BreastFeeding

Meagan - posted on 11/12/2010

I also have a 8 and 10 yr old and I don't see any problems bf my bae (7mths) anytime anywhere, I bf all my kids (x5) and I love it !! :)

Laura Zoey - posted on 11/10/2010

Sorry curi! I bf at the zoo, what's wrong with that? What do you expect me to feed my son while at the zoo?

Curi - posted on 11/09/2010

im choosing breastfeeding for the second just like with nat. i think if she was older then i would probably not just sit on the couch with my boob hanging out, maybe do it in the babies bedroom or make sure to cover up since they are older. nat is just 19 months old and she wont know any better but if we decided to have another after this one i will probably be more discrete about it.

the nutrients are WAY better in breastmilk. if anything atleast feed the baby the first couple weeks cause they need those nutrients. My daughter had a very tough time going to formula after i lost the breastmilk, she would puke everything up til we got soy milk formula, which we already decided to do with the next if we have to do formula. Just for god sakes dont breastfeed your child while at the zoo! i saw a lady doing that and it realy angered me! >:( :) hope this helps :)

Aicha - posted on 10/07/2010

Here are some resources for breastfeeding
http://www.llli.org/
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/

Laressa - posted on 10/05/2010

Congrats on the new pregnancy, Laura! I really hope it works well to tandem nurse. I planned to do that as well, but my 13 mo. daughter weaned herself in the last month. I believe its cause the milk changed in the 2nd trimester. also when I put on Maternity clothes (the ones I used last time) I discoved they weren't handy for breastfeeding, and for her it seemed to be out of sight out of mind. I miss those cuddly times with her. Maybe after baby comes I'll let her try again. See what happens. Its so much easier breastfeedind then sterilizig sipper cups etc.

|Good Luck to all moms who decide to give bf a try. Its worth the time it takes to learn the skill.

Chesilin - posted on 09/09/2010

I bf my daughter for about 13 months, I remember the first time at my friend's house when everyone was gathered for a football game and I was so nervous to breastfeed in front of them all, I had a blanket that I cut a hole in the corner of to put over my head (too cheap to buy a coverup... haha) but after the first few times, it was completely natural and I fed her everywhere including the food court at the mall and on airplanes. I remember one night standing at their kitchen island talking with everyone and one of the girls said "are you feeding her now?" and everyone was like "oh I thought you were just holding her..." haha. I have a ten yr old nephew too who came to visit after my son was born a month ago and I just threw my blanket on and everyone was completely normal- I think it's good for kids to see mothers nurturing their babies the way nature intended. Plus... formula is expensive! :) But it's nice to have around when you want a little break. I personally think it's worth a shot to try it- if you feel uncomfortable you can always just stop. Another bonus- my daughter never had so much as a cold until after I stopped nursing her!

Elysia - posted on 09/05/2010

Im def pro breast, just because it is exactly what your bub needs. I have breast fed both of my children and its a wonderful experience. The boys may find it strange or they may just go with the flow if you do it from day one. You could always sit down and say to them that same babies have bottles and some have breast and you are going to use breast. You could also try doing it a little bit away from them to begin with or if your still really uncomfortable you could express and use a bottle that way bub is still getting breast milk. But ultimatly you do have to do what is right and feels right for you and your family.

Laura Zoey - posted on 09/05/2010

Breastfeeding isn't ment to be a private thing, if you seclude yourself you will likely stop nursing sooner. It's a normal everyday part of life, just like you wouldn't eat your dinner in the closet, don't make your child eat in privacy. You should be nursing for at least the next two years so it's got to fit into everyday life, it's natural and normal! Don't be ashamed of doing what your baby deserves!

Eloise - posted on 09/05/2010

I had my son 25 june 2010 and only managed to breastfeed for 3 weeks, for some or other reason my milk dried up. I was absolutely gutted!!! Its the most special feeling in the world! If you can, do it! Just breastfeed in another room and explain to the other kids that you need to do it privately. All will work out! Good luck!!!

Tasha - posted on 09/02/2010

if you choose breastfeeding get one of those covers from like walmart. they cover everything and then I'd explain to the boys what you are doing. no matter what you choice its up to you to do whats best for your baby!

Amie - posted on 08/31/2010

I hope that post didnt seem rude i dont mean it to offend u at all in any way i just would hope you are supported enough to help you make the right choice for you.

Amie - posted on 08/31/2010

Sorry but are you kidding? You can get a breastfeeding cover if you feel you dont want the boys to see i dont like feeding my 2nd son ( 1st bub was bottle fed from 6 weeks ) in front of ppl other than my partner and a few other close friends so i use my nursing cover infront of other ppl its great better than trying to cover with a wrap or something like that. Please really dont give away the thought of breastfeeding cause of that reason. Give it a try you never know them seeing you breastfeed might encourage them to support their partners when they get older and have children to breastfeed as well.. BUT in saying that do what ever is best for your baby and you. Good luck breastfeeding is hard work but so worth it.

Andrea - posted on 08/31/2010

I breast fed my son and now am breast feeding my daughter. Being the oldest of 6 we got used to the fact that mom's breast fed babies that's just the way it was. She never covered up a thome and the boys learned to stay out of the room or not look while she was feeding. It's the same with my youngest brothers and me now. They are 15 and 12 and I try to be discrete around them but don't usually use the nursing cover. When they have friends over I cover up or go to another room to feed. Breast Feeding is best for your baby and the boys will get used to it quickly.

Angelina - posted on 08/31/2010

I live at home, with 2 teenage boys and 1 teenage girl (sibilibngs) and I thought it was going to be awkward! But it wasn't! They just accepted it like it really didn't matter adnd kinda ignored it lol

Katherine - posted on 08/31/2010

One of the best things you can so for your boyfriends sons is to show them how natural breastfeeding is. My kids are from a blended family too and to help with bonding, I pump breastmilk and let my hubby & older child feed the baby. I also have formula on hand in case I am running an errand and the baby simply can't wait, but honestly, more children, young men included, need to see that breastfeeding babies is natural and beneficial to the baby's and the mother's health. We need more parents to at least try to breastfeed their newborns and one of the best ways to help perpetuate this healthy & natural form of feeding is to actually do it in the presence of others and to do it confidently and tastefully. Children who grow up in homes where the mothers breastfeed younger siblings are more likely to attempt and ultimately succeed at having their children be breastfed too.

Laura Zoey - posted on 08/31/2010

http://www.promom.org/101/

heres that 101 reasons list.

Sorry Im posting so much, I just really want to help you and I know you will be happy that you know the facts as it will help you make the best decisions and not regret anything.

regret is horrible cuz you cant change it but right now you can learn as much as you can so you dont regret this!

and I want you to know that I am absolutely willing to answer any and every question you have.

I have alot of info and I can help you out.

please feel free to message me and I would LOVE to make sure it is as smooth as possible for you.

You have my support!

Laura Zoey - posted on 08/31/2010

http://www.llli.org/Web/Pennsylvania.htm...
here is a list of the breastfeeding support groups in pennsylvania, you can find the one closest to you and go to a meeting. its free and you get to meet other moms and talk about breastfeding and ask questions. Its a lifeline to have the leaders phone number cuz you can call anytime you have a question or something is going badly. I love having the support and it helps you to never feel helpless. Check it out and talk to the leader nearest you, it can only help :)

Laura Zoey - posted on 08/31/2010

Hey Christina, This was all the info I needed to decide. :) ok so its true that not every baby will have these bad side effects from formula but it is a risk, like those on medications. Whn you formula feed you are taking a risk because many babies do have these bad side effects from it.
I am not comfortable with that risk.
Ok so with your boys, think of it this way. Do you want them to think of breasts as glorified sexual arousing body parts? or as natural feeding parts.
I was worried about that too, but really I want my son to think that boobs are put on womens bodies to feed babies, not to be played with by men.
Its a nice way to help them become gentlemen and be respectful of wome. let them know what you are doing and why. tell them this is how everyone is designed to feed babies but that some moms are sick and cant, so thats why bottles were invented. They will be better minded to know the truth about how moms body makes a baby, then feeds it too.
I am nursing my 1 1/2 year old son right now and I am 5 weeks pregnant. I will be nursing Eric until he grows out of it and so he can nurse alongside his new sibling. I find that when you fall in love with breastfeeding, you just know that formula is way overused. Many moms dont even try to breastfeed cuz its seen as 'gross' or 'weird' really its just natural and your boys will be blessed to know that about bodies.
I saw a article about the 101 top reasons to breastfeed, if i can find it I will post it here so you can see. I hope you read the links, cuz it will only give you perspective as to the weight of your decision. It isnt an easy choice, until you know the facts :)
congrats on your new baby! I know you will love breastfeeding if you can find some support!

Laura Zoey - posted on 08/31/2010

http://thebabybond.com/InfantDeaths.html

Laura Zoey - posted on 08/31/2010

The risks associated with formula-feeding as compared to breastfeeding are well-documented and diverse. Formula-fed infants are at greater risk for digestive disorders (diarrhea, gastroenteritis, necrotizing enterocolitis), respiratory infections, meningitis, otitis media, some forms of childhood lymphomas, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), etc. Breastfeeding appears to offer long-term protection against obesity, cholesterol issues, and, because it is such a “brain food,” breastfeeding encourages proper brain development. The mechanics of bottle-feeding versus breastfeeding negatively affect proper mouth and jaw development, leading to a greater risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

Just one bottle of formula causes changes in the natural gut flora, creating an environment more favorable for pathogens to take hold. If that one bottle provides a newborn’s first feeding, it can interfere with one of the important responsibilities of colostrum (the concentrated first milk a new mother produces). Colostrum contains a high concentration of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) that helps coat the lining of a newborn’s immature digestive system to help seal it from invading pathogens. This sIgA, produced by the mother, is specific for diseases that either the mother or her infant has come in contact with, so it acts as a targeted attack for pathogens in the newborn’s environment. Formula has none of this substance—or any of the living cells that help protect the infant while his or her immune system matures.

Not every study has clear-cut, definitive results. Controlling all the variables needed for a long-term study comparing formula-feeding and breastfeeding is nearly impossible. Better studies carefully define breastfeeding, distinguishing between the baby who was breastfed once from those who were “mostly” breastfed and those who were exclusively breastfed. It is reasonable to expect that the effects of infant feeding would be dose-dependent, and the better-designed studies confirm this.

Of course, not every formula-fed infant is going to be ill, and not every breastfed infant is going to enjoy lifelong health. The risks are undeniably against the formula-fed infant, however. Veering off of the biologically expected norm assumes a risk.

Laura Zoey - posted on 08/31/2010

http://worldbreastfeedingweek.net/wbw200...

http://infant-toddler-health.suite101.co...

For Infants
and Children
1 Increased risk of asthma
2 Increased risk of allergy
3 Reduced cognitive
development
4 Increased risk of acute
respiratory disease
5 Increased altered occlusion
6 Increased risk for infection from
contaminated formula
7 Increased risk of nutrient deficiencies
8 Increased risk of childhood cancers
9 Increased risk of chronic diseases
10 Increased risk of diabetes
11 Increased risk of
cardiovascular disease
12 Increased risk of obesity
13 Increased risk of
gastrointestinal infections
14 Increased risk of mortality
15 Increased risk of otitis media
and ear infections
16 Increased risk of side effects of
environmental contaminants
For Mothers
1 Increased risk of breast cancer
2 Increased risk of overweight
3 Increased risk of ovarian cancer
and endometrial cancer
4 Increased risk of osteoporosis
5 Reduced natural child spacing
6 Increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis
7 Increased stress and anxiety
8 Increased risk of maternal diabetes

Ashley - posted on 08/31/2010

im am going to breastfeed. its cheaper & better for the baby. you should get a book on it and read up on it. thats what i did and it really opened my eyes.

good luck

Sammi - posted on 08/29/2010

hunni im just about due and have battled with the same problems - in making my mind up. I figure breast is best. all you can do is try, The boys will get used to it. they will start seeing other mothers breast feeding their children and wont be so ummmmmmmm. confused about what is going on.

there are so many benefits to breast feeding not only for the baby but also for u. also works out cheaper ( thats something that is important to me ). as soon as bubba is out they should let him try to get a hold of ur breast.

Aicha - posted on 08/28/2010

I am breastfeeding my daughter she is 11 months old when my son who is 11 years old first saw it he ask why mommy and I explained breastfeeding is best for his younger sister then reminded him how he was breastfeed and so was his other sister now he doesn't seem to mind and acts like no big deal

Nicole - posted on 08/28/2010

I breastfed by baby for 12 months (I would've continued but she didn't want to have it anymore). I had a lot of problems with it, as many women do. I definitely think it's worth a try though. It helps form a bond with your baby and when your breastfeeding without problems you have a really lovely close feeling with your baby that is so special.

I used a breastpump a lot because of the pain I was experiencing and the pump is indispensible at times of trouble but I wouldn't recommend it just to avoid breastfeeding in front of your boys as it's SO inconvenient. You have to sterilise the pump and bottles, pump for 20 mins or so, then spend 20 mins or so bottle feeding your baby, then wash everything and sterilise everything again in preparation for the next feed a few hours later. It's a total nightmare. If feels like you only just finish one cycle of feeding/sterilising and then it all starts again almost straight away. Believe me, you'll get sick and tired of it very quickly.

Maybe just mention to the boys ahead of time that you'll be breastfeeding your baby but don't make an issue of it or they'll think it's something weird or embarrassing. If you act like you feel totally natural and confident about it then I'm sure they won't give it a second thought.

Good luck. I hope it all goes well and I'll be staying tuned to see what you end up doing. :)

Amy - posted on 08/27/2010

at 10 and 9 you can easily explain to them what you are doing when feeding the baby.

One thing to make it more comfortable is maybe if you get a breastfeeding shawl you can talk about what your doing with out exposing everything and making it too uncomfortable for everyone.

I plan to breastfeed this time around, although I'll be using a breastfeeding shawl because I didn't want to lock myself into a room somewhere every time the baby needed to feed or I needed to pump. For me we spend a lot of our "free" time with extended family and friends so for me I'm not as comfortable whipping it out for everyone to see.

From your last posting, it sounds like your going to give it a try, good luck!

Christina - posted on 08/27/2010

The more I read the more I feel the I can do this feeling. I'm excited to try it, I at least want to try because I feel as though if I didn't Id regret it later on.

Chelle - posted on 08/27/2010

i was funny at first when i started breastfeeding i was flopping my breast out everywhere, in front of males we knew, still not some other males, but i was a lot less inhibited, as time wore on i preferred to cover up or do it more discreetly.

I would never not breast feed just cos others might be uncomfortable with it, no matter how old they are but i understand your issue. My little boy is not yet two and even now i am more conscious of him seeing me completely starkers. If he does, i dont cover up or anything cos i dont want him to think the naked body is unnatural but i dont go out of my way to be naked around him.

Same goes for breast feeding, i think i will just do it more discreetly this time around, so my boob is not on show for anyone. But like others suggested even if the boys are not in the same room-i found i could not always breastfeed with someone else in the room anyways as it would distract the baby- still good to have a chat and make them aware of what is going to happen. But in hiding your breast from them or being too embarrassed to feed your baby it also sends the wrong message about breasts to your boys and perhaps even keeps them more sexualised. They need to realise breasts are also functional too.

Tina - posted on 08/27/2010

my own experience.. I have 3 older boys at home.. 18, 13, and 11... and so far.. I have decided to at least try out breastfeeding (I wasn't able to before because of early babies and my milk not coming in well) So I am breastfeeding while I'm in the hospital. They have come in once while I was breastfeeding and it was slightly awkward for them at first, but I explained to them that it was best for their baby brother.. and they seem to be fine with it.. so maybe talk to the boys and see what they think too... I plan on pumping too when I get home (at least some) so they can help feed their little brother too.. but remember, the choice is yours.. they will surprise you at how understanding they can be (my boys surpised me) good luck with whatever you choose :)

Keara - posted on 08/27/2010

oh! i think that you should also be confident in whatever decision you've made... if you do chose to breast feed, even if you don't feel 100% comfortable at first make sure the boys think you are so that they don't sense that and feed off it making them even more uncomfortable... again, good luck!

Keara - posted on 08/27/2010

i personally think there is no substitute for breastfeeding, not only do you give your baby the best possible nutrition but the bonding time together is the greatest thing i've ever experienced.. I've heard that if you solely pump you won't be able to feed your baby for as long as you would if you just fed him/her straight from the breast because you aren't getting the proper stimulation to keep your production going... i also feel i should mention that i am the only female in a house full of men. My fiance's brother lives with us, and his other brother may as well live here for all the time he spends here. I explained my decision to everyone before the baby arrived and let them know that if they were uncomfortable they could either leave the room or watch tv or something... they didn't have to watch... i'm doing the most natural thing for my child and i'm not going to be uncomfortable for the next year or so just because they can't get past the idea of seeing my boobs.. even my dad was a little embarassed when he first visited and i had to feed the baby, lol my grandfather practically ran away... it may be a little different for you because the boys are younger but i think that if you sit down and talk with them and explain to them what you are doing and why they will understand and not be uncomfortable at all after the first little while... my baby boy is only a week old and my brother-in-laws have even grown accustomed to watching their mother help me get the baby to latch... that was funny the first time they walked in and saw their mom with my boob in her hand! haha... anyways sorry this was so long... best of luck to you!!

Christina - posted on 08/27/2010

Pumping seems like a good idea but I just don't know I wish this was an easy choice, like it is for a lot of expecting mothers.

Victoria - posted on 08/26/2010

I myself was torn between both for a while but when i learned about the good in breastfeeding and seen some problems formula has i told myself i was going to atleast try and get in a week or so, for as long as i can and i had plans on pumping and using bottles. I want to try and get some advantage from it. I also got told it helps with the pain over being to full and leaking.

Ashleigh - posted on 08/26/2010

No its not bad to pump that much, its can just be hard to maintain a good supply because some women have a hard time getting let down.

Christina - posted on 08/26/2010

Thanks for your input, another one of my friends was telling me that if it made me to uncomfortable I could always just go in my room and pump and bottle feed but still use breast milk...this seemed like a good idea also but is it bad to pump that much?

Ashleigh - posted on 08/26/2010

I feel breast is best, the boys are going to find it weird at first but they will get used to it quickly. If you are too worried about it, cover up or nurse in private. I was worried about that for a long time when I nursed my son, he was almost 6wks before I did it in front of anyone besides close family. Eventually I realized that I didn't care, I am feeding my baby and I'm not going to expose myself but I'm also not going to starve my child. It is a personal decision but think about your health and the health of your baby. Breast feeding cuts your risk for cancer, helps lose weight and many other good things, for your baby it makes for a healthier baby, less asthma/allergies, diabetes and other great things. Oh and its free! That's my favorite part. Good luck with your decision!