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Category: Postpartum

Asked by FirstTimeMommy1106

Q: Anyone want to offer some encouragement after I had to stop breastfeeding?

My daughter is 9 and a half weeks old. For the first 6 weeks of her life, she vomitted after every feeding, screamed all the time, was never happy or content, didn't sleep well... it was a nightmare. We went to the pedi and he suggested putting her on soy based formula. He told me I could try nursing again in two weeks. Well I did, and she vomited, had diarrhea, screamed and fussed all day long, didn't sleep... :( So we had to go back to the soy. We went a few days ago and she has a protein sensitivity and can't tolerate lactose or soy. She has to to on Similac Alimentum. She's been great on it so far. But I'm feeling extremely depressed that I can't breastfeed her. I cry sometimes because I miss that bond. This was something I wanted my entire life. I don't know what to do. Obviously the health and happiness of my daughter is most important, but I just feel like such a failure. How do I start to feel better about this, moms? I need some help, I'm driving my hubby crazy! :(

This question was asked Jan. 25, 2013 8:12pm
Category: Postpartum

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Answers (8)

Answered by dawgs727 - Jan. 27, 2013 3:40pm

Please don't feel bad!!!! Unfortunately breastfeeding doesn't work out for everyone. I have severe rheumatoid arthritis and had a major flair up at six weeks postpartum. I had to make a decision to be able to take care of my baby and go back on my meds, or continue breastfeeding. I obviously quit breastfeeding, I cried and cried, had horrible nightmares where the authorities took my kid, ect. One day after crying to my pediatrician about my failure, he looked at me and said, your daughter is perfect. You did the best you could and she will not know any difference. Her genetic makeup is what it is, with or without breastfeeding and you are a great mom and she knows you love her. I felt so much better! I am pregnant with my second and if it happens again, I refuse to feel bad about it. Your child is healthy and you did what you could!!! Now hug that baby, give him/her a bottle, and take a deep breath. You are a wonderful mom!!!

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Answered by FirstTimeMommy1106 - Jan. 27, 2013 12:50pm

Ladies, thank you so much. You really have no idea how much better I feel. I appreciate it!

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Answered by knicole27 - Jan. 26, 2013 4:36pm

It is possible to nurse again and relactate but...first you need to be free of soy and dairy proteins which take a few weeks. It would take a lot of work on your part but it is possible. Just keep in mind the diet is strict and a baby with a protein sensitivity will even be affected by the smallest amount of diary. And milk and soy are also hidden in different ingredients under other names so..def not the easiest of tasks! I know first hand... But on the other hand..don't beat yourself up. Like others said you did try and you want to do whats best for her. And it's also great that you had her getting breast milk for that 6 weeks! It will be ok mama! Your doing a great job.

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Answered by KenpoMommy - Jan. 26, 2013 8:40am

I had to stop nursing my son at around 4 months, although i had been supplementing with formula after the first 2 weeks. He just never could get the latch right, despite seeing several lactation specialists. He was bruising me so badly it was a nightmare every time i tried to nurse him. Then he would just cry and cry because he wasn't getting enough milk due to the poor latch. I finally decided to just stick to the formula. It became too traumatic for us both to keep nursing. Once we were formula only, feeding times were peaceful event. My husband could help too, which was a really big help to me! We traded off nights so that every other night, we each got a full night's sleep. It made me feel like the baby care was more of a team effort and my husband was really happy to have the opportunity to bond with the baby over feedings. My first son was a champion nurser, for 15 months, so the decision to stop with the second one was a difficult one, but ultimately, the right one for us.

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Answered by addizmnz - Jan. 25, 2013 9:21pm

Sorry, just realized I misread and you have already stopped breastfeeding, so disregard what I said about the diet. But still, don't worry too much about the formula. Plenty of babies grow up on formula diets and are perfectly healthy. Plus, bottle feeding can be a good time to bond too and you can still do skin-to-skin time for extra bonding. And it's nice for daddy to get to feed the baby too (and you to get a break)!

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Answered by addizmnz - Jan. 25, 2013 9:11pm

If you really want to breast feed, it is possible, but you will have to pump and dump and wait a few weeks for the soy and dairy to get out of your system and then go on a strict diet where you cook everything yourself. It is very hard, so please don't beat yourself up if you don't think you can do it! You need to do what is best for your baby and your whole family, and a stressed out mommy who is not eating enough is not good either (as I learned the hard way). If you think you can do the diet, great, but if not, please don't think your baby will be adversely affected by drinking formula. She will be getting the proper nutrients, plus not having horrible tummy pain.

Good luck and I hope your baby's tummy troubles end soon!

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Answered by addizmnz - Jan. 25, 2013 9:08pm

My daughter had a milk protein intolerance for about the first year of her life and I totally understand what you are going through. It's great that you got 6 weeks worth of breastmilk in her, even if you have to stop now, that's better than nothing! I can tell you that I breastfed my baby for about 4 and a half months, three of which I was on a non-dairy diet and it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Even though I was so careful, I kept accidentally eating dairy (it is in so many things you wouldn't think it was in), which would of course cause the screaming tummy pain for my little one. We finally switched entirely to soy formula after that. My daughter is now a very healthy 2 year old now with no allergies and she is perfectly able to tolerate milk, although, as I said, that only happened after about a year.

cont'd

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Answered by a member - Jan. 25, 2013 8:22pm

I just want to tell you i went through the exact same thing with my son 2 years ago. It was so disappointing to stop breastfeeding , but at the same time I was very happy to find something that agreed with his little tummy. Knowing that he was in pain the entire 3 months i breastfed him, nearly broke my heart.
I wish i could help you, just know your doing an amazing job and your baby will feel much better not going through so much tummy trouble

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