Breast feeding advice? Is it as time consuming as everyone says?

dianeg1017 · July 2014

Hello ladies! With my dd I worked too many hours to think about breast feeding but now with my new job my little one can tag along when I have to leave home and I want to breast feed. Advice please? I will be seeing a lactation specialist around 20 w but I want real world experience and advice. How long dis you stick with it?

Daneicy80 · July 2014

I think it's less time consuming than heating up a bottle and feeding... just whip out your boob and let the babe go to town. I nursed my DD for 16 months (she weaned when I was 10 weeks pregnant with DS) and then I nursed DS for 25 months (I weaned him when I was 8 weeks pregnant with this LO).

The beginning can be tough, it's a learning experience for you and the baby but once you get the hang of it and the pain subsides (if there was any) it will be smooth sailing. When they are infants they nurse for sometimes 20 minutes a side but as they get older and more efficient that drops down to 10 or less minutes a side.

dianeg1017 · July 2014

@Daneicy80 thanks for your input did you have any issues with publicly breast-feeding in restaurants or Anything I just hear nightmare stories of women having to sit in the bathroom

Daneicy80 · July 2014

I was skiddish my first time around with DD. I'll admit I did nurse in a bathroom once or twice $:\$ "> But you get more comfortable with it as time goes on. We took my DD to Disney when she was 7 1/2 months and I knew I wouldn't be able to hide out so I got myself a cover and that worked out fine. I even nursed her while waiting in line with hundreds of people in close proximity.

By the time I had DS I was so over any issues of nursing in public that I would just whip it out anytime, anywhere and hardly ever used the cover. Sometimes just having a receiving blanket nearby is good enough for the "putting baby on the nipple and taking off".

It's all what you're comfortable with.

mlee116 · July 2014

Like PP said, I didn't think BFing was much more time consuming than having to prepare and heat a bottle. Plus, if you nurse, then there are less bottles, nipples, etc. to wash. Also, you don't have to worry about running out to pick up formula! I loved just being able to whip out a boob and be done with it. I never bottle fed if I was with DS. I BF for 15-16 months and I am so happy I did.

Getting started can take some time as the baby and you learn what to do and some babies eat slower than others. But after several weeks, DS took maybe 10-15 minutes to eat unless he was sick or having a growth spurt. I pumped at work and that was a little annoying because I had to stop 3x a day to do it, but it wasn't really that bad. It was nice excuse to take a break! I just pumped directly into his bottles so that I could send them to daycare the next day and it worked great.

I saw a lactation consultant in the hospital right after I had him and then I had to call them once or twice. Other than that, I figured it out as I went and used a lot of online resources, like www.kellymom.com.

I never had issues nursing in public. Sometimes I nursed in the car. If we were at a restaurant, I just requested a booth that was in a corner for some privacy. If I was at a mall, I went to a nursing area or a dressing room. But I just brought along a blanket or cover and no one really seemed to notice. It helps to practice at home so you become more comfortable.

BrideLinds · July 2014

I'm not gonna lie, babies eat a lot and often. In the beginning you will feel like it's all you do, but it will become routine and you will eventually enjoy it and wonder how people make bottles all the time.

bowlwoman · July 2014

Yeah, early on you feel like every hour you're whipping out the girls, and during growth spurts you are.

it does get better, though.

I nursed DD1 until 10-11 months (she weaned herself), and DD2 would still be nursing at 6 if I had let her LOL! I weaned her a 1 year because I had raging PPD and was trying to get my hormones somewhat stabilized, otherwise I'd have nursed her until closer to 2.

I have massive floppy boobs, so I only nursed football hold (cradle hold was too complicated to hold everything and the baby in place as I only have 2 hands), and I always used a nursing cover and Brest friend pillow. I just looped the pillow over the stroller or my shoulder and away we went. I do envy those who can whip it out anywhere and nurse without finding a sit-down spot, but even with me, it was pretty easy to navigate after a few weeks. You figure out how it works for you and the logistics become second nature.

Jessie333 · July 2014

Initially it is very time consuming. When you and lo are learning to breastfeed it can be 20+ minutes per side. But they get ready efficient at it and get down to less to 10 minutes per side.

I loved nursing DD and had a hard time weaning her. She nursed until she was 13 months old.

I never had issues nursing in public. I just had a cover with me and would nurse her when I needed to.

JCARTER212 · July 2014

As everyone has said, the first few weeks are somewhat time consuming while learning. But after that is so much less time consuming than bottle feeding. Every time I see a friend cleaning a million bottles a day and spending tons of money on formula I am so happy I chose to breast feed!

MaineMama · July 2014

dianeg1017 said:

@Daneicy80 thanks for your input did you have any issues with publicly breast-feeding in restaurants or Anything I just hear nightmare stories of women having to sit in the bathroom

In almost all states breastfeeding is federally protected. Heres a linkey to the laws.

weezy29 · July 2014

Unless you are one of the lucky ones, you have to go in knowing that the first 6 weeks can be really, really tough. It's time consuming, it hurts and you don't get a break because no one else can feed the baby. I had no idea it would be so difficult with my first and so I gave up without much of a fight. With my 2nd, I was better prepared and knew there would be a tough time period to get through. Not everyone struggles like I did but I think you need to prepare for the worst and hope for the best!

But like others have said, after the initial 6 week period it becomes much easier! Good luck!

bumpuser7846882 · July 2014

As PPs have said, the first few weeks really are pretty terrible. My son (who, at 12.5 months, is still breastfeeding) had some latch issues, so I had a lot of pain a lot longer than most people, and there were definitely days where I just sat on the couch topless because he was clusterfeeding ALL day. However, I was always glad that in the middle of the night, I didn't have to get out of bed (we had an Arm's Reach co-sleeper, but he ended up in our bed anyway) and I didn't have to prepare anything. It also made it SO much easier to go out with the baby early on. I didn't have to worry about how much he would want to eat while we were out.

I've nursed in public a fair bit (in suburban Virginia) and no one has ever said anything negative to me. There have been a few times where I didn't feel comfortable enough (as a teacher I'm not really comfortable nursing anywhere that a student or coworker might appear), so I did go into a bathroom.

The biggest thing that helped me was going to a breastfeeding support group (even though we didn't really have problems and he was gaining weight really well) for the socialization and just getting out of the house. It also helped me be more confident with nursing in public, since there were a dozen+ ladies all nursing their babies in the same room. We've kept in touch, and we still do play-dates and outings together. The 2nd biggest help was lanolin.

RayRay007 · July 2014

I bf'd DD for 14 months. After the first 4-6 weeks or so, it was a total breeze. There is a learning curve for both you and LO. It hurts, it's frustrating, it might take a long time, but after a couple weeks it starts to get easier and easier. I don't know when you're going back to work, but by 6 weeks old bf'ing sessions were maybe 15-20 minutes and about 2.5-4 hours apart. No making or packing or cleaning bottles. Just whip out a boob when LO is hungry.

turkeyleg5 · July 2014

FTM here, so I don't know for sure, but I saw this graphic recently (which I think was probably just made up to get a point across.) Seems to be in line with what PP have said.

nopegoat · July 2014

I breastfed my two for 13 months. The first month is the hardest. Growth spurts suck too but for me, especially at night, much less time consuming once you get the hang of it. I nursed in public all the time and never had anyone say anything to me. If I knew I was going to a questionable place I just wore a matching tank under my shirt and literally no one could tell I was nursing. I am nursing in this pic lol and you absolutely can't tell. Of course I wasn't able to be that discreet always but still.

AlwaysForgetful · July 2014

I had a Auntie who was embarrassed by me nursing in public. I will NOT cover my baby in a blanket. That is me though. I don't do it at home and I won't do it to my LO in public. I simply wear a nursing tank and a shirt. So it is not like much if any is showing. If you nurse in a restaurant, do NOT put the baby on the table to nurse. They may say something about that. Be sure to know you states breastfeeding laws. Some have better protection than others. Most have a law stating that you can't be charged with public indecency for breastfeeding. Others state that if you are allowed to be there then you can also breast feed there... meaning if they ask you you leave, you can file a lawsuit. Even so, if you have an issue, contact your local LLL. Michigan just passed a law protecting breastfeeding mothers more. I only twice (with having 5 kids) had an issue. Once was a parent making a comment about their child seeing that... I learned to have some good comebacks... like if my boob is sexual than a bottle is the boobs version of a dildo. One I was asked to go to the nursing room by a security guard at the mall. I said no. He insisted and I asked to see the rules stating that I HAD to go there and stood my ground. I had 4 other little ones playing in the play area, I knew I was not showing a lot and I knew my rights. I was willing to take it as far as letting him call the cops. I was not doing anything against the law and I knew the rules of the mall. It stated simply that there was a room available if I wished to use it. It never went that far though. Oh, and NEVER apologies for nursing in public.

As others have stated, at first it is a pain. It hurts fro a bit, it is time consuming as you both learn what to do and what works best for you. After that... Let's just say I can now push a shopping cart, have several LOs in tow, grocery shop and nurse a baby at the same time. Look into a sling or a Moby wrap and watch youtube videos on it. Look up ones that help you nurse hands free. Makes life easier and for those who like to nurse with a cover, it becomes your cover!

BabyRN2009 · July 2014

14m with DD1 and 16m with DD2. I think it's a whole lot less time consuming than prepping and then washing all those bottles all the time! The first few weeks are the hardest and it takes a couple months to be comfortable/find you and your baby's groove...but it's sooo worth it! Both for convenience and the health benefits (benefits for baby AND mom!).

colliebabe · July 2014

I BFed DD until a year, when she self-weaned and basically had no attention span for nursing anymore. I agree with others who said that the first weeks are the hardest, but if you can make it through those then it gets much easier. I found the hardest part was the "cluster feeding" in the evenings before bed. Also pumping at work was tough for me. I was always stressed about making enough. If you can bring your LO with you that is awesome! I think that will be great!

jlbeanza · July 2014

Just to offer another perspective, I loved every minute of breastfeeding--I really did. My nipples never even got that sore, and my daughter latched perfectly from the minute she was born. Was I lucky? Yes. I actually would NOT say that the first few weeks were the hardest, though not everyone has that experience.

The perspective I want to add is that as a working mom, it gets more time-consuming and less fun as time goes on. For as much as I loved nursing, I hated pumping. I never really had issues with supply, but I still had to pump 2-3 times per day and carve out that time, and I could never help obsessing over how much I got each session. Then you have to clean and sterilize pump parts...in other words, I thought 3 months to a year was the hardest in terms of nursing.

However, I loved nursing and believed in the benefits so much that I nursed for 15 months, and pumped for almost a year. As tough as it was at any point, it was so worth it, and I miss it now and can't wait to do it again.

I hope you have an easy time of everything!

nopegoat · July 2014

I also wanted to add, that BFing, especially in public, is so much easier when your H/SO is on board. That little bit of extra confidence really helped me a lot because normally I am very conscious of myself and what others think. Knowing he had my back and would stand up for me if needed is the only way I got through many nursing sessions in restaurants and stores.

leoandethansmom · July 2014

I was only able to nurse DS for 5 and a half months. My goal was a year but I ended up hospitalized for 4 days when he was that age and they had me on 7 antibiotics for an infection I had gotten in my utereus during or after delivery that went undetected for 6 months. Anyways, I am a full time working mom and I pumped in my office every day. I know it can be a challenge for those who don't have offices, but being the nice manager I am, I provide my office for any pumping mother to use at my work who does not have their own. I found that I produced more milk when I was pumping and when DS was feeding on the boob also.

As far as in public, I was too shy to ever just whip it out and BF but when he was hungry I was always able to find somewhere to feed him. If we were at a restaurant I would go sit in the car, if we were at the mall most of them in our area had a nursing room, etc. I would try to plan trips around BF but sometimes that's not possible. If we were at a gathering with friends or family, depending on who it was, I would go to a quiet room or would just whip it out. I found that pumping and feeding was very easy, it was free, and my son is a very healthy boy. Plus, I lost all of my baby weight in like 2 months, however I was also sick and didn't know about it.

MrsNash37212 · July 2014

The first few weeks are ROUGH, but after that, it is amazing. DS had a terrible latch and I would sob my way through every nursing session (every hour) the first couple of weeks. If I hadn't been so bullheaded about breastfeeding, I would have quit. By 6 weeks, it was old hat. By 4 months, I felt terribly sorry for anyone who did formula and had to deal with washing bottles, sterilizing things, etc.

We made it 2 years and it worked like magic to calm tantrums, ease the pain of boo boos, pretty much anything. When DS started eating solids and making huge messes, I joked that breastfeeding is the lazy woman's way to feed her child because I greatly preferred pulling down my shirt to baby food all over the place.

I usually nursed with a cover in public because I was insecure. This time, I know I can stay discreet and won't worry about it so much. I live in TN, which has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding and I never got so much as a funny look. Even an old cowboy on a plane said "shoot, that's how I was raised" when I sheepishly apologized for nursing in the seat next to him. It's very rewarding.

dianeg1017 · July 2014

Thanks ladies. I bought one cover up already. I have a feeling me in the mother-in-law are going to butt heads about it because she was already making comments about how inappropriate some women are Where they BF.

iloveac · July 2014

Breastfeeding is convenient. Yes it's time consuming but babies are. ☺️ I'm still nursing DS. I tried pumping and giving him a bottle but he never would take it. He will be 11 months old Thursday. I plan to wean him at a year bc I want a break between babies. I plan to nurse DD for 12 months too. However, I will introduce the bottle to her sooner so I can pump and nurse. The only downside I had to nursing was the initial pain and not being able to leave DS longer than 3 hour stretches.

bowlwoman · July 2014

I had to go to a lactation consultant with DD1 when she was 6 weeks old. She hadn't gained any weight since 2 weeks old, and it wound up being reflux - she would take in enough during feedings, but over the next hour she would spit up enough that she could maintain her weight, but not grow. Once we put her on Prevacid and she started keeping all the milk down, she gained a pound in 9 days.

When I was meeting with the LC, I mentioned that during my first week of trying to breastfeed it was difficult, especially since as a FTM it can take up to 5 days for your milk to fully come in. I was at home, up for a nighttime feeding at 2 am on day 4 after she was born, and I had a massive meltdown. Crying, freaking out that I was going to take DD to her wellcheck the next morning and I couldn't feed her and they were going to take her away from me. The next morning, my milk came in. When I told her that, the LC nodded her head and said that was completely normal. There's a massive hormonal surge within 12 hours of milk coming in, and that was mine. So, if you freak out a few days after the baby is born, don't worry, it's just milk.

brittandjp · July 2014

In the beginning, it can be pretty time consuming, but I'd imagine so is preparing/cleaning bottle after bottle. Once baby gets his or her latch down and is more efficient, they spend far less time nursing. Usually by 6 weeks or so, it becomes second nature and hardly takes anytime at all - at least in my experience and I nursed DD for 12 months.

When my supply dried up around 12 months because of getting KU, we began using bottles. I think it took way more time to prepare a bottle, feed DD, then clean the bottle than to simply plop out a boob and feed DD. I still reeeeally miss nursing and it hurts when I think about how I was forced to quit when I wasn't ready and to lose that baby just a couple weeks later.

As for nursing in public, I never had a problem. I used an aden+Anais blanket for the first couple of months, but then that became a pain and DD hated it. So, I just started using the good ol' cami/t-shirt trick. Pull your shirt up, slide your cami and bra slightly down so baby can access your nipple. Use the cami to cover the bottom part of your boob and the t-shirt to cover the top part. No one sees a thing. Very easy and convenient. I nursed everywhere in public and never had anyone say anything to me, though they would have been sorry if they ever tried.