Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

im sure its been brought up a bunch of times, but i am curious....
what are your thoughts? what do you plan to do?
will you breastfeed directly from the breast? will you pump? maybe both? do you think you will BF in public?

for me my plan is to try both. i would lik eto pump so that my DH can feed the baby as well. i think its a nice bonding session for them. i hear it hurts and its hard but i will try my best since i hear its really the best thing.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

I am hoping to BF without using the pump for a little bit. I'll be a SAHM for probably 6 months, so I know how very lucky I am to even have that option. That being said, I'm sure I'll BF in public . I can totally understand why others don't BF and/or want to pump though!

We'll see what happens once is born though--even the best plans change!

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

My plan with my DS was to BF and pump. Never got the pump part down but BF him until 14 months in public or private didn't make a difference to me.

This time, since they are twins, I am going to attempt the BFing and pumping again. We will see how it goes down.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

I'm hoping to solely BF for the first few weeks. I'm going to be SAHM for the next few years, but would like to build up a freezer stash and pump some bottles so my husband can feed the baby too. I hope it goes well for some reason I'm worried about BFing not working.

ETA: I'm not sure about breast feeding in public, but I think with a cover I'll be more than happy to.

Message edited 12/9/2010 8:42:49 AM.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

Just like DS I will be BF and only giving a bottle when I am at school or when the baby is being watched by someone else. I have no problem BFing in public.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

I think I'll be doing a mix of EBF and pumping..
I want DH as involved as possible with feedings.

I don't plan on BFing in public, but I'm sure I will need to given whatever the circumstances are.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

I am going to try my best to BF and pump. hoping it works out!

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

I BFed DS until 15 months. I haaaaated pumping but did so occasionally to build a small stash for when I had to go out and someone else was watching him. He rarely got a bottle otherwise as I BFed in public also without issue.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

I BFed my DS until he was 13 months. I BF from the breast only for the first 4 weeks...not going to lie it was one of the hardest things that I have ever done!

I started pumpng a few times a day when DS was 4 days old to build up my supply & a stash. Sometimes you need to do both to build up your supply. I introduced the bottle at 4 weeks so DH could help me with night feedings. I returned to work when DS was 4 months and he got 2 bottles during the day and I BF all the other feedings.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

right now my plan is to only pump and I will be doing it only for 6 weeks. If it doesnt work out I am ok with that too; I'm not going to stress about it.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

I plan on BF and pumping...He will have to go to day care, so I can't BF there (well they will let me, but I doubt my job would be cool with me popping in and out all day ). Plus, DH works long hours, so this gives him a chance to bond with Nugget when he is home by feeding him.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

I don't have a plan...because you just have no clue whether you will be able to do it.

I want to try it -- and if it works, I'll go with whatever way works best!

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

I plan to BF #2 just like my first child.

The best advice I can give is to don't go in with expectations, if you really want it be willing to work but accept that some things are out of your control.

With DS I planned to BF, the idea that I may have issues never entered my mind. I ended up having issues with my milk coming in and DS had issues with latching. By 4 days old he had lost too much weight and we were told we had to supplement. I tried to pump and my breasts would not respond to a pump. I ended up having to supplement with formula. I felt like a failure and seriously cried over it for a few weeks. The first 6 weeks were pretty hellish, but by 8 weeks, it was the most natural and relaxing part of our day, and I was able to EBF and no longer supplement.

I didn't have much of a problem with soreness or pain, it was just getting my milk and DS learning to latch. Once we figured things out I was able to BF DS until he was 22 months.

With this baby I hope to not have to use formula, but if I have to at least I know that I can work through the tough stage and get to the good part.

To answer your other questions, I never was able to pump, my breasts just don't respond to a pump and I did BF in public. I have no problem with and very rarely ran into issues from others. I covered myself up with a receiving blanket for the most part (sometimes DS refused to be covered) but really unless people are looking for it most don't notice that you are nursing.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

I am hoping to BF until I have to return to work and then will start pumping. I pray everything works out!

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

I am hoping to BF and pump so DH can feed the baby and it's not an issue when I go back to work. And I'm perfectly fine with BFing in public if I need to. I'll get a cover or blanket for this purpose.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

Posted by KNic19

I plan on BF and pumping...He will have to go to day care, so I can't BF there (well they will let me, but I doubt my job would be cool with me popping in and out all day ). Plus, DH works long hours, so this gives him a chance to bond with Nugget when he is home by feeding him.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

I plan to breast feed and pump once a day to build up a freezer stash. This is what I did with with my twins and it worked well. This way I knew there was always breast milk in the freezer if we needed it. (like if I wanted to go out and maybe miss a feeding, or if I wanted DH to take a feeding so I could get some sleep).
I definitely plan on BFing in public - its the only way you can stay out for more than 3 hours at a time in the beginning! I did it all the time before, no problems at all, just get a good cover.

As for it being hard and painful - it was soooo hard in the beginning - for the first month or so. But then it just got easier and easier and I was so glad I stuck with it. I'm hoping maybe this time it will be a little easier since I have some experience.
I never found it painful though.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

I plan on breastfeeding with minimal bottle feedings. I hope this works out though. I'm getting a pump from cousin anyway, so that will help for just in case. I also plan on doing it for as long as I can.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

I am going to try it and see how it goes. I would like to BF, but am trying not to put too much pressure on myself. If it works, I will also pump. I'd like DH to be involved and I will go back to work after, so eventually if I am BF, pumping will be the only option.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

Message edited 12/9/2010 1:44:00 PM.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

with dd #1 i breastfed from the breast and pump and no i didnt do it in public im sure i tried but my boobies were too big i was afraid of them fallling out. I did it for about 11 months then i weened her onto regular milk.
DD#2 will be breastfed too dunno for how long, it is a real commitment.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?

Undecided.

Re: Can we Talk about Breastfeeding?