Those first 6-8 weeks are really hard, but it eventually will get better. I can't guarantee when, but it will! Keep at it!
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@boopers: Thank you!!! The support + encouragement is very much appreciated!!
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Obviously after the pain and once LO knew what to do and we didn't have to use a boppy or whatever. He just latched on and went. I stopped worrying about having the right top on (just pull whatever up). So hmm... 4 months? It's hard to remember. I stopped hating it around 2 months and then started to like it around 4 months. I will say that I didn't appreciate how easy it actually is until he went to day care and we had to start washing a billion bottles and pump parts. Ugh that was a pain. Whipping out a boob was much less messy
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@extrasprinkles: Ugh, I'm dreading that rumored 6 week growth spurt. Absolutely dreading it.
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@Ash: at 4 weeks, I told my husband that if I still felt the same way at 6 weeks, I was going to quit. Then at 6 weeks, things suddenly were easier, but I didn't LOVE it. Honestly, I really haven't had many of the mother-earth, this is so dreamy and sweet, feelings. My girl became a very efficient eater due to my over supply and major letdown, so it's more business like. And now she's so distracted that it takes work to get her to settle in many times. But we do have enough moments where it's nice to keep me going....and when we traveled recently, I thought many times about how convenient it was. I tell myself how good it is for her.
All that to say that if you hate it and are unhappy and have bad feelings, don't feel awful for considering quitting. A happy, balanced mom is very important for you baby. Maybe you can set a date for yourself about how much longer you'll go for--that mentally really helped me.
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Honestly? After 6 mo when we finally ditched the shield for good. But I probably still don't love it THAT much. I 100% love the actual action - love having her cuddled up to me and it's just the two of us. But I pretty much ate everything else - The low supply, the pumping... And she won't nurse in public (the only way she will nurse is laying down), so it makes things complicated...
I'd say it got "easy" by 3-4 months, and enjoyable after 6 mo since I started supplementing so I didn't have to stress over not pumping enough.
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I'm 10.5 weeks in and while it's fine and overall going well - she's happy and gaining weight - I don't think I'm ever going to love it. There's just too much unknown for my personality. Is what I'm eating going to affect her? Is she getting enough? Why is she spitting up, etc. My son was formula-fed from 6 weeks on and turned out perfect, so I have no set goals with this one. When it's no longer working for me, we'll stop. I learned with my son that a happy mom is a better mom.
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@astro bee: totally agree. I started loving it around 3 or 4 months when LO started putting her tiny hand on my boob- holding it like a little bottle. So precious. It was also around that time that I started to appreciate not having to wash any bottles. Before that I didn't enjoy it at all. I would just sit on the couch nursing her all the while reading nursing blog after nursing blog on my phone trying to encourage myself to keep going. In between nursing blog posts I would search the internet for new nipple creams/shields/pads/devices. Anything to try to make it more comfortable.
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I never hated it, but I really loved it once it stopped hurting. It got even better once we got over our second bout of thrush. Eventually, I noticed that I wasn't leaking everywhere and it was nice to not have to have the nipple pads all the time. Hang in there. The six-week growth spurt is brutal.
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