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To be honest the thought of breastfeeding makes me a little uncomfortable in my own skin. I know it does wonders for the baby, and I am willing to try, but getting me to try is going to be hard. I am due March 5th, and I can't seem to get comfortable that at baby will be eating from my chest. It is a miracle I know, but I guess it is a mental block. Has anyone else had this problem? Did you get over it? I want to bond with my daughter in that special way but I am afraid that my mental awareness of it is going to get in the way. Any words of advice will be taken into consideration. ↓
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| Name: Angie | Date: Jan 27th, 2006 1:23 AM |
Hi Amanda. Breastfeeding is totally up to you. Breastfeeding is hard enough when you are willing and WANT to do it. Let alone if you are uncomfortable with it. I WANTED to breastfeed. I tried to breastfeed. It is very difficult and can be painful and I gave up after 2 weeks. I admire anyone who can successfuly breastfeed. It's not easy. I plan on trying to breastfeed again when baby number 2 comes. And hopefully it will be better this time.
But don't worry if you do not want to breastfeed. The decision is totally up to you. You are not the first person who doesn't want to breastfeed and you won't be the last. Don't let anyone try to make you feel guilty for not wanting to do it. Yes, it is proven that there are many reasons that breastmilk is better, and I am sure you have heard them all, but your baby will still get the nourishment s/he needs from formula as well. And as far as bonding goes, there are other ways to bond with your baby other than breastfeeding. Like rocking your baby and singing to your baby, bathing and feeding with a bottle. Playing and talking to your baby. And sooo much more!
Good luck hun, and I know that whatever your decision is, it will be the right one for you and your baby. ↑ |
| Name: melinda | Date: Feb 1st, 2006 10:38 PM |
i was wierd about the thought of it too. Just doing the research on the benifits of it made me more comfortable and as my baby came i was determined. it was hard, i cried, and wanted to give up. i saw specialist and finally mastered it. Seriously,,, try not to even concider bottles, ask for tons of help from the nurses in the hospital, they have lots of experience.
good luck ↑ |
| Name: 3 time nursing mom | Date: Feb 3rd, 2006 7:22 AM |
Hi Amanda!
I would strongly recommend you talk to a Lactation Consultant.
Most doctors who deliver and most hospitals either work with or employ a Lactation Consultant, so you should be able to locate one with no problem. There is no charge to you.
You can also go to the La Leche Legue website and look up a LLL leader close to you and give them a call. I have never been a member, but the leaders have always welcomed my calls of concern. They are wonderful people to talk with about such matters. Feel free to call them. My cousin was a leader years ago and she enjoyed helping new mothers like yourself who called her.
You may be uncomfortable with the concept of a baby latching onto your breast now. But please do seriously consider nursing for at least the first week when your colostrum comes in. The nutrients and antibodies in colostrum is exactly what your baby needs for her first start in life. It is designed perfectly for your newborn's immature digestion and very concentrated so she will get the most out of what she takes in. It has exactly what she needs to build up her immunities, and adjust her nerves system, brain and body from being in your body to being exposed to this big new world. It is also the perfect laxative to aid in your baby's first bm which is very important to her health. Here is a link that tells you more.
www.lalechekeague.org/FAQ/colostrum.html
I strongly suspect also, that after the first week, the thought of a suckling child will turn from aversion to wonderful.
True, it can be painful at first, but for most, that passes within a week or two, and then you have months of an incredible bonding experience.
Congratulations on your new little blessing! ↑ |
| Name: 3 time nursing mom | Date: Feb 3rd, 2006 7:24 AM |
Angie,
i think it was wonderful that you tried to nurse. I hope you find success with baby #2. Is baby #2 on the way yet? Or is he/she still a bit away? ↑ |
| Name: Christina F | Date: Feb 5th, 2006 9:24 PM |
Hello, I'm 19 weeks pregnant and I WANT to breastfeed soo bad. I'm determined to make this work and it seems to be my biggest worry though from hearing that alot of women couldn't.
But I guess from hearing what you guys wrote I'll be sure to ask plenty of questions while I'm still in the hospital to make sure that I get it going right. I do have a question though, how soon after you give birth do you try?? I heard that it is best to try within the first 2 hours. What are your stories or experience, advice? ↑ |
| Name: melinda | Date: Feb 5th, 2006 10:02 PM |
| it seems more and more common to hear, I could not breastfeed, when actually it is very uncommon for a mom to be unable to breastfeed. It is more that some jsut dont try long enough or find the right help. No offense to any one who gave up. The help is out there, 99 percent of women should have no problem if they go about it right. It is just so easy to give up, cause the bottle is just an arms reach away!! i was close to giving up and am so glad that i did not. KEEP TRYING ↑ |
| Name: Agnes | Date: Feb 6th, 2006 12:57 AM |
| This may be similar to your situation. I was never uncomfortable breastfeeding my sons, but when I had a daughter after 4 sons, I felt a little weird about breastfeeding her. I don't know why, I guess it is similar to your feelings. But once I started, it was no different from the other kids. I just had to get past the weird mental block, I bet you will too! ↑ |
| Name: 3 time nursing mom | Date: Feb 6th, 2006 5:00 AM |
Christina,
as long as you make your intent to breastfeed clear, most hospital will pop Little One on your chest (and help you if you need it) right after cleaning baby up and all the proper recordings done (measurement, weight, etc). This is usually within 10 or 15 minutes. Nursing your baby immediately after birthing has been proven to aid the uterus in contracting back to it's prepregnancy size (another wonderful blessing from Mother Nature! There are truly so many.)
After the exhausting birthing process, your little one should be very hungry, and your bonding will be an incredible joy!
At least I think that is pretty standard. It has been that way here in Minnesota for 20 years, as long as the mother has made her requests clear. ↑ |
| Name: Christina F | Date: Feb 6th, 2006 6:14 AM |
| Wow, I didn't know you could do it so soon. I'll be sure to tell them before I have her. I am just determined to do it. And to tell you the truth, I don't see how anyone would think that bottle feeding is easier. Some of that stuff stinks too....then again this is my first and I have no idea what mothers milk smells like lol. But thank you everyone. I'm hoping since my mind is for it, and I've told everyone, my boyfriend knows and he's for it, then things should be fine. I'm so determined I don't think I could give up!! ↑ |
| Name: Sarah S. | Date: Feb 7th, 2006 9:24 PM |
| I'm so glad I'm not the only pregnant woman to feel this way! I can't stand to have my breasts touched in any way, not even by my husband during lovemaking. The thought of my baby nursing sounds wonderful intellectually and I plan to do it, but inside I'm screaming Aaaieeee!!!! I'm afraid I'll be too tense to let my milk down. But it helps knowing now that I'm not alone. ↑ |
| Name: Mary | Date: Feb 26th, 2006 2:45 PM |
| I think my baby won't like my milk. ↑ |
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