I Just Want to Give Up, but I Love Breastfeeding Effects

Pumping ups your supply because your body thinks it needs to produce even more milk. Wait it out a few days. You'll adjust. The more you pump the more you need to pump.

When you are ready to give up, put fresh cabbage in your bra. It smells nasty but they say the enzyme in it helps with the engorgement.

I felt the same way. Breastfeeding is harder than people realize. THis is the real reason why people quit... not that their milk dried up, baby wouldn't latch on etc... . Anyway, breastfeeding was VERY difficult for me and I remember thinking after 5 weeks that I wanted to quit but couldn't because my family would forever think my baby lesser because of her lack of breast milk and bonding. Yes, it gets easier and even easy. At 6 weeks, we were rocking and it was a piece of cake. I breastfed for 2.5 years and the first year was exclusive. Know that brestfeeding is not for everyone. Know that it is ok to use formula. Know that you are a good Momma. But also know that brestmilk is the EASIEST route to go. All you need to do is beat these first few weeks. After that, you will be one of those Mother Nature, Granola Women who look like you can create a "How To" video.
Good Luck Momma and you will both figure it out!
L.

the fact that you're reaching out here suggests you really don't want to give up, but just need some help. Those first couple of days are tough and engorgement can be really uncomfortable, especially before your supply is really in. In my experience, pumping is fine as far as helping get your milk flowing, but it might not help with the discomfort, so do what works for you. For the discomfort, one thing that helped (and is supposed to help bring the milk down) is cabbage leaves. I've heard it's supposed to be red cabbage, but I'm not 100% on that. In any event, keep the whole cabbage in the fridge and tuck a whole leaf in each bra cup, it's cooling and comfortable on your sore breasts. You can also try fenugreek or Mother's Milk Tea (available at Whole Foods and health food supplies) to help with supply. The Mother's Milk wasn't too bad with a little honey in it. Standing in the shower with the warm water spraying on your breasts can help too. Finally, a comfortable, properly fitted nursing bra is a must to get through this, especially a sleep bra...it feels better to have a little bit of compression on your breasts.

Good luck and hang in there!!

I agree with the other moms . . .don't give up. The first few days are hard, especially with your milk coming in.

The other thing is (another mom suggested this for you) is to get a GREAT nursing bra. I lived in my bra for the first month or two - only taking it off to shower. I couldn't stand NOT wearing a bra - especially when I slept.

Hang in there. It DOES get easier.
B.

I agree with what everyone else has said. (Also, I've heard they don't give those "drying up" drugs these days so you would be going through painful engorgement even if you were bottle-feeding today.) The over-supply will calm down after a few more days. The first couple of days after the milk comes it it does feel like you have big painful balls on your chest. That doesn't last long, a few days. It's not wrong to pump, but it's not going to lower the milk supply - it will do the opposite. It definitely gets easier - in fact, breastfeeding felt very pleasurable after the first 3 weeks or so, for me, but I know everyone's different. Meanwhile, take some tylenol to help with the pain and sleep with your nursing bra, or any soft bra, on. And get in touch with an LC. Even if it costs money it's cheaper than formula, and most insurance will cover LCs these days.

Hello C.! Keep Holding On! I nursed both my kids and starting was not easy with either of them. With Liam, my second, it took over 2 weeks before things went smoothly. At first it was easy and then it started getting VERY PAINFUL. I was bleeding and almost crying every time he would latch on. I put the ointment on and use these breast shields. It took alittle getting use to the shields but it did help. At the end of 2 weeks I started feeling better. Now at 10 months it was Sooooo worth it. It is SO EASY for me and it is the best thing for him. Surround yourself with some strong supporters. It is hard if everyone around you is telling you to stop. Breastfeeding is really the best thing for your child. Just keep holding on -- it is well worth it. I love it. Have a Happy and Healthy Day!
K.
K.

This is all great advice and should help you a lot. Just with all the mentions of getting a great nursing bra, I tried a bunch and ended up getting a handful of the Bravado nursing bras since they were the most comfortable. No wires, cotton, and sort of structured like a sports bra. I'm pregnant again now and already wearing them because they are just really comfy. And wearing them at night totally helped me in the first few weeks!

Good luck!

C.,
Tell your boyfriend to go buy some green cabbage. Put the cold cabbage leaves on your breasts. It will help.

The engorgement is temporary...the first 2 weeks of breastfeeding are the hardest. I loved breastfeeding my son. It was hard in the beginning. But, if I had to do it again, I would.

D.

D.

I agree with all the other posters. KEEP GOING. This is the worst of it. Get the ointment (Lanisoh - sold at TArget), and put lots of it on all the time. Your engorgement will subside very soon - I promise.

If it helps, flash forward a few months when your baby wakes up in the night. Do you want to get up, go to the kitchen to make a bottle while your baby is crying, OR do you want to just drift in half asleep and feed the baby while you doze off in the rocking chair??

You are so right to feel this is hard and painful. I cried every time my daughter latched on for three weeks. But after that, it does get easy. I went through the sore nipples, engorgement, and plugged ducts, but I'm still nursing her at 15 months! If you can survive the first month, you're way ahead of most moms.
pumping to relieve engorgement is best, make sure you don't completely empty the breast, or you'll create more supply. And the cabbage works too, I used the green kind. contact a lactation consultant or La leche League for help if you want to stick it out. www.kellymom is very helpful too. Congrats o your new baby and good luck!!

Hi C.,
Just hang in there and give it 2 weeks. Things will get much much better soon. Here are things that will help with engorgement:
1. Cabbage leaves. Peel a nice green one off and bruise it with a rolling pin. Put it over your breast for about 20 minutes.
2. Hot shower - massage your breasts in the hot shower - you can actually push some of the milk out, and this will help
3. The ice, as another poster mentioned.

Also, if you haven't started now, get some lanolin or olive oil to put on your nipples after you feed your girl. This will help keep them from getting chapped and dry.

After 2-3 weeks, I PROMISE, breastfeeding will have turned from a chore into a very nice thing. Plus, it beats the heck out of getting up and messing with bottles in the middle of the night.

Hang in there - and good luck!

Edited 2/19 to add this comment:
I agree with other posters about getting a good nursing bra. I love the Bravado bras and wore them 24/7 (yes, sleeping too) for the first several MONTHS that I was nursing my baby. You can order them online. www.breakoutbras.com has the best prices I've found (and free shipping). Also, BellyDance Maternity in Bucktown sells them if you want to try them on. They're expensive but worth every penny.

My best suggestion: try not to pump too much just yet. Just enough to bring down the engorgement a little just before feedings. It's all supply & demand and if you keep pumping, your body is going to think that the baby needs all that milk and will keep producing that much. I know it really hurts for a while, but your body should begin to regulate fairly quickly once it realizes how much your baby is actually drinking. There is a La Leche League group that meets near Morraine Valley in the SW 'burbs. I went there when I was nursing my twins and they were really great. I have several friends that are still in the group and nursing their toddlers and/or second babies. If you want more information, just let me know and I'd be happy to put you in touch with the group.

Put ice on one breast for ten minutes and then the other for ten minutes while lying down on your back. Do this every hour to two hours until the engorgement has gone down. Stay away from hot showers, that will make it worse. I know how painfull it is, with my first I had NO idea what was going on and I tried pumping, but that did not help. I called my lactation counsler and she told me about the ice. I was better in about four hours and my breasts hit their stride :) Keep nursing, this will help too. The baby will drain your breast better than a pump. You may possibly get a clogged milk duct, but don't worry just massage the area toward the nipple for a few minutes before the baby nurses and change the babies nursing position. Also try not to wear underwire nursing bras. I know it seems like that is all that is out there, but go get a nursing sleep bra. Once I discovered those I had a lot less problems with my breasts. You can find them at Motherhood for about $10.00. Good luck and keep up the good work!