I am barely coping with 3 weeks,how do you go 3 years??! It was so bad when we left the hospital...pain,pain,pain! I decided to pump for a couple days to try and heal. It got to the point I cried when he needed to be fed! And while feeding him...and pretty much every minute in between! It's better now,still sore but not nearly as bad as before, but I still don't have it figured out. I feel like all i do is feed him or pump! Even if he does sleep a little longer than usual I have to get up anyway because I'm in so much pain I have to pump. I'm getting an average of 3 hours a sleep a night!! With 3 other kids and being alone 99% of the time I have been close to giving up and going to formula but then I feel guilty! Will it get easier?

Kellyjo..

you poor, poor thing.. I know exactly what you are going through.. And yes.. it will get better.. unfortunatley like everything, it takes time..

I too had the big "To formula or not to formula" question.. and you know what? Once your breastfeeding relationship is established (usually about 6wk mark) you will laugh at all the formula people who did it "b/c it was easier". I personally prefer rolling over and feeding my beautiful daughter without having to bother about getting up, going to the kitchen, preparing a bottle of formula, warming it up.. when by the time all this happens, you could be back asleep again.

Also, what pain are you getting? If it is nipple pain.. I suggest a cream called "Lansinoh" (I'm sure you can get it in America).. just lather this on after every feed.. and make sure that attatchment is correct.. it does get better!

If it is breast pain.. engorgement, etc.. I suggest warmth and massage.. put warm facewashers on your breasts before and after feeds (or when you feel sore) and massage before and during feeds...

Good luck, Kellyjo.. and I hope you continue, but even if you can't, remember that you've given you little one the best start in life already

:huggies:

For the first 6-8 weeks for me was the hardest! I felt like I was growing roots into the couch because I was doing nothing else but feeding her. But I think weather or not your are bf'ing the first weeks are the hardest anyways just adjusting to new schedules, learning your baby's temperment, sleeping and eating patterns, etc.
The key to a good night's rest is learning to co-sleep and latch on and go back to sleep while baby eats. Without that I would have not survived.
Like everything else in a child's life, this will get easier, but there there is always another challenge to overcome. It's kids and parenting.