Breastfeeding
MummyMegs
member
Anxious about breastfeeding; determined to BF but the thought weirds me out...
MummyMegs
member
Please understand that I know "they're for feeding your baby", and that it's "the most natural thing in the world." What I'm hoping for are women who felt this way and got over it! The thought of breastfeeding directly...gives me the willies. I have very small (AA), very sensitive breasts. I can "O" from breast play alone, so to me, regardless of the media's influence, MY breasts have always been very sexual to ME. I am so determined to give my baby the best start (ie breastfeeding), and I know pumping can be just as, if not more, challenging. But the anxiety of this--basically my balking at the idea of latching--is causing nightmares and anxiety. Not exactly something I can chat with my husband about!
Advice would be much appreciated; non-judgemental, and people from similar situations, even more so!! Do those feelings go away?? Did BFing affect your sex life at all? Did your squickiness go away the moment you laid eyes on your baby? Haaaallllp
Best Answer
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vvvvvfee member
i agree with PP that you will likely feel differently after your LO is born. you will have a biological drive to feed your baby. when your milk comes in, your breasts will be engorged and you will have feel a primal urgency to get them empty (just like you feel an overwhelming need to urinate when your bladder is full).
to me, my breasts have become non-sexual since i've been nursing. they have just been a source of food and comfort for my child. is this unfortunate from a personal pleasure standpoint? sure. but i'm assuming that things will go back to the way they were (as much as can be expected, at least) when i'm done nursing babies.
another thing to consider- a newborn is TINY, with a TINY mouth, and they are not very strong. your LO's latch is NOT going to be the same sensation as a grown adult sucking on your nipples.
would you consider taking a breastfeeding class? learning more about the process might be helpful to demystify it, and if you were comfortable sharing your feelings, there would doubtless be other people in the class that had similar thoughts. or, could you possibly talk to a friend or relative who has breastfed for reassurance about what it will be like? why do you feel you can't discuss your feelings with your husband? he will need to be sympathetic that he is going to have to "share" you with your baby.
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Answers
Honestly, my son barely gave me a choice-within seconds of birth he was trying to latch. In that moment, I really did completely forget the weird feelings and just focus on feeding my son.
Since then, I've dealt with a lot of sensitivity and discomfort, but we've gotten through it. I can't say I feel any more bonded with my son during breastfeeding than when I give him a bottle, but I don't regret the decision to breastfeed AT ALL. I love knowing he is getting the best nutrition possible.
As for my sex life, I can't say how it will be affected yet, it's still too early for me to feel comfortable trying, but I do anticipate some changes. I'm sure my husband and I will have to communicate and find new ways to approach intimacy, but I feel as long as we're open and honest with one another, we'll be fine.