breastfeeding?

Question

What does breastfeeding actually feel like? Is it uncomfortable? Painful? Enjoyable? I can't even begin to imagine, but in 20 weeks, i'll be doing it several times a day & night. Any advice/experiences would be great.

Answer 1

I've been breastfeeding for 14weeks (and 1 day) and, apart from the anxiety about not seeing exactly how much milk goes in - it's fine. I have had a couple of days with SLIGHTLY sore nipples, but a dab of cream helped them.
it just feels like a sucking sensation, I haven't found it at all painful, although I still get a tingly feeling as the let down reflex kicks in.
Just remember that generally speaking, babies will cry, and I mean CRY if they are hungry, so if your baby seems contented and sleeps and you get 6-8 wet nappies a day - enough is going in.
Also, it's easier if you are not stressed, so tell the hospital midwife to bog off and not squeeze your breasts for you!

Answer 2

When you are first starting out it can take some getting used to. The baby isn't born knowing how to do it and you have to learn about proper latching. If it hurts, you're doing it wrong. Yeah my first three days I had no idea what I was doing. My milk hadn't come in yet and my latch was all wrong plus my nipples were pretty flat back then. But wow, did it hurt. Ouch, I had scabby, bleeding, cracked nipples and I my baby was always crying because he wasn't getting any milk it was tough and I almost gave up but then I got help from midwives and La Leche League. When they put the baby on properly you don't even feel it. At first it just feels tingly like you feel the milk being sucked out but then you are totally used to it. But it really isn't painful at all. It was for me because I was doing it all wrong. But now my son is 20 months and still breastfeeding. And I am 5 months pregnant. The only thing that sucks about breastfeeding and being pregnant, pregnancy makes nipples tender and it hurts again. Ow! I really think it's time to wean now. He is probably just comfort sucking by now anyways because I don't have much milk left.

Breastfeeding is a wonderful experience though it was just so hard for me in the beginning, no one in my family ever breastfed.

My advice would be to try and make sure you have someone to help you get into the routine and to help you with your latch and don't give up it gets so easy after the first week and after the first month it is second nature. In the beginning that baby will nurse a lot but it will get better as they get older they nurse less and less. You can do it. But look into your Local La Leche League they are nationwide and maybe attend the monthly meetings starting asap they are great and will get you in touch with other breastfeeding mommies who are great supporters :)

Answer 3

It has never been uncomfortable or painful for me, except for when I had mastitis (an infection in the breast). I hear of many others experiencing pain, but in every case I've ever encountered, it was due to a problem that needed to be fixed (usually a poor latch). Physically, it doesn't feel like much of anything. Physiologically, it feels great, since breastfeeding releases relaxing endorphins into the bloodstream that produce a natural "high". Mentally and psychologically, it's extremely rewarding, knowing that you are providing such an extraordinary food source and an advantage for your child, and even a little overwhelming at times, knowing that you alone are your child's primary (or sole) food source. I remember in the beginning with both of my children, looking at their pudgy little cheeks and obviously well-nourished bellies and thinking, "how is it possible that I did that all by myself?!" It's just mind-boggling to think that you can sustain another human being. And I can't even begin to tell you how proud I felt when the entire household (husband, toddler, 10-yr old, and myself) was devastatingly sick but the three-month old baby was well as could be. I was so proud and relieved that at least that tiny child was able to fight off the illness that had landed my toddler in the ER for dehydration, undoubtedly because of the antibodies that my milk provided for him. Congratulations on your decision to breastfeed, I guarantee you, you'll never regret it!

Answer 4

For the first few days it was very uncomfortable for me and I was always worried that she wasn't getting enough. But after about a week it didn't hurt or anything, it was actually nice to be able to sit with my baby and have her look up at me and just know by the look in her eye that she enjoyed it. I used Lansinoh lanolin cream to help and boy did it help, also you will need breast pads and I recommend that you buy brand name because the cheaper they are the worse they feel again your nipples. Also if you baby doesn't gain weight in the first week of life please don't get discouraged and supplement, the only reason to do that is if it is a matter of your baby is starving, if he/she is having enough wet and soiled diapers a day then please do not give a bottle it can seriously hurt your breastfeeding attempts. My baby didn't start gaining until about two or three weeks of age and now she has gained plenty, it will work out. Also talk to a lactation consultant starting now, if you become close with one it will help you so much. Women who get help have a greater success rate. Good luck and congrats on the baby.

Answer 5

I suggest finding your local breastfeeding clinic at your hospital and check out www.lalecheleague.org for some help. There's so much information they can offer that would take up 20 pages to explain!

When we started, both my daughter and I were learning. If your baby doesn't latch properly, s/he may gum the tip of the nipple, which was very painful. It took us 2 straight weeks to get it right. I did get the cracked nipples and bleeding. However, once we both got the hang of it, it was very enjoyable and painless. I glad we kept at it because it helped bond us together. In fact, she started to wean herself. I'm having a tough time dealing with the change and miss the bonding time.

Note, the first 2 or 3 days, you produce a clear type milk that's jam packed with nutrients. Try and feed that as often as your baby demands. After that your regular milk comes in. In the beginning you have to breastfeed constantly to get your milk supply up. It's a demand supply thing and can be frustrating in the beginning. The more your kid feeds, more milk your body will produce. It usually takes a couple of days for the body to catch up to your baby. You'll notice it during growth spurts when all of a sudden your baby suddenly hungry sooner between feeds. I had a big eater. I had to pump during her naps so my body would react and produce more milk sooner.

It sounds and is hard work, but I wouldn't done anything different!

Again, call a breastfeeding clinic or research onthe internet for more information.

Answer 6

Actually it is very painful at first mostly because of the pressure of being overfull and the rawness of constantly being sucked on. Until you are able to develop a callous and the pressure goes down it will hurt, probably for a week up to a month. Then it is actually pretty okay sometimes enjoyable because of the bond and closeness and it's not a bad feeling. But once you baby becomes active like around 4-6 months it could become painful again. For example baby may turn their head while still being latched on, or they may pinch you, or bite you. For me breastfeeding was only enjoyable between like 1 to 4 months. Your milk probably won't come in until you are home from the hospital, then you feel completely hopeless without the nurses there. Don't hesitate to go back in or call your lactation consultant for advice or information. And make sure you let them check to be sure your baby is latching and sucking well, it's a little embarrassing but could save you from a lot of pain. Good luck!

Answer 7

It's lovely when you get going, just a slight tugging feeling, and you get huge surges of love as you look at your little cutey monster enjoying what you are supplying, it's amazing! REALLY persevere through any difficulties, even if it means expressing whilst any nipple probs get better. Initially, until you get it right, it can be painful. This is an indication that the baby isn't latched on properly, and you need help to get it right. Don't put your nipple in the baby's mouth, bring the baby's mouth to the nipple (very quickly when it's gaping). In the first week or so it feels slightly painful for the first few seconds, just whilst things are getting sorted. It'll settle down and you'll be so happy you kept going :)
Good luck!

Answer 8

well, for me it was enjoyable in the beginning. My daughter and I at the hospital, and I was the one feeding her. Then about a week later it became painful. Despite the fact my daughter had a correct latch, my nipples started hurting terribly, becoming chapped and dark red, and then one breast became so engorged that I could only feed with one breast. I kept b-feeding her despite the pain.

I saw my lactation consultant, and she helped me with the engorgement and recommended Lansinoh brand lanolin for my nipples.

With the engorgement gone, I could go back to alternating between breasts. And the Lansinoh took away the nipple pain, making them look nice and normal again.

After that it's been pure delight to my soul. (though sometimes she nips) The closeness we have is incredible. Thanks to breastfeeding my daughter, I was there for her first laugh at 3 weeks. To see her looking into my eyes, and touching my face is what I've been waiting for my whole life.

The advice I have is to talk to your doctor about taking a DHA supplement (fish oil, borage oil) because DHA is supposed to help with brain, and neural development. Whatever happens, and whatever people tell you, don't give up on making milk for your child. Get a hospital grade pumps because brands like evenflo suck, and pump and store your milk. It will come in handy later for cereal, mixing with fruit, and letting Dad or other relatives feed the baby. Which brings me to another point. Introduce a bottle with your milk in it to your child after the baby is a month old. And have Dad feed the baby on a regular basis. It will bring them closer, and it gives you a break. I wish my daughter would have taken a bottle.

Hope all this helps. Congratulations, good luck, and email me if you want any more advice.

Answer 9

I have got 4 children and tried to breastfeed with my first 2 and got sore and cracked nipples and gave up after a few weeks. I found out that my midwife was a waste of space. My later 2, I breastfeed successfully. One for 2 years. It is wonderful that you are giving your child the best milk you can give. It doesn't feel like anything too. Persevere and you will enjoy feeding your baby. Don't let people put you off either. Good Luck.

Answer 10

I found breast-feeding to be a little uncomfortable at first. It does feel weird, because we live in a society that ignores nipples, and then when you have a baby, women have to start focusing on them if you want to breast feed!

Relax, try not to worry. Talk to other breast feeding Moms and ask how they did it successfully.

I nursed my first child for 9 months, my second child for a year and my third child for almost 2 years - I guess I got better as I went along - I do know that I relaxed and gained confidence as time went on.

I did learn that my babies latched-on better if I expressed a little milk before I tried to feed the baby. I learnt that my babies were very healthy and contented children. My first two children were in their teens before they ever needed anti-biotics and neither had ever had an ear infection (I noticed that my bottle feeding friends had sicker babies who also had ear infections, may have been a coincidence, who knows)

I also know that I have always had a strong bond with my children.

I wouldn't have fed them any other way.

Good Luck, you'll do fine!