Breastfeeding Goals

jjdillie · May 2013

If you BF, what are your goals? Have they changed since baby arrived?

When I was pregnant I said I wanted to BF as long as possible but didn't have a defined goal. I don't know anyone who has bf so I really wasn't sure how it would go. Once DS arrived I decided I wanted to bf for at least a year. It's going really well for us so I might reevaluate once we are closer to 1 year.

Allycat11 · May 2013

My goal has always been to BF for as long as possible up to at least 1 year. DD has had weight gain issues so I have had to add in the goal of figuring out a way to pump and force feed to make her gain more weight. Thankfully she appears to be on track now, petite, but staying in the same percentile. Now, I don't know that I will necessarily start weaning at 1, I am more likely to keep going after that.

Eags · May 2013

At first my goal was 1 year. Since I've had supply issues from early on, I reevaluated them to many small goals: 3months which we made it to, then 6 mo. If we make it to there: 9 mo, and then 1 year. My most important goal is 6 mo though.

this decaf life · May 2013

My goal was 6 months and I've definitely contemplated quitting a number of times but I'm getting more & more comfortable with the idea of continuing even past a year. I do not plan on giving DD cow's milk so I'd rather provide breast milk until she's ready to wean.

LoriLue31 · May 2013

I've had supply issues since day one and I've had to use an SNS at every feed. That being said, my DD loves to breastfeed and it's the one thing that calms her immediately. I'm taking one day at a time and since she loves it so much, it'll be probably be a year plus (letting her take the reigns).

ObLaDi · May 2013

My primary goal is to make it to 6 months EBF; it's been very challenging for me to pump enough at work. I'm taking it a week at a time but would be thrilled to succeed. Just 7 more work weeks...!

After that, I'd like to continue to BF primarily for as long as possible. I'd like him to be the leader in the weaning process.

OakTreeMommy · May 2013

I have always said I'd like to breastfeed as long as possible. My fear is DS will wean himself earlier as he is so busy while nursing. Ideally I'd like to breastfeed until he's two but if I can make it to the one year mark I will be so happy!

wootownlady · May 2013

At this point my goal is to make it through the week. My LO isn't breastfeeding much - too much work for him I think, when he gets easy to drink from bottles all day at daycare. So I am pumping for him all day, and working full time in the corporate world and coming home to 2 kids under 2, I have so much stress right now, that I think the pumping schedule/hassle is causing too much additional stress that is adversely affecting my family. So now I plan to pump til the end of the month, and then stop when we take our first airplane trip as family of 4 on June 1. My freezer stash will probably get my LO through to six months, and then he'll continue with organic formula.

I never made it past 3 weeks with my first child, so I already feel like a champ for getting this far (17 weeks today). I'm giving myself permission to stop, congratulating myself on a job well done, and choosing to think positively about my decision, as it's the best for my family and my baby.

Allison546 · May 2013

My goal was and still is 6 mos, bringing us to early July. I know I can and will make it, but I have to admit that pumping at work is a PITA. After July, I'm going to re-evaluate. I have one night away in July and 3 multi-night plane trips out of town without DS in August and September and not sure if I want to still be BFing/pumping at that point. I feel guilty admitting that I just think it will be too inconvenient and a PITA to continue, and that I kind of look forward to having that freedom back. But, when I make it to my 6 month goal I want to be proud of that and feel like it's ok to quit. IDK...

bennikki · May 2013

I was just having this conversation with someone yesterday. We struggled at first with a poor latch in the hospital, mastitis at 2 weeks, then I got thrush on my nipples because of the antibiotics for the mastitis for 6 weeks, and plugged ducts due to oversupply. Even with those challenges, I still find nursing much easier than formula. I was annoyed having to take a wet rag to my nipples before feeding him when I had thrush, I can't imagine having to prepare a bottle, but that's just me. With the tough stuff behind us, and pumping at work going really well, I can't imagine stopping for a long time. I'll go at least a year, but the ball is in DS's court as far as weaning goes. I'd love to continue into two years.

portentosa · May 2013

My goal is at least a year. I'm not EBFing, but my supply has stayed pretty consistent so I am sure I can make it.

Lugging the pump to work every day is a pain but it forces me to slow down, take a break, and have me time. Work gets so crazy that if I didn't HAVE to take a break to pump I know I would be skipping breaks.

Beyond a year...maybe. Depends on if DS still wants to and when I get pregnant again. DH and I have decided to start trying again in March. I have a friend that made it to two years...I have no desire to go that long.

amjung2103 · May 2013

Allison546:

My goal was and still is 6 mos, bringing us to early July. I know I can and will make it, but I have to admit that pumping at work is a PITA. After July, I'm going to re-evaluate. I have one night away in July and 3 multi-night plane trips out of town without DS in August and September and not sure if I want to still be BFing/pumping at that point. I feel guilty admitting that I just think it will be too inconvenient and a PITA to continue, and that I kind of look forward to having that freedom back. But, when I make it to my 6 month goal I want to be proud of that and feel like it's ok to quit. IDK...

I feel the same as the bolded parts - I have a feeling when I make it to 6 months I will continue on a month by month basis - maybe trying to only nurse morning and night and not have to pump anymore? I have a pretty stable and abundant supply (most of the time) - so I also feel guilty stopping if my supply is still strong.

ohiodoxiemama08 · May 2013

My initial goal has always been a year but I also just want to take it day by day/let her take the lead. I'm proud of myself for making it over 3 months after how exhausting the 1st 3 weeks were! I also am not sure if I'll do a lot of cows milk. We may go to water and coconut and almond milk at one.

financialdiva · May 2013

My goal was 6months. I EBF DS1 for 14 months and really really struggled from months 9 through 12 to pump enough to send to daycare. I pumped like a crazy person to get enough and I vowed I would not do that again with DS2 bc with two, you don't have that luxury.

That being said, I actually have an oversupply this time and a 450oz freezer stash that is growing. So, I think a year and beyond is definitely attainable so that is my goal now.

Wild_flower25 · May 2013

It goes back and forth between 6 mos and a year. I don't know, if I didn't have to pump at work I'd definitley make it a year but I think about being out and about this summer and it being harder to BF since I won't do it in public. So right now my goal is to make it to August, maybe September

I'd really love to never have to use formula so if I could make it to 10-11 months, I'd just put her on whole milk then. But I don't know if I will get that far.

KikiSmash12 · May 2013

6 months minimum, but I'll try my best to make it to 1 year. I don't hate breastfeeding but I don't love it either. I do it for the health benefits and financial benefits. We don't have a ton of extra money right now, so why pay for formula if I can breastfeed? I am building a freezer stash so if I decide to quit before one year G can have breastmilk for as long as possible.

I am proud of myself for getting this far. 4.5 months with zero formula? I like looking at my baby and realizing that every ounce she has gained has been from me. That's cool! That being said, I'm counting down the months to when I have my body back.

BLPL101 · May 2013

1 year was my goal before I had DD and that hasn't changed. I EP and it's rough being chained to a pump, but I know it's best for her so I am sticking with it!

MelissaRae1525 · May 2013

I see us going a year and maybe longer. We worked hard to get here so I'm not giving up unless something drastically changes. I'm going to let him self wean.

kelly0connor0213 · May 2013

I think about this often. I always kept an open mind about BF. I was going to try and see what happened. But wouldn't stress if it didn't work. Like you, I think I have only 2 friends who did. So, after DD was born she lached on no problem, and we've been flowing ever since. I don't have to go back to work till sept.

My goal is to ride this gravy train as long as I can. I need to give her a bottle more because evereytime I try she doesn't enjoy it at all. Plus, I hate pumping, so my goal would be to do that more.

i figured we are lucky to even be breastfeeding, I don't want to take that for granted. So might as well keep it going. I'm hoping by 6m to start solids. My dr said I could startat 4m but I want to wait till some teeth poke through.

rockyrollgirl · May 2013

I plan to breastfeed at least a year, maybe a bit longer. My only goal before she was born that I was going to at least attempt to breastfeed.

Allison546 · May 2013

amjung2103:
Allison546:

My goal was and still is 6 mos, bringing us to early July. I know I can and will make it, but I have to admit that pumping at work is a PITA. After July, I'm going to re-evaluate. I have one night away in July and 3 multi-night plane trips out of town without DS in August and September and not sure if I want to still be BFing/pumping at that point. I feel guilty admitting that I just think it will be too inconvenient and a PITA to continue, and that I kind of look forward to having that freedom back. But, when I make it to my 6 month goal I want to be proud of that and feel like it's ok to quit. IDK...

I feel the same as the bolded parts - I have a feeling when I make it to 6 months I will continue on a month by month basis - maybe trying to only nurse morning and night and not have to pump anymore? I have a pretty stable and abundant supply (most of the time) - so I also feel guilty stopping if my supply is still strong.

Yeah, same here.. I actually have an oversupply and am pumping more than he eats, so I agree it adds to the guilt... sigh.

babygirlva2013 · May 2013

I always wanted to BF until a year. When DD came along we had latch issues and other things going on that caused me to EP. I hate EPing with a passion so my new goal is 6 months....it's totally selfish but I can't imagine going a year. I felt guilty at the beginning and still feel it a little, but I feel like I have to think of myself and what is best for me as well. I stopped beating myself up about it. Not worth the stress.

sammich078 · May 2013

My major goal is to BF for 8 months at least. I chose 8 months because I'm going to be working and doing an internship and I don't want to be too hard on myself if milk supply drops in addition to introducing solids and all that. I'd really like to be able to make it to a year and maybe even self-wean up to 2 years. Not only am I happy to be providing what I feel is best for him, I also really like the bonding experience and I will definitely be sad to end that relationship at some point.

ungraceful13 · May 2013

Before I had her my goal was 1 year. We had some problems and I had some breakdowns so I have lots of mini goals. The next one is 6 months. Then when school starts in the fall. Then a year. I doubt we will do extended breastfeeding bc I am about ready to have my body back and not have to pump in the stupid bathroom at work.

zonagirlie · May 2013

Before he got here I wanted to EBF for at least a year.
Now I'm hoping to pump until July or just less than six months when I have to give the pump back to the base. Hoping we'll make it!

Smiley-1980 · May 2013

1 year. I am on maternity leave for a year so it just makes sense for us.

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