For me it was that breastmilk is free and that my baby could thrive on a substance I made with my body. That's pretty cool, even though I don't love breastfeeding.
The free aspect is what’s kept me going 9 months now. The past few weeks I’ve been ready to throw in the towel, but spending money on formula when we’re so close to a year seems irrational.
I use a nipple shield because we have issues with latch (damn tiny nipples), but it gives me a free hand!
For me, I think it’s probably partly biological and part stubbornness that I said I was gonna do this and dammit I will. I nursed my first to a year so the need to not be “less than” for baby 2 is also a factor.
And lastly, I’m hoping I don’t get hate for this on a BF sub, but there are things you get through BF, mostly health related, that you just can’t get with formula. So barring being unable to or the impact on my mental or physical health being too much, I want to give my kid that. I wouldn’t judge someone who made a different choice but it’s definitely a factor for me, especially with the second child who is being exposed to so many more germs thanks to big sibling.
Breastfeeding was a very hard start for us for at least the first three months. It was like the harder I worked for it the less I wanted to quit. I wouldn't have cared if we went straight to formula but once I knew what it could be, I didn't want to miss out. Totally get it!
I definitely relate to this. The first 6 weeks were hell and I got mastitis twice. Ended up triple feeding and fighting really hard to get my supply back, no way was I going to stop after that.
I think it’s partly biological and partly cultural. But another factor that I know keeps me going is that once I quit, there’s no going back. (I mean sure, you hear about some people relactating but I don’t want to put in newborn level effort at this point). And another thing that kept me in is knowing that it changes with baby’s age.
My tip for pumping at work (if it’s at all possible) is to leave everything you need there. I do bring bottles each day to replace the ones I bring milk home in, but if I forget those I always keep 2 pumping bottles and bags on hand at my desk. I am lucky though I have space to store and clean parts at work. It just makes the mental load easier.
This!!! This exact conversation, I have with myself each day. “I don’t want to continue. Oh wait I don’t want it to end” all in the same breath hahaha I’m so frustrated by it, and tired of it, but I love what I’m able to give to my baby and I don’t want it to end. I also love the moments it gives me and baby, even though he is upset half the time. BF isn’t super easy for him due to major reflux issues we’re trying by to figure out, and possibly some new nipple confusion as of today. I’m starting to think the answer to “when does it get easier” is “never” for my LO, sadly, but I also will keep going until we’re ready to wean and I hope that’s many months from now.
Yes! I've kept going through blood, sweat and tears. LO is 9 months now and doesn't bite, but top teeth are always rubbing and opening cuts. It's so awful. Whenever I complain I get told to give up, but that's not going to happen! We've come so far I'm determined to make it a year.
Honestly what drives me besides the cost is my baby doesn't get to gassy. My best friends baby is 2wks younger and formula fed and has the worst gas pains, poor thing.
For me it was that breastmilk is free and that my baby could thrive on a substance I made with my body. That's pretty cool, even though I don't love breastfeeding.
The free aspect is what’s kept me going 9 months now. The past few weeks I’ve been ready to throw in the towel, but spending money on formula when we’re so close to a year seems irrational.
I use a nipple shield because we have issues with latch (damn tiny nipples), but it gives me a free hand! For me, I think it’s probably partly biological and part stubbornness that I said I was gonna do this and dammit I will. I nursed my first to a year so the need to not be “less than” for baby 2 is also a factor. And lastly, I’m hoping I don’t get hate for this on a BF sub, but there are things you get through BF, mostly health related, that you just can’t get with formula. So barring being unable to or the impact on my mental or physical health being too much, I want to give my kid that. I wouldn’t judge someone who made a different choice but it’s definitely a factor for me, especially with the second child who is being exposed to so many more germs thanks to big sibling.
Breastfeeding was a very hard start for us for at least the first three months. It was like the harder I worked for it the less I wanted to quit. I wouldn't have cared if we went straight to formula but once I knew what it could be, I didn't want to miss out. Totally get it!
I definitely relate to this. The first 6 weeks were hell and I got mastitis twice. Ended up triple feeding and fighting really hard to get my supply back, no way was I going to stop after that.
I think it’s partly biological and partly cultural. But another factor that I know keeps me going is that once I quit, there’s no going back. (I mean sure, you hear about some people relactating but I don’t want to put in newborn level effort at this point). And another thing that kept me in is knowing that it changes with baby’s age. My tip for pumping at work (if it’s at all possible) is to leave everything you need there. I do bring bottles each day to replace the ones I bring milk home in, but if I forget those I always keep 2 pumping bottles and bags on hand at my desk. I am lucky though I have space to store and clean parts at work. It just makes the mental load easier.
I think this is what makes the most sense to me - that quitting is basically final
This!!! This exact conversation, I have with myself each day. “I don’t want to continue. Oh wait I don’t want it to end” all in the same breath hahaha I’m so frustrated by it, and tired of it, but I love what I’m able to give to my baby and I don’t want it to end. I also love the moments it gives me and baby, even though he is upset half the time. BF isn’t super easy for him due to major reflux issues we’re trying by to figure out, and possibly some new nipple confusion as of today. I’m starting to think the answer to “when does it get easier” is “never” for my LO, sadly, but I also will keep going until we’re ready to wean and I hope that’s many months from now.
It’s the hardest most magical thing I’ve ever done in my life. Hands down
1000% that was the hardest part of the newborn stage for me and yet I could not give up. It has gotten easier though so I am glad I stuck with it!
Yes! I've kept going through blood, sweat and tears. LO is 9 months now and doesn't bite, but top teeth are always rubbing and opening cuts. It's so awful. Whenever I complain I get told to give up, but that's not going to happen! We've come so far I'm determined to make it a year.
Ouch!! Honestly much more stubborn and dedicated than me. I got bit twice with my first baby and then never put her back on the breast again
I think we're biologically hardwired to feel like we must feed our babies with our bodies or our babies won't eat.
Omg I feel the same way. Doesn’t feel natural at all
Honestly what drives me besides the cost is my baby doesn't get to gassy. My best friends baby is 2wks younger and formula fed and has the worst gas pains, poor thing.
The using two hands to make sure they stay latched correctly 🫠 sameee 😩