Why breastfeeding failed

[tiredbuthappy]

This poll is only for those who chose to breastfeed (it is not intended to be a debate about breastfeeding!) In order to help me become a stronger CL, I would like to get a realistic picture of some of the reasons why breastfeeding "fails." Feel free to answer the poll anonymously, or to post your story. . Choose why you feel you had to stop sooner than you would have liked. Since I could only add 8 options, but could think of many more, please feel free to elaborate or add your own. Thank you in advance for your help

[smjmekg]

OT~~~Where are you CL?

[smjmekg]

I've read so many times that there's rarely an actual problem with supply, and I think it's a bunch of BS to make those of us with supply problems feel worse.

I had DS on a Wednesday, by c-section since he was breech. I tried to BF him and pumped in the hospital, and literally NOTHING came out, no colostrum, no milk, NOTHING. SO I had been trying to use a bottle with a tube attached that went to my nipple, and DS was on my breast but getting formula for the first few days before my milk came in. Sunday after I had him, I woke up with HUGE breasts, my milk had FINALLY came in, and I was so excited! I BFed DS, and he would start to get fussy, so I kept at it, and would wake him up when he fell asleep, he'd go on each side about 15-20 min, I made sure he went at least 15 min per side per feeding, so both sides were getting a minimum of 15 min stimulation per feeding. I did that every 2-3 hours, and ended up supplementing in between, and pumping. I pumped/BFed every hour...I could never get more than ONE OUNCE from BOTH sides after 15-20 min pumping. So I tried Fenugreek, something my lactation consultant recommended, then got prescribed Reglan, another recommendation...I don't remember how long I took each, but at six weeks I finally gave up BFing because nothing had helped. I was still only getting a MAX of one ounce, and it had started causing DS bowel movement problems, or a lack of having them...he was horribly constipated, and at 9 weeks I ended up switching him to a soy based formula and he was ok from there.

I think my main reasons for lack of supply were stress, DH went back to Korea when DS was exactly two weeks old, my mom trying to explain why I wasn't able to BF when she had three perfect experiences, having a bit of PPD, and I blame part of it on my body not being ready for DS to be born when I had the c-section. I can say whatever I want and give any reason I want, but it may have just been that I wasn't meant to BF DS. This time around (23 weeks 6 days pregnant) I'm planning on trying my hardest once again, and I hope to succeed.

[Sunkissed19]

I wanted to elaborate because for me it was a number or these reasons. DS had a very poor latch and we needed the help of a nipple shield for one. for two i had a low supply to begin with for unknown reasons...when i would squeeze my nipple only a little bit would come out...i definitely couldnt squirt it out like most people could. I also was exhausted and fainting constantly because i was pumping so often to try to build my supply up and because of DS poor latch he was needing to eat constantly...i couldnt find enough time to feed him and feed/hydrate myself properly since he was eating like every 20-30 minutes. That i think came down to not enough family support in the situation as well. It seems like everyone didnt remember what it was like to breastfeed their little ones because it was so long ago for many of my relatives and everyone was expecting me to be able to socialize and go out to dinner and these things when i wasnt comfortable breastfeeding in public because it was almost impossible to be private with our latching problems so i ended up missing out on a lot of family time. it was frustrating for baby and for myself and in the end my supply ended up drying up to almost none existent so thats why i picked supply problems because in the end that is what ended it for us or i believe we would still be working at it even though it was one of the hardest things ive ever tried to do. i sure miss the closeness though and am hoping for better luck with number 2!

[julianovak]

I could only BF for 5 months.... I started getting AF ( =( )  only 2 months after giving birth, crazy i know. And with every cycle my milk supply just seemed to be diminishing, and Isabella wasnt even "trying" to get more out of me, or crying from hunger, due to her not being a good eater and my milk supply diminishing i was very upset, but had to give it up.... and that week of AF my BBs never even got engorged... dont know WHAT on earth was wrong with me.... I guess i felt like i failed... but with next baby if my milk isnt at good levels i guess i know now to giveup sooner then just dragging it out.