Who knows they want to breastfeed?

Jessie*J

I tried BF'ding with my DD and it didn't go over well. She didn't latch well and I barely had milk production. We ended up switching her to formula and I got sooo depressed over that lol. I really wanted to BF.

Even when I stopped BF'ding my milk didn't come in like it was supposed to. I barely had any come in. My doc had said that they would get engorged but to wrap my chest tightly and wait for it to stop producing. Glad I didn't have that problem but it worries me that I didn't get a full milk production.

I'm thinking about trying it this time but I think I may try pumping. Then supplement with formula if needed. My DH really wants to be able to help feed since this may be the last time we're able to ever have a pregnancy.

What about everyone else?

Fuzzy21

My sister currently has a 5 week old daughter and has been BFing and pumping. This allows her to BF while at the same time gives her hubby the chance to also feed her, and they both share in the feeding which gives both more sleep.  She likes the way pumping gives her the option to do both, especially when she has to run errands.  She BF until baby was able to latch well, and only did BF for the first week or so, but then slowly worked pumping/bottles in where needed.  Baby goes back and forth no problem. She also likes how it helps her measure how much the baby is eating.

I am positive that I will be doing the same, both BF and pumping.

Hope that helps

CaraMia19

My sister had my niece this past summer after getting pregnant with IVF. She went on to breastfeed, but also had an issue with her milk supply.  Her doctor told her that some women that get pregnant through IVF have difficulty breastfeeding because of some of the drugs involved.  I'm not sure how accurate this is because I was told by my sister, not the doctor him/herself.  

If breastfeeding is something you want to be committed to, i'd talk to your doctor about it, and about your past experiences.  Maybe they will be able to work something out for you!.   

lob

Fuzzy21:

My sister currently has a 5 week old daughter and has been BFing and pumping. This allows her to BF while at the same time gives her hubby the chance to also feed her, and they both share in the feeding which gives both more sleep.  She likes the way pumping gives her the option to do both, especially when she has to run errands.  She BF until baby was able to latch well, and only did BF for the first week or so, but then slowly worked pumping/bottles in where needed.  Baby goes back and forth no problem. She also likes how it helps her measure how much the baby is eating.

I am positive that I will be doing the same, both BF and pumping.

Hope that helps

This is exactly what I want to do. 

Jessie*J

Fuzzy - That is good that her baby doesn't have any problems going back and forth! I have heard some people say they had a huge time switching back and forth, but they may have just BF for a while and then switched. If you start early i'm sure the baby will get used to it!

Cara - Wow, I hadn't ever heard of that. I'm going to ask my RE and see if he knows anything about it. Thanks for bringing it up!

Jessie*J

theresat858:

(As a baby, I *refused* to take a bottle - my mom couldn't go back to work easily b/c she had to come home every few hours to feed me. I think it was my protest for her trying to go back to work less than 3 weeks after I was born, lol).

LOL baby knows best!

crystal959

I didn't BF with DD, but I didn't try either. My boobs got to stripper like proportions and I wrapped them tightly. With this one I want to try to at least pump.

MissLMS

I ended up BF'ing DD for 1 year. It was my goal and I'm glad I did it. I also worked and pumped while I was at work. It was hard but worth it. I plan to do this again for LO#2.

Jessie, this time around, you may try to pump in addition to nursing LO, especially if he/she won't latch. It will help your supply come in. Also, you might try seeing a lactation consultant too. (Maybe you did the first time, I don't know.)

Our lactation consultant was a godsend the first couple of weeks when DD was losing weight and jaundiced. We ended up seeing the LC probably 4-5 times.

Jessie*J

MissLMS:

I ended up BF'ing DD for 1 year. It was my goal and I'm glad I did it. I also worked and pumped while I was at work. It was hard but worth it. I plan to do this again for LO#2.

Jessie, this time around, you may try to pump in addition to nursing LO, especially if he/she won't latch. It will help your supply come in. Also, you might try seeing a lactation consultant too. (Maybe you did the first time, I don't know.)

Our lactation consultant was a godsend the first couple of weeks when DD was losing weight and jaundiced. We ended up seeing the LC probably 4-5 times.

There was a LC at the hospital but she barely spent any time with us. It wasn't a very good hospital all in all though lol.

This time around we're going to a more top rated hospital for where we live. So, they should have good LC's. We live in such small towns that any kind of LC where we live just works with the WIC program lol.  

catahoulatte

I definitely would love to both BF and pump so DH can feed the baby. We'll see how it goes!

MrsW801

I'm planning to BF and pump as log as I don't have any issues. Pumping will be so my DH can also feed the baby and because as of now I plan to return to work.

kjgilhoo

I'm planning to BF and pump as well.  SO and I are planning on splitting our parental leave so he'll be home with the baby at about 5 months or so.  Hopefully I can pump enough (or close to it) so he can feed during the day and I can still BF.  

amdraza

I for sure want to try to breast feed exclusively. However, I know that there are a number of things that could go wrong, so I will be flexible in my plan.

ETA: After reading other posts, I realized that I probably won't be able to breast feed exclusively, since I will be going back to work at 12 weeks. I will breast feed and pump while at work.

mcatmay

Definitely hope to breastfeed and pump, should everything work out that i can (i know it doesn't work out for everyone). There are so many great components to breast milk and growth to the LO that i hope not to get pushed into formula unless i don't have any other option.

MrsSarahB

I did last time and definitely plan to this time as well.

Jessie*J

Sounds like quite a few of us are going to do a mixture!!

AKBrideinMD

I plan on BF and pumping. Although, I have heard that women w/ PCOS sometimes have an issue with supply and I am keeping that in mind since I have that lovely syndrome.  That may be something to ask your doctor about, Jessie.

MommaMcG

I had to start pumping from day one with DD because she was so banged up from birth.  She wouldn't latch, take a bottle, or anything (they had to feed her with syringes).  So, the LCs had me pump to help start my supply.  Claire hasn't had any issues with nipple confusion, and I'm so glad!  I was so afraid she wouldn't nurse after having a bottle.  I'm still nursing two times a day, but I think that will end over winter break.  I will definitely BF again, but I am SOOO over the pump, lol.  It's a pain.  But, I like having milk for DH to give as well, so I'll probably pump again while BFing.

TheLastCall

I plan to breastfeed and pump for as long as possible.  Luckily, I'll be able to breastfeed at work because I work at my family business and will be able to bring the baby in.

LJR 84

DD had major latch issues- basically she didn't latch on at all. Eventually I decided to exclusively pump. I was able to do so for about 9 weeks until I returned to work. At that point my supply tanked (I also blame the mini-pill!) so we switched to formula. I'm glad that she got breastmilk for at least the first 9 weeks, but I wish I would have been able to last longer.

I'm hoping this LO latches right on and we don't have any issues! I know it's best, and it's also CHEAPER which is a big plus. If I decide to SAH after this lo is born, ebf would be an easier task.

rebaann

I'd like to if I can and for as long as I can. 

Mrs.Appling

I bf my son for a short time. He was really fussy and I was afraid he wasnt eating enough so it only lasted for about 3wks before I switched him to formula. With this baby Im absolutly sure Im going to bf now that Im more educated about it.

 

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quietvoice

theresat858:

I am certainly going to try to breastfeed - I do know a number of stories of women for whom it just wasn't an option, though.  I plan to BF & pump as needed so that DH can help feed the baby...I have heard stories of this working well.  I am hoping to only need to feed breastmilk, but obviously we'll supplement with formula if necessary.

This. 

Jenn478

My DD refused to latch, which left me pumping for four months until I could no longer handle my battle with thrush.  I was a super producer though, I pumped about 40 oz. per day or twice what my DD ate, so I had enough in the freezer to last her a while.

ETA:  I am really on the fence this time, my c-section and failure at BF are two major reasons I think I ended up with PPD and don't know if I want to go down that road with BF again.  I got rid of my pump because I promised myself I would never put myself through that again (battling yeast for months!).  If I decide to BF this time and it works, I will buy a new pump.  I loved my Medela Freestyle!

HadleyS

This is my first, and I definitely want to breastfeed.  My sis has three kids, and she had trouble/couldn't BF her first.  With her second, she had the same trouble (milk not coming in), but just kept at it, and she did fine.  She was a pro by the third!

ae1112

I BF DD for a year.  It was tough at the first but once we got the hang of it, it was wonderful.  Hoping to do the same for this baby. 

eesome

I breastfed last time, and will definitely be doing it again this time. I also had supply issues, but was still able to BF for about 3.5 months. 

JenJar

I didn't think I wanted to BF my first.  I honestly decided to give it a shot mostly because of finances.  Then, I LOVED it and so did my LO.  I nursed him for almost 16 months and look forward to BF'ing again.

Jessie*J

Everyone sounds like they have good plans already!! I didn't know so many others had heard about/experienced problems with BF but it makes me feel better.

Jessie*J

AKBrideinMD:

I plan on BF and pumping. Although, I have heard that women w/ PCOS sometimes have an issue with supply and I am keeping that in mind since I have that lovely syndrome.  That may be something to ask your doctor about, Jessie.

Oh, wow! I hadn't heard of this either! I'll definetly bring this up as well. Thanks

Kurlyfry

I do.... actually I am still nursing my daughter!  I am down to one session before she goes to bed.  It has been the most rewarding/ tough job but I am glad I have done it. 

gbtc01

I BF DD for the first month and then began to EP instead. pumping sucks. I hated it. I also hated how much I was making. At one point my body thought I needed enough milk to feed 3 babies. I was freezing up to 50 servings a week. I donated almost 300 servings to other moms through milkshare and weaned at 9 months. DD had plenty of milk until 15 months even though I hadn't pumped in 6.

I may still have a box in the freezer. LOL

I will BF the next one but I do want to try and aviod having to EP if at all possible. I only want to pump at work not around the clock.