Feeding and Nutrition

Re: I need some help... from anybody

anitamroybal — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:13:25 GMT

you need to remind your husband that it's not about what "he wants," its about what's best for your baby.

Re: I need some help... from anybody

star1986 — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:13:03 GMT

Girl, its your body. you do what you think is best for you and your baby. no man can tell you that. what does he think women have breast for?

Re: I need some help... from anybody

jdsmoppy — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:57:41 GMT

I know this is gonna sound odd but you need him to be comfortable with it as well so that he can help you when you need help. Talk to him about the benifets of breastmilk and if all else get a pump and pump the milk. Talk to him bc it will be even harder on you if he isnt helping out and if he disagrees you know he will be no help. I breast feed my son for about two months I wanted to do it longer however my milk didnt have enough fat in it so my son was eating all the time and not gaining any weight. I know that as much as he was eating I could have never manged without my boyfriend helping. I know we all just want to say forget him and do what we want but you will really need his support and help. Congrats on the baby and best of luck

Re: I need some help... from anybody

neener8402 — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:55:35 GMT

Breastfeeding is the best thing for your child. Try getting him to read some books on how great breastfeeding is. If he is unwilling to listen do what you have to do for your baby! I cant believe he is trying to tell you how to feed your baby!

Re: I need some help... from anybody

mom2481 — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:58:08 GMT

I know the pressures of family opinions! I had the opposite pressures from my family but he same from friends. No one could understand why I did what I did when it came to nursing my son. I didn't know whether to feel like I was doing what was best or something totally wrong. today I still feel somewhat inadiquite as a mom becuase of it. I hope you have a chance to tell your family just what damage they've done. You need to heal that wound. I've done the best I can at healing mine by letting people know just how Hurt I was by their remarks. When your a first time mom you are already feeling a little insecure you don't need added pressure from those who should support you no matter what!! Hope you heal your wounds. Just keep in mind that regardless of nursing or formula your Son will be a strong young man because you are doing what you can.

Re: I need some help... from anybody

marykazarian — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:39:33 GMT

My advise would be to do what you feel is right. You know what is best for you and your baby. I nursed my son for 6 months and am very glad I did. I will be honest with you it was not easy. I have a 11 year old and a 8 year old plus my husbands support. The only thing when you breastfeed is you have to be getting up every 2 hours to breasfteed. It was not easy, but I wanted to try it for at least a while. My son is now 7 months old and I swithched him to formula the begging of the year 2011 and he is doing great.

Just remember do what your heart tells you is right for you and your baby. Good Luck!!

Re: I need some help... from anybody

buggy16 — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:01:28 GMT

Congradulations on the baby. What a great early Christmas gift. I want to try breastfeeding but if I do not do it I will at least for the first few days. It is the best thing to do but it would be hard since I am still in college.

Re: I need some help... from anybody

NVMY300 — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:23:33 GMT

my wife wanted to badly to breast feed our first child. When she was born it was a long and hard labor. The doctor just sat there and told her to push. I wanted to push the doctor out the window. My wife had no energy left to even hold the baby. When it was feeding time they placed the baby with her. She had no training on how to do it. She was confused and gave up early. Our daughter was hooked on Similac cause the nurse gave her that one day one.

Our second child was born on 12/22/2010. He loves breast feeding. We got our hands on a good pump and that made the big difference. He is also feed on Similac cause we can not pump fast enough for him. So, we switch between the two.

We have friends that we noticed. A breast feed child is more healthier. They don't get sick as much.

Also the hospital here in Florida was great! They strongely pushed for breast feeding. They provided us with nurses that trained us. We are so greatful for that.

Re: I need some help... from anybody

BentleysParents — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 22:10:55 GMT

you should do whats best for your baby, no matter what anyone tells you.

Re: I need some help... from anybody

mamaSD — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 04:19:38 GMT

Breastfeeding is not going to make the kid wimpy, I breastfed with my daughter and she's not a wimp either. For a two-year-old she's tough. Maybe the father feels that he will be excluded if you breastfeed. Honestly, it's your choice and I know every doctor will say breast is best. If he does feel excluded, try to get him involved. He can rub your back or feet to make you relaxed, he can help you work the pump if you're doing that, I'm sure there's a lot of other things that he can do. I know with my husband, it was his third child, but his first being breastfed and he didn't take to it at first. Just try at the hospital to nurse the baby and let him get used to it. Or better yet, ask him why he really doesn't want you to breastfeed. This may open some doors up for you two.

Re: I need some help... from anybody

dojango — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:22:38 GMT

I'm really sad reading about all these family members who are unsupportive of breastfeeding. There is no question breastfeeding is best for the baby, if you can do it. And it's natural. And it's WAY cheaper! My daughter had trouble learning to breast feed and I had to bottle feed her (expressed breast milk) for the first month. Then one day she finally "got it" and never looked back. I'm so glad I stuck with it and kept trying because, even though she was still getting breast milk in the bottle, I really feel like she is so much happier nursing. She never seemed to like the bottle, it was always a struggle and the feedings took forever. I think psychologically they are wired to know that nursing is the right thing and it's what they want and it makes them feel safe. It's not about "bonding" -- I know you can bond with your child if you can't or don't breastfeed, I just think it makes them happy. And my daughter is every bit as attached to her Daddy (maybe even more so) as she is to me despite breastfeeding. He just spends a lot of time with her doing other things. She is 9 months old and has never been sick a day in her life. Please don't let your family members make this decision for you. I know the father has a say in the upbringing of his children too, but from what I can tell from your post, his reasons are unreasonable (sorry). Please try to educate him. (Especially on the cost of formula.)

Re: I need some help... from anybody

abbie2525 — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:24:36 GMT

my husband didnt like the idea either, i couldnt BF my eldest and wanted to BF this one. After some struggles she is doing well and my husband is fine with it, when he felt uncomfortable in the first few weeks he would just leave the room. now it is cute as my son, 2 1/2 tries to nurse his animals and is very curious about it! just do what your comfortable with and he will come around

Re: I need some help... from anybody

send2hlopez — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 22:44:18 GMT

you could take him to a breastfeeding class offered by most hospitals. or sell him on the idea of pumping. Our 2nd little one came very early and pumping breast milk is what got her out of the nicu. Great benifits to breastfeeding and if it's just the matter of the action of breast feeding then try pumping instead plus there is added freedom he could help out with feedings and helps the two bond. Also try to reassure him that you have been through this process before and to trust your instincts.

Re: I need some help... from anybody

darklight — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:52:24 GMT

First things first. Get yourself educated on breast feeding. Or at least RE-educated. You know the benefits, you can see them with your first born but it never hurts to re-learn something.

Secondly, find out why he's so weirded out by breast feeding. Where on earth did he get the idea that the baby will be wimpy? Does he want a bigger part in the feeding ritual? Does it bother him that he will have to 'share' that part of you with another person? Is he scared your gonna look like a monkey with a baby hanging off your chest? Talk to him about his fears and your own. DO NOT lecture him. Guys hate that.

Point the pros and cons of both breast feeding and bottle feeding. Offer a compromise if you are comfortable with it. Pump milk and keep it on hand to bottle feed. Point out the cost effectiveness of reducing baby bills plus the health benifits.

Finally, DO WHAT YOU FEEL IS BEST. You love him, you made a baby with him, his role up to this point has been to support you and you will need his continued support AFTER baby is born. Remind him of that. He may be worried that you will stop looking at him and pay more attention to the baby after she gets here. (Childish fear but a legit one all the same.) But honestly you do have a say in what goes. Remember that and everything you have learned and can see with your first born.

Good luck and congrats on the baby!

Re: I need some help... from anybody

MommyRN4 — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:35:23 GMT

Tell your husband to read the facts about breastfeeding before he makes any decisions. According to the Academy of Pediatrics, breastfeeding has numerous health benefits. The Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months with supplemental breastfeeding for the first year and beyond if possible. Check out the guidelines here and the health benefits. Send your husband this link and then have an open and honest discussion with him and your pediatrician about the many benefits of breastfeeding. This may help him get comfortable with the idea.

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/feb05breastfeeding.htm