not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

With DD i tried breastfeeding - it didnt work. DD wouldnt latch, i was in a lot of discomfort from the c-section, wrapping my head around around feeding/pumping, etc; it was all very overwhelming for me and i think i may have had a touch of PPD, so overalll it was a VERY bad experience.

this time around, not sure if i even want to try. Because of my past expeirence, my OB suggested that i try, but not have the baby be "Exclusively Breast Feed" and our pediatrician said to "Exclusively Breast Feed".

I know how good BF is, but the very thought of going through what i went through last time is already causing me a lot of anxiety (and i have 12 weeks to go!) I was a mess, and not only to i have think about caring for a newborn, but i have a 4 year old to care for as well. Just not sure it's the best option for me.

Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions on how to handle this uncertainly, especially while in the hospital when i know they will push for it??

TIA

not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

IMO I would tell the hospital I was FF. and then BF if you want.

I told them I was BF but then had issues and DS was crying cause he was hungry and I could get him to latch and feed. They refused at one point to give me formula....My DH had to take it from the nurses station.

Re: not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

I don't know if I'm strange or what, but my hospital never pushed it on me.
I told them no once.
When she came out, they asked if I was going to BF
I said No.
They noted it and that was the last time I heard the word breast uttered.

You do what is best for you and don't let anyone push you otherwise. Remember you are strong and independent and you just created a life.
You make your own decisions on what is best for you and your child and if anyone questions it while you are there, you raise a riot.

Re: not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

I'm all fro doing what you feel is best for you and your baby. If you strongly feel that you do not want to try this time then do not feel pressured into it. I have had several friends who tried with their first dc and realized it wasn't for them or what ever their reasons were and chose to FF with #2. Everyone will have an opinion and it's very easy for others to say this is what you should do but ultimately it's your body and your child

not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

Which hospital? I had DD a couple of weeks ago. They asked if I was FF or BF. I wanted to BF so they helped me with it but DD just isn't into it no matter how hard i try. They didn't push it at all and when DD needed formula b/c she wasn't eating, they didn't give me problems at all but still continued to work with me to try to get her to BF. Now at 12 days PP, she still won't bf but I do pump when I can and whatever BM i can pump out, she gets. The rest is formula.

Re: not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

Re: not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

Posted by readyfor3

I'm all fro doing what you feel is best for you and your baby. If you strongly feel that you do not want to try this time then do not feel pressured into it. I have had several friends who tried with their first dc and realized it wasn't for them or what ever their reasons were and chose to FF with #2. Everyone will have an opinion and it's very easy for others to say this is what you should do but ultimately it's your body and your child

not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

dont feel bad about it...if you want to give it a try go for it...and if not they wont pressure you (although i guess that caries by hospital) but LIJ in new hyde park does not push you at all. i would bf during the day (or attempt to) and at night i have them give formula. i had no issues at all.

Re: not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

Thinks ladies...I appreciate your thoughts! Will probably just tell the hospital that I will FF and try BF on my own. Much less pressure that way.

Re: not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

with dd1 i didnt want to bf i said i would pump and formula. I did end up breast feeding her but it was here and there and i had problems with her latching. I also did not have her come into the recovery room because i was very bad after my surgery.

dd2s c/s went a lot better. I stayed calm the whole time. I got no other medication and in recovery room the nurse encouraged me to breast feed. dd2 was a champ and has been ever since. I never really thought that i would just bf and just give very little formula.

the choice is yours . this is a different child. this is a different surgery. do what you what now what other people think is best.

Re: not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

I just had dd on Tuesday. I told them when they asked Both. I would try bf but I am definitely supplementing with formula. I made sure that to get a better latch I had her in the recovery room bf. It seemed to be better than my first daughter. I found that most nurses were very educated on it more so than last time. Last time I had a melt down because I wasn't getting a lactation specialist or any real help. I gave her a bottle and felt like a failure. I did get a lactation consultant to come to the house and she was so helpful.
This time as long as I know she's getting what she needs to grow I'm ok with it. Just know. Try it, stick it out for as long as you can and you have the right to change your mind at any time. You are the mother. Don't put pressure on yourself. Good luck

Re: not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

I told the nurses that I wanted to BF when DD was born. I wouldn't say I was discouraged to BF, but I also didn't feel encouraged to do so. I'm sure if I asked for formula, they would had given it to me.

If you don't want to feel pressured to BF just tell them you plan to, but you may end up asking for formula. I'm sure that happens all the time.

Good luck

not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

I agree with nervous Nell completely! You choose whether or not you want to breast feed and only you! I read some bonus material from the baby bargains book, where a clever mom put a NOT BREASTFEEDING sign on her door, to limit the various people coming into the room to pressure her. I think this is a brilliant idea!

Re: not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

When I had DS2 I wanted to try BF again (DS1 was a piggie and I just never could keep up so he was FF pretty much from day 1) I told the nurses I was doing both. I also believe in sleeping in the hospital when possible so I sent my son to the nursery at night with instructions to FF at night. i asked for formula in the bassinet cart, but then during the day I tried to BF.

Anyway, I kept this up for 3 months when I choose to stop. I nursed, pumped and FF.

Re: not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

I think you should do whatever feels right once the baby comes. Most hospitals understand that things don't always work out the way mommies plan.
I wanted a vaginal birth and BF only baby. I told my OB, the nurses etc. when it came time for my baby to arrive, my choices were C-section or probable death... Better believe a c-section looked pretty good given my choices. Because I was so sick after delivery, they offered me to BF but I was practically comatose, and baby needed to eat. So, the nurses gave her formula. Once I was lucid I BF. 2days later my choices were possible NICU (because she was losing too much weight) or formula. So again, she took formula. Wasn't my plan, but it needed to be done so DD remained healthy. By the time we went home 5 days later, she was a BFing champ and still is.
If you want to try it, you should. If you don't, no big deal. Some babies pick it up better than others. Whatever makes you feel least anxious.

Re: not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

not sure abt breastfeeding - how to handle at hospital

CFA has an amazing breastfeeding class. We also offer support after your baby is born. It's good to have all the information you need to help you with your decision. Call us or visit our website for more information.
631-360-2880
www.familycfa.com