anyone surprised at how much they love breast feeding?( partically those who were on the fence/did not have any desire to do so)

I am so surpised about how much i LOVE breastfeeding!!

I know there are women who refuse to breast feed b.c of their personal preference- and that's fine!!
but were you someone who was on the fence or didn't want to breast feed and then tried it and loved it??

i was pretty intent on breast feeding for all the health factors yet got slightly heeby jeeby about the idea of a baby nursing on me!! but now i totally see the bond it creates! i am so surprised! i did not think i would enjoy it this much!

anyone else??!

Re: anyone surprised at how much they love breast feeding?( partically those who were on the fence/did not have any desire to do so)

Yes! I didn't really have any desire to BF my first DD. My DH really wanted me to try it...I was hoping it would fail. Unfortunately for me...it worked!

I was absolutely miserable for weeks, however. I only continued because my aunt's advice kept echoing in my head..."It's GOING to be excruciating. You WILL feel like you can't go on. But it DOES get better!"

I had to wean down to a couple of feedings because I went back to work, but was hoping to do it after I got home (I was a teacher), but my supply dried up. The first time I realized my DD was crying from hunger because there was nothing left...I cried too. I can't believe how much I loved it in the end.

Message edited 5/6/2009 3:23:10 PM.

Re: anyone surprised at how much they love breast feeding?( partically those who were on the fence/did not have any desire to do so)

Before I got pregnant, I had no desire to BF. DH was very pro-BFing since he and his siblings were BFed. As I read up on it and talked to DH about it more, I began to warm up to the idea.

I took a BFing class and read posts on here, but that didn't prepare me for how hard BFing was going to be. I thought about quitting every day for the first month or so. DH encouraged me to continue and I'm so glad I did. I don't think I started to love BFing for several months. I liked some of the things about it, but didn't enjoy it and continued b/c I felt it was best for DS. Now, I enjoy that time with DS.

Re: anyone surprised at how much they love breast feeding?( partically those who were on the fence/did not have any desire to do so)

I wanted to bf sooo bad (I was alittle nervous on how it would be) but I loved it when I was able to bf DS. I loved the closeness and bonding time with my DS as well as all the health benefits. Unfortunately it had to end earlier than I wanted due to health issues from my c-section. (blood clot & on high dosage of medicine)

Message edited 5/6/2009 4:45:24 PM.

Re: anyone surprised at how much they love breast feeding?( partically those who were on the fence/did not have any desire to do so)

before i planned to only pump... then he was put in ICU- i pumped but when his respiration problem started to improve i did start some BF...

it was amazing. i did it because i figured it was healthy for him and he needed to heal, but the amazing bond i felt really helped me too cause i was so sad looking at him all helpless hooked up to the monitors.

id definately recommend a lactation consult while in the hospital if giving it a try- it made such a difference and i found out i was also pumping with too small a shield and was given one the correct size up.

Message edited 5/6/2009 4:47:14 PM.

Re: anyone surprised at how much they love breast feeding?( partically those who were on the fence/did not have any desire to do so)

I was on the fence about BF. I told myself I would give it a try and see if it could work out. I ended up BFing for 11 months. It was a great experience for us and I hope it works out the same for our next baby.

Message edited 5/6/2009 6:55:27 PM.

Re: anyone surprised at how much they love breast feeding?( partically those who were on the fence/did not have any desire to do so)

Before my DS wass born I said that I'd give it a try and if it didnt work then I'd be fine with that. After a week of excrutiating pain, and cracked/bleeding nipples I was ready to give up but stuck it out and now I LOVE IT!!! I couldn't imagine not doing it! Its been such a wonderful experience!

Re: anyone surprised at how much they love breast feeding?( partically those who were on the fence/did not have any desire to do so)

Before having DS1, I was definitely on the fence! I had no familial support on either side and frankly, the whole idea kind of skeeved me out .
I took a BF class, because I felt like I had to give it the old college try. Once I was allowed to BF him, he latched on right away! Even the LC in the hospital was surprised. I almost felt like I was doing something wrong because it was so easy for me and never hurt like I had heard and read it was going to. I went for 9 months then weaned because he had 8 teeth and drew blood when he bit me.
Now I am almost at 9 months with DS2 and don't really see ending anytime soon

Re: anyone surprised at how much they love breast feeding?( partically those who were on the fence/did not have any desire to do so)

ME! I hated the idea of BFing. I thought I'd hate it and DH put so much pressure on me to do it. I absolutely love the cute little face DS makes when I nurse him. I love holding him in my arms.

Re: anyone surprised at how much they love breast feeding?( partically those who were on the fence/did not have any desire to do so)

I loved it- and I had no intentions of doing it at all till I was halfway through my pregnancy. I aimed for ten weeks (my maternity leave) and did it for six months. I do remember hitting a wall around six weeks and really wanting to stop; not sure how I got through it but I did.

Re: anyone surprised at how much they love breast feeding?( partically those who were on the fence/did not have any desire to do so)

I don't love it--- but I don't mind it in the way I thought I would. I would maybe like it more, if it wasn't as often. It's weird, but it still makes me feel uncomfortable to see other people do it-- but, when I do it, it doesn't give me that feeling. It's very strange but I am glad I EBF, despite the feelings I had about it before.

I do love when Sasha is lying on me after and she is looking up at me and smiling.

ETA... btw, I LOATHE pumping though!!!

Message edited 5/6/2009 8:12:34 PM.

Re: anyone surprised at how much they love breast feeding?( partically those who were on the fence/did not have any desire to do so)

i wasn't on the fence, i was pretty much set on doing it. i'm surprised at how hard it was, but i'm glad i'm a stubborn person who didn't give up at the 1st sign of trouble...i loooove the bond that we have, it really is amazing!