Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

The is no bond like the one you get from bfing.
when I weaned #2, it was a moment that I wanted to freeze...I knew I would never nurse again...I knew my baby would never hold me the same again-I made my sister come over and take a picture.

Nursing #2 was very important for me. Me and #1 had so much time together to just sit there and stare at each other...3 years worth he was my universe.
By nursing #2, it allowed me to shut everything else around me out and concentrate on her for a few moments everyday.

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

know what...your not worth it

To the OP, it's def worth trying but I agree it's a big commitment and no one can talk you into it. however, if you should choose not to BF for whatever reason, please know it is perfectly OK

Message edited 8/13/2011 11:43:12 PM.

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

Posted by bayla

Posted by Grill

Breast is truly best. It is specific fats, proteins, and nutrients for a human baby whereas formula contains milk that has specific fats, proteins and nutrients for baby cows. There is no question which would be healthier for a new human baby. Furthermore, since breast is best, I believe that you owe it to both your newborn and your older child to do the best thing by both of them. Even if you didn't BF #1, it is an incredible lesson to model to your children that you can evolve into a stronger mother who makes better decisions and incorporates new information as it becomes available. I know this may seem like a harsh, insensitve position, but it is one that I firmly believe in. Happy Mama=Happy Baby....but that argument only goes so far with me, especially when long term health and well being are at stake. I don't like to hear people say....'my 5 year old was FF and is fine'... It's way too early to see the ramifications of this mother's choice. Sometimes we don't see it until the senior years...but it DOES matter. Parenthood requires profound sacrifices...and BFing is one that I find non-negotiable. Sorry for my diatribe. Best of luck to you in your decision though. Oh and....you don't need to buy anything to BF. It's also the cheapest feeding method. Nursing covers aren't necessary. You can use a receiving blanket if you want to cover up. : )

I dont normally reply to these threads, but how DARE you? I understand how impt breastfeeding is, but so many women are unable to do it not b/c they "give up" or don't want to commit. Their are so many reasons a women is unable to (medically, physcially) and you have absolutely no right to indicate that a women is harming their child if they are FF. and you are a la leche in training. I would never want you around me or MY child. When I had issues trying to BF my kids, the la leche women I dealt with were wonderful and udnerstanding and never once made me feel I was horrible for having to give formula to my children. Shame on you!

To the OP, it's def worth trying but I agree it's a big commitment and no one can talk you into it. however, if you should choose not to BF for whatever reason, please know it is perfectly OK

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

I can say it was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done as a person in my entire life. When I first started it was torture but I knew I could do it. I had to figure it out, I did not give myself the option to say that I could not do it. I did not get my milk for 4 days but I still did it. I bled. I cracked and it hurt. I was bitten. I still loved every minute of it, well not so much the biting, but once I figured it out, it was the best. It is absolutely a commitment, in time, sleep deprivation, love, and at first I was not sure if I could do it. I am not saying FF mom's don't love their kids. There are a lot of reasons why FF moms do that route and I don't begrudge them at all. It took a few weeks - over a month - to really say oh yeah I got the hang of this thing. There really are no expenses. You can just use a regular blanket. If you go back to work, then yes, you would need to pump and that is an expense.

I can't tell you to do it. I can't make you want to do it. Will you older DC get board? Maybe. I would sit DS next to me and read to him while nursing DD. However, I do think it forced him to be ok playing on his own and figuring out how to entertain himself. Which in itself it a good thing to be able to do.

With both of my kids my ability to nurse them was taken away from me. I got sick and had to take medicine as I was bitten by a tick. I also had to have emergency surgery. I would have given anything to not be in those situations and be able to nurse until we both felt ready to stop. In the end I gave my kids the gift that I could. I loved it. I hope you do too.

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

I'm not sure why everyone is being so hard on Grill. I mean, the subject of this thread is "can you talk me into bf" and that is exactly what grill did. It wasn't a post about a BF mom looking to feel better about having to stop and give formula. I think Grill just tried to give her best pitch!

That said, I agree with one thing that almost everyone posted - if u need to be talked into it then, unless something changes for you mentally you will probably not succeed. For most, BF is initiallly very hard and, for all, BF is a sacrifice of what is easier for mommy to give to baby.

I don't think there is much of a question here. I mean, everyone knows (and the research is there to support it) that BM is best for the baby for a million reasons. If you really want to know - just ask your ped or even google the research out there. for me, just knowing something was that much better for my baby I couldn't in good conscience not do it. But, that is the type of person I am. I will tell you, in the end when BF is 100% done - my children did show all the benefits of being BF - esp. when I compared them to FF friends. It was VERY VERY VERY hard for me with DC #1 - if you do a search on here you will see what I went through but, I stuck it out for him. With DD I was worried like you that it would effect him negatively. Obviously I wasn't willing to give one child "the best" only to sacrifice the other. I decided before she was even born that the second it started negatively impacting his life - I would be done. Well, she was an amazing nurser for the first 6 mo of her life and it didn't affect his life AT ALL. I nursed her for 9 mos and, I can honestly say, he never had any idea what was going on.

HTH!

Message edited 8/14/2011 12:49:25 AM.

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

in my opinion,
Breast is not best for everyone
But when its good ... its amazing good

Its free to try, and that's why if your at all curious you should just try, maybe it will be amazing good fof you. As soon as your over it, you can buy all the formula and stuff. Nothing wasted.

how's that?

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

I don't agree with everyone who says if you need to be talked into it you won't be successful! I think the fact that you are even considering it & thinking about it enough to come on here & make thi post show that you are willing enough to try & you might have it easy & be a complete success! I am very lucky in that dd latched we'll & was a good eater! However, I would have stuck it out regardless! Even now, dd has a milk sensitivity so I have to cut all milk from my diet, ( which I've successfully done), and the thought of giving up hasn't crossed my mind! I LOVE the time I get with dd and when she snuggles up against my chest it melts my heart everytime! Don't let anyone discourage you! You can so do this if you choose to! :)

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

Posted by BaseballWidow

Posted by Grill

Breast is truly best. It is specific fats, proteins, and nutrients for a human baby whereas formula contains milk that has specific fats, proteins and nutrients for baby cows. There is no question which would be healthier for a new human baby. Furthermore, since breast is best, I believe that you owe it to both your newborn and your older child to do the best thing by both of them. Even if you didn't BF #1, it is an incredible lesson to model to your children that you can evolve into a stronger mother who makes better decisions and incorporates new information as it becomes available. I know this may seem like a harsh, insensitve position, but it is one that I firmly believe in. Happy Mama=Happy Baby....but that argument only goes so far with me, especially when long term health and well being are at stake. I don't like to hear people say....'my 5 year old was FF and is fine'... It's way too early to see the ramifications of this mother's choice. Sometimes we don't see it until the senior years...but it DOES matter. Parenthood requires profound sacrifices...and BFing is one that I find non-negotiable. Sorry for my diatribe. Best of luck to you in your decision though. Oh and....you don't need to buy anything to BF. It's also the cheapest feeding method. Nursing covers aren't necessary. You can use a receiving blanket if you want to cover up. : )

Jeez, I hope you'd give some slack to those of us that have major supply issues due to hormonal imbalances (PCOS) and HAD to give our child formula for them to survive. Can you negotiate around that?

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

Posted by Janice

The is no bond like the one you get from bfing.
when I weaned #2, it was a moment that I wanted to freeze...I knew I would never nurse again...I knew my baby would never hold me the same again-I made my sister come over and take a picture.

Nursing #2 was very important for me. Me and #1 had so much time together to just sit there and stare at each other...3 years worth he was my universe.
By nursing #2, it allowed me to shut everything else around me out and concentrate on her for a few moments everyday.

IMAGE

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

For the record, any of the studies on the effects of breastfeeding are correlational and not causative. There has never been a study with randomly selected mothers randomly assigned to either a breastfeeding group or a formula group. Hence, the science can only say that breastfeeding is correlated with less sickness, higher IQ, etc. You cannot say it CAUSES these things.

This is a HUGE limitation in the breastfeeding research. Most likely, the cognitive benefits of breastfeeding is the result of a selection bias on who decides to breastfeed and not from actual breastfeeding. In other words, mothers who breastfeed tend to have more education, more income, etc. It is these factors that probably influence the baby's development and not the fact that the mother breastfed.

I exclusively pumped for 8 months. It was a huge commitment. When I stopped, life got so much easier. My milk started to dry up so I really didn't have a choice but to stop. If you want to try it, you need to take it one day at a time.

Listen, I think breastfeeding is great, but if you are going to cite research, you should at least be honest enough to present the methodological flaws and scientific limitations with your argument.

Message edited 8/14/2011 8:20:46 AM.

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

I BF both #1 and #2 and the two main reasons were:
1) It was so easy, once I got the hang of it. I didn't need to wait for a bottle to warm up with a screaming child in my arms. I didn't have to pack bottles and think of how I would warm the bottle or water etc. I didn't have to wash and prepare bottles.
2) I saved about $2500 from BFing each child, so $5000 in total

Message edited 8/14/2011 9:34:31 AM.

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

Message edited 8/14/2011 9:40:53 AM.

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

BFing was one of the hardest, but also one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. The first 6-8 weeks are really tough. If you're not committed to BFing, it will be very easy to give up during that time. Once you get over that hump, it gets a lot easier. It took me a little while to get the hang of BFing in public, but once I did, it was fine. The covers never bothered me.

It took me a while to enjoy BFing, but once I did, I looked forward to that time with DS. At the beginning, I never thought I would make it through my maternity leave. I ended up EBFing for 15 months. Take it day by day even feeding by feeding. Set little goals for yourself. Good luck!

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

You have to want to do it because honestly it is a huge commitment and extremely time consuming. That said I paid $0 for anything. I didn't pump it was all straight from the tap I EBF both my children for about 2years ( for 23 mons he self-weaned for 27 mons I had to wean her). Once you get your groove it is so easy!! It is without a doubt one of the prodest accomplishments I have made in my life.

My advice is to try it, really try it. If it's not for you at least you know you tried

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

It really is such a personal decision.....I don't think it's something you can really be "talked into". It's a huge commitment....it's a huge sacrifice for the mother....and it can be very difficult.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to BF or not, so I bought a few books about BF and I did some research while I was pregnant. After reading and learning more about it, I decided to give it a try once my baby arrived. Sadly, my body produced no milk, so I was unable to....and I turned to formula.

To the people who speak of BF as if it the only way to feed a baby - you are absolutely entitled to your opinion....but please keep in mind that every body is created differently, and your way is not the only way. Realizing that I could not BF emotionally scarred me....and it is something I've never been able to get over...even after 4 years. So please, keep other people in mind when you talk about the "dangers" of not BF. Oh...and my FF baby is one of the healthiest kids I've ever seen in my life!

I hate the debate over BF and FF....no one wins.

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

Thanks ladies. Sorry, I wasn't around all day yesterday. I am so torn on this. I really don't have that desire that most of you had to BF but I feel selfish and guilty. I think i will take many of you up on your suggestions and try it. I will give it 100% and take it from there.

I do respect everyone's opinions. Like many of you said BF is not for everyone and it wasn't for me with DD#1. I was dealing with a lot after her birth, an unexpected csection, heavy medication and finding out I had just been diagnosed with a blood disorder.

I also was not raised in a BF family, (but I have the ability to change that)I was never really around it so maybe that's why it some ways it makes me feel uncomfortable to have to do that around my family.

Someone actually gave me a pump. I was looking online at the udder covers , hooter hiders , etc and they just look bulky and annoying. Did most of you just use a receiving blanket when you were out? Or something simpler? What about the "My Brest Friend"? Is that strongly recommended?

Again - thanks everyone!

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

Posted by Goobster

Posted by bayla

Posted by Grill

Breast is truly best. It is specific fats, proteins, and nutrients for a human baby whereas formula contains milk that has specific fats, proteins and nutrients for baby cows. There is no question which would be healthier for a new human baby. Furthermore, since breast is best, I believe that you owe it to both your newborn and your older child to do the best thing by both of them. Even if you didn't BF #1, it is an incredible lesson to model to your children that you can evolve into a stronger mother who makes better decisions and incorporates new information as it becomes available. I know this may seem like a harsh, insensitve position, but it is one that I firmly believe in. Happy Mama=Happy Baby....but that argument only goes so far with me, especially when long term health and well being are at stake. I don't like to hear people say....'my 5 year old was FF and is fine'... It's way too early to see the ramifications of this mother's choice. Sometimes we don't see it until the senior years...but it DOES matter. Parenthood requires profound sacrifices...and BFing is one that I find non-negotiable. Sorry for my diatribe. Best of luck to you in your decision though. Oh and....you don't need to buy anything to BF. It's also the cheapest feeding method. Nursing covers aren't necessary. You can use a receiving blanket if you want to cover up. : )

I dont normally reply to these threads, but how DARE you? I understand how impt breastfeeding is, but so many women are unable to do it not b/c they "give up" or don't want to commit. Their are so many reasons a women is unable to (medically, physcially) and you have absolutely no right to indicate that a women is harming their child if they are FF. and you are a la leche in training. I would never want you around me or MY child. When I had issues trying to BF my kids, the la leche women I dealt with were wonderful and udnerstanding and never once made me feel I was horrible for having to give formula to my children. Shame on you!

To the OP, it's def worth trying but I agree it's a big commitment and no one can talk you into it. however, if you should choose not to BF for whatever reason, please know it is perfectly OK

I know, I also didnt want to ruin Denise's thread (she is one of the people on here that I consider a friend and care for very much). But I just had to respond to this person's opinion, in that much of it is opinion and NOT fact.

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

Reading some of these posts along with some annoying girls I know that CONSTANTLY push BFing (even when they're past those years, but still want to keep pushing it on everyone) really get me upset. I know its no one's fault but mine but DD couldn't latch, they wanted to snip her tongue-tie which I was opposed to (no one really knows if that would help). I BF for a little bit and then pumped. I always carry some guilt about not being able to get her to latch...like I said, it's no one's fault except mine but reading some of these posts (and the pushiness I feel from some people around me) just makes me feel so bad

Re: Can you talk me into breastfeeding

Posted by brownie

Reading some of these posts along with some annoying girls I know that CONSTANTLY push BFing (even when they're past those years, but still want to keep pushing it on everyone) really get me upset. I know its no one's fault but mine but DD couldn't latch, they wanted to snip her tongue-tie which I was opposed to (no one really knows if that would help). I BF for a little bit and then pumped. I always carry some guilt about not being able to get her to latch...like I said, it's no one's fault except mine but reading some of these posts (and the pushiness I feel from some people around me) just makes me feel so bad