Another Breast Feeding Question

As you know I am in the dark about most 'mothering' things. I know NOTHING about breastfeeding. Of course I could research it on the net....but getting the info here is SO much more enjoyable!

Here are my ??'s:

1. How long do they suggest you breastfeed your baby for maximum health benefits?

2. What does breastfeeding supply your baby with health-wise?

3. What does it mean when a mommie 'can't' breastfeed?

4. How many times a day does it end up being, how long, and do you switch boobies per feeding?

5. Is the reason for pumping so you can fill a bottle and feed baby that way when you can't feed? And does that hurt?

6. How does the milk 'stop' coming when you don't want to breastfeed anymore?

7. Does the milk start right after the baby is born? Or is it storing up while pregnant?

Thank goodness I have you ladies for all my embarrassing questions!

Colostrum is 1 of the benefits among many i dont know.You use each side for 10-25 min each feeding. pumping does not hurt but it is not easy you need a good pump. you pump so hubby can help or someone else can. there is medication to dry up it is a little uncomfortable but it will happen even if you dont breastfeed. another bonus is the incredible bond you will have w/ your baby

You'll find lots of your answers here:
American Academy of Pediatrics

What does it mean when a mommie 'can't' breastfeed? Very few women can't, it is more a matter of how much patience one has to learn (some babies have a much harder time latching and it can be pretty painful while teaching)

How many times a day does it end up being, how long, and do you switch boobies per feeding? In the beginning it is quite frequent (every 2 hours or so) for longer periods of time (I was told to spend 20 minutes on each breast)

Is the reason for pumping so you can fill a bottle and feed baby that way when you can't feed? Yes, or to give mommy a much needed booby break

And does that hurt? Not after a while, your nipples harden a bit.

How does the milk 'stop' coming when you don't want to breastfeed anymore? You slowly reduce your nursing over time and your body knows to stop producing--pretty neat!

Does the milk start right after the baby is born? Or is it storing up while pregnant? Your hormones kick into action after the baby is born. It can take a few days for the actual milk to come in (colostrum comes first).

When does it stop hurting? NEVER No, not really but I am sure this is different for everyone. Mine stopped after about 3 weeks until I got a very painful blister at 6 weeks-ouch.

These answers are just from my own experience, so I'm sure you'll get a wide range of info!

1. It is recommended that you breast feed for 1 year. I did it for 8 weeks (see other post). I didn't love it - liked it, didn't love it!

2. Breast milk provides the baby with the 'perfect food' - it is easily digested, they can 'use' everything in it - vitamins, protein, etc. It gives them (hopefully) more immunity to allergies, sickness, etc. than formula, although in my opinion, today's formulas are so good, that I didn't worry too much about weaning.

3. I guess some people can't nurse because the baby doesn't latch on properly, or they have inverted nipples, and I'm sure for a whole host of reasons. I don't know, since I could, and it went very well. All I do know is that I don't believe anyone is a 'failure' if they can't, or don't choose to nurse. I support all methods of feeding!

4. For me, I had to feed Ryan every 2 - 3 hours in the beginning. Around 5 - 6 weeks, he wanted to be fed every 1 1/2 hours (growth spurt). I fed on demand, not on a schedule. Each feeding session lasted about 10 - 30 minutes on each breast! I would switch breasts but only at his timing...when he pulled off of one, signaling that he was done, I would burp him and switch him to the other side. It is very much more convenient than bottle feeding, but more time consuming in my opinion. The bonding time is nice, but we still bond over the bottle!

5. I pumped so that someone else could feed him and I could have a little break. That's the problem with breast feeding - no one else can do it! So I would have to run to the store and I would leave him with his grandmother, but I HAD to be back before he got hungry, because I was the only one who could feed him! I started by pumping breast milk and giving him a bottle of that, but he was too big and ate too much for me to keep up with him. I also had a hard time pumping - it didn't hurt, it was just uncomfortable. I tried various pumps too and never found one that worked. Also, it took FOREVER for me to pump 4 ounces - pumping is way less efficient than the baby s--king on your boob! It was a lot of work that I admit I was not willing to do - so I moved on to introducing formula.

6. Milk is produced 'on demand'....so the more you nurse, the more milk there is and vice versa. When you drop feedings, it takes time for your breasts to realize that the need for supply is diminishing. During this time, my breasts would get engorged and be very painful - you can't even pump to relieve because that would signal them to produce more milk! Weaning is tough on the boobs! My dr. said there is no pill that they prescribe anymore like they used to. Maybe some doctors do. It wasn't unbearable, just uncomfortable. I know some people who did it cold turkey (cut ALL feedings at once) - I could NEVER deal with the pain!!

7. Some people leak milk while pg. I didn't. At first the baby gets colostrum which is full of all kinds of great nutrition and antibodies. Your milk usually comes in 3 -4 days after the baby is born. It's a little painful when that happens, but the more you nurse the better!

8. My n-pples were cracked and sore for about 2 weeks...if you can stick it out past that stage it gets MUCH MUCH better!!

As a final note, even though I stopped nursing, I would definitely try to do it again for 8 weeks when I have another baby - but for me, no longer than that! Good Luck!

While I haven't tried yet here are some of my thoughts about some of the questions:
I am doing a lot of research plus I am taking a 2 hour class in Sept. Also, my stepmom and DH will go with me to the class. I have read that having support is very important but since my stepmom never bf I think it is important to have a few people in my life know about bfing in order to be able to help me better.
I am also reading a lot about being a working mom and bfing.
I have read that one year of bfing is the ideal timefrme. My goal is 3 months of bfing, 3 months of combo feeding (pumping, bottles, bfing and if needed, formula). At 6months my part time employment agreement is up and I need to re-discuss with my boss so I will decide what to do at that time.

I am going to do my best to avoid givng a pacifer since I have read that can hurt your chances of bfing.

I really want to try my best but I also promised myself that I will not allow external pressures to make my decisions for me. I know when my SIL tried to bf things were not going well on day 1. She called my stepmom, not an experienced breastfeeder. My stepmom tried to help her but it didn't seem to be working so they gave the baby a bottle, he stopped crying and the bfing was over. This is why I am bring my stepmom to the class with me. Without any knowledge you cannot just fix the problems that may come about.

Anyway I am not sure what will happen, but if you need support I will try my best to give it.

lets see if I can remember all your ?S...
1- colustrum- perfect food for baby a few days old. it a watery version of your milk- digests easily. u can bf your babe minutes after birth (i did!)

2- supposed to give your babe anitbodies and vitamins..cut down on earaches, etc. also provides bonding time that is sooo important to newborns. altho I think a bottle fed baby gets that too..and from more than just mommy

3- they say at least a year. many moms I talk to try to do it at least for 3-4 months and take it from there- depending on the child, your workload, your boss, your body, etc

4- i reccomend taking those classes and bringing hubby and mom and MIL along ESPECIALLY if they did not bf themselves. they need to be your BIGGEST CHEERLEADERS and you will need their support especially in the beginning.

5- hurts due to improper latching tehniques. you and the baby have to learn how to latch on properly. for me that really did not happen until my milk came in which was about 3 ays after birth. so those first few days were VERY frustrating...with a crying babe u r trying to feed and its l ike every 2 hours or so they are hungry.


6- why every 2 hours or so- babes tummy is LITTLE and bmilk is very easily digested..which means it gets processed QUICKLY and then they ar hungry again.

7- hurting? didnt hurt me once milk really came in..hurts occasionally NOW cuz J is breaking teeth.

8- pumping? so it so other scan feed and u can be away from baby, so others get a turn to bond, and when u return to work u need to pump to realive your breasts and have something for others to feed the baby when ur not there. I pump and IT IS HARD WORLK. nothing is as efficient as your baby.
it takes me 45 min to get 2-4 oz. but I still try to do it

9- boss- they have to provide a way for you to pump (if u want to do it) its the law- and it CANNOT be just use a bathroom stall.

10- stopping...once baby is eating less off of you...your body adjusts. takes some time and can be a bit painful.

11-i suppleiment with formula for daytime feeding while J is in daycare. started that at 4 months since I could not pump enuf to keep up with her. all done with drs approval. took some of the pressure off of me because I felt I was failing the baby.

let me know if I didnt cover something
HTH!

READ As much as you can BEFORE baby comes!

Phyl--
I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one struggling with pumping! I was so worried something was wrong b/c I only get 3-4 ounces at a time. I sometimes only get 2! I have had a little success by pumping for shorter periods of time but more often. I was wondering whether that was all Joseph was getting and I know he needs 5 ounces at a time.