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Breastfeeding
Amberrrr
member
Why do you breastfeed?
Amberrrr
member
Just curious! I do it cus I know it's healthy for him. Also because I love snuggling up to him and sleeping with him with no bottles to hassle with, the extra dishes are unnecessary. It's free. It's natural.
Also, when are you planning to quit? To be honest, when I started, I thought I would've given it up by now. But I grew to love it! I have no idea when I'll quit. maybe when he gets teeth? But probably not. I just hate the thought of bottles day in and day out. BFing is just so convenient.
Also... I need to brag that my MIL bought me a whole ginormous box full of formula before he was born as a gift, and I've received tons of free samples in the mail, and i've yet to ever use any of it!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Why do you breastfeed?
Because it's the best possible thing for her. It keeps her from getting sick all the time, and it is such a special bond that we have. She loves it and I love it.
I will let her decide when she's done BFing. The only reason I'd hope it would happen by age 3 or so is that we probably need to do ivf for another baby and I'm already 36.
I breastfeed because it's what is natural, best for baby, and it's cheap (relatively speaking - I did have to buy a pump and parts, which was about $350). We struggled a lot, and DS was never the type to sit still and look at me while nursing. Generally it was an extreme sport, as he had 2 teeth at 4 months old (now up to 11!), so it's really never been about me. I don't regret it, though.
The plan was to quit when he was 12 months. That's when I quit pumping, and cut down to 2 nursing sessions... but I'm having serious guilt over trying to wean him completely. So I'm just not. I'm really hoping he self-weans before my next LO is born, but if not, I will tandem nurse until he's ready. He seems to be giving up the evening nursing session, so soon I expect to just have the morning one to contend with.
Congrats on not using the formula! Consider donating it to a food bank or womens' shelter before it expires.
I was going to post something kind of similar because I feel like I've been in the "honeymoon phase" of bf-ing so to speak the last couple months. While pregnant, it just felt like the logical thing to do (for me) and I wanted to at least try to make it work, but was prepared if it didn't. Of course the beginning was tough...him learning, me learning, all the spit up, the marathon nursing sessions, the SORE nipples, never being able to leave the house because he ate every 2 hours, did I mention marathon nursing sessions?? Then it just kept getting better and easier...until the oversupply issue but even that was just a little hiccup. I got more comfortable with NIP, he got less messy and here we are, almost at 6 months and I feel like we make a great BF-ing team.
I second all the reasons you stated. Plus, and this is my big thing: I feel SO incredibly close to him when we nurse. I feel truly blessed to have this experience- it's one of the most amazing things in my life. Ever. DS is most likely our only child, so I am relishing every moment of the good (and bad) and the BF-ing has been one of our "goods." I've actually gotten to the point where, while he's nursing and I have this super-close feeling, I'll get bitter towards my own mom because she didn't even try to nurse me but put me right on formula. Totally unfair, I know. I'll blame it on the hormones released while nursing...LOL.
I also love how he reaches his one hand up to my mouth while he's nursing and smiles at the same time as I kiss his little fingers. Or how easily he falls asleep before naps and bed and that satisfied little look when he's done but his eyes are completely closed.
As for the quitting...right now it's up to DS. My goal is a year (although I, too, am nervous about teeth-so far we have none). But I'm trying to prepare myself in the event that DS decides he's done before I decide that. It's probably best for both of us if I never know when that last nursing session is while it's happening. Or I'll do something incredibly crazy like duct tape his mouth to my boob so it never actually ends. One more bitter-sweet thing to add to motherhood, I guess.
I know BF-ing isn't this great an experience for everyone. So I really appreciate that it's been working so great for us. We've had our issues with other things, so I guess it all balances out. Keep up the great work...I hope it continues to get better for you two as well.
I do it because it's the best thing for him; to me it doesn't make sense to do it any differently unless I had to.
My plan was to go at least 2 years and ideally let him decide when to wean. He turned 18 months today and still nursing; I think it's possible he may be starting to wean, but I'm not sure if it's my imagination or not. I'm pregnant with #2 so that may be affecting it. If he does want to wean before 2 I am ok with that also, I am thrilled to have made it this far with him.
Did your MIL want for you to use the formula, or was it just in case BFing didn't work out?
DD (5 years old) from IUI in 2012
TTC 3rd and final!: IUI #1 in progress!
Everyone's responses so far have been wonderful. it really is so comforting for the both of us. It's such an amazing connection, and something I've really grown attatched to. The thought of weaning makes me sad! 2 months ago I couldn't wait to quit! Aimlee: My decision to BF or FF wasn't really decided until I had him. MIL BFed and supplemented, so it seemedthat's what I was going to do as well. She quit around 3 months, and so did my own mum. I wasn't sure about BFing while I was pregnant, but me and Adam definitely grew to love it, and I am so grateful for the experience.
I love it when he unlatches to smile and then coo, I fall in love with him all over again every time!
The soreness in the beginning was very very hard to get used to, but I'm glad I got through it, and you mamas should be too. It's awesome!
Good question! I love seeing the different answers.
I did not have the best bf experience with DS who is now 2 1/2. We had latch issues from the beginning, I was told by a LC, due to flattish nipples and ended up with a nipple shield- which I despised. It was such a hassle! I ended up mostly pumping but kept it up for a year. I also suffered with low supply due to a hormonal imbalance and always had to supplement with formula. I actually hated the entire experience but kept at it due to guilt and stubborness.
This time I was anticipating the same problems but it has been night and day. DD latched on right away. Same flattish nipples...And surprisingly I have not had supply issues even though I still have the hormonal imbalance. I am also loving the experience.
So, I originally wanted to bf because of health for mom and baby and I think its the natural way.
Firstly, I do it because LO had a milk allergy. The formula for that is expensive. I honestly didn't enjoy it from the start. LO was tongue tied and still has a shallow suck. I'll just be glad to have my body back for me and only me. But I've been through too much to give up now.
I'm going to keep up with it until 1 year then start weaning LO if he hasn't started himself. I hope that I'll be all done by the time LO is 14 months old. I thought as teeth came in that I'd have to go to pumping and give a bottle, but so far it's been tolerable.
After this journey, I still wouldn't change anything. BFing has so many rewards.
First and foremost I breastfeed because it's what's best for my children. Health and bonding benefits are really important to me. It's also definitely a financial decision for me. Formula is just so insanely expensive that it really is a last resort for me! Cutting out the cost of formula makes a baby significantly less expensive! After that, convenience definitely motivates me. My boobs are always available, clean, and producing. I don't have problems pumping which means I can have a supply available pretty easily if I want to go out without my kids. I honestly didn't really enjoy breastfeeding until after I was done breastfeeding my son. I didn't realize until later how important the experience was to me. It's a very valuable memory for me now.
I let my kids decide when they wean. My son decided to wean at a year old. He was pretty obviously on his way out at 11 months old. I fought it until he was 12.5 months and then I just stopped offering. He asked for it twice and then never again. I'm open to starting up again with him after the baby is born if it's something that he wants. (Although baby will obviously get first priority.) My guess is that he won't though. He's so independent.
I do it because:
1) It`s giving her the best possible start in life nutritionally. Breast milk blows my mind with how much in contains, and what it is capable of. No other alternative even compares.
2) The breast feeding relationship is a wonderful bond that my daughter and I get to share. I completely love nursing her and spending that special time together.
3) It`s SO convenient! I love not having to worry about bringing bottles, etc, with me when we leave the house. My breast milk is always with us, always in the right amount, and always at the right temperature. Awesome.
DS born via unplanned C-section at 40w6d
As others mentioned, I do it for the health aspects first and foremost. Never gave it much thought when I was pregnant, but now I can't believe how convenient it is compared to formula. My LO has no in between when it comes to hunger, if he's hungry, he starts screaming immediately. I can't imagine dealing with that in the middle of the night. As it is, as soon as I hear him start stirring, I can pop him on and have him back in bed before he fully wakes up. The times I've missed that window, it takes forever to get him back down.
I go back to work at either 12 or 15 months (still trying to figure that out). Depending on him, I don't plan on pumping when I return, but would hope to still nurse when I'm home. He will be going to daycare, and a LC told me that continuing to nurse once he starts will help him avoid the bugs that go around. However, it will all be up to him and how long he wants to continue.
Yes, that's what the breasts are made for.
And mainly I'm lazy. I don't need to deal with bottles. Less stuff to carry. I nursed for 14 month with my son. I'm hoping my supply will last until my daughter is 1 year old.
I don't mind using formula, though. I was mainly formula fed, and I have no complaints against my mom.
Proud mother of two breech babies:)
I do it because I never really thought formula was an option. I was breastfed, and I've seen some of my relatives breastfeed, so as far as I understood, that's just how you feed a baby. My little guy is only 8 weeks old, but so far so good. I just needed to be shown how to latch him on correctly and after that, my experience has been pretty easy.
I return to work tomorrow, so I'll be pumping at work and nursing when I'm around him. Watching my husband bottle feed our little guy makes me realize just how much easier I have it than he does when it comes to feeding. When he's hungry, I just need to pop out a boob and we're good to go, total time - 30 seconds at most. My husband has to plan ahead and either have a bottle sitting out at room temp, or defrost a bag and prep a bottle, else it's 2-3 minutes before a bottle is ready.
I BF because DD is a preemie and I want her to have all of the health benefits that BM provides. It is WAY easier than pumping (did that for DD1 for 8 months).
Also, there's nothing better than when DD finishes nursing and looks up at me with a big grin and milk dribbling down her chin.
At first, because my friends and sister breastfed, and I had done a lot of research, and I knew it was best for the baby. My MIL had breastfed all three of her kids past a year and my husband was also very encouraging about breastfeeding. Then we had a LOT of issues and I stuck with it because people were telling me to quit and give him formula, and I was going to prove to them and to myself that I would and could stick it out! Then later, I just enjoyed the time with my child and knew he enjoyed the milk. Now, it's just normal and part of our day. It's what we do. He is starting to self-wean and I'm pregnant with #2, so it's a bittersweet end to our nursing relationship, but it's by far one of the best choices I ever made. I will certainly make the same choice again with our next child!
Planning to BF until he doesn't want it anymore