Breast or Bottle? PLEASE READ FIRST!

[maoriprincess]

my baby is now 6 weeks old and is thriving...she's so adorable and loves her big brother and sister to bits...she only smiles for them!!...i am really trying hard to fully breastfeed for as long as possible but i have a 4 year old and a 2 1/2 yr old and they have started playing up lately...i think its because most of my time is taken up breast feeding and i have hardly anytime or them or anything else for that matter...im torn between keep breast feeding or giving her the bottle...my baby was exactly 9 pounds born and at 6 weeks is now 11 pounds so shes gaining weight fine but it takes soooo long...by the end of the day im physically mentally and emotionally drained and she gets up 4 times during the night the last being at about 5ish before morning but just as i get back to sleep its time to get up to get my other kids ready for kindy...its hard because im getting mad at even the sillest things that my kids do or even my mum...its not fair...idk what to do...i want to continue breastfeeding as i know its best but i dont want to miss out on my other 2 kids too..what should i do???

[Shayne1989]

I'm also heard that alot of times you can rent a breast pump from the hospital. I would call a lactationc cunsultant in your area and she should be able to tell you where you can. You can also always google "renting a breast pump in -your area-" i know its alot cheaper, all you have to do is by the tubes and stuff like that.They rent you the machine which is defintely the exspensive part.

[maoriprincess]

thanks for that i haven't really had a good look around this site so i didn't know there was a breast feeding 1...i will try there too....yeah ive tried the bottle at the last feed thing but all it seemed to do was make her bloated and full of wind which she wouldn't bring up and couldn't sleep....i don't know if it was a bad night but i haven't tried since...but a few times i have accidently fallen asleep...which i don't like as lately ive been so tired that im asleep before my head even hits the pillow i think...i think im leaning more towards the bottle...with my other 2 i bottle fed them as when i got that engorgement i gave up breast feeding but i managed to get through all that with this baby and was wanting to stick with it as ive heard it helps to lose weight....because at the moment i can barely find time for my other 2 kids and cleaning the house let alone working out :-( plus the whole bonding thing and it's better for her its also alot cheaper

[therese101]

Honestly you have to go with your personal situation. It is very draining to breastfed a baby, i know this from my own personal experience. But i dont know what it is like to have 2 young children as well. Maybe you need to try a bottle of formula for the last night feed that way she may sleep a little longer through the night so you are not getting up for 4 feeds a night. If you are going to express to bottle feed you need to invest in a really good and efficient pump, have a look on ebay because you may be able to pick one up at a decent price, or ask around with your friends with children because they might have one you can borrow. The one that i had it took me a whole hour to express one feed, which really didn't work for me. She seems like she is thriving so you are doing something really right. Because she is 6 weeks, you will find she is really hungry because she is going through a growth spurt. Good luck in what you choose to do. Also i would suggest posting on the breastfeeding forum as well because there are lots of mums over there that may be going through the same problem who may have other suggestions.

[tarajanes]

Have a look on ebay hun,for a breast pump.I feel where your coming from.it is difficult.especially when your others are at such a young age.bless them.im currently bottle feeding my 7 month,and expecting again,so im sure I will be asking somthing similar soon.
There are so great girls on here,only to happy to help.x

[maoriprincess]

yeah i try to do that now like can you please get Jaziah a nappy etc as they cant really help in the breast feeding department.. they absolutly adore her and are constantly trying to hug and kiss her and that so they dont mind doing things for her...unfortunatly at this time as a solo mum a breast pump is a little out of my price range, but will look into that a little more...maybe i can layby 1 after christmas...i just don't want them to feel that i care more about baby then i do them or anything like that...idk ive been told i think to much sometimes being an only child i wouldnt know about anything like sibling jealousy or anything  but thank you for you advice...anything helps...i only have my mum to talk to as my 1 freind doesnt have kids and my mum only had me so she doesnt know what its like in this situation either but she thinks i should bottle feed ...my girl is just hungry 24/7 and when she is it has to be RIGHT NOW!!!...aparently this is what it's like when breastfeeding though

[tarajanes]

Hi I have never breast feed,but can understand where you come form,have you tried expressing your milk.maybe that way your other 2 children,can help out during feeding times.you can ask them to get you a bib.silly little things like that.so they feel involved.it is draining,and it will get easier..Cant offer anymore advice im afraid,but there are plenty of mums here who breastfeed,and can offer you some,your not alone hun.