Not sure if I should breastfeed or not?

KAKI - posted on 08/22/2010

also----

cons---
*contractions- when you nurse your uterus contracts the same way it did when

you were in labor. the pain can be excruciating for the first day or so, but then

subsides to cramps like your period, and goes away completley after the first

week. the contractions are very good for you though. they shrink your uterus

back into size and shape quickly, strengthen ALL of your pelvic muscles, and

restore your bodies strength more quickly.

*sore or cracked nipples- with my girl they were worse, which was attributed

to hormones. i had to put socks on her hands because she scratched me even

with short nails! and after every feeding i swiped some of the breastmilk

around the areola and let it air dry. works better than any ointment. babies

saliva is also like acid. its meant to breakdown solids, thats why if you feed a

baby food from a jar and then look at the remaining half 20-30 min later, it's

turned to water. the breast milk though contains living organisms in it that are

an absolute miracle cure-all. here's why:
http://books.google.com/books?id=J3ggdC_...

breast+milk+live+organism&source=bl&ots=8nkLvu6tsT&sig=O2aghb1LZ1wB_

BSrvDmsz1OqrgQ&hl=en&ei=XzlxTJybCcT48AaN4N3jCw&sa=X&oi=book_resu

lt&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBsQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=breast%20milk%2

0live%20organism&f=false
plus, after a while, she became more difficult. squirmy, picky about which side

and hold (only liked a football hold), and her lack of attention was very

frustrating because i had things to do and she just wanted to lay there with my

boob in her mouth and not suck! so...... i just pumped it and gave her a bottle.

she was still getting the milk, and i was much happier having the pump that

sucked non-stop and didn't fall asleep or worse just lay there and stare at me! plus, it's SO nice to let the pump do its

job and drain it ALL and get some relief, and know that your body won't cut

the production amount back, just because the baby is not eating it all. your

body will do that on its own so be careful not to allow it to. the more you feed

and pump the more it will make. trust me please! during growth spurts, the

baby will act like its STARVING, just stay calm and let your milk adjust itself!

put the baby on every time he's "hungry" fussing, and after about 24 hours you

will have a whole lot more milk come in, and the baby will satisfy. in the

meantime DONT SUPPLIMENT. the baby wont starve. when he is

supplemented with cereal or formula, he satisfies and doesn't suck enough for

your body to make more milk. this is why most women cant get past the

second growth spurt!! they do this in a panic, and then the baby becomes

dependant on that fill, and your body begins to deplete its milk out of less use

and need. if you can make it through the 2nd and 3rd growth spurts you've got

it made!! and they don't always have to nurse to get it. if you feel wierd about

having an older baby nursing, or nursing in public, or whatever else, just pump it and give it in a bottle. HOWEVER,

YOU MUST REMEMBER---- DO NOT SHAKE THE BOTTLE OF BREAST MILK

OR HEAT IN HOT WATER OR MICROWAVE!!! YOU WILL KILL THE GOOD

HEALING BACTERIAS!!! if its cold or frozen and you have time, just set it out

on the counter and let it thaw by itself to room temperature, then stick it in a

bowl of warm water and swirl in a circle until just right. if youre in a hurry

you can thaw it in warm water, but try to remember to set a bag down the

night before or at least several hours in adavance. it sounds high maintenance,

but its easier than you think to breast feed. you can always call me if you need

help too. 8 1 7 6 2 9 2 6 7 2

*milk leaking- for me i didn't know what to expect with my first. i hadn't

leaked yet, he was 6 days old, and i hadn't really pumped yet, so i was FULL. i was at a resturant for a birthday party, and

suddenly my milk started gushing. he was asleep, but then i realized that there was a baby crying

on the other side of the resturant. seriously. your brain is always talking to

your body even when you arent aware of it and its not even your baby!! that

only happened once. after that i always had pads and pumped constantly!




pros---
*sleeping while feeding- not something to promote because there is always a

chance that you could smother the baby, but sometimes you have to get some

sleep so that you dont become irritated with the baby and grow animosity

toward it for not letting you sleep. this DOES happen, especially in the middle

of the nite (or day if it was a long nite). without meaning for it to, most women

go through this at some point, and in some cases it can be dangerous. if this

becomes the case, you need to lay on the side of the breast that you are feeding

with and place the baby in one of those wedge pillows (

http://www.babynation.co.nz/epages/babyn...

/babynation/Products/%22T265%20-%20Sleep%20Ez%22 ) remember,

attitude, feelings, thoughts, and ability to care for the baby, ALL depend on the

amount of sleep, food, liquid, and mental rest that you are getting. guilt is a

hard thing for a mother to get over, so make it ok with yourself. if your not

happy, neither is anyone who is affected by you. and don't EVER blame your

older child for still needing care and attention. they too can grow animosity

toward the newcomer so try not to forget that one day they had 100% of you,

and the next they are lucky to get 10%.

*lasts longer- because breastmilk is 'alive', it lasts longer at room temperature

than formula. when you stop nursing at nite, it is ok to make a bottle of breast

milk and keep it on the nite stand until the next morning, and after a while your baby won't care if its heated or not.

*breast cancer- think about it. your milk comes in no matter what. what happens to it if its not released from your body? it is strongly believed that breastfeeding signifigantly reduces the risks of breast cancer.

*feeling of REAL accomplishment- we all know what that feeling can do for you and everything to do with you, body and mind!

*breast milk the "cure-all"-
this is all verified. these will help you understand the differnence in breast and

other.

http://iinformedparenting.blogspot.com/2...

ml

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...

uses.html

Jenna - posted on 08/22/2010

Shutting it down. A lot of great responses on here.

Amanda, if you have any other concerns/questions about breastfeeding then I think you should direct them towards your pediatrician/obstetrician/mid-wife/ or local health office. Good luck to you.

Michelle - posted on 08/22/2010

I breasfed both of my kids. It is more inconvienient and so on but so worth it. There is alot more nutrients in breastmilk. I always wonder what formula is actually made out of, a powder that is supposed to giva a baby all the nutrients that it needs..........hmmm don`t think so. I also think my kids and I have a special bond because of it, and they rarely get sick. It will not hurt to try.

Rachel - posted on 08/22/2010

I have twin boys and a daughter....I pumped with my boys and breast fed my daughter...I feel breast feeding is the best thing to do...Breast milk has all the nutrients that a baby needs....Formula these days run about $15 a can...When I switched my daughter to formula she used up one can every other day....Thats $45 a week...It may hurt at times to breast feed, but I promise you that it's the best thing to do....My sister n law breast feeds and bottle feeds...First feeding is breast milk and second feeding is formula...SHe says that works out pretty good.

Tiffany - posted on 08/22/2010

I have 3 children oldest two are boys 4 and 2, that I didnt brestfeed. i have a 3 month old girl that i am brestfeeding. i love it and would reccomend it to anyone. i thought i would be harder but really it has turned out to be much easier. the hard part is getting though the pain of the first two weeks, after that it dosent hurt at all. theres so many benifets of it... how good it is for your baby first of all, but also its much easier at night you dont have to get up and make bottles, and i didnt know for a while but you can brestfeed while your laying down which is much more comfortiable after dilivering its hard to get up and down alot. no dirty bottles, no worring about packing formula around or having to worry about how your going to warm it, the bond you have with your baby is amazing, the list goes on and on i love it and i think you will too!

Sarh - posted on 08/21/2010

Definitely breast feed! It is amazing! The only cons are if baby does not latch properly which can cause you nipple pain. There are soo many pros! I only bled for maybe 3 wks! My baby is so healthy, no ear infections! I only nursed my daughter until she was about 4 weeks old because I had to have a CT scan done and was told to pump and dump it out. Which I cried every time I tried to dump it, but after that she had chronic ear infections! There are so many more pros! DO IT! :)

Lexi - posted on 08/21/2010

Hi Amanda,
I am mom to a BUSY 14 month old who I just weaned a month ago. I fully endorse breastfeeding. A) It is FREE!!! I have friends who's milk supplies have dried up for various reasons, and they spend $30+ a week on formula for their babies! Imagine what you could do with that extra money if you breastfed!! B) Formula stains, stinks, etc....

I had a hard time with breastfeeding the first month after my daughter was born. I actually cried to my mom about how painful it was, saying that if formula was cheaper, I'd totally use it. After my daughter learned how to properly latch on, it was MUCH easier. I now advise all my pregnant friends to seek out a lactation consultant as soon as your baby is born. Hospitals have them. Take advantage of that, and don't be afraid to ask for help if you feel like you and your baby aren't figuring it out right away.

Now, someone above commented about the hard time they are having with weaning because they nursed their baby to sleep. My best advice for that is: try the BabyWise method! That routine is eat, awake, sleep. For example, when my baby woke up in the morning, I nursed her, we played for a bit, and then an hour or so later when she was getting tired, I placed her in her bed, and let her learn how to put herself to sleep. Best thing I ever did. She's always been a super napper/sleeper. Sometimes if she stayed awake long enough that I knew she'd be hungry, I'd feed her right before putting her down. You'll know when your baby needs to eat!!

I'd also suggest pumping and bottle feeding at least one bottle a day. My baby took a bottle the first month, when I was lazy about breastfeeding, and then when I really stuck to it, I never had a reason to give her another bottle, and she STOPPED taking them altogether!! So if you want to have any semblance of a life, make sure if you breastfeed to try to still sneak that bottle in once a day. Maybe have Daddy or Big Sister feed that bottle. I'm sure they'd both love it!!!


GOOD LUCK!!!!

ASHLEY - posted on 08/21/2010

CONS: It can be tough in the begining (6-8 wks) you and baby need to learn how to nurse. You have to get the hang of nursing discreetly when neccessary.
PROS: You almost never have to wash bottles. Many health benefits for both you and baby. Never have to pay for or carry formula around. Out of his entire 1st year my son had one ear infection no other illnesses... your antibodies are in your milk so they help baby fight off illness. I loved the bonding I was sad when he stopped nursing (1yr)

Kim - posted on 08/21/2010

Hi Amanda,
I have three girls age 5, 3, and 5 months. I breast fed the older two and am still currently with the baby. I do use formula occasionally when I leave them with family. If you do decide to breast fed the most important step if finding good support. If you have a lactation consultant or health nurse in your area that can assist you when your getting started it can make all the difference. My favorite parts of breast feeding are feeding laying down at night and not paying for formula. That and the cuddles are great but bottle babes can get great cuddles too. I should mention that I didn't have a really easy time getting started and did experience some cracking etc. but if you really decide it's what you want to do, for the most part with great support you can do it.

Aby - posted on 08/21/2010

I breastfed with both of my babies, but with my son it did hurt me a while, cause he had a very firm grip, that I wasn't use to and I cried a many of nights trying to get him fed, but still I continued to do it because I felt that it was the right thing to do for my child. With my daughter on the other hand, I could've breastfed her forever. I loved it every second of it. I had gotten use to it and she never hurt me and the only reason that I had to stop with her, is because I chose to get the tubaligation surgery done and when I got that done, they were suppose to give me a medicine that could've affected my baby through my breast milk, so I had to ween her off of me before that time came. I didn't want to, but I did. It's such an experience and a closeness with your child that you share the closeness is so worth every second. To hold them next to you and to know that you are feeding them that milk that is coming directly from you, which is all part of the cycle of motherhood. A beautiful thing! Bottles are fine, but you still don't get the bonding when you use them as you do with your breasts and that has more meaning behind it. Good luck in your decision making!:)

Sarah - posted on 08/21/2010

Both of my boys were premature and I planned on breastfeeding exclusively. However, plans were changed due to their low birth weight. They were put on formula to supplement. My first made it to 6 months with only 1 bottle of formula a day and decided that he liked that he didn't have to work as hard with a bottle. My second has gone all the way to 1 year old with only 1 bottle of formula a day. I would definitally recommend at least giving breastfeeding a try. Don't let people pressure you into going one way or the other. Make the decision based on you and your child's needs. A bit of advice: Make sure that your nurses know that you haven't breastfed before, that way they can give you a hand at baby's first feeding. My friend decided to breastfeed her third child, after formula feeding the others and the nurses assumed she knew how to breastfeed. Poor thing had a really hard time with it and was in so much pain by the time the lactation consultant came to see her the next day. Good luck!

Cindy - posted on 08/21/2010

I can only tell you about my experience and that is, I breastfed (in fact I still am). I personally love that I have been able to BF. That is not to say it was always easy. In the beginning it was hard and it hurt but I got help at a local breastfeeding clinic and keep at it.
There are many pros to bf both to you (reduces your risk of breast and cervical cancer for example) and your baby (the antibodies you pass on ward off all types of common illnesses). The only con I could personally think of is I always have to be around for feedings. I should have kept pumped. I did in the beginning and then stopped because we didn't need the bottles. Then when I started again (around 6 months) it was too late, I could hardly get any milk. So next time I will keep up with the pumping just to provide some flexibility. Even with this con I'd still BF again next time.

Now, you need to decide what is right for you and your family. If you choose to BF because that's right for your family then good. If you choose not too because that's what's right for you then that is also good. It is your family and your body, you make the decision and don't let anybody make you feel bad for what ever you decide to do.

Jenna - posted on 08/21/2010

If you want to breastfeed your child then do it for the reasons for your child. If not, it's ok. As much as everyone says the only reason they lost baby weight was from breastfeeding and the only reason their children aren't sick is breastfeeding is all subjective advice. I lost all my baby weight plus an additional 20 pounds without breastfeeding and my son is 20 months old without any illness, allergies, problems, etc .,, As have many, many other mothers and children I know.

So, only you can make the decision to breastfeed. Try it, don't try it. Just be confident in yourself no matter your decision. Don't beat yourself up if you don't breastfeed, and don't allow anyone else to beat you up for it either. Also, don't set up expectations either way. Don't worry about the after effects of breastfeeding. If you're going to do it, do it for the present moment, otherwise, if you don't lose all the extra weight or if you child falls ill you may find yourself doubting your decision or blaming yourself. You can bond just as well wiht your child whether you breastfeed or not. It all comes down to you and your baby. Good luck to you!

Crystal - posted on 08/21/2010

The pros definitely outway the cons and I feel they are some of the many small sacrifices mothers have to make. I never experienced the pain or soreness that other women talk about, but it does happen. Sometimes it's frustrating that you always have to be the one to feed baby, but it's so rewarding.
I know a lot of women wonder whether they should breast or formula feed, but I feel that there wasn't even any choice for me. There was no reason for me to use formula and I don't think most moms who do really need to. It can be overwhelming especially if you work and have to pump, and sometimes awkward when around uncomfortable family of friends, but there is no doubt that breastfeeding is the best choice and we all want the best for out children.

Sarah - posted on 08/21/2010

I have attempted to breastfeed both of my children. I lasted 3 weeks with my first daughter before I went on a trip to my sister's that totally threw everything off. With my 2nd I last 4 months & then had to stop due to digestion problems. I am hoping to be able to go long-term with this baby to be able to avoid any issues with formula like I have before. There are a lot of positives to breastfeeding so I would say that you should try it if you're interested. But if its not for you don't beat yourself up over it. You have to do what works for you and your family. Hope that helps.

Victoria - posted on 08/21/2010

I breastfed my daughter for a little over 2 yrs. The advice that i can give is, its really a bonding experience. It reduces your chance of breast cancer and provides better nutrients for your baby. My daughter is almost 4 and never gets sick and its due to breastfeeding. Also i lost all my baby weight with in 8months! The first couple weeks of breastfeeding is definitely a learning process for the both of u. don't give up. i remember crying at first because I was so aggravating, but it was worth it.

Daria - posted on 08/21/2010

Pros: getting back in shape quick ( my stomach came back to pre pregnancy by 2nd week after delivery)
You don't bleed for long
the healthiest you can give your child and no preparation
Con: It's uncomfortable at first until your breasts get used to it ( it's my 3rd week and mine are finally used to it)
Can be very painful if the nipple is not in far enough
Feedings take longer ( my suggestion is do formula or pumped breast milk at night so you can go to sleep quicker)

There are also many health benefits for the mother and the child that you can research about...hope this helped and good luck :)

Kristin - posted on 08/21/2010

Hi. I just wanted to tell you my experience. My son was very jaundiced when he was born 9 months ago. I had a hard time feeding at first. He was just so tired all the time that he had a hard time latching. But once my milk came in it started working a lot easier. He started latching much better and was just happier. I'm still nursing him and hope to keep it up until he's a year old. I was just planning on nursing until he was 6 months old but he doesn't like bottles so it's just easier to keep him on the breast. I think he could go from breast to cow's milk. Good luck!

Denise - posted on 08/21/2010

Hi you've heard most of the pros and cons to breastfeeding so I'm not repeating them what hasn't been mentioned though is that you dont actualy have to decide til you have your baby and once you give birth if you choose to brestfeed the best way for it to be successful is if you trust that you can do it. Confidence is the key. Without it it can be very difficult. You have to concentrate on your baby for the first few times as I found moreso on my 4th child. My third was the easiest but as she was only 17mths when I had my 4th I found it harder to breast feed as i was worrying about my older daughter instead of my tiny new one. This made it more difficult my milk supply wasn't as free and then I started to doubt myself and it got worse, once I started to be confident about it and concentrate on her while feeding it all fell into place and I was able to continue til she was 7 mths (I stop when they get teeth its not good having to put plasters in and feed later),
Also there is a connection to the TMJ a muscle that can only be developed by breastfeeding which allows a child to help soothe themselves and release any tension. It makes a huge difference in later life to know how to internally ease your stresses and tensions. Above all things this is your decision and either way no one can tell you if your right or wrong as only you can decide and if you choose to breast feed and are unsuccessful never feel that you've failed as things happen for a reason and being a mum isn't about getting everything all right all the time, each step is a lesson for both mum and child and no one has all the right answers all we can do is our best. Best of luck with your newest adventure

Crystal - posted on 08/21/2010

Im in the same boat my daughter is 4 and I have one on the way, I didnt breastfeed my daughter but I think I am going to try and do half and half with this one

Kristy - posted on 08/21/2010

I absolutley loved breast feeding, hurt for the first week, but after that it was great. I bf my daughter for the 1st year, and y son for 3mth- milk dried up. so I have done both. there are a lot of pro's. but in the end its up to you. dont let people pressure you into it. and if your worried about it making your breast sag, don't. cause it dosent matter if you do or dont, the sweeling of your breasts from pregnancy and milk coming in took care of that. good luck.

Theresa - posted on 08/21/2010

i didnt breastfeed my first and im due on the way and im going to try it again hopefully i stick with it it is much healthier for the baby and cheaper!

Victoria - posted on 08/21/2010

Hello, your situation and mine were quite similar! I am also 28 and have a six year old and we had a new baby this year. I didn't breastfeed the first for a variety of reasons (he was a prem baby so feeding was more difficult). I felt a bit torn this time too. In the end I just waited to see how I felt, and that is what I would advise you to do.

Don't allow yourself to feel pressured or bullied into doing something you don't want to do. If you decide you don't want to then do not allow people to guilt trip you. However if you want to try but are just a bit frightened of succeeding then get the right help and go for it.

In the end my baby was combination fed. I was going to bottle feed again, but he was constantly looking to go on the breast so because he was naturally led to I let him and it was absolutely fine. But I didn't feel pressured.

Whatever you decide will be the right decision for you!

Tara - posted on 08/21/2010

There are many many pros with breastfeeding but you just have to do what you think is right for you and your baby. Regardless of what anyone says to you. Don't let people put you down or make you feel bad in any way. As a mother, we have to do what we think is right. That being said :) I breastfed for 3 months with my daughter and 5 months with my son. When I was breastfeeding, I always felt like I had to eat full healthy meals. At first, that was easy because I had a lot of help. Then it got harder to eat right and had latching issues also so I felt like it was best for us to switch to formula. I didn't want to struggle with my kids to breastfeed. I wanted to enjoy my time with them. And formula is just fine. Sometimes I think it is healthier than breastmilk, depending on how the mom eats. If she eats a bunch of junk all the time, how can that be healthy for the baby?? Anyways, I think you should give the baby breastmilk for at least the first month or so. The first milk that comes out is soooo good for the baby. And your body works so hard to produce it, might as well give it to your baby. It is specially formulated for your baby. :) good luck with whatever you decide!! I hope I was helpful.

Charlotte - posted on 08/21/2010

I'm all for breast-feeding! I partly breast-fed my twins for 3 months and fully breast-fed my son for 5 months. My 2nd experience was way better than my 1st as I had a very understanding and competent team of nurses at the maternity hospital and a breast-pump! Personally I find a breast-pump extremely useful when breast-feeding as it keeps the milk flowwing if baby is lazy and daddy can participate by givingbreast-milk in a bottle! Not to mention the outings, I could never breast-feed in public! Good luck!

Summer - posted on 08/21/2010

Breastfeeding is different for every mom and baby. I have three kids and have breastfed all of them, but supplemented with formula or pumped milk. Sometimes I just needed a break from nursing, and I never felt guilty about giving a bottle. With my last baby I wasn't sure if I was going to breastfeed because my kids are so close in age I wasn't sure if I could take the time to sit undisturbed while I nursed, but I knew I wanted to at least the first week so baby could get all the REALLY good stuff, but after that first week we'd fallen into a pretty good routine so I was able to keep nursing for another 5 months.

I say give it a try, know that it's hard at first, but it's FREE. And if you don't try you might find yourself wondering once your baby is a couple weeks or a couple months old if you should have tried.

Christi - posted on 08/21/2010

I tried so hard to breastfeed with my son because all the nurses and doctors and other moms kept pushing me to. Breast is best of course, but if you are not comfortable with it or cannot, then don't beat yourself up over it. My son was formula fed from day one, I never made a drop of milk and he is perfectly healthy! Do whatever you feel is best! And anyone that tells you that you won't get the same bonding time is full of crap. I help my son as close as possible and rocked him after every feeding. What is great about not breastfeeding, something to think about, is that my husband was also able to help with feeding our son and he got to experience that closeness as well. Needless to say, our son is spoiled beyond belief and such a daddy's boy now, lol!

Bernadette - posted on 08/20/2010

There are lots of pros - first, all the health benefits for the baby, which I'm sure I don't have to tell you since that information is available pretty much everywhere. But the pros I have found from personal experience:
# You can take it anywhere. You don't have to spend half an hour before you go out making sure you've got sterilized bottles, boiled water, formula, ten arms to carry it all and then have to find somewhere to heat it up as well.
# you don't have to take bag-loads of stuff with you every time you leave the house, or worry if you have taken enough.
# you don't have to get up in the middle of the night, turn on all the lights, mix and heat up bottles all while your baby is getting more and more distressed because it wants to be fed NOW. You can simply pick up your baby out of bed, put it in bed with you for a feed, and then back into it's own bed when done. Then because you haven't had to get up or be disturbed by lights, etc, you can easily go right back to sleep.
# it's always the right temperature - you don't have to waste time warming it, or risk making it too hot and then have to wait for it to cool down again. As soon as bub is hungry, you can feed. It saves the baby getting too distressed while it waits.
# It costs NOTHING (well, except bra pads, but they aren't overly expensive)
# It's a good feeling knowing that you are doing something for you baby that ONLY YOU can do. Sure, you don't necessarily have to breast feed to bond with your baby, but it is pretty special knowing that it's something between just the two of you, and no one else can take that from you.
# A lot of places, such as shopping centres, libraries, etc, provide nice comfortable rooms where you can feed your baby in private if this is an issue for you. Often these rooms are set up to keep older kids entertained too so that you don't have to try to keep an eye on them while you feed your baby. I was worried about finding somewhere to feed privately at first, and so I tried to encourage my daughter to take a bottle but she simply refused. In the end, I found it to be much easier to find a quiet place to feed than it was to pack all the things I need for a bottle feed.

The only cons I found were:
# it can, at times, be a little draining on your body. I only had this problem early on though, while I was still adjusting to it - and then i also realised I had been forgetting to take the vitamin supplements I took throughout pregnancy. Once I started these again it was much easier.
# sore nipples - but again, this was only early on. Really just the first week or so. After you get used to it, as long as the baby is latching on properly it shouldn't hurt anymore.

Anyway, hope this helps. And of course, as I said above, the health benefits are endless.

Jennifer - posted on 08/20/2010

First, don't let people make you feel bad about not breastfeeding.

I was determined to do what was right for my baby and breastfeed. But he wouldn't latch. I had several lactation consultants come and help me. I even tried using a nipple shield, nothing worked. So I tried pumping but there just wasn't enough. He was getting jaundiced bad so I had to make a choice, and at that moment the best thing for him was switching to formula.

Even after all that I tried to make it work, the doctors still made me feel like I failed. It really upset me at first and I would cry myself to sleep... Finally my husband sat me down and talked me through it.

Breastfeeding is very good for the baby, there are so many nutrients in breastmilk that just can't be replicated. But breastfeeding isn't for everyone, even if their milk does come in & the baby latches. I'd ask your doctor if they offer a breastfeeding class. Good luck.

Anne - posted on 08/20/2010

Wow, such good advice! When I had my daughter I tried to start breast-feeding. After we left the hospital she had a minor health scare (Nothing ended up being seriously wrong) and she had to go back to the hospital, During the time that she was there we could only bottle feed her so that we KNEW how much she was getting. That's when I started to bottle feed Breast milk. It worked GREAT! I wasn't the only one that could feed her but she still got the nutrition of the breast milk. Also, when I went back to work I would just bring the milk to daycare with her. I dried up after two months but I was able to store enough in the freezer for her to have another month and a half. Hope this helps...Good luck!

Jessica - posted on 08/20/2010

i would do it if i were you..i couldnt with my first(ok i wimped out) and after that i caught hep c..they say its safe but i feel unnerved and i believe follow your mommy instincts so i used a breast pump at first and got mastitis(bloodclot) and it popped into the bottle...so i thank god i breast pumped first but it is an amazing feeling that i felt one time with my first..you feel such a bond..and now i feel horrible for not continuing!!! dont miss out on a wonderful bond even if you do it a few times!!

Kelly - posted on 08/20/2010

I was all about the breastfeeding when my son was born 2 months ago today :) However, he was super jaundice and my milk didn't come in for 6 or 7 days. He had to be admitted to the hospital for that and required formula supplementation. A few days later he was hospitalized again for staph infection and breastfeeding was almost impossible. I have tried to get my milk back in but it's not working well so I have started feeding only. You can't predict what's going to happen after that baby is born so you just have to roll with it. No matter what you choose and are able to do, remember that you are doing what is best for yourself and the health of the baby. If that means that you have to give formula then so be it. I will say however, I loved the bonding and closeness that breastfeeding allowed me to have with him the the beginning. If I have another child I will start with the breast and go from there.....hopefully it will work out. Formula costs are ridiculous and the convenience of having milk at the ready is a great thing! Don't feel pressured into something that you aren't sure about. Try it and see if it's the right thing for you. Not everyone likes it so if you are one of those people, that's ok too.

Alecia - posted on 08/20/2010

u should breastfeed. at least give a shot. like someone else said, u can always stop if u dnt like it or it doesnt go well. i wanted to breastfeed and i struggled for about 4.5 - 5 mnths and then she just got sick of it. i was so sad to stop, though it had been stressful. knowing what i know now i am more determined than ever to breastfeed my next child. i loved the bonding experience (even now my daughter is quite attached to me) and its the best thing u could give them. i used a shawl in public, but i was proud to know that i was giving her the best i could, even if it meant sitting on a mall bench. i am also a SAHM (till kids go to school) so that makes it easier on me to BF. i say try...what harm could it do in the long run? and use lanolin for ur nipples.....i swear mine where hardly ever sore. usually only when my daughter wouldnt latch correctly.

Dara - posted on 08/20/2010

I have breastfed both my kids, and there were several reasons for it. Firstly, the physical benefits are super. There is so much great stuff in breastmilk, and it is made for baby to digest perfectly. When my littlest one was less than a month old, my husband contracted a really bad flu (we think it was h1n1), and baby didn't even get the sniffles. She is ten months old now and has never been sick. Also, breastmilk is free, which was definitely a pro for me. I couldn't imagine spending so much money on formula when my wallet was stretched to the max already. It's also always readily available, no need to warm bottles or wash them, so midnight feedings are really easy. It also helped me lose weight faster, and I have now lost all of the baby weight. Some cons, if we're being honest are that it can be painful at times, especially for the first little while when it's all so new. It also means that you can't leave baby for long periods of time without pumping milk to leave behind, and sometimes baby won't drink from a bottle. Nursing in public can be a little uncomfortable as well. In all, I wouldn't have chosen a different route at all though. I am so glad I was able to breastfeed my kids, and we have all benefited from it immensely. I'd say give it a try, and see how it goes. I am so glad I did.

Erin - posted on 08/20/2010

I breastfed my daughter her first year and it was a great experience. If you produce the milk, try it! It really is the most natural thing ever! I agree with the very first post so i'm not going to repeat it all. I had a c-sec but when i woke up and heard my baby crying, all i wanted to do was make everything right for her. I didn't even have to try, it's like they are born knowing where the boob is! lol. The first week is rough but you get over it quickly. I had what I called my "nipple stick" it looked like an oversized chapstick. Was quick and easy to apply after each feeding and safe for baby!

Kerrie - posted on 08/20/2010

i was adamant i would not breast feed when expecting my daughter.. my partner said he would really like it if i at least tried as they say its best for the baby
i am so glad i gave in and tried as next to giving birth it was the best feeling evr at the start.....however after 6 weeks i began to dread it as it was painful and tiring so i went on to bottles
it is not easy though what they fail to tell you is sometimes your baby doesnt take to it straight away and it can be stressfull watching them get distrssed while learning to latch on properly
its everyones own decision so dont feel pressusrised but it is a great experience

Elizabeth - posted on 08/20/2010

My little girl is a month old now. We did breastfeed in the hospital, but switched to expressed breast milk around 2 weeks.

Pros: It's free. No bottles to warm or wash. Can feed in bed. Has the perfect amount of nutrients. Lose baby weight faster. No measuring (don't have to worry about how many bottles to bring when you're out)

Cons: Buy breastpads. Engorgement. Sore/cracked nipples. Baby feeds more often. Can only leave for short periods of time. Buy nursing bras/clothes

We tried breastfeeding at first... but had terrible latch problems. My nipples were sore/cracked/bleeding/milk blisters/blood blisters. Didn't have very good lactation support. My supply took a turn b/c she just couldn't latch ( i do have some tiny nipples too though)... she was always unhappy and crying after feeding. So we switched to pumping.

Atleast give it a try. I tried to 2 weeks and would've like to try until 6 weeks, but it got to the point that I wanted nothing to do with my baby and resented feeding her it hurt so much.

I don't want my experience to deter you from bfing your baby, but every experience is different. I do plan on when we have a 2nd child that we try to bf again.

Mandi - posted on 08/20/2010

I think breast milk is best: 1, it is sooooo much cheaper, formula is expensive and can cause constipation in the child the is un-needed; 2, the baby will get the right vitamins for its body and not generic for the average baby; 3, you can pump and still give your baby a bottle if that is what you perfer; 4, breat feeding will also help you lose the extra weight you may have gained during pregnancy.

My biggest pro for making my decision was how much money we would save. The economy isn't getting any better and if you can save $200 a month, go for it.

There are also so many people/groups out there to help or support you if you decide to breast feed your child. You will never be alone!
Good luck!

Amber - posted on 08/18/2010

Check out askdrsears.com He has so many answers to everything!
here is a direct link for tons of info on breastfeeding!
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T020100...
You should definitely breastfeed! I lost 24 lbs within the first two weeks of giving birth! and at my 6 week doctors appointment and I was all back to normal :)

Tiffany - posted on 08/18/2010

YES... Also want to add that the first week is pretty painful while you get used to nursing but it's well worth it and LANOLIN is very important! every time you nurse use it, after showers use it. If they are really sensitive use it before you get in the shower as a protection from the water. The sensitivity get's better and after about two weeks it doesn't hurt at all anymore... After about two months I didn't even use the lanolin anymore.

Tiffany - posted on 08/18/2010

Well my daughter just turned 1 on Saturday and I still breastfeed her. It's what's best for the baby. It's so much healthier and more beneficial to babies health than formula. I mean all that the formula makers try to do is make it as much like breast milk as they possibly can. My advice is to at the very least breastfeed for the first few days while it's colostrum and not breatmilk because the colostrum is SO SO healthy for the baby. I certainly recommend breast feeding. Just don't do what I did. I let my daughter get to attached to it and now I'm having a horrible time weaning. Don't let the baby use you as a pacifier. Don't let the baby fall asleep every night or during naps by nursing otherwise they will want it everytime. That's my problem right now, I'm my daughter's pacifier. So there are cons if you don't do things the right way. But breast feeding is so important and so many women don't do it anymore. Please breast feed your child even if it's only for a week or a month. It's so much better for the baby!!!

Kayleigh - posted on 08/18/2010

Personally, I loved breastfeeding my son, we have such an amazing connection, and he is a very calm, yet energetic 10 month old. It was so painful at first, but lanolin is the greatest stuff ever made for mothers! Both of my younger sisters had a baby before me, and they acted like bf was the worst torture in the world, so I was really scared since they're both tough as nails, and I've always considered myself to have a low pain tolerance. However, after my labor experience, I really didn't think more pain would matter much, and bf was definately the least painful! I believe it really depends on the child, their ability to latch on, and your endurance! I can honestly tell you though there is a very significant difference between the health and development of my neice and nephew, (who were both formula babies) and my son, my sisters are the first to agree. They were so impressed with my endurance, that they are committed to trying extra hard next time when it comes to bf. After awhile, I couldn't stand the thought of weaning him! I really hope this is an encouragement for you, but either way how you feed your baby isn't as important as how you raise your baby.

Betty - posted on 08/18/2010

Breastfeeding reduces the chances of developing breast cancer so it could be a life saving decision for you. I had a little boob drama recently so you bet I'm going to do whatever it takes to keep those girls in check. It might seem like a selfish reason but what's a child without a healthy mother? Good luck, don't let anyone make you feel like you have to breastfeed if it's difficult for you.

Valerie - posted on 08/18/2010

They will probably show you videos at the hospital of course you already have a child so imagine you seen them. I have 3 kids my oldest is 12, 10 and 3 I breastfed all of them and I am so proud I made that choice I honestly believe it helps with brain and muscle growth and it helps fight of ear infections and everything. You can Easily get a breast pump and just pump it if you are a busy person or work and not taking time off but its Def a Great time and way to bond especially when sleeping Devon was right about that!! lol nothing like cuddling your baby who is eating and your sleeping haha.. but there is so many better reasons to not go to formula at least the first 6 weeks! thats when its crucial.. and Formula is really expensive my friend only breast fed for 6 weeks and there was times when he would use more and she would run out and if she didn't have money right then or not planning on leaving and have to go get more but 25$ for a can? wow.. Good luck on your decision :)

Alyson - posted on 08/18/2010

Hi Amanda!



Well I just had a baby three months ago. I had always planned on breastfeeding and couldn't imagine doing it another way. I had some problems at first but after awhile it was going great.



After about a month, I went in to the hospital with a gall bladder attack and pancreatitis. I was unable to breastfeed because of the medicine I was on. During my 10 day hospital stay, my milk dried up. About a week later I started to try to "relactate". After weeks of effort I got a pretty good supply back up but I was unable to breastfeed again for a few days and all my hard work was lost. Now my son is completely on formula.



I think you should try to breastfeed at first! You won't be able to get the opportunity if you change your mind later on. It is so much healthier for you and your baby if you decide to breastfeed and the connection you gain with your child is amazing. At least give it a shot, and if you decide it's not for you then so be it, but at least you had the opportunity to decide for yourself. There is an amazing website that you should go to that shows all the benefits of breastfeeding. Take a look at it and decide for yourself.



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



Best of luck.

Alyson

Devon - posted on 08/18/2010

Hello, I have brest fed as well as bottle fed since I had to return to work;
Pros: quicker baby weight loss, connection with baby only you will have, the medical side (supposedly healthier, less likely to catch things and better weight gain), breast milk changes with baby and gives baby what they need at certain ages, can nurse and sleep at the same time (least I found that has helped me since being back to work), quicker feeds (don't have to wait for bottle to warm up), its free!!! lol Formula is really expensive these days, breast feeding releases endorphins (sp?) which helps with the post preg baby blues
Cons: sore nipples and breasts first couple of weeks, especially if baby does not latch on properly at first. Either trying to keep up with baby or over producing milk and baby is not able to keep up (tho it is always good to have a good milk supply and helps with emergency feeds if you freeze it) have to watch diet especially if baby turns out to be lactose intolerant, and in first few weeks really bland meals needed or you will be up all night with baby ( I learned that one the hard way), leaking (but breast pads help that both disposable or non disposable) If your bust is smaller, then it's awkward at first, I found I ran into walls or corners a lot lol.
I hope this helps. I do enjoy breast feeding more than bottle feeding tho bottle feeding is necessary for daddy to get some bonding time and bc my child is in day care.