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August 2015 Moms
victoriaaa1
member
Breastfeeding question.
victoriaaa1
member
Im a FTM and before and since I became pregnant I always been all for breastfeeding . Now being 32 weeks I'm kinda leaning away from the idea, I don't know why . Although I know I still have a little bit of time to decide weather I want too do it or not I have a question..if I do decide not too what do I do ?
Do I just leave my breast alone until the milk goes away or is their anything I have to do?
Will I still become engorged ? And if I so what do I do about that because if I do decide away from the idea I'm not planning on spending lots of money on a pump because my insurance won't cover it if it isn't medically needed and I would want to purchase I really good one that I could use for when I have future children.
I just want to know some of the things I should know or be aware of if I decide not too breastfeed whatever that might be.. TIA.
Do I just leave my breast alone until the milk goes away or is their anything I have to do?
Will I still become engorged ? And if I so what do I do about that because if I do decide away from the idea I'm not planning on spending lots of money on a pump because my insurance won't cover it if it isn't medically needed and I would want to purchase I really good one that I could use for when I have future children.
I just want to know some of the things I should know or be aware of if I decide not too breastfeed whatever that might be.. TIA.
Re: Breastfeeding question.
As far as making your milk go away, it will but it will be atleast uncomfortable. A LC in the hospital can go over the dos and don'ts of letting your milk dry up. I really do hope that you read up and do some research for yourself though. I wasn't 'in love' with BF the way some moms are but I can't imagine not doing it if I was/am able to.
1. Are you in the US? Register with Simulac and Enfamil on their websites. Do this right now. They will send you a ton of free formula.
2. Ask your OB if they can write you a prescription for a breast pump. Call your insurance and verify what qualifies as a "medical need" ... if you are a nursing mom then isn't that enough? A prescription may be all you need. If that is the case, find out what you need to do to get the breast pump and have it covered.
3. Set a goal to try breastfeeding for just one week. Your baby will get colostrum for a few days before your milk comes in and that is SO beneficial that it is worth sticking it out for a week. On Day 3, if your milk hasn't come in yet, you may feel like giving up. That's ok! Have your partner give your baby a bottle of formula (which you got for free!) which you get some extra sleep and your boobs get a break. Whew! You can try nursing again for the next feeding.
4. After one week, decide if you want to quit or not. If you are going to quit, gradually swap out nursing for a bottle of formula, one or two feedings are formula for the first day (like noon and midnight), and each day (or every other day) do more formula and less nursing, gradually weaning off until your supply dries up. It's not too hard, your body will tell you when you absolutely have to nurse or pump.
For my first we fed 1-2 bottles of formula per day to supplement nursing because I had a low supply and my huge baby was a hungry little sucker. Eventually we cut out the formula, but then added it back in again later. I was able to nurse for the whole year, and the supplementation really helped when I needed a break!
If you have solid reasons against it, I've heard that wearing a tight sports bra helps some. The less you feed/pump, the less you will make - it's kind of supply and demand. But, you are likely to become engorged, and I think you'll wish you had a pump to relieve some of that!
And my insurance won't cover it at all unless my baby had jondice or for other medically needed reasons, they had named a list of things that are like serious medical reasons. (sorry if it's spelled wrong) . I've already called them and spoke with someone a few times and even if they did cover it id have to wait till after I deliver to put in for one then all the time I'm waiting to receive one and so on.. it's a huge hassle . I even tried having my ob write out for one for me and still no luck . They're really strict . Maybe they had some experiences that made them be that way because I believe before it was simple but guess not no more.
I'm in California in San Bernardino county insurance is way strict here compared to LA county where I'm originally from and it's easier and not so bad .
I agree with the PP's, I think you should at least give it a try. It is one of the most loving things that you can do for your child. It is a personal decision, but like others have said, it can provide amazing health benefits, while saving you some money.
Wishing you much luck in whatever option you decide to pursue for yourself and your LO.
Usually though if your insurance covers it after delivery, all you need to do is contact a company that provides pumps that takes your insurance (which you could figure out now) and they are more than happy to do all the leg work for you to get your business.
Breastmilk will dry up on its own. It could take up to a week, maybe 2, depending on how much your body produces from the start. Just remember, if you express any of it, that signals your body to make more. It's that old concept of supply & demand.
Hope this helps.
I wore a tight sports bra for a few weeks. All your milk will come in around day 3 and your breasts will become hard and engorged. Just leave them and wear a tight fitting sportsbra 24/7 for about a week. I never leaked and your breasts will go down. Sounds odd, but I also put cabbage leaves in my bra to help dry up the milk. It wasn't as bad as I expected and my daughter was never "drawn" to them either.
Good luck!!!
She indicated she is on the fence and doesn't know why. Many of us offered her encouragement and opinions based on our experiences. I personally think we are doing her a disservice if we ignore half of the things she said and ONLY tell her how to make her supply dry up. No one shamed her or told her she was a bad mom if she chooses not to, I don't think anyone thinks that (at least I know I don't). But as a FTM she may not be thinking about some of the things many of us have experienced. I had to swap to formula after going back to work because my supply diminished. I was not prepared for just how much it would cost me, fortunately I could afford it. If you don't want honest opinions and advice, leave the other info out (like that you are on the fence), or better yet, don't post on a public forum, just ask your Dr or the LC at the hospital. You act as though we stoned the OP, which is not the case at all.
As to the other posters tone of "we are here to support" oh stop. We've all been around long enough to know everyone has different opinions and will respond differently. At this point in the game we should all be pretty used to the way this board works.
I do agree with all the people who have said if you're on the fence you should try it - especially if you can't articulate a reason not to there's no reason not to give it a go. I think that's great advice. I just didn't think this particular comment added anything to the convo but judgment.
For me, I can NEVER understand why one wouldn't want to at least try but that's every woman's decision for herself and I would never judge.
We can agree to disagree though. No harm done
However, I'm also honestly curious what reasons someone would have for choosing not to try. I totally get trying and THEN deciding it's not for you, and I know and respect many women who have made that choice, because it's difficult/painful/any number of reasons. But to choose not to try at all... I would like to hear, because I am genuinely curious, what reasons women would have.
The newborn stage was amazing for me, since my husband could help with feeds, I was able to have a good recovery and enjoy every minute of it. My body bounced back just as quick. Since we formula fed too, hubby and I also were able to still share quality time with one another (which we feel is very important) since my mom could watch our DD and I didn't have to worry about her not taking a bottle or me having to pump etc.
Overall it was a wonderful experience and I wouldn't change a thing. With this one, we will formula feed again.
I give credit to all breastfeeding moms....it is a lot of work and can be very difficult for mom and baby. I knew it wasn't for me, and still know it is not for me.
I don't judge anyone or think poorly on anyone when it comes to how they want to feed their baby. I don't think every mom should try breastfeeding...every mom knows themselves and what they are capable of. As long as mom, baby and family are happy and healthy that is all that matter.
Again, I am glad that people can choose what's right for them and I'm sorry to see that any time you try to advocate for BF, someone takes it as bossy and judgmental. I just want people to be open minded. You can always start BF and realize it's not working and go to formula, but if you stop your supply from the beginning you can't go back and give BF another try.
Granted FTM here, but without a ton of support in my area, I want to start out with an attitude of it gets better (usually).
You obviously need to do whatever works for you and your baby (and not let people judge you), but I totally agree that you should just give it a shot. Unlike my son, some babies will never go back to the breast after they tried the bottle. You may not be able to go back to breast if you change your mind. And, yes, the first few weeks are definitely the hardest. It takes a while for both you and the baby to get used to the whole process. A lot of people can't believe that I stuck with it despite the pain at the beginning, but I don't regret my choice at all. Nursing my son for 2 years was amazing, and I can't imagine anything better than the bond we shared during that time.
The most expensive breastpump is $300-$400 (aside from hospital grade). Formula can cost you $80- $100 a month pending on what kind you need. If you take that into consideration it makes that $250 Medela PISA look like a pretty good price.
If your insurance won't cover it... Wait. You likely wouldn't need a breast pump right away anyway. Wait till a few weeks before going back to work and buy one.
I think it's 100% your choice what you want to do and nobody should make you feel guilty in any way! I know lots of women who chose not to breastfeed and it really isn't a big deal.
I do however agree with PPs who have said how formula can be expensive. The breastpump I bought was $118 and was more recommended than most of the more expensive ones (other than I believe it's called Medela). I hope it works as well as reviews have said! Lol