- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Breastfeeding
Nervous to Breastfeed
I am 35 weeks and have bought the medela pump, bought the tommee tippee bottles, this and that. I have always said I would breastfeed but now that the time is getting close, I'm getting pretty nervous. My friend has a 3 month old and when he even swipes his hand across my breast, I feel awkward. I would prefer to breastfeed because of the health benefits and the bonding but I feel like it won't feel right...I guess I'm just kind of getting really nervous about having a baby in general and feel like all the stuff that is suppose to come naturally just won't. Anyone else feel kind of strange about the idea then it felt right when the time came? I don't know....just getting nervous, I suppose...
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Nervous to Breastfeed
I felt this way. Part of the reason i was nervous is because I'm the first in my family to do so. So I had noone to share their experiences with me. Being from a family that only formula fed I never thought I would BF and the closer it got to giving birth the more I was unsure about it.
My son is now a month and I love it at first it was stressful but now I enjoy waking up in the middle of the night to feed my baby and it's going great. It's weird how natural things came to him and me when it was time to start.
I read "Breastfeeding: Real Moms Tell You How"
It has lots of good tips from real breastfeeding moms as well as plenty of resources. I found it to be very helpful because it cleared up a lot of my questions.
I am sure you will be fine!
I personally didn't even think about it feeling weird. I knew that I wanted to try and that it was a natural thing. To be honest, it came completely naturally to me. It was like it was an instinctual, motherly thing for me to know what I need to do to feed my child. With that said, Breastfeeding is one of the most rewarding things that I have ever done. It is also the most challenging, in the beginning especially. It's hard work.
I would suggest to go into it thinking that if you can make it work, that would be great. Please give yourself reasonable goals. I never once said when DD was first born that I would like to make it to a year (which I did and at 13.5 months old, we are still going strong). I went into it with the mind set that I would like to try to go for 2 weeks, then when I hit that- One month, Two Months, 3 Months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year etc.
You can do it and you can succeed. Try it and if it works, great. If not, you are not a failure for trying! Good luck!
I understand how you feel. I didn't feel like it is natural and it will just come to you. It doesnt and it hard but breastfeeding really is rewarding. I formula fed my first son and breastfed my second. The bond really is more intense. It also helps if you have support. I was the first in my family and every one was uncomfortable with it but my friends really helped me and answered a lot of my questions. The first month is the hardest but you will have questions the entire time you are breastfeeding, My advice if you have no friends that breastfed it to look for a support group in your area. Also you can call Lactation in your room as many times as you want. I called all three to my room and they all gave different advice. It was great. Good luck!!!!!
I personally didn't even think about it feeling weird. I knew that I wanted to try and that it was a natural thing. To be honest, it came completely naturally to me. It was like it was an instinctual, motherly thing for me to know what I need to do to feed my child. With that said, Breastfeeding is one of the most rewarding things that I have ever done. It is also the most challenging, in the beginning especially. It's hard work.
I would suggest to go into it thinking that if you can make it work, that would be great. Please give yourself reasonable goals. I never once said when DD was first born that I would like to make it to a year (which I did and at 13.5 months old, we are still going strong). I went into it with the mind set that I would like to try to go for 2 weeks, then when I hit that- One month, Two Months, 3 Months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year etc.
You can do it and you can succeed. Try it and if it works, great. If not, you are not a failure for trying! Good luck!
I for sure felt weird about it before I did it.
And now it's 10 months later and I can't imagine stopping! It really is pretty weird to think about before it happens, but it really is a wonderful experience after you both learn what the heck you're doing. Just do it - and ask for help if things aren't smooth right away.
Natural Birth Board FAQs
Cloth Diaper Review Sheet
07.22.11
10.22.13
It was kind of awkward at first for me, and I'm not one to be modest or shy about that stuff at all. It just did feel kind of weird sitting in my living room with my boob hanging out and a baby latched onto it almost 24/7.
But...now it's just second nature and a million times easier and more convenient than I think using formula ever could be. And it's really a great bonding experience and cure-all. And, of course, there are all the health benefits for everyone.
I'd at least give it a try and stick with it for a while, you'll hopefully be surprised by how much you enjoy it.