Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

I am only 15 weeks along but I think I would like to breast feed. I don't really know what is involved other than the baby getting milk from your breasts.

Does it hurt? Is it difficult? What types of supplies do I need to register for?
How difficult is pumping? Is it annoying?

How did you decide it was the right thing?

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

I didn't have any problems and I rarely pumped (because I hated it)

I always knew I wanted to BF, maybe because my mother BF all three of us.

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

It is good that you are thinking about this so early. I would recommend buying a book on it, perhaps the Nursing Mother's Companion. Once you get a general idea of what to do, then you can start asking some specific questions, either with other nursing mothers or on here.

I did not exclusively nurse my son, but he was primarily breast fed with a bottle or 2 of formula a day.

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

I found the book "The Nursing Mother's Companion" was really helpful. It has alot of good information. I got it from the library before I bought it.

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

I also agree that it is great that you are thinking about this so early on. I didn't think about until towards the end and didn't realize what it entailed. I just knew the basics. My attitude towards it was that I was going to try and if it worked out great if not, no big deal at least I tried. I ended up enjoying it so much but at 5.5 weeks I developed Mastsis in one of my breasts and it went down hill from their and then switched to formula. I definitly plan on EFB my next child and I know what to expect more now too. Good Luck with your decision.
ETA: For me it was more frustrating and not difficult. It is something that you just have to keep tring because it is both new you and your child. I nursed him every 1.5 hours and he would eat for about 45 minutes because he would fall asleep and is a slow eater in general. So it was very tiring and I didnt go out but looking back I wouldnt have changed anything. I also pumped. So I would feed DS, put him down, pump and then usually have to feed him again. I would pump about 4 times a day and get about 13oz a day. I used that milk to give him bottles at night. He would wake 2-3 times a night and that is when he would get the bottles.

Message edited 8/22/2006 2:34:45 PM.

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

To tell you the truth, I wasn't crazy about the idea and I kind of hoped it wouldn't work, but...I BF for 14 weeks and would DEFINITELY have done it longer if my schedule/job wasn't a problem.

The best advice I got was from my aunt who told me before DD was born, "It's going to be excruciating in the beginning, you're going to hate it and want to quit, but DON"T...when you think you can't do it one more minute, keep going and you'll see how much better it gets and how rewarding it is." She was SOOOO right and I think a lot of moms give it up within a short time because they think it's not going to get better.

I probably wouldn't register for anything until you're sure it's for you. Since I HATED BF in the beginning, I ran out to buy a small electric pump thinking that would solve all of my "problems," but I hated pumping and basically never used it.

Good luck with your decision!

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

I found it easier than bottlefeeding because it was always the right temperature, I didn't bring have to worry about bringing bottles with me, and ok .... it was really because it was the fastest way I could lose the baby weight.

I thought I would try it & hoped it would go at least 3 months, than 6 months, than 9 months...

I pumped starting from 3 months old & eventually needed to supplement.

Message edited 8/22/2006 2:59:13 PM.

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

I did it because for me there was no other way. I grew up in Europe where BF is the only norm so for me there was no question of whether or not to BF. Formula was not an option!

I enjoyed the experience immensely and had no problems (well, except for the usual sore painful nipple in the beginning, but that is perfectly normal and goes away in less than a months)

BF is definitely a commitment and not just bed of roses, expecially at first. It is very demanding because obviously, you are the only one who do the middle of the night feedings. Also, you must be available to BF whenever the baby wants, so you can;t really leave anywhere without your baby for longer than 2-3 hours.
If you want to continue BF beyond your maternity leave, you can get a pump and use it at work 2x a day. That is what I did for 9 months. Again , it is a big commitment but it makes you feel close to your baby even if you are not around him and makes you feel incredibly powerful to be able to do this great thing for your child and extend your love for him over many miles! I say that because we live in Queens and I work in Manhattan )

Truly, BF it is one of the most amazing and emotionally rewarding things I ever did. I cried when it was over. Even though DH was incredibly supportive he probably though that I was a little nuts after I burst into tears shortly after the last time I BFed.

Well, I hope my mumbling helped you out a little bit! Perhaps you can talk to you MIL (or would that be too weird for you? ). I am sure she BF all of her children.

Fell free to ask me anything else you want to know about this!

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

Posted by WhatNow


Well, I hope my mumbling helped you out a little bit! Perhaps you can talk to you MIL (or would that be too weird for you? ). I am sure she BF all of her children.

Fell free to ask me anything else you want to know about this!

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

Does it hurt?
For me in the beginning I had sore nipples but once we got passed that all was ok.

Is it difficult?
No, so long as your child has a good latch it's a breeze! Anytime, anyplace, anywhere!

What types of supplies do I need to register for?
We didn't register but I got nursing pads, I barely used... Lansinoh cream, I used in the beginning until my Lactation lady told me to use olive oil and it worked just fine. Nursing bras I do use! And a pump is great to have but I rarely use it... DH got me Medela Pump in Style.

How difficult is pumping?
It was okay, I just prefer to nurse, it's SO much easier but if you have to pump it's a great alternative.

Is it annoying? See above answer...

How did you decide it was the right thing?
We just knew straight away it was the best choice for us

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

Another naive question: How often do babies need to eat?

I ask this because I work 1 mile from my parents and my dad will be watching the baby. The possibility of coming home to breastfeed is there if the timing is right.

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

Does it hurt? It hurt for about the first two weeks when she latched on but that only lasted about 20secs each time..I know because I used to count to 20!!

Is it difficult? I was lucky as DD seemed to know what to do before I did...she latched on about an hour after she was born and off we went!! So the act of BF...I dont find difficult...the fact that I am the only one who can do it as I chose not to pump has its difficulties when I needed to be somewhere for more than 2 hours - especially in the beginning as she was feeding a lot.

What types of supplies do I need to register for? I didnt pump but if you intend to you might need one of these..I have some pads for leakage but didnt really use them that much...I work from home so if I had some leakage I just changed my top...definitely get some nursing bras...not the ones that clip in the front but the ones that latch at the top- near the strap...some lansinoh cream for sore nipples...definitely a boppy pillow...and lots of patience for sitting around - a TV remote control is a must.

How difficult is pumping? Is it annoying? never did it.

How did you decide it was the right thing? I think its the best thing for my baby and will do it again for future kids. I am glad that it worked out for me and I didnt have to give it up early on...I am 6 1/2 mths in and plan on BF for another few months. I am very happy with my decision to BF. But each to their own and you have to do what is best for you and your baby.

Good luck and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy as it flies!!

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

Message edited 8/22/2006 6:13:14 PM.

Re: Breast feeding-How did you decide to do it?

It was important for me to give it a try - and I also found it to be a great bonding experience - i did it for a few weeks - my daughter latched on - but my milk supply was very low and yes it did become painful and uncomfortable because she was s u c k ing real hard to get milk and was literally on my breast for 3 hours straight because she was not getting satisfied.

I started to pump = but milk supply still didn't increase - after about a month of supplementing - I decided to exclusively give her formula - and that it when i really started to enjoy being a mother - breastfeeding was frustrating for us - but it really is a great experience and so important to at least give it a try. I wouldn't purchase a pump yet - wait a few weeks and see if your daughter is latching and if your supply is increasing.

Good luck