To breastfeed or not to breastfeed, that is the question

[toni64539]

So come on ladies, who is planning on breastfeeding, and who is not, and what are your reasons for either???? Xxx

 

[Princess81]

When the time eventually comes I will be (trying) for sure. Our breast milk is specifically designed to meet baby's needs. Our body has nurtured it with everything that it needs for the whole of pregnancy, so I trust it to know what the baby needs after birth too - so that's my reason for wanting to do it

 

[Sunnyb]

I breastfed Joseph & will breastfeed this little one too - reasons? Free! No messing with sterilisers, bottles, teats etc & having to stop to find somewhere to heat water etc when bubs is hungry. Not having to get up in the middle of the night to heat a bottle up when you're knackered. I know people try & fail, but if you try it & it works then why not? It was my special time with Joseph & that's why your breasts produce milk. I don't knock people who bottle feed at all, but if money's tight & you can put your boobies to good, free use then that can't be a bad thing.

 

[Rayoflight]

I'm just coming up to the 3 month mark for breastfeeding and have been doing a blog for work if anyone is interested?

http://www.juicefm.com/content?id=456

An honest account of what it's really like to breastfeed! Oh and you can win a pram too so get entering.

Gem x

 

[Princess81]

I also believe that it has great health benefits for the mother, does it not reduce the risk of breast cancer? We need mervs mum on this thread she is the oracle of breast feeding also believe sams mum will know lots too x

 

[Rayoflight]

Yes it does reduce the risk, also things like osteoporosis risks are greatly reduced.

It's bloody awesome. I love it. My special wind down time with my bundle of gorgeousness 5 times a day! I'm a bit of a freak, now he's sleeping through I actually MISS the night feeds (weirdo).

 

[Rayoflight]

Just some benefits for baby;
- Protection against ear infections
- Protection against chest infections and wheezing
- Lower risk of diabetes
- Less allergic disease like asthma and eczema
- Protection against diarrhoea, gastro-enteritis and stomach upsets
- Better mental development
- Better mouth formation and straighter teeth
- Less obesity


Some of the benefits for mum;

- Lower risk of ovarian cancer
- Lower risk of pre and post menopausal breast cancer
- Stronger bones in later life (osteoporosis)
- Lower risk of PND

 

[Sam's Mum]

It is great for mums too - it relaxes you (I think it's the oxytocin that has a relaxing effect while you feed), helps the uterus contract back to its normal size, helps you lose weight (fantastic excuse to eat whatever you want for a few months ) and protects against a few different types of cancer... breast, ovarian and something else (I'm half asleep )

And apart from all that, it's amazing (although slightly frustrating when every time you sit down your 16 month old drags a cushion onto your knee and says 'more!'), and if you're as disorganised as I am it's lovely having one less thing you need to get ready when you're going out for the day!

 

[Sam's Mum]

And as always, I'm too slow

 

[Emmamb]

It's amazing-hard work for 1st few days but as soon as ur milk 'comes in' it gets easier,I've got a very settled,happy,contented baby and he's put on 5oz in 5 days so is thriving on my milk. And it's so easy-especially at night-I can have him fed,winded and back in the crib in the time it would have taken to make a bottle up.
Only downside is that dh can't help but tbh it means I don't feel guilty about askin him to do stuff around the house whilst I have a nap xx

 

[cherelle]

yep i will definately be trying to breastfeed. My sister in law had a baby last year though and her and her OH mixed breastfeeding with bottle feeding from day one so he could join in the night feeds! Id love to do both if possible but im just going to see how it goes x

 

[clairebear22]

I'm defo going to give it a go! It's what we have boobs for after all!! x

 

[pinkymum]

I'm swaying again lol. When I read Gemma's blog I want to and then I see Emmamb and flexilexi doing it successfully. But I'm mostly on formula feeding side although I do feel a bit guilty and no one has made me feel guilty its just me lol.

So here's my main reason why I personally don't want to -

I'm a bit of a control freak and I know there isn't alot you can control with a newborn but I really don't like the uncertainty of "I'll give it a go and if it doesn't work I've tried" Thats a fair enough statement if you can cope with BF not being for you and baby and you can cope with going into with an openmind. Becauseof previous mental health probelms I want to anything I can do to keep my stress levels down and I'm just worried that if breastfeeding didn't work for me I would be very stressed and upset - not good for baby. I know that I haven't come to this decision lightly and have asked mums on here and my friends with kids. Have thought about what it means for me and baby personally. I am dreading telling the mw my decision though as at the beggining I said I wanted to give breastfeeding a go. Hope you guys don't think I'm being selfish

 

[toni64539]

Well having read all your posts I then watched that 'from bump to breastfeeding' DVD and how can I NOT give it a go after reading all those benefits. And like you said Emma, plenty of thing OH can do like bathtime and nappies. Is it really wierd that im kinda looking forward to it?! I also read somewhere that it reduces chance of cot death?! Doesn't eliminate it but apparently a lot of babies that this tragedy befalls have been bottle fed!? Definately swung it for me. Thank you very much all of you for your replies x x

 

[toni64539]

Pinkymum- you have a very valid reason. I would never judge anyone who didn't, hey, you never know I might just not be able to and yes I can imagine that being very stressful so if you've felt a bit fragile in the past with stress then you do what's best for you sweetie x x x

 

[toni64539]

Haha true clairebear x

 

[pinkymum]

Pinkymum- you have a very valid reason. I would never judge anyone who didn't, hey, you never know I might just not be able to and yes I can imagine that being very stressful so if you've felt a bit fragile in the past with stress then you do what's best for you sweetie x x x

Thanks hun I do think its a really personal decision and I wish I felt settled about bf but I don't. X

 

[Roo3]

I've not decided yet. I would like to give it a go, but am going to get bottles etc in just incase it doesn't go smoothly for me. Am going to get a pump as well so OH can help with the feeds, especially some of the night ones.

Last time I saw OH's mum, she was really pressuring me into breastfeeding, saying oh just do it for 4 weeks or so. I said to her I haven't decided but I'm not going to get stressed out or pushed into it. This is my baby and my decision what I decide to do. Then I said if I do breastfeed, I'll pump so OH can help with the night feeds. They said you can't expect him to do that when he's got to work. I said, yes I can. This is half his baby too and he needs to take responsibility for it and help me out.

Sorry for the rant!!!

 

[Emmamb]

I didn't breastfeed my 1st and tbh Id have loved to but don't think i'd have got past the 1st few days,my eldest is now 12 and been bottle fed hasn't effected his immune system,development etc etc it just wasn't right for me at that time xx

 

[Rayoflight]

The 'from bump to breastfeeding' DVD Toni mentioned is brilliant. Definitely worth asking your midwife for a copy.

My local hospital runs a big breastfeeding talk twice a month - we found that really helpful.