I want to stop breastfeeding....

I am thinking of stopping altogether and going onto formula. Zoe has had a great start to life, she was a whopping 10lbs 10oz and now is nearly 12lbs and is only 1 month old. She is gaining alot of weight rapidly, and is a healthy wee bubba.

The thing is that we are having major issues with her wind as I am lying down to feed her. Using infacol all the time. I know that formula feeding her won't stop the wind.

Zoe is so different to Lucy who was a boob hog and breastfeed perfect, Zoe on the other hand is really fussy, and has just started to refuse the breast and this makes it really stressful for me and I know that she knows when I am stressed. She takes the bottle fine, so going to give it a trial run today.

But why am I feeling so guilty for wanting to make this change? I have good milk flow, just a fussy baby. I know that there are tons of woman out there that can't breastfeeding, and I am giving up! I am not worried that we won't have a close bond as we do already.

Thanks so much! so nice to hear that others are the same out there! **big hugs** to you too! How is the pregnancy going?

i guess you have to decide to either feel guilty or be unhappy and personally i think you will get over the guilty feeling quicker than being unhappy, i know i did. You gave it a go, again more than i did and Zoe is not going to suffer if you stop. Just do what you feel comfortable. My only piece of advice is if you do decide to stop, dont let anyone make you feel bad, be confident in your decision and know you are doing whats right for you all. First time round with Kobe i let people make me feel horrible about it, with Addison I was happy with my decision, i knew she wouldnt suffer and i was just a lot more positive about it.

That's a thought. Got a breastpump from TM that doesn't even work, might have to get an electric one.

These days formulas are so close to breast milk that there is minimal difference, the guilt passes if you deal with it and you are stopping for yourself and not doing what other people feel you should do. It's not giving up or failing it making a positive decision. You could express and if you want to do that long term then from my experience an electric pump and a good book are the way to go, Neil used to laugh about me going to the 'dairy' each time I disappeared to express.
I hope whichever way you go that you end up with happy baby and most importantly a happy you, as one will lead to the other

Edited as English appears to be my second language today

Edited by Redbedrock

I want to stop bfeeding too and the guilt I feel is unbearable when my son is tugging at my top and trying to flip himself sideways at my boob (hence why I am still feeding ) . I think deciding to give up at any age for any reason is a guitly process. Try not to beat yourself up tho, you are doing what is right for you and yours! Like Claire said, Happy mum=happy baby and vice verser

Thanks for your support all the same

Liasha, if you really want to stop and are not wanting to talk about other ways to try and address the issues, then maybe don't tell the MW, just in case she is one who is really antoi formula. If she isn't then maybe tell her and she can suggest which ones to try (that might help with wind etc).

If you are still in 2 minds then discuss it with the MW to see what options she can come up with to address the issue.

in the end whatever you do has to work for you both. While I am now hugely pro breastfeeding, that is because it works well for me, I don't believe in people feeling bad for wanting to do the best for their babies (which sometimes means doing the best for themselves).

Power to all Mummies - Breastfeeding or not

I have one big boob at the moment, should I be expressing this one and still giving it to her?