Same thing happened to me. Along with a stressful pregnancy and birth experience, bad lactation consultants, and very large heavy breasts, I ended up not breastfeeding. I'm currently an exclusive pumper, I pump 60> oz a day, 6 times a day.

Me and my son have an amazing bond ? breastfeeding actually pushed us apart.... We were both crying by the end of every two hour long attempt.

Also, losing weight while bf is total bullcrap.

I burn over 1000 calories a day from pumping, I eat healthy, an active.. And my weight has been creeping up since I gave birth. My doctor says its normal for some women and to not try to lose weight... But it sucks.

Ok I'll b honest, I was told the same thing girli, and I was in for a surprise, I can't tell u how many times I cried and bit my fist to bleed. He wouldn't latch right so he sucked on the nipple( the most horrific pain in my life) if cry witch in return upset him and he wouldn't latch, so I pumped, felt guilty bc I though I was failing at nursing, cried some more, finally I went to a breastfeeding class out of desperation and exhaustion. I literally couldn't wear a bra my nipples were so bloody and bruised. I almost gave up, but nurse helped me and he for the first time latched correct! And since then it got easier, had some bumps and soreness but got a lot easier! But then I lost my milk, but within that time it was so worth it! It's really up to u, if it doesn't work, then honey it doesn't work, don't beat urself up for it like I did

It's difficult because you only put lo on the breast once a week..

It was difficult for me at first too, he cried, I cried cause it was painful, but I never gave up. If he wanted to eat it was from the breast and he soon realized and got the hang of it. But we did that all the time, not just once a week.

I'm a FTM with an almost 4 week old. I've cried. Especially in the first two weeks where both ds and myself were learning how to bf. I still get days where he doesn't want to latch and he just lets the milk drip into his mouth. It definitely is an art that improves with time. I thought it was going to be much easier. Very thankful that I have seen a progression.

I bf all 3 of my kids. My oldest only for 4 weeks (due to human milk allergy), dd2 for 14 mos, and ds for 19 mos. It hurt like hell & was super stressful all 3 times. I absolutely hated bf dd2. It was painful, took forever, she was always attached to me, and I felt like I had lost my identity. I ended up with ppd. The first 4 months were hell. I didn't have a choice though because she refused a bottle right from birth.

It was still painful & a bit stressful with ds, but I was much better prepared & knew what to expect. It does get better, that part is true.

If you *do* want to bf, you need to offer the breast at every feed. Also, it may help you both if you offer before lo gets hungry. Bf is not just about the milk for baby.

If you feel like you just can't, it's okay.

Have you ever been to a La Leche League meeting?

Just curious.

Do what is going to make you and baby happy!!! Breastfeeding didn't go smoothly for me either...and I was using all resources available

Pumping is just as good for baby as breastfeeding. If you are doing that I'd say you're doing the best you can for your baby. No point doing something that just stresses you both out.

My son wouldn't latch either. And when he did, he couldn't suck. He would bite. We saw about 5 lactation consultants and 2 occupational therapists and he just couldn't. I pumped for 2 weeks and just got too stressed. He's formula fed and perfectly healthy and happy. And I'm a lot happier too. I do feel guilty a lot but I have to remember that we tried everything we could and sometimes it doesn't work out. Keep your head up momma. You're doing great

If you want to quit, quit. Own your decision; don't feel guilty. Don't think "if only I had..." Your child will be just as healthy either way, and if you are stressing out less, so much the better.

I breastfed and it was the hardest and most painful first month of my life, he wouldn't latch right and caused severe pain, I stuck with it and went to bf support groups and helped me latch right and then it was wonderful, I'm gonna nurse my sec. It's really really rough but it's great once you get the hang of it

I wanted to breastfeed badly but couldn't. The most milk that came from me was maybe a few drops a day. My poor son could latch just fine but was hungry. Had to switch to formula because he was too jaundiced. Tried pumping but nothing would come out ?

You should attempt with every feeding. Not once a week.

That being said, as long as your baby is fed, you're on the right track! Rather you pump, breast feed or formula feed!

Pumping is seriously a stressful thing for me. The lack of sleep. The first week I probably got 10 hours of sleep TOTAL. I was bitter, frustrated, pissed... Engorged every 3 hours. And I still am. It's a pain in the butt. But it is well worth it.

Good luck OP!

In the first like 5 or 6 weeks tried every time to get him to breastfeed before offering him a bottle. It just became too much to be disappointed 10 to 12 times a day. I would take a break, give it about a week. And try again. Tried it with a shield as well. This is me accepting I can't breastfeed. I will ep as long as my boobs allow in the mean time. ?

You won't lose weight if you eat more calories than you burn. Breastfeeding isn't a magical diet like some think, but you do burn extra calories when you are producing milk, so if you are watching what you eat, you can lose weight. And the most weight loss is seen after 6 months the of nursing.

If you are happy with EP, then that's great, but if you'd like to breastfeed, you need to put baby to breast waaaaaay more often than once a week. In a way, it is an art and both you and baby need practice.

I gained weight bf. Didn't really feel like it was a bonding thing. And cried at every feeding for 6 weeks. But it really did get easier. I did it for 18 months

I couldn't breastfeed my son without supplimenting and he eventually decided that he would rather have the bottle then the breast so we stopped at 3.5 months.

I am 10 lbs lower then before I was pregnant (I've lost 42 lbs in total) through diet and exercise.

I also have an extremely good attachment with my son, we bond without the breast. Skin to skin is amazing as it simply spending time with your baby as he grows and learns.

However your baby gets fed is good, as long as they are growing and thriving you are doing your job. You sound like you are doing a great job.

It takes both of you time you need to put baby to breasts way more than once a week so he can learn, and try before baby gets hungry be patient maybe try a nipple shield it's never too late and easier than ep, don't stress as long as baby is fed it's fine but know that you can do it

When I was pregnant I knew I would breastfeed, why? Because it's easy, duh! All you gotta do is pop out a boob, and baby will know just what to do and that's that.

I was wrong!!! My son never latched. It was hard to accept that I wouldn't breastfeed. I've been EPing for 11 months now. And as hard as it was I'm proud of myself! I still get to bond with my baby through bottle feeding. It wasn't ideal, but it's what worked for us. It was still stressful on me but my son was no longer crying and stressed from not being able to latch.

Good job on trying for 5 months! And it's OK to not keep going. Do what's best for you and baby.

If that's what you have decided, it is your choice.

I didn't have a bonding experience when I tried with my oldest either. Switched to formula and did formula only for my youngest. I know breast is best but it was more stress and heartbreak for me than I could handle (I had ppd).

I was also so frustrated that my livestock could feed their babies so easy and naturally and I effing couldnt!!!

My mom said she gained weight during breastfeeding, too.