Did you breastfeed?

Question

I have my first baby in May, and i want to breastfeed but it seems that no other young mums i know breastfeed their babies, i'll be fine in my own home but i'll be embrassed when out and about, it seems as though people think its gross! What are your thoughts? Thanks

Answer 1

There is no need to be embarrassed whenever you breast feed. You can do it discreetly without showing anything. I breast fed all three of mine and would fully recommend it. I gave breast feeding demonstrations at my local Health Centre to encourage young mums to feed.

They didn't have as many pooey nappies as my friends who bottle fed their babies and the poo didn't smell as much either.

Breast milk is permanently on tap, helps you lose weigh, is the right temperature and saves you getting out of bed in the night.

But the best thing about it is the closeness and the bond you get with your baby. There is no other feeling in the world than your baby sucking contentedly at your breast.

Please do try to breastfeed, it's best for baby and best for you.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I am still breastfeeding, my daughter will be 6 months on New Years day. I felt the same as you when I was pregnant, and uneasy about how it would fit into/restrict my life. The first few times I went out and about, I made a point of finding the feeding facilities before I needed them.Once she and I got the hang of it, we found that a quiet corner would do, and with a little practice you can be very discreet! In the long run, it is far easier than formula because you don't have to clean, sterilise, prepare and carry bottles. I have also found that no-one I know is breastfeeding, but you'll be surprised at how many breastfeeding mums you bump into in feeding areas!

It is possible to combine both breast and formula feeding, speak to your midwife or find a breastfeeding councellor for advice (try http://www.lalecheleague.org/. This may be useful while trying establish breastfeeding - you have to ASK for support).

Above all, it is important that you are comfortable with the choice you make. There is no point in deciding to exclusively breastfeed if it is going to stop you going anywhere, it will only make you miserable. But if you do (and I hope you do), persevere, the first few weeks are hard. Then you'll find things will settle down and you'll become more comfortable with the whole feeding without exposing yourself thing.

As to feeding in public and other people, most won't even notice. The majority of those that do will admire you for having the guts and dedication to do it, and the minority who object? **** 'em! Nobody is making them look!

I hope you come to the decision that is right for you. Its your baby, and you who has to feed him/her, so don't try to please everyone else.

Best of luck with pregnancy and birth, enjoy your little when when s/he arrives - no matter how you feed him/her!

Answer 3

I nursed all three of my children for well over a year. They have all been so healthy, attached and confident.

Be confident that you are doing the absolute best thing possible for your baby by breastfeeding! It's healthiest for both of you. Reduced chances of so many cancers, less chance baby will get sick, baby will have better teeth and less ear infections, mom will lose weight quicker.....the benefits go on and on!

You have the right to breastfeed anywhere you have the right to be. Be confident! If you are feeling self conscious, you might try covering up with a blanket. It's not really necessary, as no one can see anything with the baby latched on.....your clothes and baby's head will cover everything, but it might make you feel more secure.

People who think it's gross.....well, they're not very mature. And they've bought into the "advertising image" of breasts that says they are for selling beer and not feeding babies. :-) There's nothing at all gross about it. It's natural and beautiful. It's relaxing and healthy.

Consider contacting the La Leche League in your area. Then you can meet some other nursing moms in real life and build up a support group for youself. The Leader will be glad to answer any questions you have and will help you out for FREE postpartum if you have any problems.

Answer 4

Yes I did all 5 kids, nearly a year for each child.
Nothing to be ashamed of or embarrased about... this is "all natural"
And it so much easier than bottles not to mention less expensive!
You might be thinking more about modesty than embarrasment. There are many things that will help you with this. Nursing bras and special designed shoulder blankets will help you cover up. Personally I never covered up. I found it to be rather annoying.
The baby covered the nipple and the shirt covered the rest. Most people never even know I was doing it. I did it in a church once even.
All you need to do is take charge of this and just do it. This is your choice.
I agree somewhat with the la leche league and help from nurses... but this is a very personal thing and will take patience and NOT everyone is the same....You have a lot of time yet before the baby arrives.... read some talk to people and ENJOY it!!!!
It does not last long!

Answer 5

Yes, i've breastfed both of my children!

Pros:
I can tell you, it is rewarding.. not only is it what's best for the baby it helps the woman lose weight by burning calories. (You have to have a higher calorie intake though, but you'll burn it off.)

When you're breastfeeding, it stimulates the muscles in the abdomen. It is easier than having to get up and make a bottle, it's already there & ready.

Cons:
You can get engorged, and that can make your breasts sore. It is also very stressful at times, so be prepared! That is something my nurses never told me the first time! (probably because they were afraid i wouldn't breastfeed?) The newborn needs to feed VERY often, until they get around 4 months then it starts to decrease a little.

(My daughter & son were hungry about every 2 hours until my regular milk came in. first child it was 2-3 days after i had her. My son it was about an hour after i had him.) I Does get easier the second time around, with my son i had experience already & it wasn't so stressful.

I would say talk to some nurses, or take one of those free classes they give usually at hospitals. Also, you can leak sometimes & it isembarassing! (be sure to use extra pads in your bra..)

Good luck to you whatever you decide.

Answer 6

My wife found it really difficult and so after six weeks of distress we opted for a bottle- this meant our child lost out on all the antibodies and antivirals my wife would have passed on.
The next 3 babies had everything for 2 years as it is not just the baby that benefits- the mother builds a very strong bond by breastfeeding and helps get over a lot of stress this way.
Society has been 'MOMMYCODDLED' and quits at the first hurdle-which is normally pain or embarassment.
There is nothing to be embarassed about-if you try and be discreet,nothing to stop you only your own body-some women can/some women can't.
GIVE IT A TRY FOR YOUR OWN SAKE ASWELL AS YOUR BABIES!
My wife actually breastfed in a classroom full of children and still kept her discretion-she says WEAR BIG JUMPERS OR COATS ETC.
My wife says "GOOD ON YOU FOR WANTING TO" she says that if you can breastfeed you'll find ways of being discreet and WILL benefit.

Answer 7

I breastfed my first for nearly two years. My second daughter is four months old and I am exclusively expressing breastmilk. For me, personally, I have a lot more freedom with expressing. I go out of a morning with two expressed bottles (in a special bottle bag that keeps them cool for four hours), and if I'm with friends sometimes I just get one of them to feed her instead. So she gets the benefits of breastmilk, and mummy gets a bit of a break . With my first, I barely left the house for a year because I was living from feed to feed, and she was a nibbler. Snack for five minutes, sleep for five minutes, snack, sleep, etc. It drove me nuts, I never got anything done, every day was just one big feed. This was just my experience, though, not all babies are like that. The lady in the bed next to mine at the hospital had a baby that ate every four hours on the dot (I was so jealous :-) ).

It's possible to breastfeed without anyone seeing anything. Wearing a loose shirt that you pull up (rather than one you unbutton) hides a lot more, you can also cover the area with a sheet. Lots of places these days offer arents room where you can go to breastfeed. Or you could try taking expressed milk with you for when you go out, and breastfeeding at home.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Well Done! Try to breast feed for 3 months at least if you can. Your baby will have a better immune system, you will bond with your baby better and it is great. And lots of places have special facilities for feeding babies so start to spot them now. If you are breastfeeding it doesn't mean that you have to do it all the time while you are out)) so don't worry about it. When I did it at first it is a bit embarrassing but later it is OK because IT IS MY BABY and it is my business to breastfeed him. and people around are didn't mind ( didn't bother to be honest) Good Luck!

Answer 9

Im breastfeeding my son and wouldnt do ANYTHING else. It is the best thing for your child. I got a pump to pump out a bottle if we were planning on being gone, I also would cover myself with a baby blanket, it might seem uncomfortable at first, but after doing it every couple of hours you will completely take it on as part of regular life.

Dont worry, just think about all the benefits and healthy vitamins that you are passing to your child.

The first couple of months will probably be the hardest, if you can be strong enought to get through those you can do anything. Good luck.

Answer 10

I think that lots of young mums do breastfeed and it's a shame that the people you know do not.
There are so many benefits to breastfeeding that you should try it and not be embarrassed. There are lots of clothes you can buy that make discreet breastfeeding easier or if you find it embarrassing you can use the baby changing facilities.
I don't think people think it's gross but if they have a problem with it, that's their problem and they should go somewhere else, not you.