breast feed or not!?

Tammy - posted on 02/09/2011

I did not breast feed my first, but did my second. I was a terrific experience. I went back to work when she was only 6 weeks old, was able to nurse her during my lunch hour, pumped after the last feeding and supplemented with formula when necessary. I nursed her until she was one. If I have another child I would definitely nurse.

Jeannine - posted on 02/09/2011

Yah I tried the cabbage, it didn't work for me. The only time it didn't hurt was when I breast feed while pregnant with my last! Then I had a clogged ducked in my right nipple it swelled a bit. I had to stop breast feeding one breast. I breast fed two kids on one breast! Lol but I finely got fed up and weaned the older one! I did try to stop breast feeding him several times but he put up a fight! I think he finally knew I had it, and stopped without a fuss! He was the longest I ever breast fed any of my kids! He was three, but it was the only thing that settled him down. My youngest weaned herself when she was ready, I think she was younger than a year, but she's very independent! I breast fed my twins for a year. My oldest two I only breast fed them for only a few months. Just talking about it makes me miss having babies around!

Annie - posted on 02/09/2011

i would say Breast Feed. I breast feed both of my kids. It hurt at first when I started, but I learned that if you put just a little cabbage on you're nipples it helps so that you are not sore.

When you nurse you do get that bonding experience. The biggest thing, so that the others do not feel left out at that point when you are nursing, would be to read to them or an activity.

Alisha - posted on 02/07/2011

Breastfeeding was great! You should get lanolin which is a cream you put on the first few weeks for sure because you will be sore. After you get over that then it's a breeze! I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how nice it is and not having to make and wash bottles! Ask a lot of questions to the lactation consultants at the hospital and get their phone numbers so you can call them with all your questions when you get home! Don't give up, you can do it!

Jessica - posted on 02/04/2011

you forgot to add their poop doesn't smell as bad and they have an easier time pooping because breast milk has a natural laxative in it.

Jeannine - posted on 01/29/2011

I breastfeed all six of my children, even a set of twins! I enjoyed every minute of it. I do admit sometime in the beginning, when you first start it hurts. I think the first week is the hardest because your nipple hurt. I would get blister because they weren't used to all the activity. I'd recommend prepping them as much as you can, get your hubby to help! Another thing that might happen is your uterus contracts more stronger after birth every time you feed. No one told me this and when I started feeding the twins I felt like I was in labor again! When your milk comes in they get real engorged and hurt! Now please don't be scared I just laid the truth out there so you can be prepared! It is worth it when you get past your first couple of weeks! It's nice not getting up and make bottles, formula, going out and just having to bring diapers. Just taking time to sit down rest and enjoy your baby feeding looking into your eyes, the connection you get. I know I miss it sometimes, my youngest is 8 yrs now!

Larissa - posted on 01/28/2011

I was breastfeeding my daughter the first 6 months. I had my old baby withing 2-3 months and was even a lot lighter than before I got pregnant. It was really comfortable at nights because I could go lay down and every time she fell asleep. At first it hurts a lot at the beginning but it gets better very soon. And its a lot easier if you are somewhere outside if its shopping or wherever because you dont have to carry around the things you need for feeding with a bottle.
But its everyone's own decision if you feel comfortable with it or not. Good luck!

Codie - posted on 01/27/2011

i'm so glad that so many women are supporting bf! i was worried that some might try to discourage you. you should join the breastfeeding moms community here on circle of moms. there, all of your questions will be answered with factual, scientific information about why you should bf. not to mention the amazing amount of support you will find! bf is the best decision i've made about being a mother, i love it and i wouldn't trade it for anything:) good luck. and i personally don't believe it's a matter of if you CAN bf or not, its a matter of how much determination you have to bf no matter WHAT. when your baby is born, don't let docs/nurses tell you to give up if baby won't latch. ask for a nipple shield. if the baby can drink from a bottle, there's absolutely no reason why baby can't nurse with a nipple shield. escentially it's a plastic piece that acts as an extension of your own nipple. don't give up!

Tiffany - posted on 01/27/2011

I just gave birth about two weeks ago and I had made the decision before hand that I would breastfeed after also reading and researching about the benefits of breastfeeding. Yes at first it hurts because the baby has to latch on properly, but once they do it really doesnt hurt much...my daughter has gotten to the point where she'll just latch on by herself. I also like the different positions you can be in while nursing, I totally agree with Jessica on the nursing while laying down it really does come in handy when you're in bed trying to sleep. All it takes is patience and dedication and you'll be just fine. I say you wont know unless you try and if you dont like it you can always stop.

KELLIKAYZ - posted on 01/27/2011

I WENT DIRECTLY BACK TO WORK FOLLOWING THE BIRTH OF MY NOW 14 AND 18 YEAR OLD SONS. I WAS NOT ABLE TO BREAST FEED EITHER. I KNOW THAT I CANNOT CHANGE THAT NOW AND I KNOW I DID WHAT I HAD TO DO AT THAT TIME BUT TO DO IT ALL OVER, I TRULY WISH I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BREAST FEED!! GOOD LUCK!

Amanda - posted on 01/26/2011

There are some great books and plenty of online sites about breastfeeding and problems as well as fixes. The best way to be successful is to educate yourself so you can spot problems early and fix them before you get frustrated and want to quit

Jessica - posted on 01/25/2011

they have wonderful nursing covers at target that are great. i had a hard time nursing in public with blankets until i bought the nursing cover!!

as for it hurting? i nursed five kids and each one hurt like a bitch the first week then it got way better and stopped hurting completely.

my kids never get sick. my oldest is 11, my youngest is one. they each only get sick once or twice a year and that is about it!!! and trust me, that is super nice. they also hardly ever get ear infections either...

but it is your choice in the end what you want to do.

Kelly - posted on 01/25/2011

i didn't breast feed my oldest 2 but breast fed all the rest...it was easier not having to carry bottles/formula/etc.. around all the time, no bottles to wash/mix up with a couple of mine i had to supplement w/ formula tho too due to health issues but it all worked out.

Toni - posted on 01/25/2011

It's definatly your decision and what you feel comfortable with. With me I wanted to do so because of the health benefits of nursing and bonding with my baby. I found the experience rewarding. It definatly helped with my sons immune system and digestive health. He have a hernia and the doctor suggested nursing up to a year just to incase there were any digestive problems. I did work full time and it was challenging to nurse with my line of work because it does require for me to do alot of traveling but dry ice, a good storage bag and my medela pump became my best friend. My job also made it easier to wean my son because although he was almost exclusively fed breast milk he was use to not nursing the whole time. He was a was a wierd baby though he never liked bottles so at 3 months when I returned to work he started drinking out of a cup. It is a wonderful experience and I would suggest giving it a try.

Shanythia - posted on 01/25/2011

The breast is best, i'd get to know a lactation consultant asap so you can be educated on everything you need to know, it'll help you make your decision. i breastfed as long as my let me and i loved it, it was the best for my daughter and i wouldn't trade the experience for anything in the world!!! :) plus, if you don't love it, you can always go back to the bottle. I'm obiously biased on the subject, but i do believe that breastmilk is best for newborns and if you can make it through the first two weeks, you can do ANYTHING!
take care

Hannah - posted on 01/25/2011

I would go for it, for SO MANY REASONS!
Breast fed children are healthier, sick less, so they cost less in healthcare bills, there isn't the cost of formula, nor the inconveinance of bottles. Not to mention the bonding experience.

I STRONGLY reccomend you contact your local La Leche League. They will be able to help you find the right support and assistance towards breastfeeding. they will probably have support groups, and be able to reccomend a lactation consultant as well. I would look into this PRIOR to birth! Don't be discouraged if you have some latching problems or difficulty breastfeeding at the start, this is new for you and your baby! just ask for help rather than go for the bottle! Make sure the hospital and delivery nurses are aware that you want to breastfeed as well, so they can help you post birth!
trust me - this is an experience you won't regret!

Jennifer - posted on 01/25/2011

what are you wary of?

I think you should try it. Before I actually breastfeed my son I had completely different views than I do now. It never hurts to try and if it isn't for you and your baby there are always other ways.

I personally wouldn't trade anything for the experience of nursing my son.

Vanessa - posted on 01/25/2011

Agree with both the other ladies - this is my first BF experience, on child number 3!
I love it!! yes it does hurt at first and you can feel like you've got rocks attached to your chest at times --- but it settles and it's great!!!! I wanted to give up one week in, but im stubborn and its worth it!
Do it if you can babe ---- you wont regret persevering with it!

Stephanie - posted on 01/24/2011

breast is best for baby and its such a wonderful bonding experience only you and bub can have together for me it was very painful for the first week i would litterally cry if someone said my son was hungry and scream when he latched but after about a week it slowely gets better then after a couple of weeks you dont even know bub is on there absolutely no pain whatsoever and yerr its soooo much easier for night feeds just wack bub on n thats it lol

Jessica - posted on 01/21/2011

for me it was easier because i did not have to get up in the middle of the night to feed the baby. i kept a cup of water next to the bed with some diapers, wipes, and a few outfits for quick changing. my baby slept next to me and when she was hungry, i would lift up my shirt, put it in her mouth, and go back to sleep. if i needed to do anything, i was up for less than ten minutes! it helped with sleep and i often times woke up rested and ready to face the day with my other kids. i also started a bottle early when we had to run errands like grocery shopping or when we were in the car for too long so i did not have to stop and nurse in the middle of the store (my kids would have run away and over taken the store if i did that!!) but i waited until 4 to 6 weeks to do that and i only limited bottles when we were out and about and i could not nurse (unless i was by myself). it was pretty easy (and makes it easier to wean later on!). just put some books next to you when you nurse so you can read stories to your other children. the tv is also your best friend for your kids when you need to nurse!!! i would buy a boppy pillow. they work wonders and help you to be hands free when you nurse. once my kids were sleeping through the night better i started putting them in a bassinet at night so they got in the habit of sleeping by themselves. usually at three months or so. but during the day i always put them in there to sleep so they would be used to it and not shocked when i suddenly started putting them in there to sleep!



i would also stock the fridge with easy snacks that the other kids can grab so you aren't getting up every ten minutes to feed them or making them something. i also bought a lot of really easy meals like peanut butter and jelly and microwave meals to make when you can't find time to cook and your kids are hungry. another thing that helped was a sling to carry the baby around in when you needed your hands free. i nursed all five of my kids and i am a single mom. it is possible! my other advice is keep your other children on the same schedule that they have now so things are a little bit predictable for you and for them. that makes it easier and your baby will get used to it too.