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 Ask Dr. Jana
Anxious about Breastfeeding | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Jana,
I am nursing my fourth child, however I am experiencing a huge amount of anxiety about it and my let down takes several minutes at times. I am losing sleep worrying about the next feeding. I am obsessed with the pros and cons of breastfeeding during the day, fearing I may have to give it up due to the almost overwhelming anxiety. Are the benefits of breastfeeding worth all this? I fear I'm not available to my other children because I'm so obsessed. My daughter is 11 weeks old now. She has had formula a few times and seems to love it. I am making myself crazy. I fear SIDS if I don't nurse, and I also fear she won't be as close to me.— Hope I'm Being a Good Mom in Bellevue, Nebraska | | | ANSWER |
May 23, 2001 | | | Dear Hope I'm Being a Good Mom,
You not only sound like a wonderful mother, but I can assure you that you will still be a wonderful mother if you decide to stop breastfeeding, since it seems by your question that the only reason you want to continue is because you feel you owe it to your child.
While you clearly have your daughter's best interest in mind, you need to know that the close bond between mother and child is not dependent on breastfeeding and that you've gotten your daughter off to a great start by breastfeeding her up until now. But at least as important as your daughter's health is that you be happy and enjoy your parenting experience--not only for your own sake but also for all of your children. Your anxiety over breastfeeding leads me to believe that you would be far happier--and your daughter would therefore benefit--if you weaned her and offered formula instead. Formula fed babies can grow up to be just as happy and healthy as breastfed babies and also have equally special relationships with their mothers!— by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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