How was it for you?

CHRISTIE - posted on 05/24/2010

When you first start it is pretty painful. But knowing that it is the best for your baby helps you make it through. The pain last for a week or so then it doesn't hurt anymore. There is nothing like breastfeeding. You will have a bond with your little one that is wonderful!! I was supported by my whole family!!

Tara - posted on 05/24/2010

I had a horrible time for the first week or two. It hurt and I wanted to give up and if it wasn't for my husband pushing me not to quit I would have. My breasts hurt so bad and everyone, the nurses, the lactation consultant, kept telling me I wasn't supposed to feel any pain and that I must be doing something wrong.... NOT exactly encouraging or supportive. It was finally a nice older nurse that happened to be in the room when the lactation consultant told me yet again that I wasn't supposed to feel pain that clued me in and told me that the pain was natural, it was my breasts adjusting, and that once they adjusted I wouldn't feel pain like I was. She asked specifically what the discomfort felt like and recommended a different breast cream. She was wonderful! That gave me hope and with my husbands help I made it through. After that it was a breeze. I did have concerns the first time that she hit a growth spurt, she kept wanting to nurse and I was afraid that I wasn't producing enough but thankfully there is a breastfeeding clinic that the hospital has 5 days a week and those women were wonderful. It was a place to go and meet other breastfeeding mothers, have my questions answered, and they weigh the baby, you feed the baby from one breast, weigh the baby again, and then feed using the other breast and do a final weigh so I was able to actually see what I was producing and what she was ingesting. That gave me the piece of mind that I was doing okay, and also what to expect for future growth spurts. The clinic was also a wonderful support when I had to return to work and had to utilize a pump. Despite the initial bumps in the road my experience breastfeeding has been very fulfilling and wonderful.

Elysia - posted on 05/23/2010

I was lucky enough to have a little boy that took to bf really well. The only time i really had trouble was the day my milk came. I had largre breast prior to baby, I was a 12F before i even fell pregnant. So the day my milk came in i couldnt even put my arms down properly and I was so engorged my nipples were flat, I actually had to get my partner to help me attatch him i was having so much trouble. Then when i seen the nurse she told me to hand express a little before feeding to make attatchment easier and it worked. Also differnt ways of holding him made it easier or harder. I never mastered the football hold. lol

Lindsey - posted on 05/22/2010

The first two months were the hardest- several cracking spots due to improper latching and it took forever to heal. Thankfully, my little man is a great eater and never lost any weight- even in the hospital. I was committed to nurse for 6 mo. and our son is now 10 1/2 months and we're still going strong. I'm to the point where I figure we'll go as long as it is still working for both of us.

As far as support, my husband is supportive (extended family, too, but they live across the country). Honestly, we live in a small mountain community and I find much support online (like here). I have also been attending a 'chat time' at our hospital specifically for breastfeeding mothers. A lactation consultant runs it and is available for help if needed. Through a program through the hospital, a lactation consultant also visits our house about every other month- mostly just offers support, but is available if I have any questions or need help.

Allison - posted on 05/22/2010

I thought it would be harder. I feel like my husband was very supportive and the nurses in the hospital were amazing!! I actually thought I was not doing it properly because at about 4 weeks old, she was eating so quickly. The midwife at my clinic told me there was nothing wrong, that babies get better and eat faster:)!!

Kathryn - posted on 05/22/2010

I thought it would be so easy! When I was pregnant, my thoughts were always about the birth - I figured once all that pain was over and done with, it would be all plain sailing...HA! Isabella was a good little sucker, very enthusiastic! So enthused in fact, my poor nipples quickly became cracked and very infected. I remember the first night back from the birthing home, sitting on the couch holding this hungry little baby with the sorest nipples ever, humungously engorged breasts and huge tears rolling down my face.
My husband was really supportive and sympathetic and went out to get anything we could think of to make it better. Nipple shields really worked and the discovery of them was a 'eureka' moment. The Naturopathic remedy Phytolacca was also awesome and lanolin cream really helped with the cracking. It took about 6 weeks for the pain to ease. I am so glad I persisted, I could not have done it without the support and understanding from those around me.

Amanda - posted on 05/22/2010

i was 21 when i had my first child. being a new mom i wasn't sure how to go about nursing and he was having problems latching. most of the nurses were wonderful...but the night nurse. she actually had the audacity to accuse me of trying to starve my newborn son! pretty much forced us to supplement with formula during her shift, refused to leave the room until we did. fortunately she didn't insist on a bottle, but provided us with a cup and eye dropper. he didn't seem to like the formula much. by his second day he was latching just fine and gained weight beautifully. everyone in my life was very supportive of my nursing. baby 2 and 3 latched on well. 3rd was a pro nurser at only 20 minutes old! my 4th baby is due in august and i'll definitely be nursing this one too. my ex was wonderful about the nursing with the 2 we had together and my fiance loved that i wanted to nurse our daughter (#3) and will nurse our son once he's born. his family is fantastic about it too, no issues when i was nursing at family functions, like it was a completely natural thing to them all. :)

Maricelis - posted on 05/22/2010

i had a really hard time with my first son who is now 6. The first few wks were dreadfully painful and then i got in touch with a lactation consultant and things got way better. But problems soon arose again due to not producing enough and finally drying out completely by 4 1/2 months...why we do not know.
My second son was a lot easier but still painful for the first 2 weeks. I had to get him a pacifier because he wasn't latching on just to feed, he was a comfort sucker....killing my nipples. I would give him the pacifier before i feed him and he was much much calmer on the suckling therefore making it less painful for me and eventually there was no pain. i always said that once he starts teething i would stop breastfeeding so right around the 5/6month time i did.

MARIA - posted on 05/22/2010

I think any mother do have a hard time even if is the must natural job that a mother can do. In my family i saw alot of my aunt and friends like if it was nothing there faces look really peaceful, and they make it see so easy that i said to myself when i gorw-up i will do it. Here i am with a 9lb 11oz baby and with my breast hard and with alot of milk, in alot if pain, lock of sleep cause she was a baby that want to eat every hour. I was think oh my god im a really crazy person for taking this decision ; my husband was having alot of question just like me and worry that my pain, my tired, ect.. will last forever. At my second wk I was doing this like if came with me, like it ws nothing i was supper happy. I stop breastfeeding her when she was 11 month; today I have three kids 6yrs old, 4yrs old and 2yrs old and the one that is 2 yrs old i still breastfeed him I love it and the conecation is wonderful. Theres nothing bad of feel with alot you question, worry, about breastfeed. Just reamember you will never be perfect but when u put the love and the natural of your in everything you on the eyes of your kids you are the must perfect human that they ever saw.

Angie - posted on 05/22/2010

I am currently breastfeeding my daughter and it's been 5 months. She is my third child. I began breastfeeding with all three kids. My first child was born early and he never got the hang of the latch. My second son was a good breast feeder and I made it 4 months with him, but my husband was deployed and it was hard doing it by myself. This time with my daughter I wouldn't of been able to do it if my husband and mother in law weren't there to help me the first weeks. Seems like all I did was nurse! I wanted to quit so many times, but I told myself that I had wanted to nurse and I was going to stick with it this time. Now she is 5 months and it's smooth sailing! The first 8 weeks are the hardest, but if you can get through that most likely it will be okay. : ) Good luck!

Virginie - posted on 05/22/2010

My first born and I had a rough beginning. Bad latch, strong latch, cracked nipples, bleeding, lot of pain, crying (mostly on my side). I waited too long to seek help (5 weeks). Then I went to a lactation consultant and join a la leche group. I used to be a AA cup, and was convinced that I was not producing enough milk and that my baby was not getting enough. I was nursing him on both sides and he would spit up up to half of it out. Turned out, I had too much milk and was overfeeding him. We ended up using a shield for a few days, so that my cracks would heal, and we only nursed on one side. I also invested in a brestfirend pillow, which made nursing MUCH easier ( the boppy kept on sliding away from me). Less spitting up, less crying on both sides. He nursed happily until his first birthday. It was easier with my second born, mostly because I knew what to expect on my side and how to correct his latch. He bit me and drew blood as he got older, but we worked through it. He also nursed happily for a year.

Jayne - posted on 05/22/2010

my mum always said to me that i would have no trouble at all breastfeeding
and she was right! that, or she just knew that i would probably fail if i was worried i might...

i was lucky too because my hospital was awesome, the nurses asked me every time they visited if i was getting my daughter on okay and did i need a hand. i got the compulsory sore blistered nipples at first and then sore breasts when my milk came in, but the nipples i fixed by letting my breastmilk dry on them (magic potion i call it, seriously it heals everything) and once my supply and my baby worked each other out i was fine :)
she's only 3 months now so i might run into troubles at some point but it's been great so far.

oh. i did have one day when i had a duct begin to block, got all fluey and sore breast, but i got advice and sorted it out before it got bad so it was gone in a day.

Sara - posted on 05/22/2010

I was very lucky to not have any real problems with either of my babies. They both latched the first time the breast was offered. The only real pain I had was soar nipples for a few weeks with my first (he had the "Piranha" latch) and with my second I tend to get "backed-up" in the same spot.
The only support I needed was from my friends and family. My mom is a La Leche Leaguer from way back.

Autumn - posted on 05/21/2010

Izzy wouldn't latch on in the hospital so they had me pump & then we finger feed her. On the 2nd day I used nipple shields & had to use them for 5 months. After that I finally got her to latch on to me, I breastfeed for 14 months & thought it was great. I am a stay at home mom so I know it was easier for me & isn't for everyone.
My whole family supported me. As for some friends, I was surprised that they thought I should quit & use formula after 8 months.........
Some thought breastfeeding for 14 months was too long, but that's what worked for us. My goal was 12 months we did it 14 months & to each there own!!

Djrianna - posted on 05/21/2010

BF was rough. LO (born on a Monday) couldn't latch so he would bite and then get all frustrated b/c he wasn't getting enough food, by Wednesday I was terrified to feed him. When we got home from the hospital we got him formula b/c I couldn't stand the pain, and the pump we got wasn't expressing enough colostrum. That Friday we went to a Lactation Consultant. It's been rough since (he still bites), but he's exclusively breastfed and gaining weight like a champ. In five weeks he's gone from 6lbs 9oz to 10lbs 2oz, no supplements! My husband is extremely supportive! Of course I'm also very strong willed and was going to get what I wanted no matter what, and I did!

Danielle - posted on 05/21/2010

i have 1 son of 14 and when i said the to midwife i was breast feedin she looked at me funny and said "you sure you dont want to bottle feed" totaly unsurported. even the hospital were more focust on bottles and cleaning them than showin me what to do. i was showed how by the lady who gave out the ev teas in the end. no probs to start with but at 3 months he desided he wanted cold milk so had to surpress and put in fridge. i think its a lovely thing and our hospitals should try harder to do

Erin - posted on 05/21/2010

started ok then after few days my nipples got so sore that i'd scream in pain when my baby latched on. the fact she wanted to feed every 2 hours was like torture to me. i had a visiting nurse who had been a midwife and lactation consultant work with me and assure me once baby's mouth grew a bit larger things would settle down. it seemed like an eternity at the time, but after 6 weeks my breasts felt better and after 8 weeks everything was ok and we settled into breastfeeding quite nicely. had a couple of cases of mastitis in which i healed myself, so it wasn't always easy, but managed to breastfeed and enjoy it for 21 months! what we need to realize is that it is not easy, and we must be persistent and determined to make it work!

Sally - posted on 05/20/2010

I had no problems, but I grew up around it and expected it to work well. My second child had an unmedicated birth and took to it even faster and better than her big sister.

If you want an easier time nursing, start hanging out with nusing mommas as soon as you find out you're pregnant. That way you'll be used to it and most of your questions will be answered before you start. Even more importantly, you'll have a built in support group if you do have a problem.

Ruthy - posted on 05/20/2010

Each of my three children started out as a total nightmare for me since I had a TON of milk come in right away with a baby who was not latching on correctly and it was so terribly painful causing me soar, bleeding nipples to the point where I couldn't sleep, cried all the time. So, each time nurses were uselss and I had to seek out a lactation consultant who was crucial in showing me how to teach the baby to do a deep latch- after all, the baby and mom need to learn. I couldn't have done it without a very knowledgeable, helpful, nurturing,kind lactation consultant to support me, since all the support from family and friends couldn't help me fix the problem. The first weeks after childbirth were horrific for that reason (TONS of milk everywhere- I overproduce, but a baby always crying since I can't seem to feed him), but once we got into the groove, by the 3rd week, I breastfeed all three the first year and it was a beautiful experience! I loved every moment. I'm still breastfeeding my third, almost a year, and will continue as long as he'll let me.

Reissa - posted on 05/20/2010

It was MUCH easier than I expected, and very enjoyable - can't wait to breastfeed my second (due in November) . . I did get Mastitis (sp?) and that was NO fun but only lasted about a day. I had heard so many horror stories about breastfeeding, how children don't latch, etc. . . . my mindset was that I was going to breastfeed, and that was it. Never bought "back-up" formula or anything like that. I loved it.

Tamára - posted on 05/19/2010

for the first 3 days i was "dry", but i kept putting my little one on my brest and little by little i started producing milk. It is amazing when you see that little someone suckling and getting happier and relaxed with you.
I was supported by my colleagues since i was pregnant; we were always talking about breaffeeding. And i made it!
I am so happy, that untill now (she has 5 months) i am still breastfeeding her and she enjoys it very much!

Maria - posted on 05/19/2010

I knew I wanted to breastfeed no matter what. it was tough in the beginning as my son did not eat for the first few days, I didn't know how to latch him properly. In the third day, I decided to go on youtube and try to find as many "how to" videos as possible. He started eating well, but then one of my nipples was badly ripped and for the first 2 month, breastfeeding was quite painful. Only from the third month I could really say I was enjoying the whole experience. I knew there were places where I could have gone for support, but when you are a new mom, all you want to do is rest and try to work it out without moving or walking a long distance where there were people that could help.

Angela - posted on 05/19/2010

I had a very difficult three weeks after my Nola was born. We just couldn't get our latch. I had to finger tube feed her 1-2 oz of expressed breast milk every hour and a half from the start of one feed to the next. I got no sleep whatsoever. My Midwives were great and came to my house every day after we got home for the first bit, but Nola was also losing too much weight so I was completely stressed. The longest I would let her sleep was about four hours at night because I wanted to keep feeding her so that we didn't have to go back to the hospital. At the three week mark I decided, against recommendation, to use a shield. It was a God-sent. She took to it almost immediately and after four days using it she took herself off of it. It was actually funny how it occurred. I was in the process of switching the shield to the other side and Nola was resting between my breasts. All of a sudden she had wiggled her little body over to the breast I was about to put the shield on and latched on. After getting her latched I even had to battle a week of mastitis with a fever and the works but I never gave up. She is now 7 1/2 months old and feeding strong.

It takes a lot of determination to block out peoples negative comments trying to get you to give up... :"just feed your baby formula"..."can't you see how hungry she is?"... But in the end, all of the trials and tribulations is worth it. I would do it ten times over knowing that my baby is getting the best start possible in life. It also takes a great support system and I thank my Midwives, LeLeche Legue, and my Sister (whom was my Doula) everyday for the gift of their support. Without it I may have given up! Well no I wouldn't have given up... I am a pretty stubborn woman when I have my mind set on something! :)

Ashley - posted on 05/19/2010

with my son the difficulty was that he has such severe jaundice that he just kept falling asleep and with my daughter she wouldn't stop eating. but within a week we were all pros. no one really said anything about me nursing my son, good or bad (other than his doctor saying that it was great). but this time, with my daughter, i'm getting tons of negative feedback from family and friends (mainly the grandparents wanting me to give her table food and to stop nursing). but she's 5 months old and my husband and i feel that its too early to give her food. and its ultimately my choice. no one can sway me. i will nurse her at the very least, one year. i nursed my son 10 months and he weaned himself.

Venessa - posted on 05/18/2010

When Aisaia was born he went jaundice within 12 hrs with quite high numbers, as most mums are told best thing for jaundice is feeding to flush out their kidneys. Unfortunately my milk didn't come in for 6 days... my boy had to be given formula to help with the jaundice, and watching my calm, aware 12 hour old baby boy be stripped of his clothes (except nappy), blindfolded and shove in a box, made me feel like the worst mother on the planet. I had failed as a mum, and my boy was paying for it.... He screamed, everytime he was put into the box, after each feed and I sat and cried with him every time.

I had the amazing support of my fiance, who would hold me and come up with suggestions to let down and tried to help as much as possible. One midwife in particular was great, helping me try to get him latching, they got me trying massage, and and electric breat pump so my milk would let down, but most of all she made me realise it wasn't my fault - my body was playing softball, when I was there to play baseball - that he would be ok and in the end they said persistence would be the answer.

I went home day 3 with a baby that I had only ever intended breast feeding - now needing to buy bottles and formula on the way home. My godson's mum then suggested soaking a cloth nappy in warm water and wrapping my breasts while showering (I was showering twice a day - HOT HOT HOT) within 24 hours my milk let down - HOORAY!!! I then had a 2 1/2 week battle to get him to go from bottle to breast, I was pumping every 2 hours and he certainly prefered the taste of breast, he just didn't want to have to work for it.

Now at 15 months my little man has weaned himself - I intended feeding for at least 2 years - he had another plan for himself, and given the trouble I had to start with, I am just thankful for the oppurtunity to share the bonding of breastfeeding with my child.....and he has just woken from his nap so I must away .... Happy parenting all

A - posted on 05/18/2010

I did have a hard time starting out. I was exhausted, and I cracked on my right side and it didn't heal for two months, so it was extremely painful. My son is almost a year now, and its gotten so easy and awesome I want to do extended breastfeeding and hopefully breastfeed until my son self-weans. I did not have support...almost everyone else in the family bottle feeds and I was told many times it would just be better to give it up. I'm glad I stuck with it. Its the best experience in the world.

Maricar - posted on 05/18/2010

I had a hard time because my baby got used to quicker feedings unlike the breast. I have to attend a breastfeeding seminar and with the help of an ingenius bottle we were able to get the hang of it when baby was 2weeks old

Whitney - posted on 05/18/2010

I had a hard time breast feeding with my daughter. I remember one night, after I had pumped some milk, I sat there crying because I thought I was a bad mom for not being able to breast feed my baby. I was wrong. We stuck to it and are now 11 months strong.

Cheyne - posted on 05/18/2010

Omg, absolutely!! First off, I had no idea what I was doing, I was completely exhausted from a hard labour and birth. I did have a lot of support though so I just stuck with it. But, once my milk came in, it was too fast for my son- so I had to lie back when feeding him, lol which hurt my back. Then I got hives, as a reaction to the milk (quite rare, lol so course I blimmen get it!!), then I got mastitis twice. I was not coping emotionally and my partner was back at work and had an hour plus travel each day, so I was all by myself. BUT, I am so glad that I stuck with breast-feeding; every time I look at my son, I know that everything he is, is because of me and my milk! : ) It would have been so easy to start him on formula! - But he will NOT touch it.

Lara - posted on 05/18/2010

I always have had a mixed bag when I would start bf-ing my kids. All 3 had perfect latch on and did so from the beginning. However, all 3 have cracked my right nipple too. The first 6 weeks were always the hardest and most painful as I got thru engorgement, nipple crack, and just tenderness overall. But once we got thru all that, if became a relief and joy. I love bf-ing my kids! Sometimes you just have to perservere. It's well worth it!

Cinda - posted on 05/18/2010

I did have a bit of a rough start b/c my son got a bad latch in the hospital after being given Tylenol for his circumsision. I didn't know he'd had a bad latch & let him nurse that way on both sides. It split 1 nipple & severely bruised the other (made it all black & purple). I had to use a nipple shield for several weeks to let them heal while still allowing my son to nurse. I started using them as a crutch even after my nipples had healed b/c I couldn't get used to the discomfort of nursing. I had GREAT support in the form of free lactation services & clinics at the hopsital I delivered at. They helped me stop using the nipple shield. I QUICKLY got used to him nursing without it and it stopped being uncomfortable. My son is 17 months w/ 12 teeth & still nursing strong. I couldn't be happier that I stuck it out!!

Kathy - posted on 05/18/2010

My husbabd and I did lots of research about the benefits of breastfeeding vs formula, and there was no choice after reading all the information! Because it seemed a fairly tricky process, I decided I needed lots of information and support, and joined a breastfeeding support group - the Nursing Mothers' Association od Australia, now called the Australian Breastfeeding Association. I did their breastfeeding classes.

It's absolutely essential to know not just the benefits of breastfeeding, but information about how the b/f system works, the mother/baby relationship, all the tips and techniques. I think it's important to know this BEFORE your baby is born, and that's why I found out as much as I could before my first baby was born. I'm sure it was this pre-knowledge that helped me in the early days.

Lindsay - posted on 05/18/2010

I have a 20 month old boy who I still nurse at night before bedtime and he loves his mummy milk time. However it wasn't always that way. When I first started breast feeding I found the whole experience stressful and very difficult. I had to stay in hospital for 3 days due to complications with myself and so I was lucky I had a midwife on hand 24/7. It took me 2 days of attempting to latch my son on with the help of a midwife before I succeeded to do it alone. But it took a further 2 -3 weeks of sheer hell, cracked bleeding nipples, mastitis and a lot of tears and frantic phone calls to the local midwife before my son, (who was dubbed the laziest boy ever by my midwife!), actually latched and fed properly.
My experience was unique in the fact I did have a very lazy feeder for a son, but I was determined to breast feed him no matter what. But I would not have done so if it was not for the help of my midwife on hand. If anyone else reading this is a new Mum and is having trouble, call your midwives, that is what they are there for and they would rather come out 3 -4 times a week and have a Mother able to breast feed her baby properly then to have one who feel they have failed somehow because they were unable. For something that is drummed into us to be "easy" and "natural" I have since discovered it is a bloody difficult skill that has to be learned and taught not just something that should come naturally to us like breathing.
Unfortunately we have become a society where breast feeding become unfashionable and we no longer have a Mum or Aunt to help us watch and learn, so we do have to rely on our midwives and breast feeding specialists like La Leche, so I made sure I used them all!

Katie - posted on 05/17/2010

I had a bit of a hard time starting breastfeeding too.

I had read a book by Sue Cox and seen a video too.
so I could picture what I needed to do.

unfortunately, at our first feed on the delivery bed, I think she managed to graze one nipple straight away. The nurse seemed helpful and said all the same things that Sue Cox instructed, but I think we might have rushed my baby into it.
I think next time I will let my baby crawl up and find the boob her/him self and not rush into it.

because one nipple was grazed, I accidentally let the other nipple get grazed, and was kinda putting up with the pain, and I could see it getting worse over the 5 days I was in hospital.

Using Lansinoh ointment really helped keep the nipples soft.
otherwise the grazing actually scabs and hurts more and then the scabs can get sucked off too, excellerating the damage.

my mum was a group leader of our local breastfeeding group where I grew up, after she had such a hard time getting me to feed, as I was a small size for full term baby.

also my mum's best friend is a midwife, and lactation consultant now, she had a rough start as well for her first kid.

my situation didnt sound as bad as theirs, so I didnt know why I felt like I was such a failure.
It's really emotional!!

No matter how much the nurses and my mum and her best friend would tell me not too worry too much, and just to persist with making sure attachment was correct, I felt so bad for letting my baby do this to me.
The pain never stopped me from feeding, but I was terrified that it would.

I felt the baby blued on day 3-4 but that's when my parents arrived so that was buffered a bit.
And I had another few teary moments at home, cos I still felt like I had failed.
It was hard to let myself be ok with being a part failure, over the nipple damage, but at least my baby seemed to be thriving.
My baby was getting enough milk and was content most of the time, so I wasn't worried about my supply level.

I knew that it was a learnt skill that both baby and mother have to work on, but it was just so weird to have to learn this new skill.

I also saw a child health nurse at our local community health clinic in the first week, and was just encouraged by the nurse to make sure the attachment is right, and to give the nipples time to heal, which took at least 3-4 weeks to heal, which just seemed like eternity.

next time Im going to do baby led attachment!!
No rushing it.
I will be a bit better at knowing how to hold a baby too, except the thort of a floppy newborn is still a bit scary, cos it's so much better with my 7 month old being able to help get attached, no floppy head, knows where to go!

Trista - posted on 05/17/2010

It was really hard. My baby was very stubborn, and for some reason, couldn't seem to latch on my right side. Then at week two, my nipples felt like she was tearing them off. I was miserable, but my fiance was really supportive, and it made all the difference. After week two, it's been a raging success.

Elisha - posted on 05/17/2010

Believe it or not, it was all the breast feeding advocates that almost turned me off it. I had a few problems with waiting for it to come in, then latching, then a heavy flow coupled with lots of foremilk (resulting in my daughter constantly wanting to feed, exhausting me), but every time I went to get help all I heard was breastmilk is best, you can't give up, your baby will wither and wilt instead of thrive...I couldn't believe how much they pushed it on me. The fanatical purists almost made me quit just so I didn't have to deal with them when I did have problems. I found the less I said the better, and if I had issues to look on the internet for solutions. The only other problem I had was with Mom and her love for formula. Because formula is engineered, and because you can see exactly how much they're getting, she was a big fan. I don't believe she trusts breastmilk, but my baby is a chubby little bunny because of it, the weight gain has been fantastic. The only thing that got me through was the idea that paying to feed her when I had a good supply for free (and was helping me lose weight) was crazy.

Tanya - posted on 05/17/2010

I didn't have a hard time at first. I felt really prepared after reading "So that's what they're for" and knew what to expect. My milk came in after only 2 days and was plentiful.

I did, however, start having dry nipples after I went back to work and was pumping more than once a day (after a month of doing this).

My family encouraged me to give my son cereal or supplement early, saying breastmilk wasn't going to be enough, but accepted my decision to wait until he was 6 months old. I didn't really have help on how to feed from family, jut the book and the lc's at the hospital.

Carolyn - posted on 05/17/2010

Did not have a hard time breastfeeding, other than the normal, first time dryness and cracking of the nipple, which was immediately cured with an ointment the nurse gave me. I had about 15 lactation people come into my room the 3-1/2 days I was in the hospital for both my boys and they were amazed at how easy it was for my little guys. I nursed my first a little over two years...1 yr exclusively, 2nd year+ morning and night with whole milk during the day. My 2nd is only 16 months and he is on the same schedule. The only difference, I had to supplement with formula at 11 mnths, about 4-8 oz/day...I blame my high stress job for making my milk supply decrease...I felt guilty, but was relieved when I saw that he was fattening up from the formula. It has been the most special time, nourishing my baby with my own body. I will miss it when it is over.

Dara - posted on 05/15/2010

I had a fairly wasy transition to breastfeeding. We had ONE DAY where I gave her a bottle of first formula, then expressed BM, then it was striclty breast from then until now! DD is 13 months old and nursing strong! I must say I have had a wonderful time with nursing, and hope to continue until DD self weans!

Michelle - posted on 05/15/2010

I had a hard time of it both times, but my second son I was able to breastfeed for 9 months and he stopped by his choice so it was good. I went to a Breastfeeding Cnsultant and La Leache League meetings at a park near by. The meetings are widespread so anyone that wants the help can go without too much trouble! Good Luck to all!!

Angela - posted on 05/14/2010

The first week was hell, until my nipples toughened up and my milk really came in. Probably didn't help that I had a c-section and was soooo sore. From the second week on its been a lot easier, I got to where i was comfortable feeding her in the car, in public, etc by the end of the first month. My daughter is 7 1/2 months now and has just weaned herself, its my own fault I know. She's teething and has been refusing to nurse and I didn't put as much work into pumping as I should have so I had to give her formula in the meantime. I got to where my supply was just about nothing, and she loved formula (idk why I think its nasty but she likes it). She's now fully weaned and I'm back on regular birth control so i've all but dried up completely. Next time around I'll do things differently and not supplement. Its great having extra sleep at night but its not worh having to give up breastfeeding altogether earlier than you want to. Good luck!

Amanda - posted on 05/14/2010

I was very lucky and I had lots of support and an easy time feeding my baby. Fed her until 14 months old. My son is 9 months now and I am still feeding him, I have lots of support this time round too.

Vanessa - posted on 05/14/2010

My son was a cinch to breastfeed and to wheen. My daughter on the other hand was very difficult. She had trouble latching on and was loosing weight, but my breastfeeding coach encouraged me to keep trying. Eventually, she got the hang of it. I was told by some that girls were lazier than boys and didn't want to work as hard because the nurses gave her a bottle, against my wishes. So, she developed nipple confussion. It was very hard wheening her as well. She just didn't want to let go and wasn't wheened until 28 mos. It was a real fight. Friday night is movie night, at my house. We were all sitting quietly watching a movie and my daughter decided she wanted to nurse. Well, I told her no and she pulled up her shirt, walked around the room to every. Then, she asked them "want boobies" while hers were showing. She gave me a look like "no you can't have none." I just laughed cause it was the cutest thing.

Jessica - posted on 05/13/2010

& yes it hurt me at first! it hurt so bad that i would cringe any time she would become hungry b/c i knew how it was going to feel. but i was so determined to keep her breast fed that it didn't matter to me. no amount of pain was going to stop me from doing what i knew was best for my baby. it only hurt at the beginning of the feedings. after a few seconds, it would go away. you just have to push through it! i guess it lasted for about the first few weeks and then it didn't hurt anymore! now i enjoy every second of it. :)

Jessica - posted on 05/13/2010

I was very well supported by everyone but it was still very difficult. no amount of support can make the frustration any easier. i was severely depressed for the first 2 months of her life and breast feeding played a major role in that. she always eating or comfort nursing. i was sleepless all the time. i didn't feel comfortable going out b/c i didn't like the idea of feeding her in public (now i love feeding her in public!) and i knew that if i fed her a bottle while we were out it would lower my supply so i would just stay home. seriously, i never left. but once i got the hang of everything and she started sleeping through the night, life became grand! now i can not even describe in words how happy i am that we didn't stop breast feeding. i don't think i would be this happy if we were feeding her formula.

breast feeding really does get so much easier. everyone tells you that and you never believe it but it's definitely true. once she gets a routine down and you get a strategy down, it's easy as pie.

Erin - posted on 05/13/2010

Yes! The first 2 weeks were terrible. Thankfully my sister in law had a similar experience and she told me to push through the first couple weeks and my nipples would get used to it and the pain would go away. I'm so glad I gritted my teeth, cried through the pain and stuck with it. I am still breastfeeding my son, and he's 2 1/2!

Kayla - posted on 05/13/2010

It was incredibly painful at first, my nipples bled and I had mastitis a few times. I tried consulting some people, and they said I was doing it wrong... When Lukas had a perfectly fine latch... So I had to tough it out, and eventually the pain went away... now my son is 15 months (Almost 16) and we're nursing until he's ready to stop!

Nicole - posted on 05/13/2010

Okay this is a long one and it might be read by only you, Lisa, and that is fine, I just wanted to give you some of my story.

I had always intended to breastfeed my first baby and I never pictured myself doing anything else. I gave birth to a healthy 8 lb 11 oz little boy and everything went well. Until the second day in the hospital. He slept pretty much the whole day and I couldn't get him to latch for anything! I received no help with breastfeeding and I needed him to eat badly! He had severe jaundice (hence, the sleepy newborn) due to incompatible blood types-My antibodies were attacking his red blood cells creating severe jaundice (this is not real common). So, instead of helping with breastfeeding, the hospital staff started recommending supplementation. I was made to believe that this was the only thing that was going to help his jaundice. We supplemented and everyday he was checked for jaundice. On the fifth day following his birth, I went to breastfeed him after his blood test and the nurse (also an IBCLC) at the volunteer center I was going to, just looked at my breasts and gasped. I had bleeding nipples and engorgement that had caused stress marks on breasts over night (literally). All because I was supplementing!!! She helped me work on the latch (if it hadn't been for her taking the extra time to do that, no one would have helped me!) and told me to always nurse before I supplement (I think she really wanted to tell me not to supplement at all, but she bit her tongue. She should have told me, I would have listened!) and that would help with engorgement. She also taught me how to hand express to alleviate it, as well. I will never forget her help to me when I had no one else! Anyway, later that day, I was told by the ped. on the phone that his levels were too high and he needed hospitalization. I cried all the way to the hospital and was a basket case as I was handing him over to the nurses. (He had to stay in the nursery.) After his stay in the hospital, worried about my milk supply due to how much he was eating from supplementation, I continued to supplement and eventually stopped breastfeeding altogether.

Went on to have great experiences with babies 2 and 3. And with baby 4, after a very rough delivery (he wasn't in position), low blood sugar and severe bruising from his delivery which caused jaundice, I had to fight tooth and nail to maintain breastfeeding against all of medical advice. But, being a Lactation Counselor myself, I knew that there was no reason to supplement or stop breastfeeding. If anything, that would have made things worse. He also needed hospitalization, but this was at another hospital (different from where I delivered) and we stayed in our own room and I was advised to feed on demand (which I would have done anyway) and he went home much earlier than predicted!

There can be lots of problems that happen in those early weeks that can dramatically hinder breastfeeding, but I tell everyone, if you can make it two weeks, you are more likely to make your goal.

Oh... and I HATE to hear supplementation being recommended to cure jaundice!!! It makes me crazy! More breastfeeding should be encouraged in these cases! Breast milk is the BEST milk to prevent jaundice and low blood sugar! GRRR!

Lesley - posted on 05/13/2010

Oh yeah!!! No one told me how PAINFUL it was when the milk came in!!! I was VERY engorged and it was very painful!! I had negative support from my in-laws who kept saying I didn't have enough milk. Three weeks in, after many tears, I called a lactation specialist, who came over, looked at me and said you have PLENTY of milk!! 19 months later...we are still breastfeeding! I am so glad I ignored the negative comments and persisted on my own with it. I still get negative comments about "isn't it time to stop" - we will stop when we are both ready. Good luck! xox

Francine - posted on 05/13/2010

I had a tough time at first. My shape is wrong, and I am quite large breasted. For the first couple of weeks I was having major, major issues. It was taking 1 1/2 hours to feed her and I was having to feed every 3 hours... not a lot of sleep. Then one of the midwives suggested I use nipple shields... it was the best suggestion ever... They worked an absolute treat. I have not had issues since. We are at 8 months now and going strong.