I'm a failure - Page 3

[Mrs-Mama]

More

I'm repeating some of PPs' advice, but still:

I think it's great that you're pumping while you heal. It is not impossible for your DS to learn how to latch again after bottle feeding. My DS had bottles of EBM for the first three weeks of his life before I could even attempt to nurse him. He learned and then decided that bottles were no good! So, just because you're pumping now doesn't mean you'll always have to.

Also, as someone else pointed out, your DS benefits from every drop of breast milk he receives...think how many babies don't get any.

Have you tried covering your nipples in EBM and then letting them air dry? I've heard great things about the healing powers of breast milk.

Keep pumping and get help for your PPD. You are a great mom NOT a failure!

[RootSnort]

I have only read a few of the posts, but I wanted to say

I have been pumping for my DS for 16 months, and you are not a failure and neither am I! You are getting milk into baby, and it doesn't matter how you do that! If you have to supplement, that is not the end of the world either. Been there, done that. Be nice to you!

[MilkbarMom]

Just wanted to offer you a big My 1st dd did not latch on for 17 days, and we ended up nursing for 4 years. The 1st 2 years, we did have to supplement, as I did not have a full supply because it took so long to establish, and I had no idea what I was doing. I also wanted to add that I agree with one of the previous posters, even if you ended up exclusively pumping, that would be okay too You are doing a great job! Hang in there.

[timneh_mom]

Hi Pookel... I haven't read through all 3 pages of this thread but honey, just do the best you can!!! I'm sure the mamas here have given you lots of great suggestions but please don't beat yourself up, it can be really tough in the beginning and I know we'll all be here to help! Take care!!

[RootSnort]

Originally Posted by pookel

I'm already on Tylenol 3 and 800 mg ibuprofen for post-c/s pain.

I would reccommend small doses of Percocet (anywhere from half a tablet to 1 tablet to 2 tablets) instead of Tylenol #3. Perocet is stronger for you, but safer for the baby, with fewer icky metabolites and a little cleaner track record. Watch the baby to make sure they aren't too sleepy. If that happens, call the doc right away.

[mama-a-llama]

Oh, Pookel, I'm so sorry you're having so much trouble!

Just one pumping tip: lube up your nipples with olive oil before pumping. It should help with the friction.

[USAmma]

Aww I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. I too had flat/inverted nipples, never got my first dd to latch and pumped full time for many months. Sorta similar story with second dd as well. You are NOT a failure. You are still trying and your baby is getting your milk and you love your baby and are nuturing and caring. That does not seem like a failure in my book.

As mothers many of us face unexpected and difficult journeys that we didn't ask for or deserve, and neither did our children. But if you can just do the best you can with what you have been given to work with, then you are a success. It's all about perspective. Not everyone gets a perfect set of breasts or a perfectly healthy baby. It's what you do with adversity that defines you as a person and as a mother. Sometimes that means taking a path that is different from the one you intended. Other times it means trying one more time when you don't feel you have any extra energy or desire to do so. ((HUGS))

Whatever path you take, just know you tried your best and it's not your fault.