breastfeeding and life changes -has it changed for you? Dicuss?

Question

I have been breast feeding for almost 3 months now...It can be difficult at times, but life has truly changed. i cannot wear the nice fitted tops i use to wear before. i feel like a mom now. I am 26 years old and a first time mom. I know giving your baby breast milk helps them to have a healthy start throughout life and of course breast milk is best but i have to wear this stupid nursing bra all the time...aong with nursing pads!!! Its so fustrating!!! Cannot get use to it!! I am now a Stay at home mom, i dont wear any shirts at home now during the day because i get milk all over it!!! I hardly go out anywhere even though I try to pump...it takes just as long as breast feeding so why bother!!!breast feeding is a 24/7 committment. i enjoy giving my baby a healthy start, but just wondering if its the same for everyone else out there thats a first time mom!!! I am really trying to stick with it and it is working but it can be stressfull sometimes...

Answer 1

I've been breastfeeding for about 3 months and I'm a first time mom and I'm so thankful that he never really had any problems latching on. I'm still a college student, so I have to pump otherwise he goes hungry or we have to try to give him formula (which he absolutely hates). The boob leaking and ugly nursing bras were really annoying - I fixed that problem by getting some Lily Padz (http://www.lilypadz.com) and a wireless bra. As for feeding in public, I got a nursing cover (mine was from http://bebeaulait.com/ but I saw a plain but functional one at Target).

Answer 2

Nursing bras aren't the prettiest. It's true. And walking around with milk-stained nipples on all your T-shirts isn't exactly the thing to make a woman feel sexy. And breast pumps are unadulterated evil.
But trust me. It will get better. You and your baby will fall into a routine, and you'll stop leaking milk all the time. And you'll just get used to it. Really. You will.
The most important thing is to just embrace it. You don't have to love it (I didn't), and it's a huge commitment, but it's absolutely the right thing to do. Take your baby out with you, and if you have to nurse in public, just do it. It's possible to breastfeed a baby without flashing the world, even during dinner at a fancy restaurant. It just takes a little practice, and that's the whole point of those lovely nursing bras. And if you want to go out with friends and leave the baby home with daddy, leave right after a feeding and come home when the next feeding's due so you don't have to pump. (But ALWAYS pump and dump if you drink!)
And if you really, really, really hate the nursing bras and something more feminine would make you feel better, don't wear them. You can lift any bra up over your breast to nurse; it's just a little more awkward. Just stay away from underwire; it'll give you horrible clogged ducts.

Answer 3

It certainly is a big commitment to bf your baby and congratulations to you on your baby and decision to bf. It tis the best thing for your baby. I nursing bra and leaking are not cute at all; but your leaking should become alot less now and will diminish over time. Check on a couple of things: Make sure the baby is emptying each breast at feeding time. Stop, burp the baby and then change boobs. And, don't let the baby fall asleep on you, unless it is bed time. If the baby is not getting enough he/she will look for the breast more often. Also, if your baby has gas he/she may be using the boob as a pacifier or requesting the breast just for comfort.

I remember the early months with my first. I, like you, felt that I always had my boobs out. Oh and trying to get out the door. I would feed the baby and an hour into our trip, I was feeding her again. Time between feedings can go so quick.

Over time, I became more comfortable with nursing in public. This can be done in several ways. In the malls, the department stores usually have a lounge area in the bathroom, babies r us has a nursing room and some places, if you ask, will provide you with space totake a time out and feed the baby. There are also discrete ways to over yourself. You can drape a recieving blanket over your should and hide the baby under it while you nurse. I have nursed everywhere.. restaurants, Abercromie, the park, and even Buckingham Place. You can't stay home all the time.

One of things I liked about bf was the convenience. You always have your boob. No bottles and stinky formula. That stuff smells terrible. At night, you don'thave to fully wake up, just latch the baby on. And, nursing forced me to take time out to just sit with the baby and relax, not clean, cook or socialize with guests.

Stick with it, if you can. But, if you get really stressed make other arrangements b/c we need a happy mommy to have a happy baby. If that means pumping or supplementing with formula, you have to do what works for you

Answer 4

Hi, I nursed 4 babies and I am under 30. I understand how you could be feeling....lol. However as you continue to nurse your milk supply will regulate better, after about 3 months I didn't need the nursing pads, I just needed to put pressure on the breast that I wasn't nursing on while feeding. Also I usually nursed on one breast at a time so they could receive that hind milk and be full (then you don't have to nurse as often because they are fuller longer).
If you stick with it you will probably be thankful, the 1st year goes by so fast and that skin to skin contact you are giving your child is awesome for their development not to mention all the antibodies and vitamins and minerals contained in your milk.
It also helps you lose weight faster so by the time you are done nursing you'll feel sexy again, (with the help of a good push up bra)

Answer 5

Breastfeeding can be very challenging, but kudos to you for sticking with it! Breastfeeding my first child was very difficult. My nipples were sore and chapped and I was always leaking and I completely understand everything that you said! But it does get easier...I promise. My second child was very picky and actually refused to breastfeed at 6 months, so I just pumped for him.
Now, I have a 10 week old baby girl..and I have had a wonderful experience so far! You can find cute tops that are still convienient for breastfeeding...I have found a bunch...and you can also buy shirts that are actually for nursing moms and htey are really quite cute! Do a search online for nursing apparel and check your local Motherhood store....they have really cute stuff. I find that during the day, a spaghetti strap tank top works well because you can just pull it down and nurse fairly hassle free. I also wear one at night. If you get the ones with the built in bra, they are perfect. I also have a few sports bras that I wear at night....that way they are still soft and comfortable but I can still put nursing pads in them. By the way...I wear a DD cup size...so if this works for me...it should work for just about anyone!
Also, as far as the leaking goes....experiment with different kinds of nursing pads. It took me a while, but the ones I like the best are Lansinoh and Evenflow Elan. They have aloe in them for easing the pain of sore nipples and they keep your nipples soft and moist. Oh, and you don't have to clean it off before you nurse becaue it is all natural.
The two brands that I mentioned are great for those of us who seem to leak an awful lot! They are VERY absorbent. It will get better though..I promise. Eventually, you won't leak as much.
Everyone has a different experience, but if you stick with it...the rewards are very satisfying.
You are right...it is a 24/7 committment, but it is the healthiest thing you can give your baby and besides that....the cost of formula is OUTRAGEOUS!
At least try to stick it out for the next 3-6 months. My first child was breastfed until almost age two, and then drank breastmilk from a cupuntil she was three...and my second one got breastmilk from a bottle starting at 6 months and then a cup until he was almost three...and with my youngest...I will nurse her until she is ready to stop.
Good luck and Congratulations on the new baby!!

Answer 6

Congratulations on making the choice to breastfeed, it definitely can be a challenge. If I may offer some consolation: I have a 5 mos old breastfed baby (my first baby), and I've noticed my leaking has decreased, I've recently been able to get by without nursing pads, I hope you find it eases up for you as well. I've had the best luck with tanktops, some of which I've cut nursing slits in, worn under a button down shirt (which doesn't have to be buttoned) for ease of nursing & a second layer to hide potential leaks. I miss my fitted tees, am also looking forward to using the rest of my wardrobe eventually.

Going out has been stressful, but has gotten easier with each trip. I try to time my trips immediately after nursing, and try to have a plan for locations to seek out when I expect babe to want to nurse. A sling can make nursing easier & more discreet when out.

In my experience, La Leche League has been a great resource for tips from other moms. They have a good website which can help you locate a local group (www.llli.org).

It is a huge change: first baby, leaving work to stay home. I have had good days and some less-than-good. I would like to give you a virtual pat on the back. Good luck to you & your little one!

Answer 7

Life does change while you are breastfeeding. My son breastfed for about 1.5 years.

But things do change as your baby gets older. As they age and begin to eat cereals and other solid foods, they require less of your milk. The feedings become less of a 24/7 thing, and you feel a bit freer.

If you don't like the nursing bra, don't wear one. I didn't like mine and just found a regular one that was comfortable. I just popped my breast out of it at feeding time (either from the side or underneath, depending on the fit). To me it was less trouble than unhooking the flap on a nursing bra.

If you don't like the nursing pads, you might find that cutting your own pads from a fabric that feels good to you will work. I used cloth diapers to cut my own pads, washed them and re-used them.

I feel for you. I know you are tired and baby can seem so overwhelming. Hang in there. You will get through this.

Answer 8

Don't tell me that!!!! My baby is 17 days old and when we go somewhere we just take a couple bottles, depending on how long we will be gone.
If you have a good pump it shouldn't take that long.
I have a Playtex manual pump and it takes me about 10 minutes to get 6 ounces if I haven't fed in a couple hours.
I tried to walk around without a shirt on and my husband wouldn't stop staring at "the girls" so I had to cover up, but I know what you mean about the nursing pads too.
I haven't been at it as long as you have but I give you major props. I don't see how people do it. I am only a couple weeks into it and wondering how I am ever going to be able to go out in public without lagging a bunch of bottles around and sneaking off to a dressing room for an hour.
I know people that do it everyday though so hopefully I can find a way to keep it up.

Answer 9

Well, I'm 25 years old and am also a first time mom. I dunno... for me, breastfeeding has been real good - so far. My baby is about 5 weeks now and for these past 5 weeks, I've actually enjoyed nursing my baby. After delivery, she had no problem latching on and throughout the hospital stay she ate like a pro! She cries out for me, and I bring out my boob and she eats. Not being able to wear those cute fitted tops anymore does bother me, but I hadn't been able to wear those kinds of stuff a long time ago... maybe like 6 or 7 months into pregnancy. Shoot... i can't wear ANYTHING i could before i got pregnant. But that's just something I need to work on. I never really had a problem with stains on my shirt, because I try to change the pads frequently. I dunno about you, but for me, when they're in there too long they start to smell real bad. And with that, too, I don't mind the nursing bra and breast pads too much. The only real challenge I have with it is pumping. I can pump a good 4 ounces, but usually 3. But I don't like it all that much because she drinks better from my boob than the bottle, and pumping, to me, is just too much of a hassle sometimes. I like being able to just take out my boob and give it to her - no bottles, no formula, no cleaning and sterilizing, no heating up - just always perfect milk each time. But yet, i can't just find a place to sit in public and feed her my boob, which brings us back to pumping. And in the middle of the night when she's hungry' it's kinda hard to always get up every two hours all tired and feed her while ur bf/husband stays sleeping in bed all cozy with his blanket!

Breastfeeding IS a 24/7 commitment, and not only that, you have to WANT it. I not only like it because it's a healthy start for my baby, but also because it's free and i love that look she has when she's on my boob and she looks at me at the same time! It's so cute and funny. I guess it's the whole bonding thing. But i say you should just stick with it. Yes, it's stressful at times, but with any good benefit, there's sacrifice, right? You're doing a good thing and you should be proud of yourself!

Answer 10

I too am a first time mom, little one is now 18 months, and surprisingly we're still breastfeeding. the beginning is the hardest. after a while, the leaking tends to decrease, the latching because easier, less effort more natural, and soon baby can latch by them self, so when they pop off, they just look around and easily relatch, it gets so much easier after that. plus your milk supply will regulate to what your little one needs, so less likely to get engorged or to leak. You will also get less sore (I too was shirtless at home for so long!!!).

HIGHLY recommend to websites for support and tips ... www.kellymom.com for all kinds of information and help and www.babycenter.com - check out the discussion boards, there are a number of boards about breastfeeding (lookup parenting and then breastfeeding), lots of moms giving help and support and tips. they got me through a lot ... I'm sure that even if you don't ever post anything, just read the posts and answers from others, you will get a lot out of it.

Good luck!