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June 2011 Moms
MommaA117
member
BF'ing fears
MommaA117
member
I really want to BF. I lurk often over on 0-3 and the BF'ing board. It seems like it can be a real nightmare for some with tons of stress. This scares me. While I want to be adamant and really try hard, I don't want to be miserable and totally stress myself out from the pressure if it ends up being really difficult.
Anyone else worried about the same thing?
Advice from Mom's of 2+? I had a friend tell me that once you get past the first three or so weeks it gets better?
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Re: BF'ing fears
I have the same fear. I even have stressed myself into a frenzy that I have not read enough about BF'ing nor taken the class yet. I am trying to get into a last minute class and hoping that it will ease my fear.
In my mind there is no other option to BF'ing. I would be very disappointed in myself if it didnt happen.
Honestly I think stressing about it is a big part of a lot of people's problems! Baby can read all that fear and stress and won't be as willing to feed.
I'm a FTM, (and I know I post this in EVERY breastfeeding post!) but I highly recommend the book "So That's What They're For?"
It's funny, but really practical. It really made me feel like I can do it!
Well not that this is going to help but I have tried twice and failed twice. I had a specialist try to help and have read tons. I actually think that the last time it's what put me in my baby blues. Having said all that, I am still determined to try again! It's like anything else new, it's the unknown that is most scariest. All you can do is try! As long as you have educated yourself and are giving it your best effort you should be set to go! You can do it!
thats the thing. I just assume it will come easy but if it doesn't I'm scared I'll be too hard on myself.
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It might also help to find out what your resources are. My hospital is very pro breastfeeding, and they have a huge lactation staff. They will automatically set me up with someone for the few days I'm in the hospital, and then I can call and come back for appointments afterwards if I'm having trouble.
My pediatrician also has a lactation consultant on staff, so if I'm not getting all the help I need from the hospital they are a second resource.
i feel the same way. i have read a couple of books about bf'ing and feel confused about the whole thing. i thought about bf'ing and pumping but seems like the literature i have been reading frowns a bit on that. i have looked on line and visited www.lllusa.org and considering going to the local meeting held once a month to get a better feel of things.
my sister in law has told me horror stories about how she couldn't bf and was so fustrated at day 4 that she switched to formula. i'm want to be prepared for that.
good luck to both of us
Well, I am trying to keep an open mind about it. I want to BF and I will work really hard at it, but I am going to try really hard NOT to get upset if it doesn't work out.
That said.. I have a great story (or at least it put a smile on my face).
Coworker's wife was 12 weeks pregnant with her second and since BFing hadn't worked out with the first she said she wasn't going to even attempt it with the second. Fast Forward...For whatever reason, when the baby was born, they brought it to her chest and the baby latched! Her first baby wouldn't even latch, so this was something totally new for her. Anyway, lo and behold her milk came in! I was so flipping excited for her. She was so upset with herself the first time around and to know that if it doesn't work out for me this time, it might work out the next time just made me so happy. Mom and baby are doing great and the story just brings a smile to my face.
I look at it like this: women (and animals!) have been breastfeeding since the beginning of time. It's a natural thing that our bodies are capable of and I wouldn't worry about having an issue with it because it seems like more often than not, it works out.
I agree with the above poster's advice about finding out what local resources you have. My hospital has a lactation consultant available every day on the L&D floor who will help me if I need it while at the hospital; and the consultants are also available for appointments after I'm discharged if I have any problems. I was given a brochure about weekly lactation meetings that are open to the public at the hospital as well - the lactation consultants are available at these meetings if anyone needs more help too. I feel more at ease knowing I have plenty of places to turn if I should need help.
DH: 34/Me: 35
Married: Feb 2008
DD: June 2011
TTC# 2: April 2014
BFP!! 8/29/16 --> EDD: 5/11/17....it's a GIRL!!!
thing is my hospital is about 45 minutes-a hour away and I just don't see myself driving to the meetings with a newborn. I know they do have the LC there for the visit after delivery though. I never thought to check with the pedi. I am going to do that!
I have the La Leche League Womanly Art of BF'ing book but am finding is really hard to get through. I keep skimming! lol
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Honestly, I am more afraid of breastfeeding this time around than the actual labor and delivery part. It's no joke. Breastfeeding is hard work. Even those that have done it for 2+ years will tell you that. But it's totally achievable and rewarding if you can make it work.
ETA: All of you ladies: please please please do not beat yourself up about this. If it works, fantastic, it if doesn't work, you are NO less of a woman and your baby will still thrive.
Get over to Amazon and get a copy of So Thats What They're For! It's SO much easier to read!!
It can be hard in the beginning, even for experienced moms since every baby is so different. I had a hard time with my first baby, zero issues with my second, and then a few minor ones (didn't seem minor at the time though!) with my third. I'm cautiously optimistic about it working out this time, but I also know that we might come up against some walls. I'm determined to try and work through them, but if it doesn't work out I'm not going to beat myself up over it.
Another good resource is WIC. Even if you aren't in the program you can call and talk to an LC or attend bfing classes.
www.kellymom.com Has all the info you need
Watch videos online. It will be the hardest thing you do. You will cry and want to give up but just make it through to the next day. It always works out. I was told to suppliment with DD becasue she was a preemie...It totally screwed my supply. I WILL NOT be doing it this time around...ONLY if nessary.
I posted awhile back how I was scared of BFing because I felt like I didn't know enough about it.. Well, after actually reading up on it - it scared me even more!!! All of the things that could go wrong I feel like I just didn't need to hear. Cracked and bleeding nipples doesn't sound like a good time - and it doesn't sound appetizing. Clogged ducts, mastitis, etc. The more I read, the worse I got. To make matters worse, DH was reading over my shoulder and he is definately against me BFing now! I still want to try. I'm hoping that I will be lucky and everything goes smoothly. If not, I will bottle feed. I think if I was going to be a SAHM then I would give it everything I have, but since I have to go back to work, if things aren't going well, then why push it. I was bottle fed and turned out fine
Definitely check out www.kellymom.com!! It has great videos/links/pictures that have eased my fears about bf'ing this time. I only made it 5 days with ds1 and I am adamant about making it work this time!! I know the problems my son had with latching were because I was sooo engorged and he couldn't latch. Knowing that and seeing good latches of bf'ing babies makes me feel confident I can do it (even through the horrific pain!!) I got to a point that the pain didn't even bother me, I just wanted him to latch! Find some resources that can help you if you need it!