Breastfeeding - anyone else NOT going to?

Re: Breastfeeding - anyone else NOT going to?

• anneof2 member

  May 2015

  I couldn't breast feed my son. My milk never came in. Only small amounts of colestrum at 3-5days, then nothing. He cried and cried. I cried a lot too. He was formula fed anyway from day 1 due to complications. So though I will try to breast feed this time, I do expect the same result.

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• VexyMommy member

  May 2015

  I did a mix of breast feeding and formula feeding with my 1st for the first 2 months before the doctor realized that breast milk was part of the reason she had explosive vomiting.  After that we went to exclusive formula.  It hurt and my breasts leaked for a few days, but it wasn't terrible.  From what I've heard if you don't start breast feeding it's much easier and dries up within the first few days.  Ice packs or cold cabbage leaves and tight sports bras are good ways to go. 
  

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• MargaretC5 member

  May 2015

  For most women your milk is use it or lose it. It you don't nurse your breasts will be sore for a little while but the milk will go away on its own. I did nurse, but my cousin has a baby a few months ago and decided it was not for her a few days in. She said not nursing was a little uncomfortable for a few days but not a big deal.

  

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• adcorbin member

  May 2015

  I didn't BF the three I already have and don't plan on this one either. You will experience very tender breasts and some leakage for about a week. After that you won't notice too much. If you never use it, you'll lose it pretty quickly. Good luck!

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• ooooner member

  May 2015

  Oh wow, thanks ladies!  I had no idea it worked that way... "if you don't use it, you'll lose it".  That's great to know.  It especially eases my mind about possibly needing to take medicine to stop the milk production.  Your responses are appreciated!  Thx again.

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• MadBloom member

  May 2015

  There is also a tea that you can get.
  
  https://earthmamaangelbaby.com/products/organic-no-more-milk-breastfeeding-tea
  
  I haven't used it but I used the one for milk production and it worked well! I've also used a few other of their products and have been quite happy with them. It's not too expensive so it might be worth having a box or two for when baby arrives.

  YCSWU
  

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• caseybeth1213 member

  May 2015

  *Lurker from D15*
  
  With my son I never produced enough so I had to stop at 6 weeks.  Drying up was a little painful but not awful.  My comfort was cabbage leaves.  They are a natural way of drying up your milk source.  When they get wilted, you just change out your leaves.
  

  
     

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• ooooner member

  May 2015

  @MadBloom Thanks for linking that tea, I may just have to try that!

  
  

  @caseybeth1213 Cabbage leaves??  Oh my goodness and I bet that is much cheaper than buying the expensive nipple pads or whathaveyou.  Thanks for the idea!
  

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• caseybeth1213 member

  May 2015

  ooooner said:

  @MadBloom Thanks for linking that tea, I may just have to try that!

  
  

  @caseybeth1213 Cabbage leaves??  Oh my goodness and I bet that is much cheaper than buying the expensive nipple pads or whathaveyou.  Thanks for the idea!
  

  Yes cabbage leaves!! I don't know what is in them but it really works!! And with them being cold that's a plus too on sore breast!
  

  
     

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• hanny26 member

  May 2015

  Brest pump

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• AnnamariauDoris member

  May 2015

  Nursed ds for 3 w before I had an infection, didn't breastfeed after because I had no more milk. I hated breastfeeding because of my inlaws. They were both almost allways there. In underwear. I felt so uncomfortable. And they felt actually hurt when I told them it bothered me! I was left with a very sour taste about the whole thing. My new mil keeps pushing the brestfeedind card, and my second housband also. I told them both they are not the mother and none of them have the option to breastfeed my future baby so step back, this is only my decision.

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• BbyB3 member

  May 2015

  FTM and I'm bottle feeding... I'm also on meds that I really need to take so for that reason and also just a personal preference!

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• tayzav member

  May 2015

  I never wanted kids before now, and i definitely never wanted to breastfeed. It makes me super uncomfortable seeing someone do it in a public place, even covered. I don't know why. Even now that I'm pregnant I still feel uncomfortable. My BF really wants me to, I told him I would consider trying it, but my feelings haven't changed. I think I would prefer to mix it up between pumping and formula. If possible. Maybe my mind and feelings will change after I'm holding her in my arms, we'll see.

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• vrossolille member

  May 2015

  Baby #3 and baby #3 being bottle fed. My kids are strong, smart very healthy kids! Don't believe all the hype of what's best for you. You know what's best for you & yours. My kids are healthier than half the breastfed kids I interact with:)

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• Meganb005 member

  May 2015

  Peppermint is known to dry up milk. Drink lots and lots of peppermint tea.

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• maura+c member

  May 2015

  I've given this subject a lot of thought and still find myself extremely indecisive about this subject. My last time around I had an incredibly difficult time getting my baby to latch (he never ended up doing so btw), so I opted to pump all my milk. Let me tell you pumping can be a job in itself! It took me 45 min and sometimes I couldn't even fill up both bottles. I spoke with several lactation consultants and they told me not to give up, but I ended up drying up before I had a choice. I felt so defeated and in the process I ended up with mastitis in both breasts (which really uncommon). My fever spiked with a newborn and it was SO painful. Ugh. My mother asked my this very question this weekend- I really want to try because the high cost of formula for an entire year! But seriously thinking NO WAY what a headache... See indecisive!! I'm leaning towards no and now that I'm not alone; I don't feel so bad!
  

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• ddkistler member

  May 2015

  @ooooner: I know you will come across judgemental people as a new mom and mom to be. Just remember that not breastfeeding does not mean you are not doing what is best for your baby. (Triple negative?) Being a good mom is about taking care of you AND your LO.
  
  For other moms who can breastfeed but are not sure they want to, I encourage you to try it. But don't be afraid to supplement with formula or use a pacifier or go against all the other "tips" you can get out there. Do what feels right for you.
  
  I had a really hard time with my first - lots of pain. I set small goals like a week, then two, then four. I eventually made it to a little over a year (when I got pregnant again). It took a couple months for us to figure things out, but it was very rewarding once we did. I still dealt with pain off and on. And the emotional ups and downs were very hard for me. I've never felt anything as heartbreaking as my LO refusing to nurse for whatever reason. Bottom line - it can be really hard, but give it a try if you can.
  
  P.S. I should mention that I was a formula baby and I turned out just fine.
  
  

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• tayzav member

  May 2015

  I don't talk to my mom so I'm not 100% but she was 16 when she had me and I don't believe she breast fed me. I wanna say just long enough to leave the hospital and that's it. And I'm healthy as can be.
  
  But I am willing to give it a try I think. What I don't like is all of my friends have told me beware, the nurses basically try to force you at the hospital, and I'm not one to take being forced to do anything lightly. If that's the case I just hope I can keep my cool and not say eff off and not even try just because I'm being told what to do.

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• AnnamariauDoris member

  May 2015

  vrossolille said:

  Baby #3 and baby #3 being bottle fed. My kids are strong, smart very healthy kids! Don't believe all the hype of what's best for you. You know what's best for you & yours. My kids are healthier than half the breastfed kids I interact with:)

  ^^this also!

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• BeccaK37 member

  May 2015

  With my first baby I was dead set on breastfeeding and super judgmental of anyone that didn't want to breast feed. (I come from a family where everyone breastfeeds and it seems so easy) I ended up having my son early via c-section and after a stay in the ICU and my baby in the NICU I never really got a good start. I tried everything, including plenty of visits from lactation specialists, but never got my son to latch on. Since I was determined to breast feed I pumped for 8 months - sometimes only getting 4 ounces a DAY! I don't regret doing it, but it was a pain and I'm not sure if I would do it this time.
  
  Unfortunately, there were plenty of random strangers that had opinions about bottle feeding they felt comfortable sharing with me (mostly negative & judgmental). What they didn't know (nor did I owe them any explanation) was how I had a traumatic brain injury and csection to recover from as well as being on medications for both high blood pressure & seizures (all due to my pregnancy). Even if my son would've latched on, breastfeeding was never in the cards for me. I was disappointed but I got over it after realizing it was not my fault.
  
  Do not put too much pressure on yourself no matter what you decide. Every experience is different and no one gets to have an opinion about a decision that is so personal for you. As a former 'judger' I understand the immense pressure new mothers are under and how unfair it is! Good luck with whatever you decide and know there is no right or wrong way!!

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• thefithuntress member

  May 2015

  I have decided not to breastfeed, much to the chagrin of my midwife and a family member. Sigh. You do you. I'm going to likely feed her colostrum in the hospital because why not, but the second we get home it's on to formula feeding. I like the consistency of formula, not to mention the ability my husband and anyone else will have to feed her. I am also a big fan of sleep and get sick/go crazy without it. I imagine I'll be a better, more patient parent if I can squeeze a couple more hours in each night.

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• VexyMommy member

  May 2015

  It's important to know yourself and what you're willing to deal with.  Part of parenthood is just putting your head down and getting through it no matter what, but part of it is understanding that you need to put on your own oxygen mask first if everyone is to survive. 
  

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