Feeling frustrated with my newborn:(

I definitely felt that way around week 2. I'm a FTM too and I knew it would be hard but I wasn't as prepared as I thought I was. Running on like 4 hours of sleep in one day and dealing with a crying baby got to me at one point and all I did was cry.

It gets easier though. My DD is 5 weeks now and I'm finally starting to get into the swing of things. Day by day she's getting easier to take care of. You've got this, mama. All of your hard work will totally pay off!

Me. Right here. I didn't bond until I stopped nursing and went to pumping. I was having a lot of pain with breastfeeding though. Mastitis, cracked nipples, etc.... so I was associating baby with pain. The pump has created a whole new set of issues, but I like scheduling my pumping sessions instead of being subject to a newborns whims. I'm having a hard time healing my nipples and now at 4 weeks I have a massive oversupply which comes with its own set of issues... but I have an amazing stash going and I should have enough for his first year sometime in April and I can stop all this nonsense and dry up. Dad helps with feedings. I still stay up all night with baby, but he gets up with him in the morning and I get 3-4 solid hours on top of whatever I manage at night.

You have to do what works for you! At least by pumping baby is getting breastmilk still :)

If it helps I'm a third time mum and feel the same it's hard work. There is nothing wrong with pumping even if you do it enough for your hubby to help out a feed here and there .it might be just what you need. It does take over your life lol. But it will get better. First 6 weeks are so tough. Keep telling yourself how amazing your doing.?

I felt the same way! I started pumping and love that others can help do the feedings, and I'm not chained down! Baby still gets all the benefits of breast milk and I get to keep my sanity and have some semblance of a schedule. She is 5 weeks now, and I nurse her once or twice a day and pump/bottle feed the rest of the time. Being a mom is hard, but it does get easier every week . Hang in there!

The first 6 weeks are the hardest. It does get easier hang in there Mama. This is my 3rd and it's a do what you need to so everyone is happy situation here. This one is my first to ebf and no I don't like it. I don't find it bonding it is just food to me. Max I intend to breastfeed is 4 months after that it's formula. My first I pumped and fed for the first 4 months. Second I did a combination of on the breast and pumping and this one has been ebf. Regardless of how I have done it I don't like it. Do what you need to to be happy otherwise you will grow to resent the newborn stage which can be a sweet time if you are less stressed. Big hugs and it does get better.

Thank you ladies so much, you have made me felt so much better to know that I'm not alone in the way I'm feeling. I seriously think that pumping is a good option for me so I'm going to look into getting a pump

I was feeling so stressed out from breastfeeding. I seriously couldn't even take a 15 minute shower without her screaming needing to eat again. I realized she wasn't having enough wet diapers and weighed her and she had lost more weight after she had finally started gaining. I started pumping to make sure I knew how much she was getting and it wasn't even close to enough. I now mostly pump and let her latch on a couple times a day to keep my supply and keep the bonding. I like pumping so much better. It's easier to have time to shower and my husband be able to feed her.

I'm a second time mom going through this right now. My son literally wants to nurse all day long and some times he nurses for 2 hours straight. That was last night at 2am and I was so incredibly angry and frustrated. The transition is SO hard and breastfeeding is SO hard in the beginning. I know it will get easier so I'm sticking it out but there are days I just want to call the whole thing quits and give the baby back lol.

I felt like this with my first. I felt like a cow. A trapped cow who wasn't even able to break free for a bathroom or shower break lol I started resenting my husband because he couldn't help and getting frustrated with my newborn. I honestly hated nursing....I saw it as a burden. My entire life suddenly revolved around it-my sleep, what I ate and what I wore...everything. I hated it until I stopped. Then I missed it terribly. I really struggled watching others feed my baby...it was sad that the one thing only I could give her was suddenly so available from everyone else.

With my second and now with my third I look at it so differently. I love every minute and see it more of a "break" than a burden. I can't wait for feeding time because my kids no they can't bother me lol. I love the fact I get to sit down and kick my feet up and that it forces me to just chill out for a bit in my crazy life.

I wish more pro-breast educators would be honest about the hard work that nursing is. You only hear about the good things...but know your not alone. There are so many women that feel this way.

Hang in there and do what's right for you! Happy mama =happy baby

Same.. I have been frustrated as well with my daughter. At the hospital with her it felt a bit better with the 24/7 round the clock help with lactation nurses and getting all questions answered. At home. I have been trying to get her to latch on my breast but she gets fussy because she's been getting bottled fed because she needed and still needs to gain weight since she is gaining slowly. Even on a nipple shield she gets frustrated with one boob over the other. I have been giving her both milk and formula but pumping my milk out. Supplementing has been easier and let's frustrating for us both. I say do what is best for you and baby. Do what is more relaxing for you both. I eventually will stop supplements when her weight is up and when me and her both get over the bump of breastfeeding because I really truly do want to experience that exclusive bond with my baby girl. Especially as a first time mom.

When someone asks how nursing is I always tell them how hard it is. But I also tell them how easy it gets and how awesome it is. I dont want to mislead anyone. They need to know what they are getting into. Bc breastfeeding is extremely hard. But then it gets so much easier and its the most rewarding experience ever. I nursed my daughter til she self weaned at almost 3 yrs old. And I hope to have the same nursing relationship with my son. Alot of people say just to pump but its not that easy. If someone maintains a good supply only pumping then they are very lucky. Most women cant do that. You usually need to stimulation of a baby to maintain a good supply to not supplement.

I went through the exact same thing. I was getting so frustrated with myself and the baby and I was exhausted. It made me feel like I was the worst mother ever when I would get frustrated. After the first week of exclusively breast feeding, I decided to start pumping and bottle feeding. I swear it changed my life and was one of the best decisions I've made! My little guy is now, at 3 weeks old, on a 3 hour schedule and we are both much happier. I have more patience with him which is wonderful. He still nurses like a champ when we chose to do so but he prefers the bottle. At the end of the day, go with your instinct and do what you think is best for you and your baby. It will get easier! You've got this!