Feeding and Nutrition

Re: Apprehensive about Breastfeeding.

PediNurseJulie1 — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:04:06 GMT

Love the support and conversation going on here! It's always good to know that some concerns and worries that you have about pregnancy and birth are not weird and very normal - lots of people wonder about this issue! I think, as a nurse who has cared for lots of new moms/babies, it is very normal to feel apprehensive about breast feeding but many moms have a whole new mindset when their baby is born. Something often just switches inside of you and you realize that your breasts are absolutely perfect for nourishing this little baby. I always say give it a try...you won't regret trying but you might regret not trying. Good luck everyone!

Re: Apprehensive about Breastfeeding.

chy82 — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:36:47 GMT

I felt the same exact way!!! Then I had him and at first it was a little odd but then it was completely normal. Unfortunately my milk didn't last long and now I actually miss it.

Re: Apprehensive about Breastfeeding.

angelmand25 — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:01:04 GMT

As you can see, you're not alone!

I was not comfortable with the idea either. However, I really wanted to give my little one the gift of breastmilk and all its benefits. I actually had a pretty easy time with it, besides her falling asleep too often while feeding. Very minimal pain on my part.

My daughter is now 5 months old and I'm having a hard time accepting the fact that it is time to stop (for me at least). I work 10 hour days and am getting tired of pumping 4 times a day. Also, she is starting to teethe which means she is gnawing on every thing. My husband and I would like to take a vacation soon out of the country and no way am I going to tote a pump along! And lastly, you talk about it is a pleasure zone... I know my husband wants me back to himself.

Definitely give it a try and then you can decide. I honestly had no clue I would love the bonding so much. I am really going to miss it!

Re: Apprehensive about Breastfeeding.

cyndijau — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:40:04 GMT

I felt the same exact way, my baby is now 8 weeks and my milk has never really come in so ive had to supplement her from the get go, its very frustrating also cause i couldnt get her to latch on. hang in there. you did the best you could and thats all that matters

Hope all is well!

Re: Apprehensive about Breastfeeding.

rebeccalarock81 — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 02:12:00 GMT

I am breastfeeding and supplementing a little when needed for her growth. Don’t be worried for a few reasons. I totally get the thing about mentally switching from a pleasure zone to food zone. But I can almost guarantee you, you will be so tired you wont be thinking about pleasure for a while. It will be more than enough time to give your little one what he/she needs and decide if breastfeeding is for you. Also weigh all the plus' & minuses & talk to friends or family who are on both sides. It ultimately is your decision. I will admit, it isn’t my favorite thing. You hear so many people tell you about how magical it is and how they love every moment their little one is feeding. DO NOT FEEL BAD if you are not one of these. But give it a go and maybe you will have those moments and not think twice about formula. If not, there are a lot of good formulas out there to make sure your baby has what he/she needs to grow up just like you dreamed! Good luck!

Re: Apprehensive about Breastfeeding.

brightly2self — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 06:29:56 GMT

I thought I would have problems about that too. However, It is like something in my brain switched. It is a very different sensation. I enjoyed to have my breast touched by my husband, now not so much. They are so sensitive. When I do breast feed I get a warm and very close feeling towards my baby. I noticed that his poop doesn't stink or really have a smell to it when I breast feed. He doesn't spit up as much and his skin seems to be softer. It also give you a some pride in that you are able to care for your baby. Don't get me wrong. It can be frustrating and I do have to give him some formula. But you have to be comfortable with the idea that this is what your breast are made to do. From experience, If you are stressed out and uncomfortable. Your milk will have a hard time coming in and your baby will not have enough to eat. There are risks and benefits for formula and breast feeding. You have to decided what is right for you and your child.

Re: Apprehensive about Breastfeeding.

kdevillier — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 01:28:32 GMT

I soooo agree!! I want my baby to have breast milk because of health and to build a strong immune system. However, I am not comfortable with the actual act of breast feeding. Not to mention I can only be home with the baby for 6 weeks before I have to go back to work. I have decided (against my moms opinion) to pump and bottle feed for the 1st 4-5 weeks and then slowly introduce formula and gradually ween off the breast milk to make sure there are no issues with him taking formula. I feel that pumping at work will be awkward and difficult. The dicisson is yours, do NOT feel "un-motherly" or "un-nurturing" for breast feeding "ikking you out"! You are not alone in your boat!! Not to mention feeding breast milk from a bottle allows dad to feed and bond with the baby too!!!

Re: Apprehensive about Breastfeeding.

sgmitch — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:21:52 GMT

I had the same apprehensions. I really wanted to breastfeed, but it's just a strange concept. What I would recommend is getting a nipple shield. I had to get one because my daughter wouldn't latch on, but it might eliminate the weirdness of having your baby breastfeed because it won't actually be sucking on your nipple. You still feel the pulling, but it might make you more comfortable. It also kept me from having to deal with the cracked nipples (not the soreness, unfortunately, but that doesn't last for too long). But like everyone else has said you don't really think of breastfeeding and sex together, and if it doesn't work for you it doesn't make you any worse of a mom. :) Good luck!

Re: Apprehensive about Breastfeeding.

sassibree22 — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 04:40:20 GMT

Its a different mindset. I have a 2-month-old and I breastfeed. You dont even think about it being "your boob" you are so concerned about the baby latching on correctly and getting the baby fed that thoughts of " this is weird" and "i used to like this with my partner" dont even surface. But, if you plan to breastfeed stick with it, its hard but worth the effort. Also, pumping is great also but formula works just fine. Just do what is best for you and your baby! In the end, if its still hard for you to think about breastfeeding then do what works best for you.

Re: Apprehensive about Breastfeeding.

APmomma — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 16:21:27 GMT

Practice makes perfect!

We're often uncomfortable with new things. Then we get into the swing of it and it feels like we've been doing it forever.

I know a mom who used to feel the way that you do. Now she's breastfeeding her 20-month old whenever and wherever her toddler needs.

Re: Apprehensive about Breastfeeding.

clmontagna — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 20:46:14 GMT

I am now on my fourth child and have always adhered to the mantra - to be a good mom, you have to be a happy mom. If breastfeeding feels totally uncomfortable to you, you won't be happy doing it. No doubt, breastmilk is best. However, it's not like you have to choose between breastmilk and kool-aid. Plenty of children are formula fed and grow perfectly! I agree with another poster that you should consider giving it a try before making a final decision. But if you are really that uncomfortable with the idea, save yourself the stress and do what will make you happy. Having a newborn is stressful... no need to add to that stress unnecessarily!

Congratulations and good luck!

Re: Apprehensive about Breastfeeding.

APmomma — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 01:34:48 GMT

Yeah. Breasts are highly sexualized in this country. We use them to sell everything from hamburgers to cars. It's very rare to see breasts used for nature's primary purpose.

Spending more time around other nursing mothers definitely helped normalize breastfeeding for me. I'm so thankful for La Leche League and for other parenting groups. It's completely normal for me to go out with a group of friends and there are a few of us nursing...children as young as a couple months and as old as a couple years.

I wish I'd been exposed to nursing mothers much earlier.

Re: Apprehensive about Breastfeeding.

FayeJames74 — Thu, 13 May 2010 15:24:26 GMT

OMG!!!! I am going through the same thing. I am due May 30, but my dr told me I may be 2 weeks early. I have been tearing myself up with the choice of breastfeeding. I feel the same way as you do. I feel that the breast is a pleasure point for me and I get disgusted thinking about it being a feeding point for the baby. I have talked to several obgyn's about the option of just pumping the milk and feeding it threw a bottle. Some say that is ok because now a days, us working moms have no other choice. The electric breast pumps can stimulate the breast just like a baby can. But others say that even though the baby will still get your milk if you pump, it won't be a good supply of milk. I say, everyone's body is different and I decided to pump exclusively and what I may lack in supply, I will substitute with formula. That way, I am comfortable with the feeding process and my baby is getting what she needs from my breastmilk.

I hope this helps.

Re: Apprehensive about Breastfeeding.

siska81 — Tue, 04 May 2010 07:59:33 GMT

When I was pregnant with my little boy, I was so determined to breastfeed. My little guy came about 4 weeks early and the first few days at the hospital was an eye-opening experience. Since my guy was still in the NICU, the nurses asked me to start pumping immediately after giving birth. I thought they were crazy but I gave it a try. To be honest, it was painful and weird the first few times but it was fine after that. I continued pumping until he's ready to drink from my breast. Compared to pumping, I would prefer feeding the baby from my breast. There's a sense of closeness and his suckling was definitely less painful than pumping. At about the 6th week I suffered from baby blues/depression that caused me to cry whenever I breastfeed and I lost the feeling of love for my baby. Feeding became a chore for me. After 2 more weeks (at 2 months), I decided to stop bfing completely and continue formula feeding exclusively. My depression went away almost immediately and I felt a lot happier. My love for my baby has never been stronger and I'm happy I made the decision to stop bf at that time that I did.

When I was bfing, yes, I did have cracked nipples and my breasts were engorged so many times. It's painful, it's a lot of work, it's weird at first, but if you are able and determined it is the best feeling in the world to provide nutrition that only you can give to your baby. However, If you decide to formula-feed for any reason, don't blame yourself. Even moms with the best of intentions to breastfeed sometimes are not lucky enough to do that and have to formula-feed. Your baby will not be happy if you are not happy, so make a decision that will make you happy regardless of what other people say. It's YOUR baby after all.

Best of luck to you!

Re: Apprehensive about Breastfeeding.

anxiouslywaiting — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:32:42 GMT

Hi, your feelings may change, you'll be surprised. Funny, that's my child's birthday. Anyway my cousin had babies before I did and she nursed and I was weirded out, ugh, I'll never do that. Well when I became pregnant with my daughter I also had no intentions of breastfeeding but as soon as she was born that was all I wanted to do. I'll never forget the day I walked into the nursery to feed her and there she was with the nurse getting a bottle of formula. I walked right by her, didn't even know it was her. They we're so sorry and offered to take it away from her immediately, of course what kind of mom would I be. I let her finish the formula and they vowed not to give it to her again. Well I went from having no intentions to nursing to not stopping until she was 13 months old. This is when she first learned to walk and got her 1st tooth. I tried wiening her at 10 months so I could start getting prepared to take her to a sitter and myself back to work but she would take nothing at all. Other moms recommended I just give her regular milk...not recommended by her pediatrician, so on the breast she stayed for 3 more months and then straight to Silk Soy Milk. It was a great experience but this time around I will plan to wien earlier, maybe nurse for 6 mos, if all goes well. Whatever you decide it's your choice, good luck.