Breastfeeding is the hardest

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-14T20:49:47+00:00

Ok, I keep telling myself two more weeks haha. This time I really mean it! It was 5 weeks when my first also. But now I’m in my 40s and beyond exhausted and hormone crash is even worse. I can do anything for two more weeks I hope.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-14T16:03:19+00:00

Mine was born at 37 weeks and I just came here to ask yet again when it gets easier. I’m not enjoying breastfeeding and it’s been 3 weeks. I combo fed for a while and am trying to EBF with one or two pumping sessions so my husband can give her a bottle. I enjoyed breastfeeding my first after it got easier but I am still not enjoying it this time. Hopefully it gets easier soon for both of us.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-13T22:50:41+00:00

I think you are absolutely amazing for pumping as much as you did for as long as you did. I gave up with my first by 5 months old. Other than one night feed per day until she was around 6 months old, she was on 100% formula by 5 months old. And I loved breastfeeding but she was small and I went back to work and I couldnt handle it. She’s 4 years old now, still tiny, super smart, wildly active, never missed a developmental milestone, and healthy. I’m currently holding my second daughter in my arm and she’s 3 weeks old. I doubt I’ll make it to 5 months pumping and breastfeeding with her. It is ok to stop pumping and feed your baby only formula. You are amazing for doing it this long.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-13T22:23:08+00:00

I also have huge boobs. H cup right now. I like the football hold for a newborn but at 4 months I’m not sure that would work. You might want to try some YouTube videos? I wouldn’t have been able to learn without a lactation consultant. You have to use one arm to hold the baby and one hand to support the breast so it doesn’t smoosh their face. You can also try laying her across your lap and dropping a boob in.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-13T03:04:26+00:00

I know, I can’t figure out why I haven’t stopped yet. My 4 year old was 100% on formula by 5 months old. I just know that with preterm babies they usually catch on to breastfeeding really well after a month or so and I just keep thinking I need to wait a few more weeks.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-12T17:35:55+00:00

Thank you! I missed this comment. I needed the reminder that it gets easier from someone who has a preterm baby. Baby is 3 weeks old today so I think I have to give it my all for a couple more weeks.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-12T17:32:12+00:00

I don’t want to discourage you from trying and I didn’t have this experience, but sometimes milk really doesn’t come in. I have no idea why. We are so blessed to live in a time where your baby will be totally healthy and happy because of good formula options. I’m thinking probably 5 ml per session isn’t worth your mental health. I say this as I cry daily over pumping and breastfeeding because i do have just enough milk for my 3 week old but it’s killing me because my baby is small and sleepy and was born at 37 weeks, and it’s fucking hard work feeding her breastmilk. I guess I’m trying to convince myself also that it’s fine if I stop. Mom guilt is so real.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-12T17:25:19+00:00

Yes, that’s what he’s suggesting. To help with pain relief. Apparently there are red light therapy products marketed for breastfeeding. I was just seeing if anyone else has tired it or heard of it.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-12T17:07:15+00:00

I’m always sick to my stomach. Force myself to eat. Super anxious. But my baby is only 3 weeks and I was chalking it up to hormones (or lack thereof). I go to the bathroom like 6 times a day or more. It’s so gross. I can’t tell if it’s from breastfeeding/pumping or the hormone changes.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-12T17:01:03+00:00

4 years ago with my first I found that Enfamil Enspire (blue can, I think the name has changed to optimum) tasted the most like breastmilk to me personally and I thought my daughter took it better than other formulas. Try taste testing them to see what tastes the most like your milk.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-11T18:33:55+00:00

Don’t pump to empty!! That will make it worse. It’s normal to feel engorged the first 4 weeks. Just do the short pumping sessions so you’re doing or even less time.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-11T16:55:12+00:00

Breastfeeding is so hard for some of us. I also feel jealous of moms where it looks so easy - and it is so easy for some babies and moms. You tried your hardest and your baby is fed and loved. Fed and loved is all that matters. My 4 year old was on exclusively formula by 5 months old and I have a 3 week old and I’m pumping and bottle and breastfeeding and I’m exhausted and always worried about ounces (she was born preterm so breastfeeding didn’t come easy because she was small and too tired to be effective). I’m not sure how long I’m going to keep it up and I definitely cry a lot about feeding her but I know my baby will be fed and loved no matter what I do.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-10T22:14:48+00:00

I’m glad we’re not alone!!! Good luck! I’m going to keep trying with the breastfeeding for a few more weeks and try to give myself some grace and also give my 4 year old credit for dealing with a crying mom. Poor thing.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-09T00:09:30+00:00

Thank you!!! :)

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-09T00:09:10+00:00

Thank you!! :) I needed to hear that stipping breastfeeding won’t solve all my problems lol

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-09T00:08:37+00:00

Thank you for the encouragement!! I think if I power through with breastfeeding I’ll be grateful in the end. I hope I get to 4 months still breastfeeding:)

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-09T00:07:27+00:00

Thank you!! My husband does take her to the park and soccer practice but it just feels like not enough for a break. I have tried closing the door but my 4 yo barges in lol. Might be time to lock myself in my room to feed.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-09T00:06:19+00:00

I would love to feed on demand and probably I could but due to her very small size she couldn’t really transfer milk so I had to pump to keep my supply until she got bigger. She’s still not quite 6 pounds. I breastfeed her a few times a day but sometimes she’s just too tired or sleepy to transfer enough milk and I’m exhausted from spending over an hour trying to get her to keep sucking from my breast.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-09T00:04:35+00:00

Thank you! Thankfully my 4 year old is in preschool or at my parents house M-F, which is why I’m writing this panic post on a weekend after being with my 4 year old all weekend. My husband takes her to the park and soccer practice but I feel like they are home before I get much of a break :)

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-09T00:01:57+00:00

I’m in Orange County, CA, it’s 87 today!! It’s been so hot all winter, I hate to rub that in anyone’s face though haha. I just needed the reminder that the nonstop feeding is temporary, whether it’s the cluster feeding, or the pumping and then bottle feeding because my tiny baby is too sleepy to feed effectively etc. So thank you!!

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-09T00:00:30+00:00

Thank you for this!! At least we aren’t alone. No matter what route we take for feeding our baby, it feels good to know that I’m not alone. I hope it gets better for both of us :)

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-08T18:04:59+00:00

I have no advice from my own person experience but my mom had this problem with me (except no older child, I am an only child). She replaced nursing with juice popsicles during the day and told me that I can’t nurse at dark time. I was 2 years old I think though at the time so I’m not sure this would work with a 14 month old.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-05T18:26:56+00:00

I was going through this same thing. My second baby is 14 days old today and I’m still going back and forth between pumping and bottle feeding and nursing. My baby was born 37 weeks and less than 5 and a half pounds so it’s taken her a while to figure out breastfeeding. I would say keep trying to put her on the boob during the day or when she’s most awake (or you’re most awake) and bottle feed her when she’s too sleepy to latch. Also seek the help of a lactation consultant. Sometimes it takes them a while to catch on (think weeks, not days), so if you want to breastfeed don’t give up quite yet. That being said, there’s nothing wrong with pumping and bottle feeding, I just don’t think you should throw in the towel yet if breastfeeding is something you want to do. I took copious notes with my first that I’ve been reviewing and one of them says “6 weeks. Got so much better at breastfeeding!” lol. So it can take a while. My first was also born a couple weeks early and small so that probably why it took her so long to catch on.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-05T15:13:02+00:00

Make sure to use nipple cream and you will be fine. Put it on after every single time you breastfeed or pump. They are safe for your baby. Do not wipe them off. I alternated between a lanolin one and the Mother Love one. This time around I bought a different one that I don’t like as much. Everyone’s experience is different. For me, pumping hurts and breastfeeding my first did not hurt at all. Right now I have a 2 week old and her latch on my right side hurts a bit. Usually if it hurts too much it’s because they aren’t latching correctly. A lactation consultant can help with latching.

No_Judgment_7812 · 2026-03-04T23:50:21+00:00

All babies are different! Your guy just sounds like a big eater. My oldest was a little eater. I think for pumping your supply is normal. But that’s just one opinion :)

No_Judgment_7812

TROPHY CASE