Is anyone else thinking of breastfeeding?

Question

Okay, I am going to attempt to breastfeed at least for the first 6 months... I know you can pump and store for several months in a freezer, but, is it really feasible to only pump? I would like to only pump and use bottles only so that I dont feel uncomfortable out in public or anything. I know I could breastfeed at home and pump and bottle feed the milk when Im out, but I think it would be easier to just pump and use a bottle all along... This would also include my husband more...
~What do you guys think?!

Answer 1

When our son was born a year ago, we decided to try and breastfeed for the first six months like yourself. My wife began pumping as soon as she got the hang of breastfeeding, this allowed easier public feeding for the timid, and also, listen up future moms, a chance for you to sleep at night while the father takes his shift. Even if we only used the bottle every other feeding, this allowed my wife some much needed rest, and as a new father, it gave me a sense of doing my part, it can get tough on new dads having to stand on the sidelines so to speak. I cannot begin to express my joy and sense of bonding with my son the first time I got to feed him.

Oh and a word to the wise, keep a spare pump handy, you meet some very interesting people in Walmart at 6:00 am on Easter Morning.

Congrats, and I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Well I know when I have kids I will breastfeed and I was going to do the breastfeeding at home and then bottles out in public like you are saying. Whichever way you go- definitely stick with the breastfeeding. It is so good for your child- way better than the formula. I think it is your decision either way- but maybe another thing you could do is if you didnt want to pump and take bottles with you- my best friend used to sit in the car to breastfeed- or even go into the bathroom stall when we were out. Just some ideas!

Answer 3

I am going to give it (breast feeding ) a try but i will do whatever works for me. I am not that keen on feeding in public either. I recognise that the breast is best blah blah blah, but at the end of the day a happy mother is what my child will also need.

I would like to know more about combining breast and formula feeding for those times when i need help or am in public. The pumping thing really doesnt appeal to me. I was bottle fed as a baby as were my sisters 3 children aged 12, 7 and 2 and all are healthy happy children.

I get annoyed by breast feeding fanatics as i do not wish to be judged as a bad mother for my decisions. At the end of the day there are pro's and con's associated with any feeding option in my opinion - you just have to do what works for you.

Good luck I hope whatever you try works out for you.

I am due in 3 weeks so time will soon tell.

Answer 4

well, let me tell ya. Babies are funny. I just got done weaning my daughter at 18 months. I had all the intentions of pumping and storing milk, blah, blah, blah....Problem was, she wasn't going to have anything to do with that bottle. No mame! She would not take a bottle at all. So, all my plans of pumping were shot down. I breast fed in public, didn't have a choice if I wanted to get out of the house with the baby. I just made sure that I carried a blanket with me at all times. And tried to find a desceet place to nurse. You just do what you got to do sometimes. All babies are different. I'm just saying that they don't always go along with our well intended plans.

Answer 5

that is how Im doing it right now-my baby is 2 weeks old -and she tore my nipples to pieces because she couldnt get it all in her mouth-
she does just fine with the pumped milk in a bottle--just be sure to find a bottle that your baby likes and that the milk doesnt come out of too fast-they only good ones I've found so far are the playtex vent aire
I had a bunch of the new second nature bottles--but the nipples are too 'hard' for her little gums right now

Answer 6

My son was premature and I needed to exclusively pump milk for 4 months. You can definitely do this. It is recommended that you put baby to the breast as much as you can at home to keep your supply up; a breast-pump can not empty a breast as well as a baby and nothing is as good for milk production as skin on skin contact. Middle of the night feedings may be a good time for you to try and nurse at the breast if you are shy of doing this around anyone.

You need a very good double pump to simultaneously pump- this saves time and simultaneous pumping increases your supply. Read up on them and compare brands before you buy, it is an important purchase! I HIGHLY recommend getting involved in your local Le Leche League for support. The leader has been through a year of education and have so many tools to help you, and having a backup support system is so helpful. Good for you for wanting to breast feed. You can do it!

Also, be sure and read up on the handling and care of breast-milk. It is very easy to thaw from the freezer if you keep it in a breast-milk bag. Just push all the air out of the bag before sealing it and lay it flat to freeze. When you are ready to use it, simply hold it under HOT running water for about 30-45 seconds and its ready to go. Breast-Milk can be left at room temperature (>75f) for up to 10 hours, so that is convenient as well for putting thawed milk in a bottle for a day out.

Never shake breast milk, as it contains living antibodies, and rough handling can damage them. The milk will be fine to consume, but it will loose some of its antibiotic benefits.

Read up, the more informed you are the easier this will work out. You will feel so good giving your baby your own milk, and any amount of time you do it will be so beneficial.

Answer 7

I breastfed and pumped w/ my daughter it is so much more convenient to breastfeed. No washing and sterilizing bottles and pump parts. I was not shy about nursing in public because there are so many nursing shields and blankets out there that unless someone is being extremely rude and intrusive they won't even know you are nursing.

Answer 8

I did both, that way I could bond with my baby at home, and when people came over or when I was out, I wasn't tied down or made to be uncomfortable.

But it's completely up to you and your family. The key is that the baby gets as much breast milk as possible. I was only able to go for two months because my body wouldn't let me go longer. But each person is different.

Answer 9

As a guy I have to say that I think breast feeding, nursing your baby is the most natural thing in the world, and it's beautiful to see. Beautiful, not because the breast is exposed, as this has nothing to do with sex or erotica. Beautiful because it's one person (the Mother) giving of herself to sustain and nurture the life of an innocent helpless baby. That's why God created breasts. You should not feel uncomfortable to nurse in public. Anybody who has a problem with a woman breastfeeding her child in public needs to have their head examined. Before factories began making bottles and formula, all women breastfed their babies for thousands of years, without a problem.

Answer 10

I think as long as your baby is getting the breast milk it doesn't matter how he/she gets it whether it is from a bottle or you. I plan on pumping as well so my husband can feed our son and get that bonding experience.