Frustrating

The first six weeks are the worst with BF'd. They want to eat all the time. I know it is frustrating but in the end it is so worth it. Also you really shouldn't introduce a bottle until at least 6 weeks as to avoid nipple confusion. Keep up the good work.

I remember when I first brought Damien home he woke up every 1 and1/2 to 2 hours to feed.

I can only begin to imagine how frustrating it must be.

Just know you are not alone.

Breastfeeding is impossibly challenging and I completely understand your frustration. Is it that you want to sleep so you want to pump and be able to give her a bottle? You shouldn't give her the bottle until she's a few weeks older, otherwise she might (and I say MIGHT) refuse the breast then. But that doesn't always happen....

I know it's so hard. What is she doing - getting antsy? Is your milk 100% in? Is she cranky and frustrated?

She just doesn't seem to want to let me go. She sleeps so nicely in the daytime... and i know that I should be sleeping right along with her, but I just can't seem to fall asleep during the day... that's really annoying for me.

Plus I'm worried because I have a class that meets on Wednesdays and I have to get back to it by the end of the month and I would hate to leave her for 3 hours screaming her head off while my poor husband would feel completely helpless. I don't want her to go hungry... I just don't know what to do. I guess I'm just looking for something... and I don't know what...

Hang in there! This definitely is the most challenging time for bf'ing, but it absolutely gets easier. Not only will the baby sleep longer, but they nurse less frequently & for less time at the breast at each feeding. You're almost there! I attend a great support group (not LLL) that has helped a lot. fm if you'd like info.

Good luck!!

I was thinking about this this morning & wanted to add ...

on the subject of pumping ... there's nothing wrong with pumping a bottle if you feel that Madeline is latching on ok. The wait time is suggested in order to give you & the baby time to learn your technique. If she's doing ok, then introducing a bottle should not be a problem. Especially if you have a commitment that takes you away from her. You'll need to give her one soon, though, so you can all get the hang of the new arrangement. Pump during the day & store your b'milk in a bottle in the refrig. for later when DH can feed her. I would leave at least 4 - 6 oz just in case she's very hungry or needs comforting. She may not take it all, but that's ok. If you make small bottles, you can keep it the leftover for a few days or freeze it for the next week. Our first attempts at bottle feeding were awkward ... lots of spilt milk (no pun intended! )!

on the subject of sleeping .... its so hard at the beginning when babies are still upside down about days and nights. The fact that she sleeps during the day & not at night means that she's still figuring it all out. Do everything that you can to try to straighten her out. Napping in a noisy, well lit room during the day, keeping night feedings & diaper changes quiet & dimly lit, waking (or trying) her during the day if she sleeps too long ... to nurse. I found that I had to put her on the changing table & wipe her down sometimes to wake her up! Also, make sure that you're not mistaking sleepy sounds for night waking. I was doing this & not even knowing it!

But it does get better! Her days & nights will straighten out & she'll get bigger ... which means her stomach will too! She'll bf better & be able to get milk faster! So the nighttime nursing should subside to once or twice a night SOON!

In the meantime, have you tried nursing her laying down in bed? This might help if she needs to nurse frequently at night ... then you can stay partially asleep. But above all....

GET YOUR SLEEP! YOU NEED IT! A cranky, tired mommy = unhappy baby & family!

Keep up the good work & hang in there! You'll be happy you did in the long run! feel free to fm for any info you might need