I will probably go ahead and breastfeed because i know it's the best thing for my child but i am still a little freaked out about it especially if i will have to do it when i am out somewhere. I am a very private person when it comes to my body. Am i being weird?
2006-11-30 06:24:27 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Trying to Conceive
I was like that at first, but when the time comes you will realize there is nothing to be ashamed of. You can go to your car or the bathroom if you are too squeamish to do it in the open, but I have found that just choosing a quiet corner and using a thin blanket or shawl works fine and no one ever really notices what you are doing. You could also pump and use a bottle when you are out, but my babies would never take a bottle so it didn't work for me. Good luck!
2006-11-30 06:30:56 · answer #1 · answered by pebble 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's completely normal to be having these feelings. Some women are more free with themselves. You can get really neat little blankets that hang over you. You just clip the string around your neck and it's a receiving blanket that comes down and covers you. You can peek in through the top without the worry of someone else seeing.
breastfeeding is a very difficult full time job. It really wears on you. I only lasted five months with my first(when back to work too early, found working and breastfeeding very difficult), but I plan to breastfeed my next for a lot longer.
It is the best decision for both you and baby. There are hundreds of benefits for you both. It's the most nutritious for your baby, and the extra calories spend making milk will help you melt away that baby fat and get you back to your pre-pregnancy self very quickly.
Good luck with this. And a big pat on the back for making a great decision for you and your baby.
I promise you will find it hard and very discouraging, but after the first week it'll be smooth sailing. Be around supportive people during that time. A lot of the older generation still thinks the bottle is the way to go.
2006-11-30 06:29:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I'm the same way. You can find a private place to nurse most of the time. I would even use dressing rooms at the stores. I work full time, so I purchased a breast pump and would take pumped milk with me to places I didn't feel comfortable breastfeeding. I would order a 1/2 cup of hot water (or microwave the water at someone's house) and put the bottle of milk in to warm it up. You don't want to put breastmilk in the microwave because it destroys the proteins in the milk. I suggest taking a breastfeeding class. I took one at the hospital where I delivered. Although breastfeeding is natural, it's a learned thing for both mom and baby. It can be difficult. Learning as much as you can about it will help you feel more comfortable doing it - especially when you are out in public.
Good luck.
2006-11-30 06:46:15 · answer #3 · answered by Melissa B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you aren't weird. It's very normal to be nervous. A good start would be to type in "breastfeeding support" in a search engine (like Yahoo) and read. Your ob/gyn or midwife should also be able to provide you with breastfeeding resources.
Most women can nurse in public very discreetly but if it's more comfortable to use a thin nursing shawl, that might reduce your discomfort (although no woman is required to cover with a blanket or shawl).
I've found that just finding a quiet place in the corner worked for me. No one ever even noticed.
Just know that you are giving your baby the food nature intended it to have. It can sometimes be difficult at first (but plenty of women have no problems at the beginning to...like me) but you will get the hang of it.
2006-11-30 16:52:52 · answer #4 · answered by Jen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your not being wierd but there are lots of ways to breast feed without pumping and without exposing yourself. Like many others have said you can cover yourself with a blanket and most people walking by won't even notice you are feeding, also, many places now have nursing rooms. Our local mall now has a "nursing lounge" with big beautiful chairs and lots of privacy for moms and babies.
I am not yet a mom myself but I have worked with several hundred teenaged moms. I have even suggested to some if they are so uncomfortable - go out to the car to breastfeed.
2006-11-30 07:34:15 · answer #5 · answered by family_matters 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all. I don't like my breasts being on public display but I managed to breast feed both of my daughters. Arrange your trips around feeding times in the beginning and if an unpredicted event happens...there is always a bathroom or a car (with the engine running for air or heat). You are right that it is the best for your child...part of being a parent is doing what is best for them...no matter the cost to you. Congratulations on a great decision and good luck!
2006-11-30 06:29:06 · answer #6 · answered by babe 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well, I consider myself private but I have fed my son on the bus, in the shopping mall, and people haven't even realized. You're not going to take out your boob and show it to the world. Find a blanket and cover the baby and the boob, people don't notice and if they do, who cares?. That's what boobs are for, to feed the babies not to take pictures of them or for our husbands to have fun. Breastfeeding is something natural and you shouldn't be embarrased about it. I also do this, sometimes, I breastfeed him at home, I do it before we leave somewhere so he's full, and I buy formula, and I prepare the formula in the bottle and fee him with that if I go to the mall or the park or whereever, or take your milk out as well and put it in a bottle to take it that way you don't have to breasfeed in public places, it's simple, feed a baby isn't something to worried about
2006-11-30 06:30:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no your not, most places anymore have a private nursing room you can use.. or if you are OK, get a breast pump and express milk for the times you are away, be sure your baby knows how to nurse before you try a bottle.
Otherwise, always find a quiet corner, keep a blanket with you to cover your baby and yourself, I am also a private person and nursed both of my kids, the second one longer as I was more comfortable with it, get lots of help in the hospital to figure out how to do it right, good luck.. e mail me if you have other questions
2006-11-30 06:29:53 · answer #8 · answered by Tammy N 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was a little freaked out too but then your baby comes and you do it and you really dont think about it too much when you are actually doing it. you can always pump it to feed your child in public, or just cover up with a blanket, or go in a changing room, or your car...
2006-11-30 06:31:23 · answer #9 · answered by memosgirl03 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i know what you mean i am that type of person two and i am breastfeed in for two weeks now i bought something that is like a cover and its breathable so i will use it when I'm out another thing i bought the medela advanced backpack breast pump so i pump if I'm out or before going out so i have plenty of milk for the road so don't worry and breast feed is hard at first but is worthy your baby will grow beautifully
2006-11-30 06:31:17 · answer #10 · answered by user 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋