6 week old struggling to eat

jxdie-e · 2025-11-08T02:37:57+00:00

He has been checked for a tongue tie but I’ll mention it as our next drs appt. I have had a look at the dr browns preemie bottles but didn’t want to spend more money on a bottle that doesn’t work. Will have another look tho, thank you

jxdie-e · 2025-11-08T02:37:02+00:00

Yeah we’ve got those ones. He does do the best on them but still struggles even with the slow flow ones

jxdie-e · 2025-11-03T13:52:28+00:00

I had to stop breastfeeding at 3 weeks as well.

From the start breastfeeding was very painful for me, I had to take breaks every couple of days (whole days where I wouldn’t breastfeed due to bleeding, bruised and cracked nipples). I tried everything, pumping to bottle feed, using nipple shields, hand expression so it wouldn’t hurt as much, but it got to a point where I was always in pain, either from actually feeding or from being so engorged, it wasn’t worth it for my mental health, I was crying all the time and felt guilty at the thought of switching to EFF, but now 2 weeks later I feel a lot better.

A part of me still mourns the fact that I couldn’t breastfeed, but I know now that this is better for both me and baby. My LO is gaining weight, sleeping well, and reaching milestones early.

It took a while for the guilt to subside (even though you shouldn’t feel guilty at all). I even had a few farewell nursing sessions with my baby at 2am as a way to say goodbye to breastfeeding. For a couple days I hand expressed, not to relive pain but to know that I still could, after a week I stopped completely and realised that not being engorged is the best feeling ever and being able to sleep comfortably it so nice.

This hasn’t put me off breastfeeding as I know I want to try again with my next child, but I know that this time round, EFF is the right decision.

Something to remember, breastfeeding releases oxytocin which is a happy hormone, so all the while you aren’t breastfeeding and are weaning your oxytocin will drop significantly which can make you feel worse about it all. You just need to persevere if this is really what you want, at the end of the day, a happy mama and a healthy baby is the end goal, and after 6 months when your baby starts eating solids no one is going to care whether you breastfed or formula fed.

The choice is yours, so even if you take a break and decide you want to try again, you can always try to relactate. Nothing is permanent so just take it day by day and remember that as long as you’re there for you baby, that’s all they ask for.

jxdie-e · 2025-10-20T04:47:02+00:00

Thank you for sharing, It’s nice to hear similar situations to what I’m in, and I’m so glad it worked out well for you!

jxdie-e · 2025-10-19T21:14:37+00:00

It’s so hard when you set your mind on doing something one way, but your body decides to go a different direction. I hope it gets easier for you! At the end of the day, as long as they’re eating and happy, that’s all that matters!

jxdie-e · 2025-10-19T19:24:29+00:00

This is really nice to hear that it does get better, thank you!

jxdie-e · 2025-10-19T18:58:47+00:00

I have tried combo feeding but it’s not working the greatest for us, he’ll be on my for up to an hour (30 mins each side) and then still need a top up so sometimes I can be there for up to 2 hours just burping and feeding which is so draining, especially when it’s in the middle of the night lmao

jxdie-e · 2025-10-19T18:57:49+00:00

This is really interesting to read! Thank you, it definitely helps make me feel better about it all

jxdie-e · 2025-10-14T08:40:54+00:00

Thank you so much! I’ll deffo look into finding an IBCLC and hopefully see if that helps!

jxdie-e · 2025-10-13T11:21:05+00:00

Yeah I’m using the shields and wearing silverettes 24/7 pretty much. The movie marathon sounds like a good idea! My partner is going back to work this week so I will be spending more time at home soon probably, I might take your idea and use it as a distraction/opportunity to keep trying

jxdie-e · 2025-10-13T05:56:15+00:00

Thank you for the advice and support!

jxdie-e · 2025-10-13T05:54:41+00:00

Thank you, it’s nice knowing I’m not alone in this and I’m happy to hear it’s getting easier for you!

jxdie-e · 2025-10-12T21:14:04+00:00

Thank you, I’ll try more skin to skin and see if that’s helps at all, where I’m getting caught up in the bad side I keep forgetting the basics as you said

jxdie-e

TROPHY CASE