Am i meant to feel awkward about breastfeeding?

Question

I am 27 wks preg and am in two minds about breast feeding, although i want to part of me feels funny about it, in a toe curling way, i was unable to with my first child as i was on medication, should i be able to say a def yes or no? has anyone had this feeling and what did you do.

Answer 1

i felt like this too,i only planned to breastfeed the 1st few feeds then use formula,but wen i started i wanted to carry on..i breastfed for 3weeks and found it really hard as my son would feed every hour but was still hungry.i didnt have any support and the hospital told me so many different things!so i gave him a bottle.
i wish i could have breastfed longer as it is sooo good 4 the baby!if i have another child i will definatly breastfeed again!my son also never suffered from colic and i believe that is thanks 2 breastfeeding..
i say give it a go if u dont like it switch to bottles..at least you can say you tried!

Answer 2

There is a huge pressure on you from the medical side - well, in my experience anyway - to breastfeed. I wanted to and was desperate to so when no1 came along I was devastated that it wasn't working for what ever reason. It wasn't lack of trying or technique. I had a midwife beside me for every feed the first week and it just wasn't going to happen. I was really quite depressed about it as all the hype said it was best, and I felt such a failure that I couldn't carry out such a 'natural' thing. But it was agony and toe curling and I'd cry when I saw him coming - both out of the anticipation of pain and knowing it wasn't going to work. 2nd time I was more relaxed and the baby latched on fine but the milk wasn't great quality so it was only 3 weeks, and the 3rd was a dream!
I was determined the 2nd time to give it a go as in my hearts of hearts I knew it was best for baby but I was more mentally prepared for giving a bottle if need be.
The 3rd time I was resigned to the fact I wouldn't be able to feed such a big baby since had so little success before and maybe being so relaxed about it is what made it work!

We all know breast is best but nobody prepares you for if it doesn't happen for what ever reason. I really wish the hospital and health care visitor had been more compassionate about the whole thing.

You have every right to say what you want to do from the outset.

I decided the 2nd time around that even if I got through the first 3 days then the baby would have all the antibodies etc it would need by then anyway so I was happy to go those days and take it from there.

As for bonding with baby - it doesn't rely solely on breastfeeding - it's the quality of all time spent with the baby that counts.

I would say give it a try - and then decide. There can be no regrets with an informed decision.

Answer 3

It's been a long while (before WWII) since America was just fine with breast feeding. Baby formula manufacturers were very instrumental in reforming public opinion about breast milk vs. formula. It became a common opinion that breast feeding was a lower class necessity, not something a "lady" would do. Many children grew up with allergies because of this fallacy.

Now, people have had to be reeducated about breastfeeding, but there are still some pockets of resistance left. What you need to keep in mind is that breasts were hung on the front of women to feed their young. That's WHY they are there. I know, I know... (American) men think breasts are on a woman for them to enjoy.. but that's not the case.

Now, are you afraid that you will be stimulated by your child's nursing? No. The let-down reflex of the milk producing glands causes no sexual pleasure (except what might be in your mind, not physical). The grand thing to keep in mind here is that the milk you produce is specifically made for this particular child at this particular time. It's a wonderful thing that God did here. :)

Try it. If you don't like it, or you cannot produce enough milk, at least you tried. The fate of worlds is not hanging on what happens, but your child's health is very important, so give it a fair chance. Good luck!!

Answer 4

I would suggest that if you are able to, try when your baby is born, and go from there. It is the healthiest thing that you can do for your baby. I was really worried to the point that I was almost physically ill when I was pregnant, because I'm really sensitive, and didn't know if I'd be able to or would want to breastfeed, and also had a family history of being unable. I'm glad I tried though as it has gone really well for us, my baby is very healthy, and we are still breastfeeding at 13 mo. There is a lot of support out there for you for any questions or problems that you might have, particularily the La Leche League which is a worldwide organization in place to support all aspects of breastfeeding mothers. What it comes down to though is be informed, and do what is best for yourself and your child. :-) Congratulations on your 2nd baby!

Answer 5

Don't start worrying about it now. Wait till bubs pops out then see how you feel. It is completely up to you if you do. You may look at bubs and think sorry but its the bottle for you or you may want to whip it out and feed straight away.

I breast fed my bubs and feel really good for it, although i could only do it for a little while as she was such a hungry baby and I couldn't produce enough.

I did do a top up, so you can do it maybe once / twice a day and then feed with formula the rest of the time.

Don't put any unnecessary pressure on yourself, you'll know what to do when the time is right. Good luck with the bubs.

Answer 6

Even though I breastfed my babies, I felt funny too at first. I think many women have a hesitancy about this. It is good for baby and I sure got my figure back fast but it isn't a hard and fast rule that you have to do this. Whether you nurse or bottle feed your baby, just enjoy that time together. The time goes fast. Give the nursing a try but don't beat yourself up if you just can't do it. The baby will feel your stress. Better to have a cuddly mommy than a tense one.

Answer 7

You will have more sucess breast feeding if you make up your mind that you are going to do it. I would go to the library and get some breast feeding books and take a class. Find a good lactaction consultant in your area that you can talk to with questions or problem about nursing and try to join a local La Leche League chapter for the support you need.

Answer 8

It costs nothing to give it a try. And, if you`re lucky enough you'll get the knack.
I have to admit though I must be one of the few (judging the comments made by others answering) who just couldn't hack it. I felt it draining and depressing. But, I'm still pro breastfeeding, as long as the mother is comfortable with it.Remember! A mother's mood can effect the baby. Good Luck Babs. X.

Answer 9

To me it's normal to feel funny, I did just the thought of a baby sucking on your breast just didn't seem right to me, and I felt awkward breastfeeding and for the first few day's just couldn't get it into my head that it was normal, but eventually I came to accept it, knowing that it was the best for my child. Don't let anyone make you do anything that you don't feel comfortable with.

Answer 10

You have some time before you absolutely have to decide. If you over-think it you might scare yourself out of it. It can't hurt to give it a shot when the baby is born. I remember being very shy about it the first few weeks, and would always go someplace private...even in my own house when I had company. After a month of it I didn't care who was around me while doing it. (of course I didn't whip it out at a restaurant or in a store)