The only “support” anyone offers is permission to quit!!
I’m wondering if anyone else has had this experience.
I’ve had quite a few bumps in the road with breastfeeding (undersupply, pumping issues, oversupply, poor weight gain, etc). Breastfeeding is something I’ve wanted since day one, so going through these challenges is worth it to me. I currently primarily pump and hoping to return to more nursing at some point.
But EVERY TIME anyone asks how it’s going, and I mention that it’s challenging or we’re trying some new tools, they automatically just tell me to quit! I’m not even complaining or bringing it up, just vaguely answering how I’m doing. I think they genuinely think they’re being supportive, but it’s so frustrating.
“Fed is best!” I totally agree. However, I WANT to breastfeed.
“You’re allowed to stop. There’s no prize for breastfeeding.” I know…. But like I said, I want to breastfeed, that’s why I’m doing it.
“Pumping is awful. You don’t have to do that.” Yeah, I don’t love it, but pumping is currently the form of breastfeeding that’s possible for us. It also retains the possibility of nursing if we can figure that out.
“There’s nothing wrong with formula.” I KNOW!! The reason I’m trying so hard to breastfeed is not because I have some problem with formula. It’s because I want to breastfeed! Like I said the last hundred times!!
No one ever wants to offer breastfeeding support, or tell me all the hard work and time is worth anything. It’s just a constant stream of “if it’s hard then stop ❤️”. At this point I’m starting to wonder if I’m stupid for trying so hard, because apparently everyone in the world thinks the nicest possible feedback is to tell me to give up!