IT IS HARD! Sometimes I think if you aren't passionate about breastfeeding or 100% committed you will give up. And supplementing is the beginning of the end my friend. Imagine setting a timer to go off every 2 hours during your day. And when the timer sounds you have to drop everything sit down and strap an infant to your chest. Basically, it is like living your life in 2 hour increments trying to get things done. And this goes on and on. The first 6 weeks are the hardest. And just when you think you are going to give up your 6 week old goes through a nasty growth spurt leaving him wanting to nurse EVERY hour. This is when you just about give up. With my first, I called my friend Nella who talked me off the cliff so to speak. With my second, I told my husband I was done and went to bed telling him to give him a bottle of formula. Well luckily my baby slept for 8 hours that night and it was just what I needed to not give up. After the 6 week growth spurt it does get better. Not to sound too much like the coming out campaign.
During the first months of breastfeeding you will be SO sick of seeing your own boobs out. (Your Husband may not) Actually, if your boobs could talk they would demand to be put away and left alone. The class doesn't teach you how sick of smelling like milk you will be, how you will wake up in a puddle and not be able to sleep on your stomach because of your swollen engorged achy breasts. And let's not forget about mastitis. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. Mastitis is the absolute worst, its pretty much kicking someone when they are already down. Imagine the worst headache in the world accompanied by body aches, chills and sweats. It feels like you got hit by a truck. And when you call the Dr.'s office they will tell you to go to bed. Try and resist the urge to crawl through the phone and punch that Dr. in the junk.
It is easier in the long run. But you have to make it there to truly appreciate it. Leaving the house with diapers is enough for me to handle. I don't want to remember formula and water and bottles. And did I mention I hate washing bottles. And middle of the night, boobs > bottles!
BUT, one day you will be feeding your baby and he will come off. He will be laying there in a milk coma with the sweetest milk grin on his face as if to say "thanks mom for the best stuff on earth and for working so hard to give it to me" and all of the above will melt away and it will have all been totally worth it.
perfect post! I was NOT a good BF mom. And you're right once you supplement, you might as well close up shop.
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