Should I breastfeed?

Question

Everyone is suggesting it, but I just don't know if I'd be comfortable doing it. I heard it makes your boobs sag and all that good stuff, but it also makes you loose the baby weight faster. I like my boobs where they are...I'm only 18. Any advice?

Answer 1

Its pregnancy that makes your boobs sag, and that can be avoided by wearing a good bra. Breastfeeding is a wonderful, rewarding experience, and I strongly reccomend you try to do it.

Bottom line is, its not about you anymore. It all about that little baby, and breastfeeding is what is best for him.

Answer 2

If your boobs are gonna sag..they will regardless if you breastfeed or not. They still produce milk and will be engorged until your body realizess that you're not breastfeeding and don't need the milk and that alone can make them sag. It is very uncomfortable to breastfeed for the first week and a half to two weeks though. Your nipples will be very sore and it's gonna be really tough to stick that part out. But it is an absolutely wonderful thing to do for your child. In the end though, it's a decision that you will ultimately have to make

Answer 3

Your breasts will change anyway, just from being pregnant.
I have an idea of how you're feeling - I felt really umcomfortable with the whole idea of breastfeeding at first too - I just couldn't picture myself doing it. But after reading about all the benefits to both the baby and myself, I decided that there was really no reason why I shouldn't do it. I haven't had my baby yet, but now I think I'll be really disappointed if for some reason I can't breastfeed.
My advice to you is to give it a real try. Do some research and read about all the benefits of it, and see if that convinces you. If it doesn't work out, then at least you know you gave it a shot.
Good luck!

Answer 4

Breastfeeding doesn't make your boobs sag any more than regular pregnancy does. That is a myth. Do some research online to see what the benefits of breastfeeding are, compared to formula. The health benefits as well as the financial benefits make breastfeeding the clear choice.
do you know that a can of formula costs $20-$25? Do you know how many you'll go through in a month, on top of diapers? If the health of your baby isn't good enough motivation, let money help you along.
You are only 18, but I hope you make the mature decision to do what is best for your baby.

Answer 5

Your boobs are going to change no matter what now that you are pregnant.

Try to breast feed. If you are not comfortable with this or it does not work well for you, try pumping. I would recommend the pumps that have a motor and pump both at the same time. This is a huge time saver. You will also need the freezer bags for the breast milk in case you get extra.

If non of that works then formula is great - I will cost more, but either way you are giving your baby good food.

(If you can at least do breast milk for the firs 1-2 weeks the baby will get the colostrum which is rich in antibodies and is very good for the baby.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Pregnancy changes your breasts, NOT breastfeeding. After baby is here, your boobs will not ever be the same, period. I have a friend who bottle fed and she actually said she thinks her boobs would have stretched less if she had breastfed. Your breasts will still fill with milk (to the point that they feel like they'll burst), but you will not have baby emptying them. This is painful even when breastfeeding, but I can't even imagine having to wait days with no relief while the milk dries up on its own.

Breastfeeding can make you lose weight faster because it requires so many calories. You actually require more calories when nursing than you do when pregnant. It's not a fail-proof weight-loss solution though, but it can help. Many women (myself included) find that most of the weight falls off, but that their bodies hold onto a certain amount until the baby has weaned.

Other benefits to breastfeeding include no bottles to prepare, warm, travel with, mix, etc - EVER. Your boobs are right there, ready, and at the right temperature, even at 3 am or when you're at the mall. I sleep with my daughter in my bed, so when she wakes at night, all I have to do is roll over and let her nurse while I sleep. If you formula feed, you have to get up, go to the kitchen, make a bottle, warm it, etc. Breastfeeding can afford you a lot more sleep in that respect.

And I haven't even mentioned all the health benefits. Your body tailor makes food with just what baby needs at every feeding. If your baby is exposed to a flu virus, your body makes antibodies to that EXACT virus, and gives them to the baby, along with all the other immunities that your adult body has had years to produce. So breastfed babies get sick MUCH less - costing you less in medical bills and lost wages for taking time off to be with a sick baby. Breastmilk also reduces the risk of asthma, allergies, adult obesity, and a host of other conditions. It may also lower the risk of SIDS. The longer a woman breastfeeds, the lower her risks of breast and reproductive cancers.

Breastfeeding also promotes bonding between mother and child. People will tell you that they bonded with their kids while bottlefeeding, too, but honestly, those people have never breastfed! Nursing puts baby at just the right distance to be able to focus on your face (even as a newborn). The baby can smell you, and feel your heartbeat and breathing. When my daughter is nursing, she stares up at me, smiles, hums or talks (with her mouth full, lol) and reaches up to touch my face. There is definitely a bond there that she doesn't share with anyone else.

Honestly, there are a MILLION reasons to breastfeed, and very few legitimate reasons not to. Human milk is infinitely superior to artificial milk, and I think it's the least every mother can do to provide that for her child. It's the best start you can give your baby, and one of the best choices you can make for both of you!

Congrats on your new little one!

Answer 7

Pregnancy and aging make your boobs sag. Not breastfeeding. Whether you plan to or not, they will grow during pregnancy and they will fill with milk a couple of days after delivery, and they will become engorged.

It's soooo much better for the baby not even considering the benefits to your own body and health. It provides live white blood cells and antibodies to boost your baby's immune system, it's designed specifically to be harmless and easy on his or her digestive system, and it lowers the risk of ear infections and colic.

For you, it does amazing wonders in losing weight gained, and women who breastfeed have lowered risk of breast cancer.

Your boobs will never be the same they are now. Never. That's just life. So do what's best for your baby.

Answer 8

I would say that it helps your body recover from childbirth number one. Number two it helps the baby develop faster and it helps their brain and body. If your boobs are more important than child health I wouldn't do it. It really is better for the baby though. It would take a long time for your boobs to sag and it really is better for your body also. Plus your breast milk won't always taste the same as you eat different stuff. Formula always tastes the same. It gives the baby no variety. No variety on vitamins, no variety on taste, etc.

Answer 9

I am pregnant with my second child. Personally mine are big so they tend to sag regardless. but when i had my first child i think it did help my loose the weight i lost all baby weight and 20 pounds so i am going to breast feed this time as well.

Answer 10

Your boobs will change because of pregnancy and age, not breastfeeding.

If you nurse:
YOU will lose weight faster and get your figure back more quickly
YOUR risk of breast and ovarian cancer will decrease

BABY will be less sick, have fewer to no ear infections, have fewer allergies. Babies who are nursed have higher IQs.
Babies who are nursed are far less likely to become obese children

Formula is freaking EXPENSIVE! It's 2-3,000 a year. Why pay for something you can get free? Sure, your baby can survive on McDonald's, but isn't home cooking more healthy?

Breastmilk is better, it even says so on the can of formula.

If breastfeeding hurts, you're doing it wrong.

Answer 11

Sorry hun, PREGNANCY makes your breasts sag. Even if you don't nurse, they still get bigger.
But seriously, its time to think of the child you are bringing into this world. Its about her/him now, not you.

Think about all the questions people post on YA because their baby's are having issues with the fake milk they are being given. Gas, constipation, reflux, vomiting, screaming etc...

Age is no excuse for giving your baby substandard food when you don't HAVE to.

Please read A LOT of breastfeeding books before your baby gets here. "So That's What They're For" is a really good one.

If you don't breastfeed, you have to use formula and bottles. You need to do a helluva lot of research so you know what you are putting into your baby.
Start here: http://www.kellymom.com/newman/risks_of_formula_08-02.html

http://www.drjen4kids.com/soap%20box/what%27s%20missing%20in%20formula.htm

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/infant-formula.html

http://www.todaysparent.com/baby/breastfeeding/article.jsp?content=20030807_101250_216