Breastfeeding??

Question

My boyfriend and i are talking about marriage and children and im looking on theses forums things and alot of dicussion about breastfeeding. I would love to breastfeed but i just cant get that thought out of my head how gross it is. I mean to me i associate that with sex ( your man sucking on your nipples) to me its very sexual .. How do i get that out of my head in order to be able to breastfeed because its better for your baby... Are there other woman who have/had this issue??.... Im 20 by the way so please dont be harsh im just asking how do you stop taking that sexual and turn it into Providing for your child Thanks so much

Answer 1

I am 21 and I thought the same thing BEFORE I got pregnant and had a child. After I had my daughter, there was no thought of that ever again. Breastfeeding is very intimate and you get such an incredible bonding experience with your child, that fact alone is enough to breastfeed.
I do understand where you are coming from though and granted my husband knows that while I am breastfeeding (for the whole year or so) my breasts are basically a no-fly zone.
Believe me, you are not going to feel weird or sexual if you are breastfeeding your child, you will naturally see it in your mind as nuturing and caring for your baby. Good Luck!

Answer 2

The suckling a child does while on your nipple is completely different than that of a sexual nature. It's very rough. You may notice other things while breastfeeding, such as the release of oxytocin, which will relax you and make you want to sit down. You'll get thirsty while you breastfeed. Your uterus will contract while you're breastfeeding in the early weeks as hormones released will cause it to shrink further to its original size. Some of these feelings are not sexy! Plus, when you see your infant on your breast, it's not going to invoke any sexual thoughts, despite the fact that it involves your breast. I thought it was a little gross at one point, too, but I've breastfed 3 kids so far and it's been a matter of nurture, not sexual gratification. Try it, and if you don't like it after a month or so (and really try) you can always move to the bottle. Your baby needs a happy, healthy mother, and if you're too tense about breastfeeding by that point, you need to give yourself a break.

Answer 3

Trust me, you don't even feel that way once the baby gets latched on. It's a wonderful feeling and you will never feel more maternal. You will probably feel a rush of hormones that will make you maybe want to sit down, or feel sleepy, or maybe energized. Your body goes through a lot of changes right after delivery, and breastfeeding helps with that. It is a feeling like no other, but not in a sexual way. The only physical rush I got from breastfeeding was from the exhilaration of being a mother.
By the way, I think it's great you are talking about it beforehand. Remember, don't let anyone pressure you into doing something you don't want to. Breastfeeding has countless benefits for the baby, and it is your right to do it for as little or long as you wish.
Good luck.

Answer 4

My son is 5 months old and is still breastfeeding. Half the battle is attitude. I was very open and committed to breastfeeding. But I did have doubts. And to be completely honest, the third time I ever breastfed I remember thinking how weird does this feel. But it is a completely natural thing. You'll be surprised that your instincts will kick in and you'll know what to do.
This trick to breastfeeding is getting past the first two weeks. Once you get past this stage it's smooth sailing.
And just an example on how much one's mindset changes, the first time my husband went back to playing with my breasts I remember thinking how weird that felt. It's funny how after just a few weeks of breastfeeding your boobs lose all sexual connotation.
Good Luck!

Answer 5

It's really funny that you ask this question because when I first started nursing my son (he's 14 months now) one of my close friends asked me the same exact thing!

To be honest with you ~ I was so nervous when I started breastfeeding that it never crossed my mind. It's not always easy to get the whole "system" to work the way it should. My son was sleepy and wouldn't latch on right...I had inverted nipples (that's a whole different question) and we really had to work at it. I think because of the work I was really focused on what needed to happen...so thoughts of sex and sexual feelings went out the window. Even after my friend brought it up. :)

I will tell you this, though. I'm a little nervous about if I'll feel any different this time around because I'm having a baby girl this time.

Answer 6

I don't know if there's an easy explanation for how you change your mind about it, but you just do. It's like you have 2 separate sets of organs: the ones that are fun, and the ones that are necessary for reproduction. Believe me, if you have children, you will want to do everything you can for them, and a switch will turn on in your head...you won't give it another thought.

It's about the best thing you can do for a newborn: not only for the nutrition, boring La Leche League stuff, but also for the snuggling, momma/baby factor. It helps you and Baby feel connected and comfortable together. It's intimacy, but not a sexual kind. It's the way you felt as a child when someone you love hugged you, and you knew everything would be all right.

It's nice that you're thinking about these things in advance. More prospective parents should consider these issues before they're in the soup. Good for you--

Answer 7

I had similar concerns, but just like others are saying, you will be able to completely separate the two. If you decide to breastfeed, know that you are making the absolutely best decision for your baby. While you are breastfeeding and looking down at your little one, you will not think it is gross at all. Your partner will probably think it is a beautiful act, too. Hopefully.

Answer 8

I was 19 when I went in the hospital, but 20 when I took my baby home, breastfeeding feels nothing like your man sucking on your boobs. Think of your breast as a life-giver, nourishment for your child. Once you do it and feel it you will not think sexual at all, believe me, you could also use a pump to express your milk, if you don't want your child sucking on your breast, but you would be missing out on another method of bonding with your child

Answer 9

I'm 21 years old and 23 weeks pregnant. I understand why you'd ask a question like that, but I asure you that once you become pregnant you will no longer see it as gross. The changes your breast go through will make you want to breastfeed to make you more comfortable. It's natural and beautiful and I can't wait to breastfeed my child.

Answer 10

I understand where you are coming from. I had my first child 5 months ago and i was wondering the same thing. It is just totally different. I wouldn't even worry about it right now. Once you are holding your baby and you breast feed for the first time you are not going to be thinking sexual things, And if you happen to still feel uncomfortable about it, don't feel bad, i have friends that enjoyed formual feeding their baby and you also have the option to pump your breast milk and feed it to your child. Good luck!