I want to try breastfeeding.....?

Question

but i have heard that it hurt and is sometimes difficult. does anyone have any suggestion. on how to make this an easier process for me and my baby.

Answer 1

Don't just "try" it -- committ to it for the health of your baby.
Breastfeeding is so much healthier, but I have heard it can be tricky at first. The key is not to get discouraged.

My husband and I are attending a one-evening class on successful breastfeeding offered by the local hospital. Didn't cost much, especailly when compared to the cost of formula and bottles, etc.

Also, look up La Leche League meetings and attend a couple. Having good support and other meeting other moms who are succesfully breast feeding can make all the difference.

My mom fed all five of her babies exlusively with breast milk and so did my sister and sister-in-law. Just takes some knowledge and perseverance. So get out there and read some books/articles and take a class or meet with a consultant!


good luck!

Answer 2

I nursed both of my daughters past their second birthday, and had no trouble with it at all. It is the most natural thing you can do for your child. Occasionally your nipples can get a little sore, but there are plenty of creams out there specifically for that. i also had a blocked duct with my second and that hurt a bit, I used a warm washcloth and massage and it cleared up in a few days. When you have your baby make sure you tell the nurses that you want to breastfeed exclusively and that you don't want your newborn to have a pacifier at first, to avoid nipple confusion. That will help you and your baby get started on the right foot with breastfeeding. Good luck!

Answer 3

Breastfeeding can be difficult. But if you prepare well in advance, it will increase your chances of success. Some things you can do to get ready now...

- Read anything you can get your hands on about breastfeeding. Research it online, read books about it, accept any free information from your doctor, and ask your friends and family members for advice. Pay special attention to how to position your baby and get him to latch on properly. If you get the position and latch correct, it should not be very painful at all. REALLY!!!

- Attend a breastfeeding class at your hospital. They are usually free. Even if he objects, have your partner go with you so he will understand how important this is and be better able to support you.

- Locate a certified lactation consultant and have her on stand-by just in case you have problems after the baby is born (one less thing to have to worry about if you do run into trouble).

- Join a nursing mom's support group at your community health clinic or hospital -- or even online! There are plenty of experienced moms out there who have been through it and are willing to help you in any way.

- If you think you'll need a pump and milk storage bags, get that ahead of time -- GET IT NOW. I found that I needed my pump immediately after I got home from the hospital even though I didn't think I'd use it until I went back to work. It helped my milk come in faster and I honestly don't know if I would have been able to stick with it had I not had that pump. It was my lifesaver.

- Also stock up on breast pads, lanolin, nursing bras and tops, maybe a nursing pillow like the Boppy... basically anything you'll need if you are serious about breastfeeding. If you have these items in stock and ready to go, you will feel very prepared and you'll be less likely to throw in the towel if and when the going gets tough. Plus... after spending money on those items, you wouldn't want it all to go to waste.

It may not be the best reason to stick with it, but when I was ready to quit I just reminded myself of the HUNDREDS of dollars I just spent on an un-returnable breastpump and it kept me going! LOL...

Sorry this is so long. But I really hope that helps... Good luck!!!

Answer 4

I am breastfeeding as I type. It does hurt a bit at first especially when the milk starts to fill up the breast but it does get easier. Make sure your areola is in the baby's mouth instead of just your nipples. If the baby only sucks on the nipple they will get chapped and sore.

Answer 5

You can buy a few books on the subject. Also, you can contact a Lactation Expert/Consultant. Usually they will come to your house and they are very very helpful.

there is also something called La Leche League. There is an 800 number you can call to contact someone in your area and you can also go to group meetings.
Good Luck and Definitely breastfeed..its the best thing you can do for your baby :)

Oh and yes it does hurt if you get an infection but that is what the learning process is about. It takes a lil bit to get used to it and learn how to do it correctly on both your parts.

Answer 6

i've heard of toughening up your nipples but some lady's i know said they did that for months! and when it came time to begin breastfeeding it still hurt. there's really nothing to do, just learn different positions that would be comfortable for you and baby and you'll have lots of practice to get it right cause the baby eats lots! it's only uncomfortable for the first week or so.... nothing big! don't worry about it, you're doing the best thing for your baby by breastfeeding!!! it's hard the first few months trying to "perfect" it but just hang in there!!! and you WILL succeed!

Answer 7

I have breastfed all of my babys and after a couple of days of doing it, it will hurt and your nipples will be sore, but that does eventually go away, because your nipples completely get used to it. You can buy a tube of Lanisoh from walmart next to the breastfeeding stuff, and you put that on as often as you need and its safe to breastfeed the baby with it on too. Its great stuff and helps to soothe and heal your nipples. It will work out. There were times I thought I wanted to stop, but I didnt. and it got better

Answer 8

Breastfeeding can be painful and difficult for some people... myself being one of those people. It was the most pain I have ever experienced (way more than labour and delivery). I managed to breastfeed for 9 days before complications with infections (nipples and c-section) sent me into the hospital for 1 week.
I suggest you find a lactation consultant and speak to them... when your baby arives, the hospital nurses will help you out... but you need someone to help for the following weeks.

Don't ever let anyone make you feel bad if it doesn't work... oh ya... the lanolin they tell you to use doesn't do anything either.
It's not as easy as just putting the baby to your boob... if there is ever a time when you think things aren't going the way you had hoped... don't hesitate to call a lactation consultant.

Answer 9

Then definitely try it! I breast fed my son for 8 months, until he chose to stop himself. I started weaning him on to solids at 12 weeks (which is considered way too early now, he's 10 and 14 weeks was normal then). I loved it. I loved knowing I was giving him probably the best start in life, and I actually found it incredibly easy. It's different for everybody of course.

The only real pain I personally had was when I had mastitis, which is an infection where the milk glands become inflamed, often caused by over production of milk/milk not being fully drained. This can be eased by antibiotics if you want (I didn't take them as I don't agree with antibiotics unless absolutely necessary) and also by bathing your breasts in warm water. I would often hang over a sink of water with them dangling in it! Another way to ease this is cabbage leaves in the bra, an hilarious but dependable aid!

The main cause of pain in breast feeding for most women is the baby not "latching on" properly. If the baby is sucking only from the nipple then it can be excrutiating. You should be taught this by the midwife as soon as your baby is born, but a good technique is to touch your nipple to the babies nose then move him/her away again. The touching of the nose causes the mouth to start to open as you pull away. When the mouth opens you quickly shove the baby on your boob, so that they have a really good mouthful.

Latching on properly not only stops the pain but also ensures the baby is fed properly as he/she can suck out more milk by pushing it to the nipple from the side of the breast, with the sucking reflex.

The main benefits I found from breast feeding were quick weight loss, milk always "on tap" and always at the right temperature, it's cheap, and the bonding. I used to love feeding my son in the bath together, skin on skin, or kangaroo as it is called in the preemie wards. Doing it in a warm bath also helps the milk to come through, which is a good tip for pumping too :)

Breastfeeding also helps the womb to return to normal size quicker, although this can cause a little cramping pain.

One tip, don't eat onions, this gives your baby wind! And buy a couple of good nursing bras, front opening, supportive and no underwiring, so unsexy, but you'll adore them ;)

Now, although I am an advocate of breastfeeding and would suggest every mother tries it, I am also of the opinion that no woman should feel forced to do it. One of my friends simply wasn't producing enough milk, and it was causing her distress and the baby was hungry all the time. She felt like a failure. Her son also wasn't latching on properly, even after a few days, some babies just don't. In that situation I think it is better to stop trying and to have happy Mum and baby.

One of the best pieces of advice I was given was to use breast cups. Little plastic bowls with lids, that fit over the breast you are not using when you are feeding. They have a small hole for your nipple to fit in to. They collect any milk that is excreted from the other breast, which not only stops wet patches, but means you can freeze it and use it in a bottle along with any I expressed. Waste not want not!

I would freeze mine in ice cube bags, I think one cube was the equivalent of about 1/2 fl oz. This meant other people could also feed him.

Oh, and it also makes you thirsty, so as well as making sure you are in a quiet place with no disturbances, make sure you have a good big glass of water within reach! After practise you will find you can feed anywhere, most of the time without other people even realising until you wind your baby.

I hope that if you do try it works for you and you and baby enjoy every minute of it :)

ps, as Sour Grapes says below, prepare in advance, buy stuff in before baby is here, there is nothing worse than either dragging a new born around the shops for "stuff", or having to try to explain to an eager but unsure partner/parent/friend exactly what it is you want. Been there, done that...

Answer 10

in order to get your milk flowing you have to start right away. Do not listen to anybody but your doctor. It hurts for only a few women and for medical reasons in most cases.
You should start doing it and see for yourself if it works for you or not. You're losing precious time while thinking, because the milk supply is established at early days and will be harder if you miss time.
Breast is the best for your baby and you - you get to lose weight faster, get your uterus shrink faster and even might reduce the risk of breast cancer :)
Go ahead and do it.
Use the nipple cream from Mother Love (sold at Wholefoods,etc), it works the best for sore nipples if you'll get to that point. Lanolin creams are sticky and not that effective.