Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

i never thought about it before getting pregnant, but as i reasearched, i realized that breast is best and i wanted to def. give it a try as best as possible. i had a lot of naysayers telling me that i wouldn't be able to do for a long time considering i'd return to work after 8 weeks, but i was determined to do what i needed to for my baby... i nursed him till 13 mos and i think it is teh best decision i ever made. it was convienent, inexpensive (still had to buy the pump, breast pads, etc), and by far the best bonding experience. i loved holding my son while he nursed. i loved how he looked up at me, ran his fingers on my triceps, pulled at my nose. i loved how when he would get sick at daycare, all i had to do was hold him, nurse him, and love him - no bottles to worry about, no need to put him down.
my parents and siblings didn't understand why i would choose to nurse - they thought formula would be great b/c we were formula fed...i refused to let them interfere with my decision

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

pass immunities on
easy on tap soution, no need to lug bottles
bonding time with the baby

but the main, main reason
Lose weight.

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

Cheap, easy and of course, the best thing for your child. It’s the natural thing to do. For me, formula feeding wasn’t an option, which is why I wound up exclusively pumping for 8 months. I wouldn’t do it again…but it was the right thing at the time. Also, the bonding and being the one your baby depends on is a big part of motherhood for me, there were other jobs for daddy to do!!!

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

I researched the heck out of everything before my sons were born and every sign said it was the best thing I could do for my child.

But the BIGGEST reason was the sacrifice. I didn't acknowledge it or even really recognize it at the time - but breastfeeding gave me such utter joy because it was evidence to me of just how far I would be willing to go for my children.

You see - Robbie didn't latch on right away. He was on Enfamil being supplemented by expressed breastmilk and every day - at every feeding - I would wrestle to get him to latch. And I couldn't. And I wanted to give up so bad. And I could have with NO ill effects. The doctors told me that formula was so far improved that the health benefits of breastmilk might not be the tremendous advantage I had read about. And my sisters hadn't breastfed and their children were great. And other mom's gave me horror stories about how their nipples cracked or they had infections. But on the day I was sure I would give up - like a miracle - he latched. I cried and I was so filled with amazement and love and satisfaction.. there was NOTHING like that feeling.

And months later as I lay with his tiny body curled around mine, I realized that I would give up foods, drinking, sleeping and even the free use of my own body to give them whatever might give them a slight edge. And I KNOW that had I not breastfed, I would still love my boys enough to do anything for them.. but breastfeeding just provided me with the very first realtime example of how far I would be willing to go. And when NoNo was born there wasn't even a question that I would repeat the experience!

Message edited 6/18/2009 6:26:53 AM.

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

It is cheap!
I didn't have to get up and make a bottle!
I read about all the health reasons!
I loved the bonding!

It was hard and I was very proud that I was able to BF and pump at work! I did that for 14 months!

I hope it goes well this time also!

Message edited 6/18/2009 6:55:08 AM.

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

Because it is natural and has been sustaining the human race since day 1.

I never considered NOT BFing.

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

free food

great bond with the baby (not to say that those who ff cannot bond, but it is just not the same, IMHO)

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

Because I believe it to be healthiest for the baby and because I *thought* it helped you to lose the baby weight faster.

I totally agree with this too-- after the fact of course.



I will say, I truly felt/feel a huge sense of accomplishment looking at my babies' chubby thighs knowing, "I DID that" because it was all me that created the nourishment that made those cheeks and thighs and tushies fat.

Message edited 6/18/2009 8:05:30 AM.

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

money. i only paid $8 a month for breast pads. formula would have cost at least $150 a month if not more.

although i did pay $250 for a really good breast pump, over the course of the 5 months i BFed that is still only $50 a month.

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

i will also say that i didn't feel that special bond that a lot of BF moms describe. while i loved BFing (once i got over the horrible beginning) i would not say that it made me feel more bonded with my child. to me, it was just feeding time.

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

The main reason for me is that it is the best nutrition for my babies. I was determined that they receive my colostrum, at the very least.

I pumped for about 6 weeks, then couldn't take it anymore as far as the time it took. Maybe if I only had one baby, it would have been do-able for a longer period of time, but with twins, I just couldn't do it anymore. It's only me and DH here in NC, so I don't have any help or support system. I was stressed out beyond belief!

I am very grateful, however, that they received my milk for 6 weeks!!!!

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

Here are my reasons:

1) by far the most important to me, I really believed it was the best nutrition for my baby, and would give her extra immunity, etc.

the rest are extra reasons:

2) it was special time/bond for us. i was the only one who fed her for a long time, nursing always soothed her no matter what, and it just felt very natural to me. (Years ago, I never wanted to breastfeed and was kind of freaked out by it. That totally changed as I got older and especially when I became pregnant.)

3) it can help you lose the weight.

4) much more convenient and cheaper

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

Funny to think I don't even remember why I decided but I had a bumpy start and then it clicked and now DD is 2.25 years old and we still do it at night.

I like that it is natural. It is good for her. The bond did feel magical and sometimes still does.

I don't even remember the major reason, I just remember hearing friends of the family did it and I thought it sounded good.

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

I guess I just always thought I would at least try it.

But honestly, the main reason I BF was because of DH. He REALLY wanted me to give it a go; I, on the other hand, would have been happy for it not to work out. Once he read the information, he couldn't see a reason NOT to do it...yeah, probably because he's not the one that HAS to do it. It's so funny because ordinarily, DH has NO involvement in anything female/baby related. But as he said, "If there's a chance that you can raise the baby's IQ by even 1 point, then you're doing it."

Two years later (after BFing for 3 mos and 6 mos. respectively), I recall hating it, liking it, feeling A LOT of pride from it, enjoying the convenience of it...but I know that if it weren't for DH's encouragement, I would have given it up around oh...the one week mark. So, go DH!

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

Message edited 6/18/2009 9:35:47 AM.

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

For me one of the biggest reasons is the bond and closeness.. also the nutrition factor.

Message edited 6/18/2009 9:16:08 AM.

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

Main reason was because I feel it is best for babies.

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

Message edited 6/18/2009 9:27:17 AM.

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

Breast Milk by far is the Best Nutrition you can give your child...

The Bond you share during Nursing is unexplainable...

The immunities passed on from Mom to Child are like no other...

Many health benefits for Both Mom and Child...

Watching your Child Nurse and knowing your body is making Food and Nutrition for them is a true Miracle!

It is All Natural, no additives - preservatives.

Right there, ready to go anytime

Re: What was/is the main reason you chose to BF

Cause it was free and i wanted to try to do it.