Breast feeding????

Question

I am just 11 weeks today and I have been thinkin about breast feeding from a mothers experince...do u have to breast feed for a whole year...does it hurt at first and ease up or does it always hurt? do u think its easier than bottles?

Answer 1

It's definately easier than bottles! Babies food is always ready and aways the right temperature! Nothing to prepare. No bottles to wash. No stinky formula. Babies poop smells better when they are BF. Less stains. Healthier babies. And FREE!

Every drop of breastmilk that you can give you little one will benefit both of you. The longer you breastfeed, the greater the benefits.

It should NOT be painful to breastfeed. If it is painful, something isn't right and you need to see a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or a La Leche League Leader for some help.

It *IS* normal to have some discomfort in the early days. Think of it this way.....the first time you go out to shovel your driveway in the winter is the hardest it will ever be. Through the winter, as you shovel more, your body gets used to the exertion and being used in a way it hadn't been used in a while. It gets easier as you go. When you start breastfeeding, you are using your body in a new way. There may be some discomfort early on as you begin to figure out what you are doing and use your body in a new way. It will get easier and more comfortable as things go on. True toe-curling pain isn't normal though.

I'd encourage you to commit to the first 6-8 weeks at least. This will get baby the colostrum and get you through the hardest part of breastfeeding. The first 6 weeks is the toughest. Baby has a lot of growth spurts (10 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 6 weeks) in that time period so you are working in those first 6 weeks on establishing your supply. Once you get past the 6 week point, your supply should be pretty well established and baby may start to settle into some patterns reguarding when he wants to eat and sleep. It gets easier from that point on.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you exclusively nurse for the first six months and then begin adding solids and continue nursing for at least the first 12 months. There are SO many benefits to you and baby if you do this!

You DO NOT need to "scrub your nipples" with anything to prepare them. DON'T do that. It can damange your nipples. Just latch baby on at birth and you'll be fine. Buy some Lansinoh cream to use after the baby arrives for any dryness, cracking or discomfort that you have in the early weeks.

Check out the links below for some good breastfeeding info. Consider going to LLL before your baby is born to form a support system. Meet your LLL Leader so you'll be comfortable calling her with questions after your baby is born.

Answer 2

K well I'm a mom and just to let u no its easier to do a bottle. But it does hurt a little depending on who u r. No u don't have to breast feed a whole year...but i read that it is alot healthier for the baby. Um for most of my friends that are mothers it always hurt but it did ease just a little bit after awhile. My friend is in the same spot u r and I'm telling u what i told her. I personally used a bottled after 6 weeks cuz i had to go back to school. But it was rough for the baby to change. If u do breast feed and r thinking about going to a bottle u should introduce the bottle at the once a day when their about 3 weeks old.

Answer 3

You can breastfeed for as long as you want to.
My experience was so painless that I am still feeding my daughter now that she is 15 months old.
There are a few things that can cause pain, like mastitis and engorgement, but throughout your pregnancy, you can research it deeply and you'll learn that positioning is everything, and that infections can be treated.

I'm happy to hear that you are considering it, it's the best thing that you can do for your baby- but if there are any unforeseen problems and you end up bottle feeding, DO NOT feel guilty about it because you will still be providing a perfectly acceptable form of nourishment for your baby.

Breastfeeding is definitely easier than bottle feeding, because it is at exactly the right temperature for you baby, and there's no need for sterilizing any feeding equipment. As soon as baby cries, the milk is ready, instead of having to wait for a bottle to reach the right temperature.

I suggest you find an antenatal group in your area, see if you live in a sure start area, and you will be able to go to classes that will answer all your questions, you'll get to meet other pregnant women, and hopefully meet some friends for life there.

Good luck sweetie, and congratulations on your pregnancy!

Answer 4

For me, breast feeding was the most painful thing in the world so I used a breast pump for 5 months. My son latched properly but I couldn't handle it. However, my friend did great and continued for 9 months. There is no rule on how long you should breast feed, everyone has their opinions. Bottles were a pain to get ready in the middle of the night but with bottles I got a break, my husband could feed the baby too.

Answer 5

I highly reccommend breastfeeding for as long as possible. The baby receives a lot of antibodies from you and therefore are less prone to ear infections and other infant illnesses. It also aligns their mouth better for when their teeth come in. Your nipples will be sore for the first while, especially when they first latch on...but your nipples WILL get used to it,so don't give up!

Don't be afraid of doing it for a year, they don't eat at the breast constantly. Breastfed babies begin cereal, juices and baby food just like bottle fed babies. Somewhere around 5-6 months, you'll only be feeding them only 3-4 times a day, or when they just want to snuggle : ). I nursed my son for a year, and towards the end, it was only at nap and bedtime that he would nurse.

Oh, and to help for those occasions when you cannot be around (store, trip,job, a night out), let your husband or other trusted person feed the baby breastmilk (or supplement formula), from a bottle a few times a week, so they will accept it.

I do also reccommend you find a La Leche League near you, find a person that has done this successfully and is willing to help you out,or even contact a WIC clinic in your area....they could help you be successful and to not get frustrated.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Breast feeding is a wonderful experience, there is a chance that because you have never done it, you may be tender for the first few days, I was with my first child. Also engorgement is mot fun, that's when the milk first comes in and this last about a week until you and baby have established some routine. You do not have to do it for a year, it is recommended, but you do what feels right for you, I found it to be much easier than bottles, breast milk is always ready does not have to be heated or mixed and it is perfect for baby. I was not able to breast feed my first born for very long due to medical problems, but my second nursed for about 15 months my third for almost16 months and my fourth for about 8 months and he gave up on it, not me, he was just a nosy eater!!! It is your choice and you need to feel comfortable with your choice and there is nothing wrong with bottle feeding it breast feeding is not working, just relax and be comfortable. Congratulations on becoming a mommy!!!

Answer 7

It may hurt a little a first, but after the first week you pretty much get the hang of it. You do not have to breast feed for a whole year. You can do it for a few months or how ever long you want to and then switch to formula. Or you can also supplement with formula. I do feel it's easier than bottles. If you want to talk about it or have any more questions, please feel free to e-mail me and I'll be glad to help you in any way I can. Best of Luck!

Answer 8

You don't have to breast feed for a whole year. Try it, if it doesn't work out, your child will have had a least the benefit of breastmilk for a while.

Does it hurt? It didn't/doesn't hurt me. My baby is 5-1/2 months old and still nurses. I pump while I'm at work, and honestly, the pump hurts. When my daughter breast feeds, it doesn't hurt.

And, it IS way easier than bottles.

Answer 9

You can do it for as long as you feel like. The longer the better. It can be tough on some moms, and if that happens, you shouldn't feel bad or inadequate. However, I felt it was much easier because you never had to mess with bottles, didn't even have to get out of bed if you slept with the baby, it was free, no mixing or anything. I even pumped for a while after I went back to work and it was still much cheaper than formula. Bottom line, do what works for you - your baby will grow up happy and healthy. If you want easy, having it all right there ready to go was the easiest.

Answer 10

when they say breast is best, there are good reasons for it. yes, if you choose to use formula, your baby will be fine and healthy, and you should never feel bad for that.

BUT - nursing is really an undescribably wonderful experience. when your baby is first born, it helps the bonding process (not that you will experiecnce this, but for some women, those first few days of "i'm a mother?" are just crazy and can be tough). it helps you lose the baby weight much faster. it releases hormones into your body that help relax you. the first few times you nurse, you'll be giving your baby what is dubbed "liquid gold", because of the amazing amounts of nutrition found in the milk. babies who are breast fed have less allergies than bottle fed babies, often sleep better for longer, don't get constipated, and have less smelly poop. it is very convinient, and you never have to worry about taking bottles or preparing formula.

now, nursing can be problematic. my son only liked one boob! you can have problems with your nipples getting sore or chapping. you will leak, some women for the first few months, some the whole time they nurse (my sis-in-law leaked for about 2 months, i leaked for almost 8 -- good thing there are quality pads to stick to your bra, and if you get flesh-colored pads no one can tell). and yes, it can be uncomfortable when you are first getting the hang of it. but when you start out, just remember above all else that IT DOES GET EASIER. i would slip my son from the left to the right without turning him around, and he just didn't notice he was on the other side, eventually, he didn't fuss about which side he was on. and it won't hurt anymore - it will actually be pleasurable - and you will be amazed at the pro you will be in only a few months.

the first few weeks after you bring your newborn home are the hardest. everytime that baby wakes you up and is hungry, and you are exhausted, it's so nice just to be able to sit down, pull up your shirt, and rock and nurse your baby.

if you do have troubles, someone from la leche league is usually available in the hospital. if your mother, aunts, sisiters, or anyone else you trust nursed, ask them for help. you can also go to the WIC office for help.

you can also call either of these organizations for tips right now - i personally would tell you to deal with WIC, becuase some of the LLL people are ... well, let's say VERY enthusiastic. they might try to make you feel bad for thinking about not nursing, and that's not right, because it is your decision. but, they are helpful, and that's just my opinion.

i really encourage you to at least try! nursing your baby for the first year is recommended, but even if you only nurse for 6 months, you're giving your baby the best start. my son quit when he was 11 months - his choice! and he never did bite me. good luck!