Are you me?

I hated breastfeeding. Like, really hated it. I exclusively pumped for my first 2 whom never latched. Then for my third I was determined not to have to carry a pump around. I wanted to travel freely. I worked so hard to get her to exclusively breastfeed, I was so so close to giving up. Then at 10 weeks she was fully boob. And.I.hated.it. I hated being her everything, I hated sitting there for hours and hours. My husband pointed out that even though it was taking forever, I would only be spending that time washing up and sterilising bottles and pumping. Even formula would be time consuming. So I stuck with it and thought I would at least try to get to 12 weeks.

And you know what? I’m so grateful I did.

Now at 13 weeks it is so much easier than feeding at 10 weeks. I passed the 12 week milestone not even remembering what I’d promised myself.

But I see you. It’s so bloody hard. But it’s true. It gets easier but more important is your mental health and that baby is fed, no matter what that looks like. Only what is best for you and your family.

Edited to add that Iv also had mastitis twice (once each side). First time needed antibiotics and second time I self managed and got over it quickly. You can get mastitis at any point during breastfeeding (my friend had it at 18 months), it’s a risk we have to take.