THoughts on breastfeeding?

Question

Its my 1st child, 25 weeks gone and I cant deceide on breastfeeding or bottle feeding. I know they say breast is best but I really dont think I can do it..........

Koolaid - maybe i didnt make it clear enough for you - Im 25 weeks PREGNANT lol, although others seemed to grasp that fact: :P

Answer 1

you should give it a try........for like a wk or so......and see if you really can or can't do it.........good luck.......

Answer 2

Its what u are happier with, yes breast feeding provides many additonal benefits than bottle feeding but it is not for anyone else to say what is right, the right answer is what suits u best. People are much more accepting of breastfeeding in public places now and most women find it a little strange to begin with but then get very used to it and enjoy feeding. The benefits other than the protection against disease is how freely it is available, in the middle of the night u dont have to go downstairs and get the babies milk ready and warmed because it is already perfect. The benefit of bottles tho is dad can be involved too. Whatever u think is best is right for u

Answer 3

this is your choice so don't let anyone pressurise you. breastfeeding is best for your baby baut is hard work. it does however create an amazing bond and closeness. i am breatfeeding my 7 month old and breastfed my two year old till about 18 months. actually i didn't have much support but i think that made me want to do it even more. i can understand how people give up as my first tookm ages to get the hang of it you always worry whether they're getting enough but you can rest assured so long as baby is gaining weight you are fine. also my nipples were so sore for a few days i nearly gave up (which is when i think most people do) but i'm so glad i stuck through it. the best thing i can suggest is try it once you give birth if you like it stick with it but if you change your mind your baby will still grow up just the same. also remember breastfeeding is free and you never have the hassle of making feeds, sterilising, heating up etc which is fantastic at night time and so much less disruptive. goodluck x kelly

Answer 4

my first child was bottle fed, due to me having a c section, with my second I had a go at the breastfeeding. and omg it's pain full, I gave up after three weeks, the size of my boobs went from an a cup to a dd. I couldn't see my toes, I just had to stop, plus I was gaspin for a few glasses of wine. boy did I enjoy that first sip.
In my opinion love, as a third time expectant mother all this breast is best stuff may be true, because most baby's loose a couple of ounces before they put it on, and the child that I breastfed. well he didn't loose an ounce, and to this day he's not had any really bad colds or illnesses, he's five now. the other little nipper who I bottle fed he's nine now has been prone to them all his life, i could bubble wrap him and he would still catch it from you.
this is only my experience Hun, and because of all the restrictions myself personally, I'll be bottle feeding again, very selfish but that's just me.

Answer 5

I'm going to get shot for saying this, but I hated breastfeeding. My partner and I are completly equal in our relationship, and we both resented the fact that feeding our son was something only I could do.

However, I'm not one of those who says that nowadays breasts are for sex more than babies, to be frank I hate people saying that. I've nothing against breastfeeding, I know how fantastic it is for babies (hell, who doesn't, it's shoved down every mothers and mother to be's throat!) and I've nothing against those who are happy and able to breastfeed.

The day my health visitor said we should supplement our son's feeds with formula was one of the happiest I remember during those first few weeks. He hadn't put back on his birthweight by the reccommended time, and we were suggested to give him bottle feeds also.

Grudgingly, I intend to make an attempt yet again at breastfeeding this wee belly bean I am currently incubating (currently 39 weeks). Breast is best for babies indeed, but isn't always best for mums! I intend to give it a shot and not worry about what others think if we decide to use botles down the road instead.

My suggestion to you is to give it a try. Maybe you'll eb one of those mothers who loves the feeling of closeness and the like. Maybe you'll detest it. You'll never know unless you try eh?

Answer 6

I have 4 children who are now 28, 25, 22, and 9 (SURPRISE!). I breast fed all of them. My oldest is now mom to a 5 1/2 week old baby boy who is also breast fed. It is true that breast milk is best for babies, but this does not mean that formula is bad for babies. I have been a child care provider in my home for 20 years and have provided care for numerous babies. Some have come to me with expressed breast milk and some have been on formula. Babies thrive on both. The statistics show that breast fed babies have fewer instances of ear infections, but people need to remember that this does not mean that all breast fed babies have fewer ear infections nor does it mean that formula fed babies always have ear infections. You have quite a few more weeks to do some research, take a breast feeding class, talk to some moms who have breast fed and some who are currently breast feeding. I was only 20 when I had my first baby and still had some of those mis-guided illusions of how "natural" it should be to have a baby and breast feed (being a child of the 60's and 70's!). I was devastated at first that my baby and I had so much trouble getting the hang of breast feeding - she slept too much and had a little tiny mouth that never seemed to latch on right. I spent a lot of time frustrated and worried. I was about ready to give up when a lactation nurse from the hospital called and asked how things were going. I sobbed and sobbed and she came over and helped me a lot. She came back 2 more times and by the time my baby was 6 weeks old, I felt like I really could do this. I was able to nurse her until she was 5 months old when I had to go back to school and work. Back in those days, pumping was not very common and other than for moms with premature babies, electric pumps weren't readily available. Baby #2 and #3 took to nursing right from the beginning, but then surprise baby #4 shook the maternal tree with more breast feeding problems than my first baby. In the end, I breast fed her until she self-weaned at 14 months. I loved breast feeding, but it's not for everone. If you have a C-section you can breast feed. My grandson was born via unplanned C-section and my daughter is breast feeding. Premature babies, while not able to nurse, can receive breast milk through their feeding tubes and mom can pump frequently so she can nurse when her baby is ready to try. Women with inverted nipples can successfully breast feed with the aid of nipple shields. I think beast feeding is the best choice, but not the only choice. Women who choose not to breast feed do not need to make excuses, but can feel confident that their decision to formula feed is right for them and their baby will receive adequate nutrition to grow and thrive.

Answer 7

Providing all is ok when I have my 12 week scan in a few weeks, I have every intention of breast feeding. I think you will probably feel pressured to breastfeed but it's your choice and whatever you are comfortable with.

I'm going to give it a go, if I don't like it then I'm not going to stress if I can't continue with it.

I've heard it helps you lose the baby weight quicker aswell, so that's got to be a bit of a bonus.

Maybe if you're still unsure when you've given birth, try it and if you don't like it at least you can say you gave it a go.

Answer 8

Why don't you think you can do it? Is there something specific that you are worried about?

Breastfeeding is absolutely healthiest for both mom and baby for tons of reasons.

Why not commit to the first couple of months and then make a decision? The first 6 weeks is the hardest part, after that the two of you have things figured out and fall into a rhythm and it gets easier.

Or at least commit to the first week so baby gets the colostrum, which acts as his first immunization.

Answer 9

Breast is best but it is completely up to you when the time comes. I really, really wanted to breastfeed my first and felt (and was constantly told) that it would be the best for him. When the time came I had major problems (inverted nipples, lack of milk) and felt very much under pressure to perform. I worried myself sick about it and in the end decided to give up and bottle feed. It was a good choice as I could finally relax and enjoy my baby instead of worrying about breastfeeding. Everyone tried their best to give me advice and encourage me but to me it felt like they were pressuring me. When I had my second I bottle fed from the beginning (not without some guilt) but I could enjoy him right from the beginning with no pressure.

It is all well and good for the professionals, other mothers, family members etc to constantly drum it into your head about breast being best but they end up making a first time mother feel she is inadequate if she cannot do it. My advice to you is do what makes you happy not everyone else - and most of all enjoy your baby!!

Answer 10

If this is your first time breastfedding, it is going to be very challenging, and can be a bit painful at first, but it you ride that part out, you'll find that it's much easier! No formula to mix, no bottles to clean(unless you pump), and breastfeeding is far more beneficial to your child. There is less incidence of colic with breastfed babies, and breastfeeding will strengthen their immune system, so there will be less colds, and ear infections. At least try to do it--the baby will benefit even if you are able to do it for only a short period of time!

Answer 11

my advice is,
try it, and see how you get on, i think it is so brillaint when woman manage to give there babies the rich milk (sorry forgotten the name)
also you could even try expressing as much as possible (remembering to alternate from breat to breast).

i think if woman end up using formula it is no shame, but i think a woman feels wonderful for even giving a few feeds of breast milk.

you do what you feel comfortable with, if you end up breast feeding because of pressure from family friends mw's hv's etc it will end up making you feel awful. But on the other hand, depending on how the advice etc comes to you, it could be a fantastic support

all the best with your pregnancy, and i hope you have a wonderful birth, and enjoy being a mummy xx