Breastfeeding?

Question

So I am 6 wks pregnant, and am thinking a lot about when the baby is born. I want to breatfeed, but my breasts are sensitive and I'm wondering a few things. Does it really hurt? Is it better to pump? If you pump for one day could you pump enough for a week? Thank you so much if you answer my questions!!

Answer 1

I nursed my first for almost 3 years, and my 10 month old is nursing now. The first 6 weeks are hard, as you adjust to using you breasts in a way you never have before and the baby learns to latch correctly. I have found that most women who make it through the first 6 weeks will make it as long as they and the baby choose to continue.

I found pumping to be a terrible chore and never really did it much. Nursing is much easier, once you get past the initial adjustment period.

The benefits of breastfeeding are great, and there are benefits such as facial development and jaw strength that aren't present when you pump, but pumping and feeding breastmilk is definitely better than formula feeding.

Check out The Nursing Mother's Companion. it's a great breastfeeding book. And touch base with your local LLL. You can do it - commit to those first 6 weeks, and plow through. It may be easier than you expect. Your breasts do not stay as sore as they are during pregnancy!

Laura
www.babystepsonline.net

Answer 2

I am currently breastfeeding my 2 month old and am really enjoying it. Nothing can describe the feeling when he looks up at me with his big eyes or when he stops nursing to coo and giggle with me. Like some have said it will be hard in the first few weeks. Everyone told me the first 2 were hell, but I found it to be 3. My son had some problems latching on so this added to the discomfort. He'd latch on (the most painful part of nursing in the beginning) and off 20 times a feeding! I had to use a nipple shield for a little while and yes, I did get scabs, but finally he started to reject the nipple shield and just wanted the breast and he took it fine. No pain!
I would suggest using nipple ointment (lanolin) everyday during your third trimester to help prep your nipples. I hadn't heard about this for my pregnancy but wish I had. I'd also buy some breast gel pads that you keep in your fridge. They feel so good on burning nipples!
And then just persevere. It really is the healthiest option for your baby.
As far as pumping goes, I pump everyday. Some women have difficulty, but I find it quite easy. No need to pump for the week. An extra bottle or two a day (though I don't think most women can get that much, my friend couldn't) will add up in the freezer. Also, when you go back to work you can still pump during the day (replace your coffee breaks with pumping breaks) and then that milk can be used to give to your child the next day.

I took a one day nursing class available at my hospital and found it very helpful and supportive.

Blessings to your little one!

Answer 3

Yes it can hurt if you don't get the little one to attach properly, but a lactation consultant/hospital nurse/midwife should be able to help you with that. If your doing it right it doesn't hurt.
No, its not better to pump. Its not the same stimulation as the sucking, and its not as comfortable.
No, you can't pump enough in one day to see you through the week, at least in most cases. And if you only pumped the milk one day in the week (and baby didn't suckle on the other days) you would lose your milk supply completely.
Breast feeding is best for your baby as it contains all the vitamins and minerals, and the proteins and carbs that your baby needs. It also contains antibodies which help build your baby's immunity to diseases. Its always at the right temp.
And its good for Mum too. As well as the physical closeness during feeding, the simulation of sucking at the nipples helps the uterus return to a more normal sizer due to the hormones released during feeding.
Its good that you are asking the questions now, and good luck.

Answer 4

at 6wks your breast are very tender, it will get better. It does make your breast sore for a week or two for some people, you just have to stick with and then your body does adjust to it. you just have to have good technique and positioning to prevent it from hurting. it is something you and baby learn as you go. I breastfed all three of mine. the first was the most challenging because i was new at it. You will not get enough milk pumped in one day to last a whole week. but if you need to go back to work and want baby to continue on breast milk, pump a few times a day between feedings and you will start stocking up the supply.

Answer 5

Hi! I have just had my first baby, she is now nearly 5 months old. I am really sensitive too but I really wanted to breast feed as it is the best for your baby.

During the first few weeks your nipples will be really sore they may crack, yes it does hurt, but only for the first few seconds of your baby suckling, then it is fine. There is really great nipple cream you can get from any chemist. I also tried using nipple shields, they helped a lot when I was really sore, but try not to use them too much as your baby well get too used to feeding with them and they find it difficult to feed normally. But your nipples do 'toughen' up and it is so worth it! I really encourage you to stick it out.

As for pumping..... I had a little trouble breastfeeding because my milk would come down too fast and I would nearly drown my little girl so I started expressing for her to drink from the bottle. This did help, but expressing is sooooo time consuming!!!! And no you can't pump enough for a week, I WISH! I really don't recommend pumping full time, from experience, sterilising bottles and pumps, finding time to express. My little girl got used to the bottle and it was a real struggle to get back onto feeding normally.

One more piece of advice I can give you, is if you find that you get lumps in your breasts after your milk comes in, don't panic!!! This is normal, I think it is just milk that gets stuck in your ducts. Make sure you get under a really warm shower and massage them out just to avoid any problems.

I hope this helps you?

Answer 6

No it doesn't hurt if you get it right this is where you need to talk to your midwife to help with different possitions as different shape boobs need different feeding positions. It feel loving and gentle it made feel very important as i was keeping my baby alive and well it's a wonderful thing to do if you can. i started to feel like a cow after 2 months so swopped to the bottle. i tried the pump but i couldn't get much out but i will try again with the next one.

All i can say is try it, don't be frightened and ENJOY!!!!!

Congrates to you

Answer 7

my sister breast fed all her baby's and yes it does hurt for a while but once you get used to it things are fine you can get sore and broken nipples but there are things you can use to help with that.
pumping the milk is not that easy to do my sis found that very hard to do.
now me i have bottle fed all my baby's and have never been into breast feeding its just not for me
the good thing is with the bottle my partner can bond with the baby to and feels like he is helping also
both have good and bad things about them of course breast is best but each to there own i say

Answer 8

it will not hurt you because the baby's teeth stil not sharp...
dont pump your breast..just let it be natural...and enjoy it..!
he is your own baby...rite?

Answer 9

It is a little early for you to worry about this. You will learn all you need to know as your pregnancy progresses.

Answer 10

it is best for kid's health... and best for mothers built...