opinions...I have always thought I'd do BF right off the bat since I've heard it's excellent for the baby
Posted by kptoys
Im a serious breastfeeding advocate if you have the time to commit to it. The baby gets your antibodies, its easier to digest than formula, cheaper (I didnt need the double pump, bottles, bags) I was a fresh supply all the time, you dont have to heat it up in the middle of the night, you dont have to carry bottles with you when you go out and you get some serious closeness with the baby that only you get... plus it shrinks the uterus back to size quicker which helps with the bleeding and also burns calories to help you loose weight, bonus for you!
BUT you have to do what works for you, in my case it was BFing.
I plan on breastfeeding as well for all the reasons mentioned above. I hope I will be able to do it, my bf did it and she said it is difficult for the 1st few weeks but after that it is great.
I am breastfeeding and I love it. Some days are hard because it can be tiring and it's hard to rest when she's looking to eat every 2-3 hours. But it is so worth it. Knowing how much nutrients I am giving her is worth it and the bonding is amazing.
I decided to try breastfeeding, but also was not going to beat myself up about it if it just didn't work out right or I did not feel comfortable doing it. Right after Jack was born he latched on like a champ. So I figured it was smooth sailing. Well once my milk came in and I got so engorged, he could not latch on properly and was essentially getting no milk from me. By the time we went to the doc 5 days after birth, he had lost 12 oz from his birth weight. So I started supplimenting with formula and rented a hospital breastpump. Long story short, it was taking three pumping sessions every 2 hours just to get enough milk for one bottle. So after about week of that, I switched to formula all the time. I knew I was definately not comfortable enough to be able to go out in public and breasfeed. Even at home I would go upstairs so I had privacy. So for me, b-feeding was not the ideal choice. Jack is doing just fine on formula and I'm much happier with this decision.
Posted by emilain
I Breastfed both of my girls for the first year of life, and I will breastfeed in the future as well. There is no experience like it, and it is the BEST for your child. I always tell my friends, if a store wanted to sell you a mediocre car seat and then offered you a better, safer seat wouldn't you do what is best for your baby? Same goes with breastfeeding, it is the best nutritionally!!![]()
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I am not breastfeeding either. I wish it worked out that I was, but it didn't. And I am totally fine with that. Everybody does what is best for them, and nobody should be judged for whatever they decide to do. I tried breastfeeding, and I give credit to those women who are able to stick with it, but I also know that it is never going to be something that everyone does. Formula feeding has made me and my baby happier, and I am confident that he is a very healthy and very loved little boy!
I totally understand if there are reasons why you are unable to breasfeed that are beyond your control, one of my bestfriends had to stop breastfeeding because her son and her kept transferring yeast back and forth to each other so she made the conscious decision to stop the madness and clear up her infectiona nd put him on formula. I'm sorry if you took offense Danirn, but I hear of some ladies saying they don't want to do it because it is 'too time consuming', or they don't want their breasts to droop, or they want to sleep, and I don't think that OK, but I am well aware that there are other facts that cause a woman to have to make the decision to give formula. I just think if you have a choice and no obstacles in your way, why wouldn't you breastfeed?
I have decided not to breastfeed when my little guy arrives. Its just a personal decision that I have made. I don't think that this decision is going to make me a bad mother. I was not breastfead and I turned out great - IMO.
Posted by StepherG
I don't plan on breast feeding. I cant imagine that it will feel 'natural' to me to do so. My mom didn't breast feed my brother nor I and we came out ok![]()
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I really think it depends on the person and IT IS A PERSONAL DECISION that NO ONE should be told otherwise. I hate that people think your 'so bad' if you don't. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
I am def. going to breast feed but I am a little nervous about it. I am going to take the breast feeding class that they give at the hospital.
Posted by emilain
I totally understand if there are reasons why you are unable to breasfeed that are beyond your control, one of my bestfriends had to stop breastfeeding because her son and her kept transferring yeast back and forth to each other so she made the conscious decision to stop the madness and clear up her infectiona nd put him on formula. I'm sorry if you took offense Danirn, but I hear of some ladies saying they don't want to do it because it is 'too time consuming', or they don't want their breasts to droop, or they want to sleep, and I don't think that OK, but I am well aware that there are other facts that cause a woman to have to make the decision to give formula. I just think if you have a choice and no obstacles in your way, why wouldn't you breastfeed?
Posted by emilain
I guess as long as YOU'RE comfortable in how you care for your baby, that is all that counts.
As for myself, I just could not imagine NOT doing what is best for my baby. Yes, it feels weird at times, but I put my own issues aside and focused on what is considered by the medical field to be the 'best choice'. What's the old saying: 'Breast is Best', even the formula companies advertise this. Good luck everyone, I'm sure everyone's babies will be healthy, happy and beautiful regardless of whether they drink from a bottle or breast.![]()
Posted by StepherG
Posted by emilain
I guess as long as YOU'RE comfortable in how you care for your baby, that is all that counts.
As for myself, I just could not imagine NOT doing what is best for my baby. Yes, it feels weird at times, but I put my own issues aside and focused on what is considered by the medical field to be the 'best choice'. What's the old saying: 'Breast is Best', even the formula companies advertise this. Good luck everyone, I'm sure everyone's babies will be healthy, happy and beautiful regardless of whether they drink from a bottle or breast.![]()
Forget it. Not worth my effort.
Hmmm, so this is quite the interesting topic. I'd rather not drag on the argumentative part of it, but I know that I definitely want to breastfeed if possible, and I'm still really curious as to what kind of problems others have had when making the attempt. It seems an intimidating process and although it's a long time off, I want to prepare for what to expect.
