even though Molly and I hit a few snags with BFing in the beginning we are trying very hard to build my milk supply and get off of the formula supplements. But here is my question-how do you adjust your life to be the ONLY one who feeds your baby? I am pumping so I do have some breast milk bottles which is a HUGE help. Just going to my doctor's appt would be so difficult if I didn't have any bottles to offer her. For example- this morning I nursed her for 20 minutes and then the Cable guy arrived to do some work so I switched over to a bottle. How do you handle that if you do not ever use bottles?
Any tips or advise would be much appreciated.
JENHOS
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Re: Need Bfing lifestyle tips please
I don't have advice but glad to hear you are getting back on track!
Stacey1403
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Re: Need Bfing lifestyle tips please
Unfortunately I spend a lot of time in spare bedrooms
Once you get the hang of it you can be pretty discreet. I usually have a spare burp rag around to cover up if anyone comes in the room who would be uncomfortable. I nurse in front of females, but not males. I did however nurse in front of his Peditrician who is a male about my age Damien was screaming from 3 shots and it was the only way to calm him down. The worst thing is that you do all the feedings and I always have to take him with me. But I never worry about sterilizing water and making bottles, which is wonderful at 3 in the morning
phyl
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Re: Need Bfing lifestyle tips please
you will need to eventually come to some sort of comfort level of bfing in public/in front of others...otherwise you are going to banish yourself to a bedroom. use those baby blankets to cover up....pick somewhat private areas to bf. hey I did it at the source mall in the food court! I sat at a table, hubby opposite,resting my foot on the stroller to sort of block some of the view..and covered her with a blanket.
if you dont make eye contact, people will figure out you are busy!
as far as the cable guy, or any other service people ringing your bell...if you dont have the luxery of someone else there to help you, I guess you will need to decide if you really need to answer the door. ...if so, then you will need to break her from llatching on, answer the door, give them whatever directions they need, and go back to bfing.
you'll be surprised HOW accomodating people will be when they realize YOU and only you have to feed your baby.
it takes time and practice. I didnt believe my SIL when she said one day I wouldn't treat my boobs as private objects once my baby started to wail for food. she was right...not that I FLASHED anyone
NIHA
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Re: Need Bfing lifestyle tips please
It took me about 3 months to feel totally comfortable bfding around others. I can now do it in a restaurant, but try to sit in a booth, and wear shirts that will allow me to bf easily and discreetly.
For me, bfding w/o bottles (which I did use the first 3 months, but haven't used in a long time) has been difficult b/c it is easy to feel tied down. When Lyla was smaller, I was able to nurse her with one arm and do my makeup with the ohter!! But, she's 15+ lbs now, so I can't get up as easily.
Since we had moved when she was born, the first couple of months I had several home improvement people coming in. I remember discussing with Peter that it was hard for me to be home alone when these men came to give estimates on painting and repairing things. At least 1x I had to let Lyla cry in my arms while I spoke to a guy for 15-20 minutes! When the guys were here actually doing the work, I just nursed her in the living room while they were working in the ohter rooms.
Victoria
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Re: Need Bfing lifestyle tips please
Although I used bottles, they were mostly reserved for DH and grandma to feed her if I was not around. I got comfortable BF in public discreetly. Many times my family did not even realize I was feeding her. They would comment on how she was sleeping for 10 minutes already so I should put her down. I did feel very tied to the baby until she started on some food. I would have stopped feeding her if a cable guy came, but I would restart in another room if I was able to while he worked.
michele31
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Re: Need Bfing lifestyle tips please
I actually answered my door yesterday while feeding the baby because I had on my nursing top (I need to get 2 more of these) and it totally covers me. But I have a painter coming today and plan to pump/feed in my bedroom. I am sure the more practice I get, the easier it will be. We still have latch-on issues so I cannot just quickly get her on the breast just yet.
