breastfeeding-kinda long

I have a question for you all..

I had my 1st child on July 9th, at 11 lbs. 4 oz. 23 inches.

I decided to try breastfeeding, in the hospital they told me to do one breast for 1-15 min, then the other and then formula feed, they said he'll need the formula b/c he wont be getting enough breast milk, cause of his size.

So now I'm home, and VERY emotional, sometimes he latches good, sometimes he doesnt.

I have been noticing that my breasts start to hurt, and I can see milk coming out. This morning I got up for a feeding with him and my milk was already flowing...

I'm just not sure how I'm likeing breastfeeding... I feel quilty if I stop. I dont know if I like the fact that if I'm out somewhere and it's feeding time, now I have to find a place to feed... also what if I'm at a party and want a drink or to, what do I do with the milk???

I'm also fighting with the fact that I feel like my boobs are aslo for sexual plessure, and I wouldnt want them to start leaking if were intimate...

What if I wanted to stop, how do I wean him off???

Re: breastfeeding-kinda long

its definitely a labor of love.

If you want to continue, you just take it day by day. There will always be some place you can nurse, its nice not having to carry bottles around.

If you have a party coming up, your baby already takes formula, so just give him formula for the night. Drink away!

If you want to wean, I would just cut out one feeding a day and replace with bottle.

good luck!

Re: breastfeeding-kinda long

I BF both of my children. My son for 22 months and my DD is still going strong at 20 months. My son nursed A LOT!!! In the beginning I was very sore and then got used to it. My DD was not as big of a BF as he was so it was nice.

I have never had an "accident" when I am intimate with my DH, and not for lack of trying on his part It happens to be one of his favorite parts of my body

Only you can decide what is right for you and your baby. I believe in Happy Mommy=Happy Baby. Some Moms just don't really love BF and that is fine. If you do want to continue just focus on the positives not the negatives. I have never once nursed in public because my chest is very large So I made sure to be at home when I had to nurse, I made sacrifices as far as going out to very public places and stuff like that. BUT that worked for me and I know it won't work for every Mom. Just do what works for you and you'll be fine

Re: breastfeeding-kinda long

thanks ladies... this does make me feel better, I really want to do whats right for my child, I guess it's just all new to me and I'm not the best person to deal with change....

Re: breastfeeding-kinda long

I also believe Happy mom=happy baby.

Really, the first month is the hardest when breastfeeding. It is much easier after that- your milk flow will regulate to how much the baby needs and you won't leak unless you miss a feeding.

If you are uncomfortable, pump out a little milk till you feel better - but only for a few minutes- if you pump longer - you will be telling your boobs that they need to make even more milk the next time.

For parties- I pump and dump - I drink and then at theend of the night, I pump for 10 minutes and dump it down the sink. DD gets formula or frozen breastmilk on those occasions.

I was just thinking the other day how I didn't think I'd make it to 6 weeks with BFding, but now its almost 4 months - and its a breeze! I'm so glad I kept at it!

Message edited 7/19/2008 9:31:41 AM.

Re: breastfeeding-kinda long

Breastfeeding is not easy. I also didn't think I would make it past the first two weeks. It hurt so bad. But as time went on it didn't hurt at all. I bf for 7 months. Had to stop because back to work and my milk supply decreased and DS was way to distracted. Now that I am not bfing I miss it alot. But I am proud for the time I gave DS. You should too. If you want to stop that is your choice. You should be proud of yourself for even trying. Some people find bfing easy for them and some find bottle feeding easy for them. Its your choice. Its your DC. Like someone posted before. Happy Mom=Happy Baby. Remember that and do what makes you happy. NO Guilt. The emotinal ups and downs is normal. Hormones are doing there thing. for the new mom.

Re: breastfeeding-kinda long

again...thank you all sooo much for your comments...

I'm actually going to purchase a real pump to pump and see how much I'm actually outputting. DC already gulps down 3 oz. after he has had each breast.

I think pumping might just be easier for me, so I dont have to worry about finding somewhere to breastfeed while I am out and about....

Again thank you all so much, it really had been overwhelming...

Re: breastfeeding-kinda long

Re: breastfeeding-kinda long

Congrats on the birth of your son!

First off - BFing is not for everyone - and you shouldn't feel guilty if you tried and it wasn't for you - it is more important and you and baby are happy than how you feed your child. If you want to stop and FF there are a lot of moms who did this who can give you better advice on how to do the switch - but you shouldn't feel guilty.

If you do decide you want to continue - may I suggest getting a pump so you don't have to BF when going out? I was too uncomfortable BFing in public so I found that I could pump and feed DD a bottle (or some people supplement with formula) when they go out and then it isn't a concern.

You can have a drink (and I know a lot of moms who do) and in some circumstances more than one- just ask your ped what he/she recommends - I think most say if you have one try to wait 2 hours before BFing -so you don't have to necessarily pump and dump depending on how much you do drink.

BF isn't easy and it isn't for everyone but you will find out a system in time that will work best for your situation.

Re: breastfeeding-kinda long

ITA Happy mom=happy baby

BFing is tough for the first month or 2 then it gets easier. After a couple months I didn't know how I would have FF. Bottles, needing to plan in advance, pacification issues...in the middle of the night when he was hungry I didn't have the wits about me to be able to make a bottle. I usually slept through the nighttime feedings.

I hated pumping because it took longer and didn't get as much as BFing. But I worked crazy hours so I had to.

DS is not 18 months and still BFs 2 times a day. I have a drink when I want no prob. Coffee makes him bonkers so I still limit that.