I'm feeling so burdened down with breast feeding?

Has anyone ever done breast feeding and formula? How long did your breast milk last before drying up? Please breast feeding nazi's don't even bother answering! I already KNOW everything your going to say. I breast fed my 20 month old for 14 months. I'm tired and its hard to chase her around when I'm constantly tied down to breast feeding. My 2 month old eats for an hour at a time sometimes and she's constantly eating. I have to have time with both of my kids and sometimes it would just be nice to give dad a bottle. I'm trying pumping but so far have not been successful but I'm not giving up. I'm still going to keep pumping. I have a good electric pump already so no need to suggest that and I can't afford to rent one. Thanks!!!!<br>
Answer:Hi, I breastfed my second son but supplemented him with formula because he was a hungry boy! We lasted almost fours months this way before I switched him completly onto formula as it just seemed the easiest thing to do - he was less sick on formula than he was on breastmilk. I know how you feel. My toddler learnt that when i was breastfeeding he could go off and cause mischief when mummy was breastfeeding. I also had no luck with pumping. But don't get yourself down, you've managed over 2months of it - they say the first 6weeks is the most important, and at the end of the day if baby is being fed and you get to spend time with both of your children then there is no need to feel bad about supplementing with formula.  Just start one bottle at a time :) I wish you luck and happinesd x<br>
Answer:I don't quite understand. Your toddler is running around while you nurse but what will she do when you are bottle feeding? Like I said, the whole ordeal of bottle feeding will take more time than nursing...which you can walk around using only one hand unlike bottle feeding, you'll need two.
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Answer:Just cradle the baby in one arm while your breastfeeding and walk around and do stuff with your other hand. I get lots of things done while breastfeeding that way. You can probably do this for a few more months and then when you can no longer hold your baby like that switch to formula. You should try to breastfeed for atleast 6 months so the baby gets all the benifits from it.<br>
Answer:Yeah, I would do my best to get the pumping to work. There are plenty of moms who only pump and use bottles, they never actually breastfeed. Apparently they pump extra and freeze enough to stop pumping months early.<br>
Answer:There should be no reason for your milk to dry up if you're just supplementing and still nursing..<br>
Answer:As much as I enjoy breastfeeding.. if I had to nurse for an hour at a time.. I wouldn't be doing it. <br>
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Have you seen a Lactation consultant? I wonder if they would have any great suggestions on what to do for a baby that nurses for that long. <br>
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My first child nursed nonstop (for an hour or more at a time), and I made it a whole 6 days. lol My son nursed 10 minutes every 3 hours and I nursed him until he was 14 months old. I'm now nursing my second son, and he's even quicker than my first son was. :) <br>
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I know if he was like my daughter, I wouldn't of been able to handle it. You have to have time for both your kids, if that means Formula, than so be it. You can do both.<br>
Answer:Aw, it's okay. Mine dried up after 4 weeks. Pump, formula fed. It's up to you and you shouldn't be made to feel bad about it. You will probably do enough punishing yourself. In an ideal world, yes, yes... The thing is, you're not causing harm to your baby, she will be fed and she will get her nutrients.<br>
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As predicted, thumbs down. How about supporting a mothers choice? Sounds like it's affecting her which could mean, she might not bond with baby well. I know which I'd rather, after hearing of how some women out there neglect their children. Read the headlines, this is nothing.<br>
Answer:I think you'd be creating more work for yourself if you went to bottles and pumping.<br>
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You wouldn't have any more time. You have to make the bottles and you still have to hold your baby while feeding so you aren't saving any time there. If you pump, you are taking time to do that which you could be just feeding your baby but after pumping you need to sit down and take the time to feed your baby. You are doubling(if not more) your time spent getting her milk ready.<br>
Then there is the clean up...taking up more of  your time. Clean bottles, clean your pump, and more time cleaning clothes(formula fed babies spit up more and formula stains worse)<br>
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Don't know your husband's schedule but how many bottles would he actually be around to feed her? If it's just a couple then it really doesn't seem like it's worth all the trouble.<br>
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I use to sit on the floor or table and play with my older ones while I nurse my little ones...have a tea party, do a puzzle, color, playdough, etc.<br>
Answer:Let me say this: I'll probably get a lot of thumbs down, but if breastfeeding is stressing you out and making it so that you're not properly taking care of your oldest child, then you need to consider what's the healthiest for your family.<br>
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That being said...breastfeeding offers so many more benefits than formula. Your daughter is probably going through a growth spurt and it'll (probably) be over soon. If you can stick this out for a little while longer, I'm SURE she'll get herself on a schedule and it'll be LOADS easier for you to breastfeed her and to care for your oldest child.<br>
Answer:This doesn't sound like a nursing issue so much as 'I am not thriving on being the mother of two small kids' issue. Better birth control in the future! Not meant to be harsh, just -- recognise that you don't like this. Do what you can to do the best possible job, and don't put yourself in the same position a second time. Unless Dad works from home, at a job that needs very little attention paid to it, you'll be bottle-propping if bottles are going to mean breaks. There's no way it's a big inconvenience to sit there and nurse while you read or whatever when Dad is actually home -- be realistic about what the actual problem is. You're feeling burdened, full stop.<br>
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