Question about breastfeeding?

Question

I am about to give birth to my first child and plan to breastfeed. In your experience did breastfeeding work straight away or did it take some time. Also how long did you breastfeed for? Thank you for your answers

Answer 1

I will answer this question for my wife. Our son never latched on well. It took him almost 4 months to figure it out like a pro. But she still pumped, sometimes they latch, sometimes they don't. All you have to do is remember not to give up, our son has been drinking breast milk for over 7months now, and he just now got a small cough and cold. It really does help. But my wife still breast feeds him on occasion when she's not working. Good luck

Answer 2

Some babies take to it like a duck to water while for others it is a real challenge and can take weeks or months to get it right. I gave birth to a baby girl last Wednesday and yesterday was the first time we got her latched on. The previous two days I pumped and in the hospital they gave her formula. My INTENTION was to exclusively breastfeed, but it didn't work out the way I wanted. The whole thing was very stressful, and it shouldn't have been. Our biggest problem was she wouldn't latch on and the nurse said I have "flat nipples" (I still don't know what that means, by the way). She had absolutely no interest at all in my nipple and I'll be honest with you, the lactation consultants at the hospital (with the exception of one) were all but useless and made me feel even worse about the situation. I felt like a failure and lost all hope that we would be able to do it. I didn't want to give her formula but they said we should and I gave in because I felt so bad that she was hungry, which ended up causing even more problems. If you have any problems at all start pumping the first day so that you will have something to give baby other than formula if you go past the 12 hour mark without getting her to successfully breastfeed. Expressed milk and colostrum is just as good for baby as if she took it straight from the breast. Stay calm and don't let it stress you out. It can take time but if you are dedicated and have patience it will work. I'll warn you, the first few times your nipples will be VERY sore but it gets easier and easier each time and putting Lanolin on them helps. I plan on breastfeeding for a minimum of 6 months.

Answer 3

It normally takes a couple of days for your milk to come down. If you plan on breastfeeding you should put your baby to your breast as soon as possible after birth. The latch on and sucking of your baby sends a message that the milk needs to come down. Don't worry because the baby will get everything it needs from the pre-milk or colostrum. You can breastfeed until 2, but most women stop around 1. If you plan on breast and formula feeding, most women stop the breast at about 6 months. Even if you only breastfeed about 3 months your baby will have many benefits later.Latch on will take some practice so don't get discouraged if you don't get it right the first few times. A breastfeeding consultant will come into your room and give you some information on latch on and diet and breast care. Take care of yourself and good luck.

Answer 4

My daughter turned 18 months last week, and I breastfed her up until 6 days ago.

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it.
For me and my daughter, it came extremely easily, she was always latched on correctly, and I never suffered from sore/cracked nipples. The only pain I ever felt was the moment the milk started flowing, but that didn't really hurt, it was more uncomfortable. It didn't last for very long either, and more often than not, I didn't noticed the let-down reflex.

It was such a positive experience, and I have no regrets about feeding for so long either, despite family members telling me that if I didn't stop it at 7 months I would be feeding till she was 4- darn that friend of my aunts who put that idea into their heads!!!
But, follow your babies cues, and nothing can go wrong.

I think that some people do have to work to get it right, but just know that there is no reason that it should hurt. If you experiencing pain, reattach baby. And if the repositioning doesn't work, you may have an infection.
See you doctor in that case.

But, it's a wonderful decision that you have made, and you are making the best decision!
Contact me if you would like any advice!

Answer 5

All you need is your mind ready to breast feed. The baby will not refuse to suck. Just give the breast to the baby as soon as you hold the baby first time. It may be a bit uncomfortable in the begining but just continue and that little dicomfort will go in no time. Try to help the flow of the milk by pressing the breast while feeding the baby, almost like pumping but not too much.

Use some nipple cream to soften the nipples and you will do just fine. Breastfeed often with breaks between until the baby is used to the breast. It will all come naturally but you have to help a little.

Congratulations on deciding to Breastfeed, its the first best gift you can ever give a child.

OOhh dont forget to bump the baby after every feed.

Answer 6

With my first daughter, I was a bit nervous but it did work pretty much right away. She latched on fine. I breastfed her full-time for 6 months; by 11 months or so we were down to once a day but kept that up until she was 22 months. Second, no worries and she nursed like a champ for over three years.

There's a great book called Best Feeding that helped me and everyone I lent it to a lot. Also let me add that I never leaked when I was pregnant but it didn't mean AT ALL that I couldn't breastfeed. (I've heard people think that.)

Answer 7

It can take a little while for mom and baby to figure things out, after all it's something new for both of you. Read a lot about breastfeeding. Check out http://www.kellymom.com and http://www.lalecheleague.org

Call your local LLL Leader and get to some meetings to build a support system. These things will all help you prepare. Also, if you already know your Leader, you'll be more comfortable calling with questions after the birth. You Leader may even be willing to visit you at home if you have problems. LLL will help you for FREE.

Be sure you see the Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) at the hospital as well.

My first had a little trouble with wanting to suck his bottom lip in. My IBCLC pointed it out to me the first day and I was able to watch for it.

My second really didn't have much trouble.

My third was mildly tongue tied, so latching on my side with the slightly bigger nipple took a little patience.

Get some Lansinoh cream to put on your nipples. It will help you avoid getting dry, cracked nipples. If you have any nipple damage, it will help heal them. You don't have to wipe it off to nurse as it's safe for baby.

I breastfed all three of my children for well-beyond a year. The AAP recommends nursing for *at least* 12 months. I've been a breastfeeding counselor for 4.5 years now.

Answer 8

I've been breastfeeding for the last 7 months now,my son had a hard time at first because my breast were so engorged.IFor the first week I used a nibble sheild to help him out and to make my nipples more prominate.Without those,I'm sure there would have been some problems I plan on feeding him until he's one.

Answer 9

I breastfed my first daughter until her first birthday. I breastfed my second daughter until she was 5 months old. It is an adjustment and it is wonderful and extremely benefitial for your child but be prepared for in the first two weeks for some really sore nipples. I mean more like pain. Every time my first daughter would latch on I would grit my teeth and cry but I took the pain because it was so good for her. But about the two week mark you barely feel them latch on and it is wonderful. It Just Takes Time. Just make a pact with yourself to wait until the 2 week mark and you will be glad you did. Several of my friends quit before then because it was too hard for them. Also every woman is different and some women don't have a hard time at all. I loved every minute of it past the two week mark...Good Luck To You!!

Answer 10

I breastfed my daughter for a year, it didnt take her long to latch on, within a few days. I strongly recomend breastfeeding there is no need to wake up in the middle of the night to warm a bottle, its so much easier healthier and less expensive. Good Luck