Ppd ?

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Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that question to be "have you really tried hard enough." IBCLC's and LLL leaders are trained to help you make the switch to formula, when the time comes. I person you feel comfortable with would be in a position to determine whether or not **you** are ready to make the switch and guide you through it. I'm sorry that you haven't gotten that kind of support, it sounds as if you've just been bounced from helper to helper.

Just as there are many women who find that continuing to nurse helps them deal with PPD, there are women who find that when they switch over to formula a huge weight is lifted off them. Maybe I'm wrong (again), but it's sounds like what you want to know is, "is it ok if I want to try something different", and the answer is yes.

PPD sucks. There's just no way around it. And I'm sorry that my first post put me into the category of people who just don't get it.

Hi there,

I was in BF hell for the first ten weeks of my babe's life. I see yours was born in February, so she's 5-6 weeks old at most, right?

In case this helps... I feel my PPD got a lot worse because babe & I had such a difficult time BFing. She would latch on and stay on for hours at a time. That meant I was stuck on the couch, sitting in bed, wherever, for hours at a time. I could not (have not) mastered feeding in the sling.

So being stuck with no-one around was a huge stressor. Then all but one of the few visitors I had didn't understand feeding on demand, so that was an additional stressor. Hubby's working overtime was an additional stressor. Not being able to clean, work, unpack (we just moved) was an additional stressor. Babe needing constant feeding meant we couldn't leave the house (we tried, and it was another voyage through hell). Additional stress from that.

See how the stress adds up? It was a cumulative effect on me. The thing I had to work on (besides the BFing) was delegating tasks, asking for help, asking for visits from likeminded folks, getting online to get advice, choosing time over money (whenever possible) and generally learning how to chill out.

I am still in a depression but it's lessening. I went to an intuitive healer yesterday (was skeptic but hopeful) and it was helpful. I feel I've got some of my old self back. Still working on it though...

April

PS We're still breastfeeding successfully and babe is 6.5 months.

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thats really nice, I am just so confused.... I never thought I would feel this way, I feel unable to bond with her and when I look at her I just see a source of pain and I dread every feeding.... everyone says if I hold on for X amount of time things will get better.... logically it makes sense, but being here now I swear X amount of time will kill me and its unbearable. I remember when pregnant saying "Oh I can do 12 weeks of adjusting to breastfeeding pain.... sure...." but now I don't feel that way its just like a lonely tunnel

I am so glad you started this thread. I think my BF'ing problems made my ppd worse too. My DS (7 mo) has been a very distracted and active nurser from day one. My letdown was so strong he only wanted to nurse laying down, in bed, and in the dark. He never wanted to nurse in public, too many distractions!!!! How I longed for those times where I could nurse him the cradle hold and be proud in front of everyone that I was breastfeeding.

I never thought breastfeeding was so hard. Argh. I would tell people, 'no wonder people switch to formula, it is so much easier!'. But I'm hardheaded and very determined to finish what I start, so I am sticking with the bf'ing.

Only recently have things gotten a little better. At 6 mo, I could nurse him in the cradle hold in the bedroom (bliss!), his preference is still laying down though. But, lately I can now get him to nurse a minute or two in the living room (amazing!). And today, I nursed him in the doctor's office - amazing again! It probably happened b/c he was extremely tired.... but it is a start.

So, it is getting better....gradually. There are other women I know that didn't have the nursing relationship they wanted until the baby was about 10-12 months old. I am hoping we at least make it a year, and if things are going well, I'd like to continue until he is at least 18 mo.

It feels like forever, things will get better.