nervous about breastfeeding...?

Question

i am 32 weeks prego (1st pregnancy) and i want to breastfeed my baby because i know it is better for them than formula. but i am really nervous, it seems like it would be uncomfortable. when my fiance and i are messing around he likes to "pay a lot of attention" to my breasts. i am worried it will feel too similar with beastfeeding my child, and gross me out. any advice or experiances are appreciated.

and please... i know a lot of people on here like to say things about how its what is best for your baby not you in very rude ways, and i already know this so i dont need that kind of negative input. if i didnt care about my child i would not be worried and would not be asking these questions

Answer 1

My husband is a boob man too. Please be assured that touch from your husband in a sexual manner and the way it feels to breast feed are 2 different things. The only thing I might say is that in the first few months your husband much like mine may be disappointed to find out that you really don't feel like him touching your breasts.They may be tender due to swelling from your milk adjusting to the baby or you may just be wanting them left alone for a while when the baby is not nursing. It is temporary and Will pass but he will need to understand for a little while. And to all those who have said that breast feeding mothers are perverts because they get a sexual kick out of it I say grow up and get a life.Is it satisfying? Yes. Does it feel good. God yes especially if you are engorged and the baby is getting rid of the pressure in your breast by drinking the milk.It is soothing and relaxing. Is it a turn on to be a walking talking milk machine absolutely Not!

Answer 2

I have a two year old and a 3 month old and I breastfeed both times...let me just say I did not want to breastfeed at first because I thought it would be weird...like feel weird and/or hurt! So after learning and educating myself about it as much as possible I decided I would just give it a try...I had nothing to lose and I could stop if I choose that was what i wanted to do. So when my first daughter was born and I fed her for the first time I knew then I wouldn't have it any other way! Now this doesn't mean that it was not hard at times it hurt for the first few weeks and there were a few times where you get a kinda tickled feeling that kinda feels good but I learned in a class I took at the hospital where I delivered that it was totally normal to feel that way sometimes! I promise you will not feel grossed out, you will not feel that way about your baby! And that only happened on a few rare occasions! And then once things got into a routine feeding your baby becomes something in your life that is normal like waking up everyday and brushing your teeth! It also made me so proud of myself every where I went people praised me and said they couldn't believe I breastfed so long because it was to hard for them and the doctors were so amazed at how healthy and fast my girls both have grown! It really makes you feel great and its the absolute best way to bond with your baby! it also makes life easier no bottles to worry about at night you dont even have to get out of bed! And pumping is a great way to work and have a life away from your baby! So the best advice I can give is at least TRY IT!!! You can always change your mind, but you cant start formula then eventually change you mind to breast milk! I promise you will very happy with your decision!

Answer 3

My daughter is six months old and I LOVE breastfeeding. I had the same concerns that you do. It does not feel sexual, it is a totally different experiance. Nourishing your child makes you feel good about your self and your body. There is a closeness with your child that is experiancable no other way with no other person. It helps you bond with your child because every time you breastfeed "happy" hormones are released in your brain. So, it is just as good for you (and your wallet) as it is for your baby! It can help with the "baby blues".

It can hurt at little at first when the baby first latches on, and can continue to for the first week or two of first breastfeeding. The hospital will give you a Lanolin ointment to use, it helps alot. Talk to the lactation specialists at the hospital. They will show you and your baby how to latch on and feed correctly. Latching on wrong is the main reason for pain. The engorgment will go away after a few days to a week. If leaking breastmilk concerns you, that stops after about a month or so. No more letting down in public.

Hang in there and it really becomes one of the most wonderful experiances of child bearing. I honestly look forward to feeding my daughter. Plus, it is easier to breastfeed than to bottle feed. No mixing bottles, no making sure they're the right temperature, no worrying about how long ago it was made, no cleaning bottles, etc. It is always right there and ready, the perfect temperature, no matter where you are. And it doesn't cost a thing! Bonus- breast fed babies have less poopy diapers, and when they do have them, they don't smell as bad as a bottle fed baby's!

Give it a try! You owe it to yourself and your baby. You can always change your mind and go to the bottle, but can't go back to the breast.

Answer 4

Congratulations! Good for you for making a healthy choice to breastfeed.

I had some challenges at the beginning, it was really painful and sore. I worked with a lactation consultant and also attended LaLecheLeague meetings which really helped. I suggest having the numbers for both handy and attending a LLL meeting even before the baby comes.

My breasts were off limits during this rough time, but that is the time that the rest of my body was healing, too. By the time I was ready to fool around (about 3 or 4 months after he was born... longer or shorter for some people) I was nervous, too.

It feels a LOT different when your partner plays with your breasts as opposed to your baby nursing. A correct latch on with the baby and you really don't feel much. They latch on to the whole areola, and don't really suck the nipple, so there isn't any nipple stimulation. There are still times when my breasts are a bit sore- when my son was teething he'd occationally bite down (this went away, don't give up!) and when he has a growth spurt he nurses a lot more and they are just tired. But rest assured it is a very different feel, and you will greatly enjoy both in very different ways.

Answer 5

Breasts as a sexual object and as a baby's food source definitely feel way different! The best thing you can do is to give breastfeeding a try - it is really its own experience :) If it does not work for you, than you do always have formula as an option - but better to try the breastfeeding first because if you go right to formula, then you may lose your milk supply. Good luck with everything!

Answer 6

My daughter was born in September and I have been breastfeeding her since then (approx. 5 months). I'll be honest, it's weird at first, I don't appreciate my husband paying attention to the girls at the moment, and there have been many times I wanted to give up. However, that aside, I love breastfeeding and the special bond it has created between us.

While breastfeeding is about the mother/child relationship much of the focus IS on the benefits for the child. Here are some of the things that kept me motivated in the early days:

- It burns extra calories (drop preg. wait faster)
- It saves money (more to spend on your little one)
- It saves time (no need to get up and heat a bottle)
- It's something only YOU can offer them

Here is a link to a wonderful website and forum that may answer some (or all!) of your questions: www.kellymom.com.

Good Luck!

Answer 7

I breastfed with both if mine and it is such a neat thing. It becomes such a nice bond with you and your baby. I cried with the first one when the doc's told me I had to stop after 2 weeks because he was allergic to my milk. It is something only you can do for your child and it is really a nice bond time. When a child is nursing it feels a lot different then when they are being played with. It is not the same feeling so you don't have to worry about "it turning you on". I know that sounds bad but I am sure that is what you are saying. Another thing is you can just try it and if it does not work for you then you can stop. Both of my kids were only breast fed for the first 2 weeks with different reasons for both but they are just fine having been on formula. It is the best thing for them but it does not work for everyone. GOOF LUCK

Answer 8

I am glad to see that you know what's best for your baby and CONGRATULATIONS on your first baby. I have worked in L&D and worked very closely with lactation consultants. Also, my wife nursed all 3 of our children. The hormone changes that your body goes through during childbirth will change the level of feeling in your nipples. The most discomfort you may feel will be the first couple of times that your baby latches and sometimes between feedings, your nipples may crack and become mildy painful. There are many creams to help that and your lactation specialist will give you some options. Aside from that, you should be OK. Good luck and again, congrats!!

Answer 9

Believe me it will feel totally different...I was worried about the same thing at first. It might be uncomfortable in the sense that sometimes the baby/u have a hard time finding the best way to go about doing it(what is to u the most comfortable might not be ideal for ur boss LOL).

Answer 10

breat feeding feels absaloutley nothing like when your partner playsa with your easts i have 2 children and my second is nearnly 4 weeks old now and they have both been breastfed all thre way through. its feels great for the first week or so its painfull and u want to giv up but if you can stick with it then my god its an amazing feeling and you can feele so close to your baby. i would say though once a week express into a bottle because if anything like my first he was always on the breast and it made him hate bottles and when i went out for the first time and left him with my mum she had to syringe feed him so make sure he is aware of a bottle. good luck hope all goes well for you.x