Boobies!

[Heulyn]

Well, I'm still hovering in limbo over my BFP, but I've wanted to know this for a while.

I'm not so keen on the idea of breastfeeding, as I hate my boobs being sore in any way.
BUT
I would like my babies first / first few feeds to be breast.
This is because I think it not only forms a better bond with baby, but they get all that breat-milk goodness and immunisations and things.

Can I do that, then switch to bottle?
Or will this harm baby?

Thanks x

 

[titch]

yes you can definately do that if thats what you feel comfortable with. Its definately best to get the early breast milk for the first few feeds cos it lines their digestive system but you can then switch to bottles whenever is right for you.

You'd have trouble the other way around aparently. You cant bottle feed for a few days then try breast feeding cos your milk doesnt get produced unless its being used.

I havent breast fed yet but Im being told that breast feeding doesnt actually cause painful boobies unless you're feeding in the wrong position, fingers crossed, this is the truth!!!

 

[Rosie's Mummy]

My boobs were fine - of course its a bit uncomfy when your milk comes in and you can get engorged but feeding sorts that out; its a really beautiful thing

 

[titch]

^^ they would get engorged even if you dont BF though wouldnt they? and nowhere to relieve them...ouch!

 

[Rosie's Mummy]

^^ mm yes I suppose they would especially if they have been stimulated through first feeds

 

[Heulyn]

Hmm... Maybe I'll express then?

Bottle feeding is mainly because I'm just not quite comfortable with the idea of having a baby attached to my boob... I know it's natural and everything, just maybe not for me.
And it's also so that OH can do feeds, as it's something he really wants.

So do you think that expressing would help?

 

[Rosie's Mummy]

Merv's Mum is the gal to ask, she is a breastfeeding ace

 

[vixforever]

Was gonna suggest Mervs Mum aswell lol x

 

[titch]

The midwife at my antenatal class strongly recommended that if you bottle feed your baby would really benefit from you expressing for the first few feeds so they get the benefits of the immunity and lining their digestive system is supposed to help reduce the risk of allergies. I suppose you would need a pump anyway to relieve yourboobies when they get engorged with the milk so you may aswell give it to baby instead of throwing it away. Hope mervs mum comes on soon.

 

[Laura_C]

I breastfed for 3 weeks with my daughter and then went onto a mix and then to bottlefeeding formula milk. It took a good few days for my milk to come in, soooo painful but once I got past the first week I was fine. I must admit when I stopped my breasts were so full and sore but I found that this only seemed to last for a day or two and it started to settle. I used to leak so much at night and even when I was out and about, my milk still hung around for about 3/4 weeks after I stopped.

I certainly plan to breast feed at least for the first few weeks again this time and if I can continue longer then I definately will.

 

[Wobbles]

MM hasn't seen the thread yet but I'll leave her a message for you'z x

 

[Mervs Mum]

You wont necessarily be sore hun although at first it's a funny sensation because they have such a strong natural reflex to suck! If you did get sore it usually is only a temporary thing while you get used to it or just make a few adjustments to stop the soreness from happening. But if you want to just feed for a while to get the important colostrum etc then you can switch or combine the two. It's important to understand when you supplement with formula you wont make as much milk as BFing works on a supply and demand basis. The more you feed them, the more you make so the opposite is ture also. If you find you want to continue thats great and if you dont there's no problem with mixing or combination feeding or switching over totally. It's about making it work for you and your LO. My sister BF my nephew once and once only. She didnt want to BF but when he was born she decided to give it a try. For what ever reason is wasnt for her and that was that but he got some of the colostrum which lines their tummy and is full of anti bodies - some is better than none after all!