Breast feeding or bottle?

Question

I am 21 weeks pregnant and the father of my child wants me to breast feed this baby when it's born . I have 2 other children from a previous realationship and i never breast fed them. But this is my 3rd child and the 1st for this man , what should i do . i don't feel comfortable with breast feeding , should i try or just go with what i know ? AAHH this is a dumb question i know but i juyst want opinions !

Answer 1

You do what you feel is right for you and the baby. If it doesn't feel right, then don't do it. I tried with two of mine and it never felt right. The baby could feel how frustrated I was as well. It is your body!

Answer 2

Breastfeeding takes a lot of dedication and hard work. Pretty much whever you are, the baby is. Unless, you are willing to put in some tiresome hours pumping. Breastfeeding is supposed to mean a healthier baby. Bottle feeding gives you more freedom from your baby, a night out on the town. I have done both. I recommend breast feeding at first and during the night after your baby is a month old, supplement a feeding with a bottle. This way you get rest and your husband can have the experience of caring for the baby as well. He can create a special bond with the baby, like you're able to.

Breastfeeding was uncomfortable for me. I had a hard time with it. By the time my babies are 6 months old they are weaned. It was also very painful for me. My babies latched on right and I also used lanolin oil, but I was still very sore. So if you breastfeed, prepare for pain at first. If you breastfeed, I would recommend that you begin now using Lansinoh lanolin oil. This will well prepare your nipples for breastfeeding. Nobody ever told me this and I didn't know that it made a huge difference until I had my third child. You can find this oil at walmart or a durg store in the infant feeding department, by the bottles and nursing pads. Also, stock up on nursing pads. Some nursing pads do have the oil on them, but I perfer the oil seperate. Be prepared for the most pain with breastfeeding when the your milk comes in. Keep ice packs on hand for engorgement.

Is what I am trying to say is, just be prepared for a time and hard effort and patience. It's difficult to nurse a child. The child has to learn to latch on properly and the mother has to learn as well. Breastfeeding takes a lot of dedication. Where as bottle feeding doesn't. I'm happy you asked this question, nobody ever told me this stuff when I was pregnant with my first and then my second child. With my third, I learned it on my own. If you need more info, feel free to email me.

Answer 3

I love breastfeeding my babies. I have 2. You shouldn't do it if it isn't comfortable, part of the whole experience is the bonding.
But you will never know how you feel about it if you haven't tried.
if you try
1. it takes time to get your milk in and time to get the feeding and latch just right... you have to be patient
2. you can do both you don't have to breastfeed exclusively. Supplement with a bottle if you want. Nipple confusion is real but I know lots of people who have overcome it.
3. If you do breastfeed exclusively, it will be a very different experience. You won't be able to let other people feed the baby. That is cool in a lot of ways. I preferred this option. But since you already have 2 children that you didn't experience this with, it might be overwhelming... then again, you might like it.
4. They are your breasts. This is defining of your relationship with your baby. If you resent a baby or are very uncomfortable with breastfeeding it really defeats the purpose. Yes, the health benefits, but the relationship is the most important.
Good Luck. You can always decide when your milk comes in. It's not like it won't if you decide not to, you know that, so when the baby is there and the milk is there... decide if you want to try it.

Answer 4

Breastfeeding is very, very important. It provides excellent nutrition as well as a healthy immune system. Ultimately, it is your body and you should be the one to decide. However, it is your boyfriend/husband's child too and if he feels strongly about breast milk, maybe you should try it. It's a wonderful bonding experience and you may find that you really enjoy it. If anything, at least come to a compromise for the both of you and pump. That way, you both are getting what you want and your baby is getting the best nutrients possible. Don't stress out too much. After all, you are pregnant. Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 5

I breastfeed all 4 of mine, but I am not a modest person. I would feed my baby any where and if someone stared I asked if they had never seen a baby eat before, it worked. It was also easier( once I got the hang of it), I never had to make bottles or drag formula with me. Best of all though was it was free, and better for the baby. If you are truly uncomfortable with the idea though, I would not do it. You will set yourself up for failure, and you will be miserable as will the baby. The baby will know if you are not happy. So long as baby is feed and you are both happy that is truly what matters. This is your body and you should not do something you are not comfortable with. Good Luck.

Answer 6

It isn't a dumb question.

I can understand why he would want you to breast feed. I am currently trying to figure out if I will. I am leaning towards yes.

There are many reasons that this is a good idea.

1. It will strengthen the bond between you and your baby.

2. It will help the baby get all of the nutrients it needs.

3. It will help the baby to build antibodies which in turn will cause the baby's immune system to be stronger.

4. Saves money on formula.

Answer 7

I breastfed both my babies and I loved every minute of it. I would encourage you to at least try...if it doesn't work at least you tried. Plus you don't know what you're missing...breastfeeding is a quiet time that only you can participate in, it gives you a moment to sit down and rest and is wonderful bonding time. If Dad feels left out, you can use a breast pump (though that never worked for me, I thought they hurt) or you can substitute formula. I enjoyed breastfeeding enormously and would definitely do it again. Truly, from my heart, I hope you at least give it a shot...and just FYI, you may be sore for a few days or a week but it won't last and once your breast "toughen up" you'll love it. As a bonus it also helps you lose post-pregnancy weight and is supposed to lower your risk of breast cancer. Good luck and congrats on your upcoming baby!!!

Answer 8

Well...this is always a controversial topic! My choice would be to breastfeed because of all the benefits for you and the baby, but that is my choice. My suggestion to you would be to compare both options and go with the one your more comfortable with. If your going to be awkward and uncomfortable about breastfeeding, I would say do not do it. Breastfeeding is sentimental because it is something only a mother can do with her child and it is such a great bonding experience. When the baby comes, you can always try! If it doesn't work out, then it is no biggie. You can just go to bottle feeding. Or have you thought about just pumping your milk into a bottle? That would be just as beneficial for the baby, but will solve your problem of discomfort. Good luck!

Answer 9

breastfeeding is definitely the best for the baby. i have a 3 week old who was 5 weeks early and had a very difficult time learning to breastfeed. Luckily, shes learned to do it very well now. i will say that breastfeeding is very inconvenient. the dad cant get up and feed the baby just because youre too tired. theres not always a comfortable place to go to breastfeed and going out is very limited because of this. i continue to breastfeed and formula feed when my baby simply has no other option (im out of the house and daddy has her for a few hours). you can always pump to ensure that theres a supply at the house, but i find that its not a very feasible option. my baby is eating every 2-3 hours and by the time i want to pump, theres nothing there to pump. its a personal decision and one that is soley your own. your baby's father probably just wants what is best for the baby but its important that he understand the restrictions that come with breastfeeding too.

i never thought it would be this hard...im still doing it but i certainly wouldnt be if i had to go out a lot or had to work.

good luck and congrats on the new addition!! :)

Answer 10

It is not a dumb question, many women fret over to breast feed or not too. For health reasons for you and your baby I would advise to breastfeed. It is sooo good for the baby and helps you lose baby weight and reduces your chances of breast cancer. It also makes for a less colicky baby AND its free. On the other hand if you are modest about the actual feeding part you could always pump the breast milk and them feed it thru the bottle. That is what I plan on doing with my next baby.

Answer 11

Breastfeeding is known to be the best for babies. With breastfeeding you should drink lots of water and try to stay away from spicy foods. When this gets into the babies system it could cause upset stomach and other complications. Breast milk is natural and contains the proper nutrients that most powder milk doesn't have. But its all up to you mom.