Breastfeeding Poll

I know I'm am still very early in my pregnancy (11 weeks). But I am on the fence on the breast feeding issue. So I decided to start a poll to see how many of you will/will not breast feed... Any comments would also be aprreciated...

Message edited 11/15/2005 1:40:47 PM.

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I'm not going to with this baby. I had wanted to breastfeed Sarah but had no milk supply and waited too long for help. I kept thinking it would start on it's own, which in hindsight was foolish. If you do decide to breastfeed, please make sure that you have the number of LLL or a good LC BEFORE you have your baby so that you can get help right away.

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Although i am not pregnant right now, I highly doubt i will breastfeed. Just does not fit well with me. The thought of the baby sucking on my nipple makes me cringe (and i have no clue why). That is just me though, i have no issue with people who do it or even do it around me.

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i am not much help, because I too are still on the fence about it. I want to give my baby the best start possible but I just can't imagine myself feeding a baby from my boob.JMHO.
I am though leaning towards just pumping, no direct feeding though. I really want to give my DH a chance to bond with the baby during feedings, plus it could give me a break if other people can feed.

I was formula fed though and turned out just fine. I think it really is a personal decision, and I am just not sure yet what I am going to do.

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I personally never gave breastfeeding a second thought. I couldn't imagine not doing it and bonding with my baby through that (not to say you can't bond if you bottle feed). I planned to not even offer her formula and only introduce bottles of breastmilk when I needed to get out.
Well the best laid plans don't always work out. I had major milk supply issues and it takes tons of work for me to be able to breastfeed. I have to pump 8 times a day on top of nursing to keep my milk supply going plus we have to supplement with formula because I don't produce enough milk.
I had wanted to breastfeed for a year or so until she self weaned but I honestly don't think I can keep this up that long so right now I am just taking it a week at time.
I know some people think its gross but once you hold your baby in your arms you may feel completely different being that this was a life you created.

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Before I gave birth the thought of breastfeeding REALLY creeped me out. I don't know why but I just couldn't settle with the idea of my child sucking on my boob But, I figured, I would do what it took to give my baby the best start possible, especially because I'm putting her in daycare at an early age (10 weeks). I'll feel better about exposing her to the daycare germs if she's protected by my breastmilk. And to be honest, all that hesitation and weirdnss I felt about breastfeeding totally evaporated the second I fed her for the first time. I was absolutely amazed and shocked that my body could nourish and feed her, and there's really no way to describe what a bonding experience it really is. Even now, I look at her and how much she has grown in just 7 weeks and I'm so proud to say that I did that! For those who are thinking of exclusively pumping, keep in mind, it's VERY VERY hard, and very very time consuming...

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Although I think breastfeeding is a wonderful, beautiful thing...it's just not me. I will be bottlefeeding.

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Thanks Ladies... I think I will also be bottlefeeding. I will be a working mom and need not go back to work with leaky breasts and sore nipples. I understand how people say it is a great start for the baby,and its a great bonding experience but. In my family only one child was breastfed and he is no healthier than the other children and no closer to his mom than the others as well... Again, this is just my opinion...

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I want to be able to provide the best for my baby (and the fact it's free) works for us. The only way I'd resort to formula is if BF didn't work for us because of latching issues or a milk supply issue.

But the plan is to BF with the possibility of pumping so DH and others can share.

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I don't know. I think I'll give it a try, but I'm not sure its for me...

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I personally have no desire at all to breastfeed and am perfectly happy using formula. It was always something that I knew I would never do. More power to the ladies that do/will!

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Whew - I'm so glad that so many of you aren't doing it/aren't comfortable with it.
I too am not comfortable with it and will not be doing it. It's just not for me. My 3 siblings and I were formula fed, and we're all perfectly healthy. So it's formula for my baby! Breast milk has so many wonderful benefits, but as some of you have pointed out, BF'ing isn't always easy. That's another reason why I'll just stick to bottles.

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This has been a big debate with my DH and I. He wants me to breastfeed. He said it is beter for the baby. I do not want to. I just don't think it is my thing. Like many of you said, I have nothing against anyone who does and doesn't. I think it is a personal choice. I have seen so many babies thrive while on formula however, I think I will have to compromise and try to pump. We'll see.

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I tried with my first pregnancy, and realized that some women are cut for the job and some women are not.

After this pregnancy I will probably NOT be breastfeeding.

It is worth a try just so you dont have any regrets later on.. HTH

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I plan on it. Besides it being great for the baby, it helps your abdominal muscles to contract and tighten after birth. It's like doing crunches with out doing them. There are benefits for mama as well.

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i will definitely try...

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