I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

I have a lot of demands on me and I think that it may difficult for me to worry about having to pump, when to pump, if the baby has enough, but then I feel guilty because it is so good for them... Can anyone help me and tell me how they came to their decision if you don't mind...

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

I'm just going to try and do it, and see if I can. If I can, I'll go from there. I only have 6 wks maternity so I will have to pump after that - and your milk dries up faster that way. But I'd like to do it for a little while if I can.

My 2 friends tried and tried and just couldn't. So, we'll see what happens.

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

They say that its great to do for the baby because if the baby is lacking a certain vitamin for example, your body recognizes that and produces it for them and it also helps build their immune system.
I believe the first few days is what is best for them so even if you try just for a short time.

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

With Sarah I tried breastfeeding but it just didn't work out. I felt guilty for a while that she didn't get any of my milk, but she's really thriving and very healthy on formula, so I feel better about it now.

I'd suggest you try, even if it's just for the first few weeks. Otherwise you might always regret that you didn't try.

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

How soon will you have to be leaving the baby?

I came to my decision based on the health benefits for both me and the baby. I was planning to stay home though, so that made the decision much easier for me than it is for you...

Remember, even if you can only do it for a few weeks it is good for the baby. Either way though I'm sure you'll have a healthy and happy child!!!

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

I was so determined to breast feed and then due to some complications with Emily after birth and her being in the ICU, we just didn't even reallly try till we were home and got off to a bad start. It never ended up working for us. Through the first month I tried EVERY day -- but she'd get so upset so I'd always end up bottle feeding her. I pumped for the first month also and she got a lot of my milk which I know is better then nothing, but eventually I knew that it was just time for me to give up -- it just got too hard and frustrating for me.

I think it's always best to try, and then do what you feel is best for you and your baby. Your heart will help you make the best desicion and you really can't know what it is for sure until your baby is here and you are doing it for real.

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

Well, at first I had decided NOT to do it--I just didn't think it was for me. After reading all the benefits with my DH one evening, I decided that I'd at least give it a try, thinking that if it didn't work out I wouldn't be too upset. I planned to do it for 6 weeks max.

Several weeks before I had my daughter one of my aunts told me that it was going to be super painful in the beginning and that I was going to want to give up, but to keep going and it would be one of the most rewarding experiences I would have.

Well, she was right. I thought I would die in the beginning and wanted to give up by 2 weeks. Well, I saw it through to the 6 weeks, and then some...

I'm happy to say that my daughter will be 3 months on Wednesday and I am still breastfeeding part time. I went back to work today (as a teacher) and was able to nurse her for her afternoon and evening feedings. I'm very proud of myself!

My advice is to give it a shot and if you like it great and if you don't that's cool too, but you may just surprise yourself

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

For me, I just decided that I was going to try it & if I didn't like it, I'd stop. Reading all of the benefits, definitely swayed me - ok reading the one benefit of losing weight quickly swayed me.

While it is the most natural thing in the world, it does not come as naturally as one might think. It takes work. I would try it for a few weeks and see if you can do it. No need to buy a pump or anything right away, your baby will be taking enough milk. If you decide to go for it. While it's great for the baby and for you, if it's not for you - it just isn't for you. A stressed, frazzled, worried mom is worse for the baby than any formula.

You're going to worry whether or not the baby had enough to eat anyway - we all do. The way you tell is to count diapers. It's very easy. When to pump is an easy decision - ow it hurts, I need to pump. The way I decided it was time to pump was when my baby was hungry, I'd nurse one breast and then pump the rest. I was trying to increase my milk supply & keep it up for as long as possible before I had to start pumping at work.

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

For me it was VERY important. I don't judge those who don't do it but for me I felt it was something that I wanted to do.
I believe that if you want it to work you often can. It takes work...it might not be easy, but then again for some it is VERY easy.
I think you need to figure out what is important to you and if BF is then research it, read and take a class. I pumped for a year, and I work full-time. It can be done. Yes, it was not easy but it was worth it IMO.

About "not knowing"...you have to learn to trust yourself and your body. You will know if your baby is not eating enough because he/she will have a weight problem. You can learn how to judge if the baby is eating properly. It is not really that much of a "guess" actually. THere are people who are able to help you get the confidence you need.

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

This is def. a personal choice... and whether you choose to or not... it will be the right choice for you and your baby...dont let anyone tell you differently...

In the beg. I said I would give it a try...thinking I would hate it... well despite how hard it is in the beg. I instantly LOVED it... it just felt so good....

MrsJ.... your milk dosent dry up quicker if you pump... however YOU MUST USE THE RIGHT PUMP!!!!! I suggest renting a hospital one!

I pumped alot...because I wanted to "see" what he was getting... (my mil made me a maniac thinking he wasnt getting enough food but thats a whole other story) and I had a very very wrong pump, and my milk supply began to decrease...

Unfortunately I only got to BF the 1st month... I totally intend on BFing the next baby....

I STRONGLY suggest, reading the books, or taking a BFing class.. I didnt everyone told me the LC at the hospital would help me...

Well guess what....she didnt... I was left to figure it all out on my own (which to me always was the reason, my milk supply decreased drastically) Next time...I will have done my research first...

Im not anti formula...for my son is on strictly formula now, and is doing just fine....

Again- the right decision is different for everyone...it can be time consuming...however it is soooo worth it...

Try it out... you can always stop if you dont like it...!! And hey even if you do it 3 days....its still something!!!!

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

I decided that I'm going to try to breastfeed. I have no idea if it will work, but I'm going to at least give it a shot. I have to go back to work full time at 3 months, so I'll also be pumping. I guess if it gets too hard I will just have to stop.

I wouldn't stress about it too much right now. Once the baby is here you will figure out what works for you and if it doesn't work you can always just stop.

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

I am going to try. I will be goign back to work after 12 weeks, so after that I will pump during the day and feed in the morning and at night. At least that's the plan.

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

Before I gave birth, the idea of breastfeeding really creeped me out and I didn't think I'd do it. But I read about all the benefits and decided I would at least try. The second I had Alex in my arms and nursed her for the first time, all those hesitations went right out the door. I absolutely love my time with her when I'm feeding her. It's definitely hard and very trying at first, but it's so rewarding to look at your baby growing and know that you did that with your body. I went back to work this week and though it's a pain in the arse to pump every few hours, it's definitely manageable...

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

Honestly there was never any doubt in my mind that I would breastfeed. I personally couldn't imagine it any other way. But I never expected to have all the problems I have had and to still be doing it in spite of them.

For me it started with a low milk supply and to this day 10 weeks later on top of breastfeeding I pump 4-6 times a day to keep my supply up and still I have to supplement with formula.

Miranda also has acid reflux and they are attributing some of her symptoms to food sensitivities and I am now on a very restricted diet which leaves very little pleasure food to eat and still I haven't given up breastfeeding.

You will be amazed what lengths you are willing to go to as a parent to do what is best for you child and that is not meant to criticize anyone who doesn't breastfeed. It is a very personal choice that has to work for both mom and baby.

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

I just wanted to add a bit about pumping...I pumped full-time for 1 year and Molly only had formula the first 4 weeks of her life because of my c/s-bf issues. Your milk production is best when you nurse but I am proof that you can pump and provide BM for your baby and your milk does not dry up. However I would never suggest that it is the best way since it is truly a challenge.

Also, pumping does not = what your baby is eating. Pumping and nursing are not the same and your body reacts very differently.
For the first 12 weeks you NEED a hospital grade pump to help with low supply issues.
Your PIS is not the same. I used my PISA after 16 weeks without any problems.
You need to learn to trust your body and trust that you are providing for your baby. Weight gain/lose is how you will know that your baby is eating enough. Also, a wet diaper count is important. It is very easy to know that "my baby needs more" if there are not enough wet diapers. Reading Nursing Mother's Companion Guide will really help answer your questions.

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

you have to at least try it....any little bit of colostrum or breast milk that your baby gets is better than none at all, and you will never know if you can do it unless you try. It is impossibly hard for the first 3-4 weeks, you just have to make a committment before you even start to not give up within that time. In that 3-4 weeks, your baby will get immeasureable benefits from your milk. If you continue on, then great, and if you can't you've still done your baby a great service.

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

For me, Before I had Jacob, I had it in my mind that I would breastfeed. I knew all the benefits and I knew it was very good for the baby...

I did try it and after 10 days, I was stressing myself out too much because he wasn't latching on correctly and my milk wasn't coming in. I also had a bad experience with nurses on that first evening giving birth. I had asked the nurse that night if she could help me, granted I just went through 12 hours of labor, and her response to me was... Didn't you read up on this before trying it? What kind of response is that to a patient who never had a baby before... SO I was a little taken back by that. After all this I decided that breastfeeding wasn't for me and that I had given my baby 10 days of milk and colostrum which was better than nothing at all.

So, You really have to try it and see if it is for you. NO ONE should make you feel bad if it doesn't work out for you. Breastfeeding is alot of work, it isn't easy.....

Good luck with your decision..

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

I breastfeed all my kids for t he 1st year and I LOVE it! I usually go back to work at around 4 months and then I pump like crazy to stock pile. It has always worked out for me but I have learned not to take it for granted after reading posts from all these ladies who wanted to BF so deperately but could not because of multiple reasons. The quiet time that only I can have with the baby is priceless to me when I BF, plus I feel a huge sense of accomplishment when my baby is thriving and gaining and I know it's because of ME! Do what is best for you, everyone is different, I hope it works out for you if you decide to BF, I just can't advocate for it enough.

Re: I am having such a hard time about whether I am going to breast feed or not...

My story is a little different than the rest, but here it is. My entire pregnancy I said I would never, ever BF. I said it was not for me and I could never see myself doing it. The first day after I gave birth, I told the nurse that I wanted to try to BF, but she suggest that I wait until the next day. God only knows why. Anyway, my little guy was not latching on and that was probably partly my fault because I did not even know what to do. I never read anything or even thought to because I was convinced that I was never going to nurse. When I did try with him, he just screamed his little head off and I got so sad for him that I just fed him formula. About the third day after his birth, I decided to try pumping. I did that for a day and then the last day in the hospital I decided that I want to nurse him and pump. I got a Pump in Style Pump and have been pumping ever since. I also nurse him frequently as well. I did see a Lactation Consultant one time which really helped to show me how to get him to latch on. I am glad that I changed my mind, but you have to do what you feel is right.