MOM's only. How did you decide if you wanted to breast feed?

Question

And does breast feeding ruin the nipple? Do they look different after breast feeding? Curious for when I have my own.

Answer 1

I have breastfed two kids and my nipples look great! Seriously. I wouldn't think of not breastfeeding at least for the first six monthes. I did with my first because it is healthier. Then I realized what a bonding experience it is for mother and child.

Answer 2

I decided after doing a lot of research. I was also learned a lot in birthing class. Here are a list of 9 good reasons to breastfeed that I got from a handout at my birthing class.
1.It has all the right nutrients
2.It's always ready
3.It changes and meets the needs of your growing baby
4.Breastmilk makes your babies brain grow, This has been proven that breastfed babies do better in school then formula fed.
5.Breastfed babies are sick less
6.They have less diarrhea and stomach trouble because breastmilk is easier to digest.
7.It's cheap.
8.It's easier because there is nothing to carry, measure. or heat and makes nighttime feedings and travelling easier.
9.It helps moms get back into shape. Breastfeeding burns 500 calories a day and it helps shrink the uterus back to its normal size.

I think if you find a good support system and get help with the baby latching on it wont ruin your nipples and your breast are probably going to look different regardless of whether you formula feed or Breastfeed.

All in all the choice is really up to you.

Answer 3

I initially breastfed because my mother practically forced me. After the first week once my nipples were cracked and bleeding I was about to quit. I forced a bottle onto my baby, and immediately missed the closeness. I went back to nursing and continued for 2 years. I now have two other children and I breastfed for 2 years too.

Yes the bonding and the health issues were important to me, but to be honest with you... ultimately, the reason I continued nursing was because I was lazy and did not want to get up in the middle of the night for a bottle. Also I did not want to have to deal with all the bottle washing and sanitizing. To go out, all I had to do was cover myself up and nurse, instead of carrying a diaperbag full of bottles and worrying about the milk spoiling.

Gravity will get you anyway whether you breastfeed or not. But the nipple usually remains the same except of course in a much, much lower position that before.

Answer 4

I decided to breastfeed because my husband and the rest of his family along with mine have a long history of ear infections and tubes in ears, in which they say breast feeding cuts down on infections and colds, which was another one of my reasons as well since she was being born in the winter time. It seemed like my nipples did change, but I think because I breast fed for a little over a year, I think the more you feed the more wear you put on them. I mean its nothing in need for cosmetic surgery or anything, they just get worn with constant use over a period of time in my opinion. But today I have an energetic 2 year that I can say has NOT once gotten an ear infection or major cold during the time that I breast fed her.

Best if luck to you

Answer 5

I breastfed all three of mine (the second and third were twins!). With the first, I was very reluctant to try it, but my husband really wanted me to and I knew it would be better for the baby if I did. So I made kind of a "deal" with myself and my daughter - if she took to it right away, I would do it, but if she didn't, then I would have no qualms about her being a bottle-fed baby. Well, lucky for both of us, she latched on perfectly the very first time and I never had any problems with it - I don't know how much patience I would have had to pursue it if it hadn't just "clicked" for us. I didn't notice any change to the appearance of my breasts - the only thing is that the density of the breast tissue itself seems to change, but I don't know if that's because of pregancy or breast feeding (just the hormonal upheaval of pregnancy could be responsible whether I breastfed or not). After babies, my breasts seem softer and "poochier" - not as dense as before. I would definitely recommend it, though - it is convenient to be able to feed them lying down when you are half-asleep in the middle of the night, and it is so good for them. And the bonding experience - the emotional payoff you get spending that quiet time with them, providing for them - is really magical.

Answer 6

It NEVER occurred to me to not breastfeed with my first.
I would never consider nurturing my baby any other way than the way I was designed to.
I had no idea that people bottle fed by choice. I really thought that formula was for those that had severe medical problems.
Everyone in my family breastfed their babies. My mom breastfed 7 babies, including twins!

My daughter nursed for 40 months, until she forgot how!-)
My son is 22 months and going strong. Both are very healthy and extremely smart.

My children are 8 years apart.

My nipples were not ruined at all, a little bigger, but (according to DH) still quite pleasurable;-)

Answer 7

I wanted to have the healthiest baby possible. I have friends who used bottles and their kids have been less healthy than my daughter. The only problem I had through the whole 14 months that I let her nurse was that her father got upset that he wasn't allowed to touch me breasts. He was not extremely gentle and the added sensitivity of breastfeeding made his touch less than desirable. Your nipples may look more pink or even red while you're breastfeeding, but the color returns to normal shortly after you completely wean the baby.

Answer 8

I was actually not going to breastfeed at first, but then my son was born almost 3 months early so I pumped breastmilk to be put in his feeding tube. I was not producing enough milk so when he came home (Still on feeding tube) I had to switch to formula. He is now 2 and completely healthy and no delays.

Answer 9

It is much better for the baby and yourself to breastfeed. It makes for heathyier baby and it also helps the mother lose her pregnancy weight a lot faster. It does not change the appearance of your nipples.

Answer 10

How can you not? No substitute has ever been found for Mother's milk, it is the best you can give your child, and should affect your child's health way into their 40s.

Also, it is for free and it is sterile. But the quality is determined by what you put in your stomach! So eat healthy and drink lots of liquids.