Is it ok to breastfeed for only 6 weeks?

Question

Me and my husband are thinking of starting a family and I have been reading up on things I should know. This would be our first child. I don't know if I will like breastfeeding but it is because I don't know to much about it. Is it ok to only breastfeed for 6 weeks. I don't intend to use a breast pump at work when I go back. All I have been reading seem like it is just to much trouble. I know bottle feeding can be trouble to but I do know like I said. I do not intend to use a pump at work and I don't intend to breastfeed for 6 months like I have read. I know it isn't for everyone. I am just weighing my options.

Answer 1

Its definitely ok to breastfeed for only 6 weeks. The longer the better of course, but some is better than none at all and hey in spite of what you read, when/if you do breastfeed you may like it better than you thought & just keep on after all.

Good luck to you & kudos for getting informed.

Answer 2

It's better to breastfeed for even one day, than not at all. So, yes, 6 weeks is better than nothing.

But, let me tell you, the benefits of breastfeeding are far beyond your comprehension until you have a child.

1) It's free
2) It's best for baby
3) You don't have to worry about bottles (well, you would have to, if you have to pump and put the milk in a bottle.)
4) You lose the weight so much faster
5) It's a great way to bond with your baby
6) It's the easiest way to put a baby to sleep, not just at 6 weeks old, or 6 months old, but try 12 months, 18 months...
7) When your baby is sick or teething sometimes all they will want is to nurse. What will you do if you haven't nursed, and your milk has dried up? You will be crying because your baby needs you for comfort, and you can't give him/her the one thing they want.

I could go on and on. Please reconsider.

Answer 3

You can certainly breastfeed for only 6 weeks. Additionally, you can continue breastfeeding in the mornings before work and after you get home and not have to pump during the day (just supplement with formula). Plus, you will not have the issues with weaning many women and babies have by slowly tapering your milk and nursing time down. If you do it suddenly, you may need to do a little hand expression at work to keep you comfortable. After 12 weeks your body pretty much adjusts to what the baby needs and you are no longer "overfull".

The antibodies in your breastmilk will help keep your baby healthier than formula alone. And, with you being at work, you will have exposure to many germs that you will pass the antibodies on to your baby keeping him/her healthier at day care or family care.

The most important thing to do is have a lactation consultant visit with you everytime you nurse at the hospital to help you be sure you have a good proper latch (or midwife if you have a home birth). And keep in touch with the lac. consults. cause any issues you have, they will be able to offer advice or sugestions to overcome the difficulties over the phone.

It is a myth that you have to have sore nipples or swollen breasts to breatfeed. The swelling will occur whether or not you nurse and if you have a good latch, you will never get sore nipples.

Let me know if you have any questions, I would be happy to help you find the answers. Good Luck!

Answer 4

The longer you can breastfeed the better. Not only for baby, but for you as well. Breastfeeding helps the uterus contract after giving childbirth, helps decrease your risk of breast cancer, and much more!

Also, think how much easier it is to nurse a baby then bottle feed. No measuring, sterilizing, mixing or heating. It's always the right amount, the right temperature and the right nutrition for your baby. Plus it's free!!

Love your baby, give her what's best, what she deserves, breastmilk. Whether its for a day or a year, some is better than none.

Answer 5

let me tell you something....I went to brestfeeding, lamaze and parenting classes. First of, one drop of ur milk is better for her than 3 full formula bottles. I breastfed for 3 weeks and then gave her a bottle. She is now 1 yr old and has never had a cold, ear infection or anything..due to the breastfeeding. It can be really demanding and very tiring but well worth it. I would tell u to go for it. even one day is better for her than not at all. See how it works for you. After awhile ur nipples will get sore and then u will need cream right at walmrt to soothe them. I used a breast pump too because she was leaving scabs on my nipples, she had quite the lil' grip on her mouth. I would do it again 100% then. Look at the $$$ time and everything else you will be saving by not taking her to the doctors every month for colds. i know breastfeeding takes time and patience. But trust me...u would rather be breastfedding then waiting in line for hrs at the doctors office. Always give things a chance just once. And then you can at least say u tried and it didnt work for you. good luck

Answer 6

It's okay to stop breatfeeding in 6 weeks though the longer yoy breatfeed, the better it is for the baby. True, its just not for everyone.

I breatfed my baby for 2 months and when I got back to work I had to pump every working day since I only get to see my baby twice a week. I get to breatfeed her on my rest days. That worked at first but my milk dried out after a couple of weeks.

Answer 7

for me breastfeeding is good rather than the feeding bottle,i can breastfeed for 6 months or until my milk is gone,but i used feeding bottle for an optional use like im in my work or i am sick.

Answer 8

It is better to breastfeed for just a short while then not at all. I only breastfed for six weeks, and when I went back to work I then gave him formula. He had no issues with nipple confusion or not taking a bottle. Just make sure to give him a bottle once in a while so he adapts to that nipple too!

Answer 9

That's what I plan to do, I figure breastfeeding for at least a little bit of time is better than not breastfeeding at all...I also do not plan on pumping at work just seems like to much of a hassle to breast feed when your working 8 hours a day 5 days a week or whatever....

Answer 10

if that's as long as you want to do it for then only do it for 6 weeks! you might hear from ppl how it would be horrible if you stopped or didn't at all but dont listen to them. i pumped for a month and then formula fed my son and he is as smart as any other baby if not more! as long as they get some of your breast milk its fine. i was told a month was good. breastfeeding is not for everyone and there can be complications.no one tells you how stressful it can be or how much work it really is. i had to pump b/c my son wouldn't latch on. i felt like i had let him down and i was a failure,but then i got over it. lol good luck!