Expressing - Advice please?

bambi_bump

Unfortunately I can't breastfeed. I have inverted nipples. I know that doesn't always mean you can't feed but I seem to be one of the few who can't. At the moment I'm expressing 8-12 times a day and bottle feeding and topping up with formula if he needs it. I'm getting a but stressed about it because I hate doing it. I have a hand pump, am looking into an electric one but they're so expensive and I really can't afford it right now. My hand is completely cramped up. I already feel like a failure because I can't breastfeed, I know it doesn't make me one but i can't help feeling that way. I want to do what's best for my lil man but I'm so so close to giving up n going to formula. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm not looking for advice on getting him onto the breast as the subject is starting to stress me out aswell. I've had 2 breastfeeding councillors plus every midwife who came on shift while I was in hospital trying to get him to latch, often trying the exact same thing as the last one n not listening or believing me when i say that doesn't work. I would just really like some advice on expressing n feeding.

hurstk28

Try your local health department. They can help you get an electric pump.

oavalos06

i feel you on "doing whats best for your baby". With my daughter, she cut my nipples so much in the begining that it hurt so bad to breastfeed. I thought i wasn't a good enough mother because I dreaded having to put her on my breast. then my stupid dr gave me birth control that dried me up and i felt even more horrible because i didn't have milk to feed her from me.... but just think that any breast milk you give baby is better than none... i breast feed her for 2-3 months and finally decided that the best thing for my baby is that she was full and not hungry, even if that meant giving her formula. i'm sure you're a good mommy and will do whats best for your little one.