moms who breastfeed

this is kind of a very broad question - i am in my 4th month and starting to try and learn about BFing. I know people can get fired up about this topic and have very strong opinions. I am thinking of trying BFing (I mean, I guess why not at least try) but will have zero guilt if I cannot for some reason and have to formula feed.

So my questions for the BTDT moms are:

-- Does it really hurt THAT much?
-- How much of a pain in the azz is pumping?
-- How much time does BFing really require?
-- Did you supplement with formula - why or why not?
-- Anything you wish you knew about BFing before you started?

Thanks so much for any insight you can provide.

Re: moms who breastfeed

-- Does it really hurt THAT much?

If you are doing it right, and the baby is latched on correctly, it does not hurt at all. If you get an incorrect latch that is when the pain comes in but there are people at the hospital and ones you can hire outside the hospital who can help you.

-- How much of a pain in the azz is pumping?

I dont know, I avoid it as much as possible.

-- How much time does BFing really require?

To BF, not pump, requires less time than it takes to bottle feed. You are not cleaning bottles, mixing formula... its just have a boob and go.


-- Did you supplement with formula - why or why not?

No - I am a full time SAHM and I had no need for formula.

-- Anything you wish you knew about BFing before you started?

Hmmm... I dont think so. I read up on techniques, ways to avoid pain etc before Emma came so I just needed a little help in the hospital to get a good latch going and we were home free.

Re: moms who breastfeed

Message edited 2/8/2007 2:54:19 PM.

Re: moms who breastfeed

You'll definitely get different answers to these based on people's experience.

-- Does it really hurt THAT much?

For me it is excruciating, but I have several problems so I am in a different situation than most. It's true that if everything is ok then it shouldn't hurt. However, I had problems that went undiagosed for 3 mos and have been in pain since day one. If you get thrush or an infection it is horrible. So, lesson is that it is very important to have lots of help and support b/c BFing is not scientific or precise like formula.

-- How much of a pain in the azz is pumping?

I don't think it's a pain at all. However, it's also not something you have to do. You only pump if you need to.

-- How much time does BFing really require?

I would say it requires quite a bit of time. In her first few weeks I feel like that's all I did. Later on it takes up less time b/c the baby eats quicker.

-- Did you supplement with formula - why or why not?

Yes, DD had trouble gaining weight b/c my supply was low so we had to supplement for a while.

-- Anything you wish you knew about BFing before you started?

There's tons of things I wish I knew before I started but I wouldn't known what was going to happen until I went through it. We took a class, but even that doesnt' give you everything you need to know. You can't learn everything ahead of time. You need good resources to consult as you go along like a LIF. I found kellymom.com to be invaluable as was finally breaking down and hiring a Lactation Consultant.

Re: moms who breastfeed

-- Does it really hurt THAT much?
It depends. I had some pain when my milk came in and I was engorged, and my nipples were sore for awhile. They just needed to get used to it. No pain after the second week though.

-- How much of a pain in the azz is pumping?
I don't mind it at all. I have a manual pump. I don't like the idea of being hooked up to a machine and "milked". Some times I feel like its easier to pump and give her a bottle, then BF (Ella's a bit of a snacker)

-- How much time does BFing really require?
a TON! Especially in the beginning - it felt like she was on me all day long.

-- Did you supplement with formula - why or why not?
We recently started to, since I've returned to work. Its EASY - that would be the main reason. She gets maybe one formula bottle a day.

-- Anything you wish you knew about BFing before you started?
Not that I can think of...I read a few books beforehand so there weren't many surprises.

Re: moms who breastfeed

I can't believe I've been bfing for a year!

-- Does it really hurt THAT much?
I had pain for about two weeks in the beginning. My right nipple hurt more than my left. It felt like pins were going in it every time he fed. I didn't have any cracking or bleeding just pain. The lansinoh cream helped lots.

-- How much of a pain in the azz is pumping?
I really hated it b/c I felt like I was wasting my time. I never got many ounces from pumping so I only did it when I HAD to.

-- How much time does BFing really require?
It definately takes a lot of time in the beginning - You feed about every 2-3 hrs but that's from the time you start....sometimes the feedings would take 45min-an hour and then the next hour I was starting all over again. As time went on and he didn't eat as often it was better.

-- Did you supplement with formula - why or why not?
Yes, I did from day one and I'm so happy I did. I bfed most of the time but it was nice to be able to go out and leave a bottle.

-- Anything you wish you knew about BFing before you started?
Not that I can think of...I read a few books beforehand so there weren't many surprises.

Good Luck!

Re: moms who breastfeed

Does it really hurt THAT much?

In the beginning it did... I had sore nipples but once we got the hang of it, all was well! Thank God I never gave up!

How much of a pain in the azz is pumping?

I nurse on cue and only pumped on a rare occasion like if DD slept longer than 6 hours and I was very full!

How much time does BFing really require?

Clocks aren't the key to nursing... There are times DD will eat for a few minutes and other times longer or comfort nurse. I never follow a clock!

Did you supplement with formula - why or why not?

No, I am a stay at home mom so we are together always and we prefer her to only have my milk.

Anything you wish you knew about BFing before you started?

No, we always knew it was the way to go for us.

Re: moms who breastfeed

I know exactly how you feel. i was going to try it and see how it went. i was hoping to do 3 months at first. Now I'm planning on doing it for a year.

So my questions for the BTDT moms are:

-- Does it really hurt THAT much?
For me imy nipples only hurt a little for the first two weeks. I have gotten plugged milk ducts and engorgement which feels uncomfortable but not painful.

-- How much of a pain in the azz is pumping? I havent started yet but i plan to when i return to workin two weeks.

-- How much time does BFing really require?
At the beginning, the first 6 weeks or so, it takes ALL of your time. It felt like he was always nursing. Also, they have growth spurts when they want to eat all of the time. i never knew how time consuming it is.

-- Did you supplement with formula - why or why not? I haven't yet because there was no need to. If my supply goes down when I return to work I may have to.

-- Anything you wish you knew about BFing before you started?
I wish that i was like you and thought about it before the baby was born, you are really ahead of the game.
Ask for a Lactation Specialist at the hospital.
Buy the Nursing Mothers Companion, its a grea book.
Buy bras without underwires. Underwire bras caused engorgement for me.
It saves a lot of money, i never even thought about that.
It is very hard and draining, physically and emotionally, and you will want to quit. But if you stick with it, it will get better and you will feel great about it. It is great to see your baby thrive off of your milk.

Re: moms who breastfeed

Does it really hurt THAT much?
I didn't have pain when latching
-- How much of a pain in the azz is pumping?I pumped full -time for 1 year after Molly couldn't latch. In the first few days I had no idea if I could get thru the day, let along a week but I took it day by day and after a few weeks it was just part of my life and my routine. I have ZERO regrets and a lot of pride in what I did for Molly and for me.
-- How much time does BFing really require? It is a full-time part of your new job...being a mommy. After a few weeks you get into a routine. Being a mom is a full-time, 24/7, 356 day a year job..bf or formula or pumping all requires time, money and effort.
-- Did you supplement with formula - why or why not? The first 4 weeks Molly needed some formula while I increased my supply. After that she never needed it again. The only times Molly was constipated or threw up is when she was on formula.
-- Anything you wish you knew about BFing before you started?
Have confidence that you CAN do this. Don't say "I hope to BF" , say :"I WILL bf"

Bring your copy of Nursing Mother's Companion Guide to the hospital and look up things that you need to.

Bring the phone number of a professional LC with you to the hospital. Have it on your frig at home. Many hospital LCs are really nurses or LPN who took a course or two. You sometimes need someone who has a lot more training and experience.

Don't allow people to force you to supplement wtih saying that it is easier or at the first sign of trouble those same people say "well, you tried so now here is the formula"...those people are not being supportive. IF BF is important to you, spend the $ on the LC and put in the effort and you do get rewarded a million times over.

Plus, if you need anything just let us know

Re: moms who breastfeed

-- Does it really hurt THAT much?

Only if they're not latched on right. Once I got the hang of it, it didn't hurt at all.

-- How much of a pain in the azz is pumping?

Not at all. I exclusively BF and would only pump to relieve engorgement.

-- How much time does BFing really require?

As long as the baby wants-Miranda would take half an hour on each breast while Melanie was a power eater and took 10 minutes on each.

-- Did you supplement with formula - why or why not?

Not willingly. Melanie had jaundice so she had to be FF for a week-when I tried nursing her again we had a rough time. I wouldn't supplement.

-- Anything you wish you knew about BFing before you started?

The right way to do it. It would have saved a lot of time and energy. Take a breastfeeding class, it will help.

Re: moms who breastfeed

-- Does it really hurt THAT much?
At first it does. DD started sucking really hard and my nipples were sore.

How much of a pain in the azz is pumping? Not so bad. BEfore I went back to work it was no big deal. Now I take my pump to and from work. It is a backpack (Pump In Style Advanced), so its not too bad.

-- How much time does BFing really require? At first it takes a while. 30-40 minutes at a time. Now DD is down to 20 minutes every 3 hours.


-- Did you supplement with formula - why or why not? No. I don't need to. Forumula is meant to imitate breastmilk, so if I can give her the real thing, I would rather.


-- Anything you wish you knew about BFing before you started? It won't be easy- but try to make it 3 weeks. I would take a BF class and talk to BF moms.

My sister BF her daughter (who is 10 months older than mine) so I had a good first hand experience- and she had a really hard time. I also had a C-section so I was in the hospital 5 days, and the nurses were a great help. I took a BF class which was a total waste of time, but based solely on my instructor.

Good luck! Its been 4 months and I am going strong!

Re: moms who breastfeed

I cannot answer these questions, as I am now formula feeding Ava, but I will say this...if you want to BF, do everything you can to make it work. And do not let anyone in the hospital tell you that you need to give your baby formula at the first sign of problems. I really wanted to BF, and Ava had a hard time latching on, and the nurses pushed the formula on me so hard and made me feel terrible, like I was starving my daughter, when, infact, they should have been helping me to BF. I even met with a LC in the hospital who, OBVIOUSLY, was not as trained as an LC should be, and I blame her, as well, for ruining my chances at BF. She told me to pump and give her a bottle so that she would get SOMETHING and so that my milk would come in quickly. Well, I did it, and at that point, Ava was so used to the bottle, she wanted nothing to do with being BF.
I didn't even really think I wanted to BF before I had her, so you'd be surprised how strongly you may feel about it once your baby is here. I will forever regret not being more adament about getting her to latch on.

Re: moms who breastfeed

Message edited 8/19/2006 9:30:39 PM.

Re: moms who breastfeed

-- Does it really hurt THAT much?
In the beginning, it hurt but as soon as you & the baby get comfortable, the pain goes away.

-- How much of a pain in the azz is pumping?
It isn't that bad, you just have to set a schedule and work with it. It is hard if you are running late and have to stop to pump to avoid leaking.

-- How much time does BFing really require?
It is time consuming, but doable. My son was exclusively bf for 9 months, started solids around 6 months and he took to a bottle right away. Since I am back at work he gets EBM in bottles and has absolutely no problem with the bottle.
-- Did you supplement with formula - why or why not?
I just started recently because my supply is starting to dimish, but he only gets one formula bottle a day, the rest is EBM.
-- Anything you wish you knew about BFing before you started?
Tell the labor nurse that you will be breastfeeding right after delivery before they take the baby to weight and test. That first latch on is important. Don't be afraid to ask the nurses for help with correct latching techniques.

Re: moms who breastfeed

-- Does it really hurt THAT much?

In the beginning, yes. I was latched correctly and it still hurt.

-- How much of a pain in the azz is pumping?

I never found pumping a pain, I would watch TV or read a magazine - it was a nice clear your mind time

-- How much time does BFing really require?

alot in the beginning. sometimes 7-8 times a day for 20-60 minutes each time.

-- Did you supplement with formula - why or why not?

no, I didn't need to. We supplemented with expressed BM

-- Anything you wish you knew about BFing before you started?

I read alot and attended a class, so there wasn't anything, but I think I would have started getting family members on my side earlier.

I do wish I didn't worry about engorgement, for me it was uncomforatble, but didn't hurt. (if that makes sense)

Re: moms who breastfeed

Re: moms who breastfeed

-- Does it really hurt THAT much?

Not for everyone, but for me, yes.

-- How much of a pain in the azz is pumping?

A big pain in my opinion. Its no quicker than breastfeeding, and the plastic tubes aren't nearly as cute as a baby.

-- How much time does BFing really require?

A whole lot in the first few weeks. Baby eats basically ever 2 hours.

-- Did you supplement with formula - why or why not?

Nope. Wanted baby to get 100% of the health benefits.

-- Anything you wish you knew about BFing before you started?

To just accept how much time it takes and stop trying to figure out ways to get around it. Let everyone who wants to help do everything else. Make feeding the baby your one and only job for the first few months.