ready to give up...

[hildare]

So, I'm looking at possibly having to pump as my dd is refusing the boob for the fantastic plasticness of bottle. I already pump at work, and am hopefully getting enough to do this, but I'm feeling emotionally upset about it.

I envisioned breastfeeding as a way to feel close to dd, and last night when she refused to nurse, it really felt like a rejection. She is only 3 mos, and while I know not to take it personally, it really hurts.

I have tried switching bottles up (got some breastflows, etc.).
I feel unhappy enough with the situation to actually be weighing whether or not to FF. I'm on an extremely (as in TED) rigid diet as she has allergic reactions to almost everything.

I'm so bummed out and disappointed, mamas. It's been so hard from the very beginning. I am ready to give up.

Is EP-ing that bad? I don't know how I can bring myself to give her a bottle myself as I feel so inadequate and like a failure. It was so important to me to do this, and our birthing was such a letdown and nothing like we planned, I thought I could at least do this/have this breastfeeding relationship. I've been in tears all day, gah.
anyone else been through/going through something like this?

[mambera]

How long has she been rejecting boob for? Could be a nursing strike.

My LO (8 mo) gets bottles while I'm at work, and over the time between 8 weeks and now she's had several moments where she rejected boob and screamed for bottle. It used to terrify me with visions of EPing but it never lasted more than a day and a half.

I would treat it like a nursing strike. Give her lots of no-pressure opportunities to have boob when you're home but if she's making both of you miserable, just give her a bottle and pump to keep your supply. I bet she'll come around. Most breastfed babies prefer mom - especially if she's been bfing for 3 months without a problem, I really doubt she's going to develop bottle preference now.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by mambera

I would treat it like a nursing strike.

There is great info on strikes here:http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...to-breast.html

Also, you may want to pass this handout on to your child care provider to make sure they are giving baby the bottle in the best possible way for a breastfed baby. http://www.kellymom.com/store/freeha...le_feeding.pdf

Good luck!

[Deir]

Oh (((((hug)))))) Don't give up! try to have as much skin to skin contact with her as possible and find the times when she does nurse happily (maybe in the middle of night) and see what you can do to replicate that scenario. Some babies will readily nurse at night while sleepy in a dark room. Definitely don't go to the dark place of feeling like you are totally done. can you take this weekend and just spend the time in or near a bed, top off, baby dressed as little as possible and just keep her close. Try to stay calm and posititve. Don't give up.

[groovyem]

As an EPing mom of 6mo now, it sucks! There isn't enough time in the day for life as it is but to add that to the mix... ugh. My babe is worth it though!

[hildare]

this morning was better...

I was feeling so bad yesterday.. this morning she seemed better, ate the boob, smiled some, but when her da gave her expressed milk after i left, he said she was cranky about getting the bottle, too. I have no idea what's going on with this child... thought she might be teething? she is grump grump grumpy about eating in general now, bottle/boob, either one!
Thank you for the comments and support. I know we can do this. Just wish I could know what's going on in her brain!

[boobs4milk]

hugs hildare!