Are you going to Breastfeed?

superkaty

this has been interesting to read.  i still have not decided what i am going to do.  we haven't set out our exact plan on going back to work, etc, yet, so i feel like since we don't know that yet, we aren't really capable of making the decision yet on BF, either. 

my oldest brother was adopted, so my mom did not BF the rest of us, and my relationship with my mom couldn't be closer.  i don't really think that (bonding) is something to worry about...there are plenty of ways to bond!  i do read the health benefits are good, and i love that it is cheap!  i just want to make the decision that will make the most sense for our family.  i think in the longrun, if we do what is easiest for us as a whole, the baby and the rest of the family will be happiest.  ahhh - i can't decide!

GL to all of you in making your decision!

festivalhippie

chelsb@cc.usu.edu:

Yes! This is totally just my opinion, but I just think natural is a good way to go! I also want that bonding with my baby, it saves money, helps take baby weight off and healthier babies!

This!?

lujain

I really want to breastfeed because of all the health benefits for baby.  I am expecting the first few weeks/months to be pretty difficult.  Hopefully things get easier after that. 

LooDoo

I breastfed DD for 9 months (stopped when I got PG), and I'm planning on BFing this time around too (hopefully for a year). My reasons are because it's cheaper, natural, creates an amazing bond (IMO), and not washing bottles is a plus too! lol

On one hand, I'm a little less nervous about it this time because I've done it before so hopefully things will go a little smoother this time and it'll be easier to get going. On the other hand, I also know what to expect and I'm hoping that it will not be as painful and difficult as it was in the beginning last time. As a mom who has breastfed before, I highly recommend it, and I strongly encourage everyone that decides to do it, to stick with it for as long as you can, and to continue through all of the pain and challenges you may have....it'll be worth it! That being said, do prepare yourself for that pain and those challenges. I did not expect to cry in in agonizing pain everytime I fed DD for the first 2 weeks...obviously it eventually got better, but I was just not prepared for the challenges that it brought.

hipstrix

I am not going to because I medication I must take can be passed along through breast milk and may be harmful to baby.  Had hoped to BF, but docs and I decided staying on the medication after delivery is more beneficial than breastfeeding.

babygroves

YEP! I am still nursing DS!! I plan to nurse both babies for the first year of life as recommended by AAP. I must say I am proud of myself for keeping to it! It bothers me how some people think it is wierd that I am nursing DS still. They can bite me!

DarcyLongfellow

Yes.

(1) It's best for the baby

(2) It's easier -- once you get through the initial hurdle, you don't have to worry about mixing bottles, etc.

(3) It's more natural, and I'm finding I'm a bit of a hippie when it comes to parenting stuff.

fall_bride_2004

I am planning on breastfeeding because of the health benefits for my baby.  However, if I am unable to breastfeed for any reason, I won't be upset.  I don't think that feeding my baby formula will affect his or her long-term health.

allowry

It has always grossed me out mainly because so many people just do it in public and don't cover themselves but I've decided to give it a shot.  The expense of formula did help in this decision also but I hope it works for me and my baby girl.

AudNicole

Nope.

Basically, I just don't want to.  I want DH to be able to feed the baby, I don't want to be hooked up to pumps all the time, and I *know* I'll start to resent the baby because I can't be away from him, ever.

There's a few other factors, like going back to work and wanting to start trying again ASAP, but, mainly, I just don't want to.

almariebennett

Yes! Yes! Yes!  I'm a dietitian so the health benefits have been drilled into my head.  I very much believe that it is one of the best things you can do for your baby and the research backs it up.  I plan on breastfeeding and hopefulling for at least a year, ideally 2 years.  I will also be going back to work, but will be pumping at work which will free me from the baby and also allow DH to do feedings once milk supply has been established.

bridetobe05

I am going to try it. I really want to and I am going to put my mind to it and see how it goes.  I am doing it for the benefits to baby, and it is easier (not having to heat up a bottle during the middle of the night feedings) and saves $.

littlestbrujah

Yes I plan on BF again, and mostly for all the same reasons, bonding, nutrients and stuff... but honestly with my daughter I was back down to my pre preg weight in just a couple weeks, and its seems like that when you have baby everyone wants to take them off you to hold and see and say things like "you get them all the time" and when your BFing, you are the only one who can do it , so you get the baby so much more..... plus my MIL never did it & isn't a fan of it.

Kendall13

Yep.  Well, I'm certainly going to try.  BFing isn't just good for the baby; it's good for mommy, too.  The act of BF helps your uterus contract faster back to its original size, helps with some feelings of post-partum depression, and you burn and extra 500 calories a day!  What's not to love!

What that being said, its hard work.  I'm nervous about that, but I'm ready for the challenge.

 

techsan1298

I don't plan to breastfeed. I tried with DD, and it was the most miserable experience of my life. It was very painful. I didn't have much of a supply, and my nipples where cracking and bleeding. I hated every mintue of it. DD and I were better off when I stopped. She was full and happy and that is all that matters at the end of the day.

mandolynn81

I will be ebf for at least 3 months, and then possibly pump another 3 months, then switch to formula. For the good of the baby.?

married4love

I recently saw on the Today show a piece about how recently scientists have gone over the benefits of BF vs. FF feeding again and discovered that the health benefits are not all that different and that FF mothers certainly shouldn't feel like they are doing a disservice to their child if they don't BF and should not be shunned by others for doing so. That being said...

With my first, I planned on trying to BF, but he was a premie and couldn't even eat right away, and I ended up having to pump for him. Before he even came home at 2 weeks, I got mastitis in both breasts, my milk dried up and that was the end of that. In the meantime, I had rented the pump and gone through numerous freezer bags to save all that milk, plus bought the BF bras and all. BF is not free - don't kid yourselves! Plus you feed LO much more often because they do not get as full.

We switched to formula and never looked back. Washing by hand and making bottles for the next day took me maybe 20 min each night, and heating the bottles takes only a few minutes. DH was able to get up and do feedings, and do one before I got home from work when I went back. We had no problems when DS started daycare, I just sent along his bottles already made with the amount I wanted him to have. As for the price, it was about $25 a week.?

I'm not pro in either direction, it's a personal decision, but both sides have their pros and cons. This was our experience and I don't regret any of it. DS was a 6 lb premie and is now in the 90% for height and weight for kids his age. For #2 we will FF because that is what we are used to, and I don't believe there is that much more benefit to either choice. ?Oh, and bonding happens whether you BF or not. That's rediculous reason to list I think.

Cristydz

married4love:

I recently saw on the Today show a piece about how recently scientists have gone over the benefits of BF vs. FF feeding again and discovered that the health benefits are not all that different and that FF mothers certainly shouldn't feel like they are doing a disservice to their child if they don't BF and should not be shunned by others for doing so. That being said...

With my first, I planned on trying to BF, but he was a premie and couldn't even eat right away, and I ended up having to pump for him. Before he even came home at 2 weeks, I got mastitis in both breasts, my milk dried up and that was the end of that. In the meantime, I had rented the pump and gone through numerous freezer bags to save all that milk, plus bought the BF bras and all. BF is not free - don't kid yourselves! Plus you feed LO much more often because they do not get as full.

We switched to formula and never looked back. Washing by hand and making bottles for the next day took me maybe 20 min each night, and heating the bottles takes only a few minutes. DH was able to get up and do feedings, and do one before I got home from work when I went back. We had no problems when DS started daycare, I just sent along his bottles already made with the amount I wanted him to have. As for the price, it was about $25 a week. 

I'm not pro in either direction, it's a personal decision, but both sides have their pros and cons. This was our experience and I don't regret any of it. DS was a 6 lb premie and is now in the 90% for height and weight for kids his age. For #2 we will FF because that is what we are used to, and I don't believe there is that much more benefit to either choice.  Oh, and bonding happens whether you BF or not. That's rediculous reason to list I think.

Thanks for posting this.  It is nice to read that someone else thinks along the lines that I do.  Particularly the part about bonding. 

Anyway,I probably won't BF.  I have always been weirded out by the idea plus think it would be nice for DH and my parents to get the chance to feed the baby.