Ebf success stories-

How did you do it?!

I want to ebf next baby. First DS did not latch and was very impatient. I was not prepared at all, and thought it would be easy.

I want to give it my best shot next time and be prepared.

Thank you!

Re: Ebf success stories-

I went in to the hospital with an attitude that I AM breastfeeding. I refused to think that it wouldn't work. DS latched good but my milk wasn't in by day 4 and they forced formula on me. They were bully's, I had a section and he was jaundice. I supplemented for a few days pumping every 2 hours. My milk came in after 6 days. I started him back on the breast and haven't stopped since. My DS is 7 months. I kept saying, I will do it till 3 months, then 6 months came and went and I said a year. My DS also has a milk allergy so I am dairy free. I thought that would stop me but I kept going. I think if you really want it no matter what, link up with a great lactation consult, make sure you request one as soon as you get in your hospital room. Buy a great pump and supplies and tell your DH you need his support. My DH cleans all my pump parts since I exclusively pump at this point and it makes it so much easier. It is the hardest thing I have ever done but my biggest accomplishment and that makes me so proud of myself!

Ebf success stories-

I read the book Breastfeeding Made Simple which really helped me understand what to expect and why in the beginning. I knew it would be difficult but I wasn't going to accept it not working. Thankfully I had tons of support from DH and both of our families which I think is so important. They did everything for me from fixing me food to changing DD's diapers for the first week or two so I only had to worry about nursing. DD was very sleepy in the beginning and wasn't gaining weight well. We saw a LC who confirmed everything I had read and that DD was latching well. The LC gave me the ok not to supplement and my ped was good with that. After two weeks DD finally started to up the length of her feedings and gain the ounce a day they were looking for. We never looked back from there! It was still stressful and there were still times that I would panic about whether or not she was getting enough but those moments would pass. I didn't buy an electric pump until DD was 2 months and finally took her first bottle. I still find pumping inconvenient and don't do it very often. I've nursed in parking lots, on the beach, at relatives and friends houses, and in restaurants. We're 4 months in and I already get sad about how fast this time is going by. Definitely do your research, have some serious talks with DH and family about what you'll need from them, and don't let the hospital staff bully you into formula. Good luck!

Ebf success stories-

I just took it day by day. I made really short term goals my first week since I was having a tough time dealing with the pain. I didn't think I'd make it past the first week, but at the end of the week I set a goal for two weeks, and so on. Eventually, it got easier, it felt more natural etc. I am lucky in that I had a ton of support from my family. It actually was totally expected that I breastfeed and had more pushback when I debated supplementing. I'd say take it day by day, find a support system, and remember that it does get better!

Re: Ebf success stories-

I was very relaxed about it. I told myself that if it worked out it did and if it didn't then no big deal. I know deep down I really wanted to BF but I think lying to myself and making myself feel relaxed worked out well for me and my babies.

With both kids I had a vaginal birth and was able to BF then about 20 mins after they were born. They both latched on immediately. My milk came in within a couple of days. I had them room in with me and I fed them around the clock every 2 1/2 hours and on demand.

I EBF both kids until they were 6 months and then introduced some solids and conintued to BF my DD until she was 3 and my DS until he was 2. They both drank from the source as I work from home so didn't feel the need to pump and give bottles. Neither of my kids had formula nor any kind of cows milk etc until they were in their 2's and even then they didn't like it much and only took it in their cereal.

I have to say while it was a big committment on my part as it was all on me and I was careful with what I ate and drank during those times I loved every minute of it and am so grateful it worked out so well for me and the kids.

Good luck

Re: Ebf success stories-

I read dr sears bfing book...i think that convinced me to fight for this...that everything is crazy at first, not to make any quick decisions.
i knew the baby would lose weight.

both mine were jaundiced.
my first wasn't going to be allowed to leave hospital. my milk had not come in, he lost a pound and was jaundiced.
i cried, rented a pump and agreed to bring him to hospital daily to have them check his numbers.
i felt crazy being so crazy about it. i knew if i left him there he would be given formula. but i was going to nurse. that was it. so i brought him daily to hospital. turns out he had allergy to milk and soy causing him to loose weight. i did an elmination diet and nursed for 18 mos. not a drop of formula.

baby #2...same exact thing, weight loss and jaundice. i was less stressed being bdtd. her ped constantly pushed formula...but i knew i could not afford the formula that she needed for her milk/soy allergy. so i kept nursing and brought her in 3 times a week for weight checks.

no formula and went till 12 mos.

no one was going to stop me. it was my right. i had mini goals in mind...but then when i found out the price of their elecare-forget it. was going to go until allergy was better.

Re: Ebf success stories-

So far I've had great luck with bfing and now that I've gone back to work I hate having to deal with the washing of the bottles, pump, etc. If I had my way I would feed her straight from the source 24/7. My mom bfed my brother and I, my godmother is a lactation consultant, and her daughter (my best friend) bfed so I had a great support team and went in knowing, not hoping, that I would do the same. These women are all in Rhode Island while I live in NY but I spoke to them enough to stay strong in my decision. My husband was supportive and the few people who questioned the decision never swayed me. I feel like for me it was the only option and I plan to continue until dd can switch to cow's milk. I never had a problem but luckily for those who struggle there are consultants and support groups to help. Good luck!!

Re: Ebf success stories-

My son had a tongue tie, and its way more common than I ever knew about. Often its easier to tell in BF babies because of the trouble latching. Some kids you never even know they had it. When in doubt ask an ENT.

We used a lactation consultant and I wore the Nipple Sheild, and it just about fixed the problem. The dr fixed the tongue tie easily and he came off the sheild. He was about 7 or 8 weeks before he totally "got how to bf", it seemed like something he had to learn. BEST THING I EVER DID was sticking out the time it took for the learning curve. He is now almost 9 months old, and healthy and happy, and its very comforting to him. Its a personal choice, but I almost cried when he did it and figured it out, and we were on our own BFing with no problems. Felt like we overcame a big hurdle together <3

Re: Ebf success stories-

I stayed relaxed and took care of myself as far as eating enough, drinking alot. I nursed like crazy. I went back to work when he was three months and I pumped 3 times a day. I really always focused on my son, my husband took care of the house so i could just feed. I am still nursing and he is 13 months old. Set your mind that you are committed to it and you can do it. Use friends that have done to help you as well if you feel like you need help.
Good luck its amazing that you want to try.

Re: Ebf success stories-

Re: Ebf success stories-

My advise:
-Be prepared for it to be hard.
-Set mini goals (and celebrate yourself when you reach them)
-Get help. I never pushed DD to take a bottle and I regret it. I don't feel comfortable nursing in public, so that exasperates the problem. For the next baby, I will introduce the bottle so DH can help with the feedings.
-Take 'helpful' advise with a grain of salt. DD was always a fussy baby and I had to hear a million times how I should give her formula. Also alot of people seem to think it is weird to breastfeed a baby who is not a newborn.
- Stick to your mommy gut. Everyone always told me this and honestly I did not think I had a mommy gut, but when DD cried every feeding I knew it was because of something other than colic. I wish I had pushed more and sooner, but I was just so unsure of myself!

My Story:
The first few weeks were hard because DD wanted to nurse constantly. I couldn't even hold her if she was awake unless I was feeding her, or she would scream her head off. And she wuold nurse for 30,40,50+ minutes at a pop, only to nurse an hour or two later. Plus I was so engorged and it really hurt! At the time, I thought that the pain you feel when they latch on was something that lasts the whole time you are nursing. It got better after a few weeks.

Then around three weeks she started to scream every time I tried to feed her. She wouldn't eat at all or only for a few minutes. Every feeding session ended with both me and her sobbing. I kept bringing her to the pediatrician and they said it was colic, but it happened ALL.DAY.LONG (she did also have colic, but that was just at night). DH told me to just give up. I set mini goals. I said I would try until she was 7 weeks old (that is when people said it would be easier, it didn't, but I extended my goal to three months). I eliminated milk and soy, gassy foods, acidy foods from my diet. I had oversupply so would try to pump for a minute before a feeding or pull her off when the letdown happened (or she would choke/gag). After 2.5 weeks she stopped crying when I fed her (mostly), but would never nurse for more than 7 minutes at a pop (sometimes as little as 3 minutes total). I tried everyitng to get her to nurse longer and was so stressed because the doctor said that wasn't long enough. Around 10 weeks old she started to comfort nurse again. This was really the turning point for us.

Around four months she started to cry again at feedings, but it was only maybe one out of three feedings. I do remember having a mini breakdown because I just couldn't go back to her crying every feeding. I cut out more food from my diet, but I believe this was due to her reflux acting up and stopped about a month later (I reintroduced the foods I had given up with no issues). By that time I had set a new goal of 6 months, which then became 12 months.

Then she got into a stage where she would want to nurse all day long again. She is a horrible napper so when she wakes up prematurely she wants to comfort nurse. SHe would nurse and then I would try to take her off and she would cry and cry. She still does this at a year sometimes. I try to distract her with a toy or ask her where my nose is or if DH is home I will call him into the room

So bfing wasn't easy alot of the time, but when it was going well it was so nice. We made it to a year, and now my biggest worry is how am I going to wean this baby because she is breast obsessed. Despite all the issues, I would do it again, and will try to do it again with my next one.

Good luck!

Ebf success stories-

I was able to ebf my dd for 10 months and i worked full time (with the exception of a few formula bottles the first week). I agree with pp in that setting small goals and just being relaxed helped. I first said I will do this for 2 weeks (hearing that was the hardest part) then I said ok while I am home on leave (13 weeks) then i said until 6 months etc. By month 10 my supply took a hit so I then gave her formula when there wasn't any bm and by month 11 our ped said I could start her on whole milk. I still nursed her in the am and night and if I was home but stopped pumping at the 11th month. She stopped nursing at 13 months. GOOD LUCK!