Anyone exclusivly breastfeeding?

Pam - posted on 01/26/2012

love love LOVE breastfeeding my munchkins! I breastfed my first for 2 years the 2nd year being pregnant with my second and now I'm into my 3rd year of breastfeeding my second child. The first was tricky to begin but, we surpassed the initial phase and with my second I was such a pro that I latched her on asap and she fed on both sides for about an hour, lol. They are both so smart and have a calm nature about them. I remember the first time I was attempting to breastfeed it was tough to begin, I felt all sorts of feelings, a little nervous being the first time holding such a small person, worried if she was eating enough, even a bit reflective on the loss of my breasts as my own, but in time that all went away and it became a source of pride. I know what new moms are going through and its very important to show some support to those moms in that situation. They are struggling to do the right thing, and it is such a wonderful gift to both mommy and baby. One time I was considering giving up, it was so draining this new experience but I looked down and saw that this new person so small and beautiful was still struggling and fighting to get that milk supply up, and I said to myself, if your not giving up, neither am I, and the milk came flowing... Babies are strong. The second one was very lucky, she didn't have to fight or struggle at all, its was all there waiting for her and in oodles, she's my little piglet and I love it. I love that I have a different experience with both, Mya is my oldest and she is my teacher and I am hers, we walk our first steps as mother and daughter together.

Francie - posted on 01/22/2012

I am breastfeeding my 6 week old and I am glad to read that other moms have had difficulties getting started. She is eating very often - 12+ times a day and I am getting anxious about not having a schedule and not being able to plan outings. When has does a consistency in eating begin?

Kerri - posted on 01/21/2012

I'm still breastfeeding our 2 1/2 yr old little miss. weaning is harder then i thought ...hoping soon..but the 1st few days of latching was hard with cracked & bleeding nipples...But now i hope she gets off soon. i miss my body sometimes

Brittany K - posted on 01/21/2012

Hi, yea I am a breast feeding mom but I also have my husband bottle feed with my breast milk.

Christy - posted on 01/18/2012

I am breastfeeding. The only time I give a bottle is when I go out on Saturday's for some time to myself and my husband watches the boys. I pump because my youngest does not like formula...he would only eat a little so we experimented and found that he didn't want the formula. With my first one...breastfeeding was hard at first and I was stressed. It was my first and I was uncomfortable nursing in public and it was akward for me at different times because I had to bring a boppy with my everywhere so I would use formula only if he need to nurse and we were at wal-mart or in a restaurant.. When the second one came, I stopped nursing at 5 1/2 months, much to my sorrow. I cried. I was pregnant again and my body just couldn't support me, baby and milk for my then 5 1/2 month old. I fought tooth and nail to last that long but had a 17 mo. old and a newborn and I was exhausted. It was one of the saddest days. My third as I said, won't take formula...that's okay because, I'm much better at nursing in different place now and I pump once a week when I need to. I choose to breastfeed and breastfed my older two because I believe it's what's best for my boys. My older two no longer nurse but I know that my youngest is getting good nutrients from me. Mama's milk is best.

Katie - posted on 01/13/2012

I did with my son. I just had it set in my mind from the get go. I think i introduced the bottle wanting to be able to have other people feed baby. That wasn't a good idea looking back. With pregnancy number two i will buy bottles that are similar to the breast and a nice pump. I did it exclusively for 10 months. Baby was never sick, and I lost a ton of weight. I really beat myself up when he self weaned onto bottles. I hated the bottle for taking my son from me. Now I realize that you can do both and be diligent. Going back to work and the stress made it hard! really hard. All breastfeeding mom's need a lot of support to make it happen.

Jayme - posted on 12/18/2011

im exclusively bf but trying to add foods, or supplement of some kind. my 11 mo old is very very small but otherwise healthy & "normal".. trying to find a way to either accept that shes just a small statured person or find the magic food she will eat that can help her grow

Emily - posted on 12/17/2011

I breastfeed and have been for about a month. At night ill give my little guy a bottle of formula to have him sleep for a few hours so I can have 3 hours of sleep in a row never had a problem with nipple confusion he goes back and forth great. I love breastfeeding made bonding easier hes gaining weight great since he was small at birth. It was easy for both of us and never had any problems some women have (knock on wood)

Monica - posted on 12/15/2011

My goal is to exclusively breastfeed...when my daughter comes home. She is in the NICU right now and hopefully coming home at the end of next month. They are supplementing with preemie formula which I don't have a problem with. I am having breastfeeding issues right now and this will help her grow. However, I would like to try to only breastfeed 100% unless the doctors say to give her a little of the formula as well (depending on how she is when she is discharged). I've been told this builds up her immunities. This is my 4th child. I intended to breastfeed my children when leaving the hospital. My 1st child (not knowing any better) I was told might be allergic to my breastmilk (NOT) so I stopped and of course my milk dried up. I breastfed my 2nd until I got pregnant again (oops). My 3rd I had a poor experience with a lactation consultant as well as having 2 younger children at home and gave up. My 4th I am fighting to breastfed but because of my medical complications, I feel I am torn in two. All this to say...no you are not alone. I am fighting to and my hospital is supportive of that as long as my health is not jeopardized (I couldv'e seized and died and that is why my baby is in the NICU). It helps the baby. It helps me lose the weight I need. It helps my blood pressure. It keeps me somewhat calm and I am able to think about my baby. Because my circumstance is different, I may be supplmenting, but definitely breastfeeding all the way. I didn't do it for my son and I regret it somewhat as he gets colds easily. But, with two younger children, I probably wouldn't have produced as much as he needed as I would've been stressed (4 year old and an 18 month old). Good for you!

Tamara - posted on 12/14/2011

I exclusively breastfed. He refused any bottles with pumped milk. Also him and I agreed... formula smells awful. I ended up taking a break from college because of it but I found that my son and I were both happier and we bonded much better when I stayed home and took care of him.

I noticed he hasn't gotten severly sick except for twice in his whole 16 month exsistance. I take daily vitamins to supplement my doet and he snacks on healthy things and gets real fruit juice and occasionally whole milk now.

It is hard to find exclusive breast feeders though.

Tamara - posted on 12/14/2011

I exclusively breastfed. He refused any bottles with pumped milk. Also him and I agreed... formula smells awful. I ended up taking a break from college because of it but I found that my son and I were both happier and we bonded much better when I stayed home and took care of him.

I noticed he hasn't gotten severly sick except for twice in his whole 16 month exsistance. I take daily vitamins to supplement my doet and he snacks on healthy things and gets real fruit juice and occasionally whole milk now.

It is hard to find exclusive breast feeders though.

Rhonda - posted on 12/13/2011

I am exclusively breastfeeding also, and I love it! I am currently thinking about going back into the work force. Sylas is a little under 3 months. I will continue to pump as long as possible. If I have to, I will result to formula. I think it is so beneficial in the begininng.

Jamie - posted on 12/09/2011

Yes, my biological son (and probably my adopted son, too) was exclusively breastfed. He was giving a pumped bottle in the NICU a couple of times, but I threw a fit. He was two months early and born without a sucking reflex. It took him a couple of days of being at my breast the entire day and just for his body to mature to get that reflex going....but once he got it we never looked back. He's three years old and still breastfeeding

Tokasha - posted on 12/07/2011

I have my second child and she is 5 weeks old and i only exclusively breastfeed her even thought i have soreness every now and then but with my first child i had so many problems that i gave up and i completely regretted it so im sticking to it with my daughter

Erika - posted on 10/27/2009

I am exclusively breastfeeding and I am back at work full time. I do know now how much my daughter bottle eats though since I express milk for the babysitter during the day. Most of the women I know that have had little ones recently are breastfeeding. At this time we have not needed to supplement with formula at all.

Elizabeth - posted on 10/27/2009

I have recently had my fourth child, I have and am breastfeeding. I think it has been one of the best experiences in life. I fed up till 12 months with both my girls but eldest boy was 14monhs when ceased due to pregnancy I just had. Had a hard time first time but things smoothed out after first 6 weeks and no problems with any of my other children.

Leanne - posted on 10/27/2009

i formula feed due to havin massive blood loss and transfusion i was too weak to even hold my baby for the 1st 3days also due to the amount of pain killers and other medicines in my body i always said from the start i was going to bf and was dissapointed tht i couldnt also the midwifes automaticaly gave him formula

Suzi - posted on 10/26/2009

oh wow, Unless there are medical reasons I really don't know why anyone would CHOOSE to bottle feed...It just seems like so much more hard work, trying to make up a bottle while the baby is crying when you could just whack them straight on the boob before they lose it! I LOVE breast feeding, just hate how people make you feel ashamed about it in public, I don't know what has happened in the last 20 or 30 years to make people think it is such a bizzare concept. I think its just a wonderful way to bond and so healthy too. I know a lot of women who really couldn't stand it and I guess that is fair enough, we're all different...but what would they have done years and years ago when there was no such thing as formula? I don't see any other mammals substituting their own milk. I'm not having a go at anyone, just putting across a point...

Sarah - posted on 10/26/2009

My daughter was early and my milk too a week to come in so she was introduced to bottles and formula. When my milk came i began to pump and bottle feed, she wouldn't latch. I spoke to a number of lactation specialist and other moms and I just couldn't get her to latch. i have been a "prisoner to the pump". at 3 months old, she has latched in the past week but it is rare. She is a bottle baby. I will continue to pump through the flu season.

Nichole - posted on 10/26/2009

I am EBF I know what you mean by maybe it not being the norm. All my friends BF except 1 who doesnt produce enough for her big boy! but she is pumping and giving him BM. I know some cannot produce milk and this was a fear of mine. But I hardly ever see women out and about breastfeeding always bottle feeding. Since I have been back to work I have been BF BM and I like it alot more than nursing. But I want to continue to give him BM as long as I can.

Sarah - posted on 10/25/2009

I breastfeed. Have for all four of my children & i do it for as long as i can which is normally around 6months but if i can manage longer i will.

In New Zealand the measage breast is best is still very much out there. But Im with you, so long as the baby is being fed & getting what it needs, that is whats important.

Katrina - posted on 10/25/2009

I am breastfeeding as well. This is my second little one and he is 3 months now. I breastfed my first too until he was about 3.5. He didn't want to give it up, but in the end he was only nursing twice a week. I can understand a mom who can't nurse for w/e reason, but I don't understand those who don't even try. I would fight tooth and nail to breastfeed if there was a problem. Who wants to wake up in the middle of the night making bottles, a diaper bag full of bottles and formula, and has any one ever tasted the stuff.... DISGUSTING.

Odette - posted on 10/25/2009

I had trouble with my first son feeding and was encouraged to formula feed, but resisted and bf, even when he was in hospital at 4 weeks old I expressed at home and carted it in each day. I went back to study when he was 5 weeks old and expressed when i couldnt be there, he did not start any solids til he was 6 months, expresssed til he was 11 months, and i had study holidays, continued to breast feed til he was 13 months, as i was 4 months pregnant and he was biting me! weaned onto cows milk. Am now b/f my second son. I am so glad i pushed to do it, there was so much presure to bottle feed it would have been easy to give in!

Mary Catherine - posted on 10/25/2009

I am exclusively nursing and although it isn't always easy I agree that I hear about more moms bottle feeding than not. I don't know what their reasons are but I know for me I figured I would give it a try and go with it until the baby and I couldn't work together any longer or the doctor puts the baby on other foods. Hope that helps ... just remember everyone is different so just do what feels best and is right for you :-)

Sierra - posted on 10/21/2009

I am currently breastfeeding my daughter and I didn't realize how passionate I would be about it. There are over 1,000 white blood cells in just one drop of breast milk! Not only is breastfeeding such an incredible way to bond with your baby but its convinent and passes along your imunities. I know some woman struggle with breast feeding and I really admire their drive to endure through it because it offers so many wonderful advantages to your baby. I also think formula is a blessing when its needed. My sister in law had a premature baby at 4 pounds and she probably would have continued to loose weight if it had not been for the supplimentation of formula. Eventhough she supplimented with formula, she continued to breast feed for 3 months. Le Leche League was such an incredible resource for me. You really do need support because, you are absolutely right about it not being "the norm" anymore. I feel so grateful I am able to breastfed my daughter, it has really given us a special bond and given me a sense of self worth. :)

Vanessa - posted on 10/21/2009

I too am exclusively breastfeeding. It was definately hard at the start, but so easy now. I did pump and give her a bottle when she was only a week old and now when the need arrises, I have no problems.

Annie - posted on 10/19/2009

I had NO intentions of bottle feeding my child. My son, Brody, was born 9 weeks early. In the NICU they had given him a bottle (breastmilk only) after the tube feedings. It literally broke my heart. BUT, now that we're home he breastfeeds all day and one bottle at night with vitamins or when he goes to my mom's for a few hours. I truly believe in giving my child the best chance at a healthy start. However it's up to each mom to make that decision on their own. Since Brody was a preemie he's never had colic nor has gotten sick.

Danielle - posted on 10/19/2009

I was exclusively breastfeeding until I had to go back to work at 2 months. Now I breastfeed at home and pump when I am at work so that she still gets my milk at daycare. As long as the baby is gaining weight properly I wouldn't be too concerned about knowing the exact amount. When she does have a bottle she takes between 4.5-6 ounces...I think that's fairly average.

Tiffany - posted on 10/19/2009

I am breastfeeding, however I have just returned to work. So, I have to pump at work and my son receives bottles of breastmilk at the sitters. Then, at the end of the work day I get to nurse him for the night. It has been challenging, however I stuck with it. When I pump my son usually takes about 6 oz. (he is 3 months old). Of course, while nursing him I can't tell how much he receives, but he is satisified so I know it's enough.

Debbie - posted on 10/18/2009

I love breastfeeding. My youngest has taken a bottle of breast milk when I have let him stay with Nana. Most women who don't breastfeed don't want to or they can't

Liane - posted on 10/18/2009

I am exclusively breast feeding and my son rarely ever drinks from a bottle, he is 3 months old today and my partner(baby's daddy) has only ever given him a bottle 3-4 times (when i am out on errands and they stay home). we also do not plan on introducing solids until he is 1yr old and i plan on breast feeding at least until the age of 2yrs old or longer if possible.

Lori - posted on 10/17/2009

My little guy was in the NICU for a week, and he was only fed through an IV, then they used my pumped milk in a bottle, so we had a hard time, but I was persistant. He is now exclusively breastfeeding. I pump at work and freeze it for my provider and husband to use.

Jennifer - posted on 10/12/2009

This is my first time breastfeeding. I did not breast feed for my first child but when I was pregnant with my second child I researched as much as I could on breast feeding. I am so glad I did! I have been exclusively breastfeeding my beautiful 2 month old daughter and I can't imagine ever bottle feeding again! She latched on like a tropper! I still haven't gained the confidence to breastfeed in public, but I'm working on it!

Tracy - posted on 10/11/2009

I am still exclusively breastfeeding, just got my confidence to do it in public too rather than hiding in a parents room!

Kelcie - posted on 10/11/2009

I breastfeed my daughter but if I want to go out for a few hours with my friends or just have some time to myself or maybe not want to get up at night a few times and leave pumped milk for daddy I think there is nothing wrong with that at all.

Tracey - posted on 10/07/2009

I am exclusively breastfeeding and will pump to feed once I go back to work! I think its wonderful and my daughter is growing like a little flower! :)

Kristen - posted on 10/07/2009

I also exclusively breastfeed. I see no reason to use formula when i believe that breastmilk is the best you can give your baby. But I do know of some women who had hard time getting their babys to latch on properly. Ouch! I also have a baby who took breastfeeding naturally.. thank God!

Amber - posted on 10/07/2009

I am EBF and personally never considered formula feeding. I did have to supplement with formula at first because I wasn't producing enough milk. Now we are both doing wonderfully with BF'ing.

Amy - posted on 10/05/2009

I am exclusivley breastfeeding and wouldn't have it any other way. I didn't consider it as being so time consuming or difficult until I returned to work and have been demeaned and chastized for the time it takes me to pump on my lunch break or when I feed my 3 month old in the morning before I leave for work. I still won't change my wish to give my baby the best I can by breastfeeding her. I still feel it's the most natural way and I wouldn't change it now that I have begun such a wonderful bond with my little girl. I have co-workers who have wished they could have breast fed and others who were very uncomfortable with the idea. I guess it's just a matter of what you as a mom are comfortable with.

Jaime - posted on 10/04/2009

I am EBF currently, on my second. He has gotten formula only right after he was born, as he was hypoglycemic (don't know if i spelled that right) and that was the only time. . I am planning to breastfeed for at least a year. I BF my first for almost 9 months, and then my ob suggested that I ween, since I was pregnant. so i did, which i now regret. Everyone says that breastfeeding is harder than formula, but I say no way. Bottles are not fun to wash, or make when you have got a ready made bottle, that is self cleaning (lol) available at moments notice, attached to you (no worries about being in public without a bottle!) I am so glad to see there are so many dedicated breastfeeding moms out there!

Kerri - posted on 10/04/2009

i've been breastfeeding my girl since she was born on july 21 , i almost gave up after a few days cos she grazed me something terrible, only to learn she wasn't latched on right. after 2 older kids , i thought i knew wat i was doing lol. the hard part for me is just the lack of sleep..but i know its the best thing for her. its good to see so many mums still doing it, i dont feel alone anymore ! whooo lol

Jessica - posted on 10/04/2009

I'm exclusively breastfeeding. She's my third baby, I breastfed my other 2 when they were babies, although I didn't stick with it and gave up around 3 months. This time around it's going great and I have no intentions of giving up.

Stacey - posted on 10/03/2009

I've been breast feeding my 3 month old son since he was born. It has been a wonderful experience, to bond with him & provide such healthy food for him. So glad it has worked out well, for I want to try avoid formula as much as possible. Luckily he latched on right after birth & my milk started like 4-5 days later. I was worried it may not but did not want to give up, the lactation consultants said it could take even a few weeks. I think that's why some decide not to it, they think they can't produce milk & go to the forumla. That and it was somewhat painful at first, but once we both got the hang of it everything went smoothly.

Since I've been back to work I manage to pump twice & fill bottles for my husband to give him during the day. It's worked out like a charm! Oh and the Medela double breast pump is awesome, highly recomend it. Comes in a convienent backpack with everything you need, very nice.

Stephanie - posted on 10/03/2009

hi, i bf my first child for 6 months but ended up bottle feeding him after that as I was stressing, he wasn't sleeping well and was very unsettled and hungry all the time. When we put him on the bottle we all calmed down, he started sleeping through the night very early and was much more content so it worked well for us with him.



With our second child I bf her till she was 9 months old. It was a huge pain though as she was a huge baby at 10lb and just fed all the time.. I couldn't get a break and was exhausted. I also needed more surgery after I had her so was ill as well but persisted as I felt it was better for her.. but in the end she got into bad habits (bf to sleep, sleeping in bed with me etc..) and I was very moody and unhappy with it all.. I was so glad when I put her on the bottle at 9 months and she was more content as well as was fuller quicker and also settled into a good routine going into her cot for the first time and sleeping through the night so everybody did much better.



With my 3rd child.. I wanted to bottle feed from the start. I never had any thoughts about bf as I just honestly didn't have the time to sit and feed and feed for hours.. I had two other kids to take care of.. but as my pregnancy went on it was a nightmare pregnancy and I was very ill with a lot of complications. I ended up in ICU after delivery and was very ill for a long time so was glad I had planned to bottle feed and we've never looked back it's been great! my husband can help and we used to share the night feeds for a long time there before dh went back to work so it worked really well for us.



I guess it depends where you live to.. we lived in Ireland were bottle feeding is the norm.. but here in Brisbane, Australia everybody seems to breastfeed I've found.. it's quite frowned upon to bottle feed so complete opposite to Ireland.



I disagree with the propoganda about health benefits.. but I think what is more important is the mothers well being. If a mother wants to bf she should be able to do so and be supported in that.. if she wants to bottlefeed she shouldn't be judged for that either. her mental well being is all that is important. happy mummy = happy baby!

Saskia - posted on 09/30/2009

Quoting lindsey:

i have three children i bottle fed the 2 eldest but breast feeding my new one who is 8 weeks old now it ha smade me regret not feeding the other 2 bybreast though. even though it is a bit sore at first it is enjoyable and to be able to bond more with your baby is greta i do think however there should be more places outside the home that are breast feeding friendly as i have brought closer to nature bottles for when i express and my little one will not take to a teat at all so would be easer if there were more places to breast feed a baby

my son was the same and if he had to take a bottle he screamed for 30 min first it took until he was put on the bottle (because i had trouble bonding with my new bump) at 9 months to take the bottle nicely

Saskia - posted on 09/30/2009

I am exclusivly breast feeding and very proud of it I'm the only one of my friends with kids that does it! I just got a compliment of a total stranger for it because I'm so young and doing it. I also feed my son exclusivly for nearly 6 months and generally until i found out i was pregnant again. I love going it and don't understand why people choose not to even though they can ( i DO understand all mums that want to but can't)

Nicole - posted on 09/29/2009

I wouldnt do anything else so convenient and cheap $$$'s wise, plus is great for baby. I have BF all 3 of my boys. I also dont judge you have to do whats right for you.

Sarah - posted on 09/29/2009

Hi... I know the feeling with sore nipples, I used to just about leap out of the chair when he latched on, but my sister recommended I use Lansinoh cream, it is a lanolin cream that you don't have to wash off to feed, and is miraculous - heals them just about in between feeds... I found it fantastic. Within a couple of days I was healed completely and no probs. Hope it works out for you. Fenugreek is meant to be excellent at bringing milk in. Just make sure you drink plenty of water too... Where abouts do you live?? I would love to catch up with some mums near me.. I'm in SE QLD

Tammy - posted on 09/29/2009

Quoting Tammy:

My son is 11 weeks old and at the moment is getting breast and formula. For the first 4 weeks of his life we had alot of trouble bf, my nipples were split and bleeding, i dreaded each feed. I had to stop because the pain got to much. I started him on formula and expressed breast milk for 3 weeks until my nipples healed, so I tried again but my nipples split again after 2 days. I waited another week or so and tried again and was successful third time round. i would love to exclusively bf but only problem now is my milk supply is low, so i am frequent feeding and taking fenugreek, hopefully it works. So thats my reason.

Woohoo! Milk supply is back up and I am exclusively bf!!

Sarah - posted on 09/29/2009

Hi. I have my first bub, now 10wks old today, and I am breastfeeding completely. A friend of mine had her baby shortly after me and put her straight on formula, wasn't interested in breastfeeding at all. I can't' understand it - I think it is the most natural thing in the world and better for bub. For people who can't feed, fair enough to go to formula, but if you can I think you should...