Breastfeeding worries.

myrumam · July 2015

So I've been back and forth a couple times about wanting to breastfeed. I have tons of nieces and nephews who were all bottle fed.. so I grew with bottle fed being the norm. I know there is sooo many benefits to breastfeeding but I keep doing research on how it's not as easy as you would think. And that worries me. Things like pain, engorgement, low supply. I feel like I should get over it and do what I think it's best. But any experienced mom who have words of advice?? I know that's it's completely ok to bottle feed but I think I would like to breastfeed. But I read somewhere it's painful and not easy for the first 3 months? Anyone have some words of wisdom.

xpaperx · July 2015

If it's painful, you're doing it wrong!!

xpaperx · July 2015

The rest of my response got cut off.
I thought the same thing and suffered for six weeks before getting diagnosed with a tongue tie. Baby had it lasered and we were able to nurse easily after that.
Contact your local la leche league, breast feeding support class at the hospital and a lactation consultant.
It's definitely hard but so worth it. Don't let your worries overwhelm you. You might not have any of those problems. Try your best and remember that some is better than none!

mandy903 · July 2015

If you have the desire to breast feed go for it! I breast fed my first two and plan to this time as well. With my first my nipples were really sore the first two weeks. They can get raw bloody and even crack... But creams will help. And it doesn't last forever. And I felt like giving up many times those first two weeks due to the nipple soreness and baby having a hard time latching on at times. But we stuck with it and I'm glad I did. My second baby it was different. He had to stay extra time in the hospital so I had to pump. And he got used to the bottle and would never latch so I solely pumped for months. I hated it. To me it was a hassle. So much more work than just pulling out my breast. I ended up getting clogged milk ducts and drying up after a few months. With pumping I never had a good let down and flow of milk and never had a great supply. Everyone is different. Sometimes it isn't a breeze but it's worth it. Just don't be afraid of it. Most hospitals have lactation specialists that will help you get a good latch. Stay hydrated take your vitamins. You'll be fine

on_the_move · July 2015

Engorgement happens after birth no matter what so don't use that as a deciding factor. It did hurt my nipples a bit for the first few weeks, but it was such a rewarding experience it was worth it. To me, as a stay at home mom, it always seemed the most logical choice. No bottles to prepare or wash nothing to bring with you, if the baby was hungry you just cover up (or not) and whip out a boob

ajhellmuth · July 2015

I had no clue what I was doing at 19 with my oldest and I didn't have dr google to help me either! But it worked out! My nipples were a little sore at first but the lactation consultant at the hospital helped me get a better latch and gave me some cream that helped. I just nursed on demand and I was fortunate not to have supply issues. Don't let the horror stories scare you. It's definitely a learning experience and some people have zero issues and some people have every issue. It's worth giving it a shot and try to commit to at least a month to get into the groove

Bingj · July 2015

I agree with the pp. I breastfed my first for a year, pumped and breastfed my second for 10 months and I plan on breastfeeding this baby as well for a year if everything goes ok. It's true, there are issues that come up with breastfeeding but it is so rewarding, and the benefits outweigh any "inconveniences" that can arise. If you plan on breastfeeding, educate yourself and contact your local la leche league and visit with a lactation consultant in the hospital. Do it! You won't regret it and if it doesn't work out you'll know you at least tried.

Edited for better wording

loveleighmami · July 2015

Before I had my first, it hadn't even occurred to me that women breastfeed. I've successfully breastfeed two babies now, and plan on doing the same with my third. My second used a nipple shield, but that didn't really make for any difficulties. I never experienced any of the extreme breastfeeding concerns, thankfully, but I do know women that have gotten through issues to breastfeed successfully.

komorebi · July 2015

I feel like every woman should just give it a try. Every ounce the baby gets is beneficial. I have had major issues every time and i still breastfed two of my three a combined 54 months. I wouldn't change a thing. In my experience it's a very natural part of learning to nurture your baby.

jenn2132 · July 2015

If you really feel you want to do it go for it! It's so good for the baby and is something special only you as mom can provide. It can be hard, getting started is tough but if you really feel committed to making it work it can. I'm by no means an expert but I would like to share some helpful info I wish I had been told as a first timer:

- newborns eat frequently (sometimes on the hour) and they take a long time to eat usually 20-30 min

- cramping and bleeding right after birth while nursing is normal, doesn't feel great but will pass and helps brings your uterus back down to normal size

- your milk supply usually comes 3-4 days after delivery so it may seem at first the baby isnt eating anything but don't worry they don't eat a lot per feeding at first but they will be getting the colostrum

- try not to supplement if you can avoid it, milk production is all supply and demand so if you supplement too early it can hurt your supply.

- nipples will be sore at first but they will eventually toughen up. The key is proper latching, this will help limit the soreness and cracking.

- sometimes a baby who was feeding fine may all of a sudden have latching issues. Try not to stress and take it slow. This happened with my son and I think he could feel my frustration which just made it harder for us both. Eventually with a little patience we both got back on track.

I hope this helps a little and if all else fails seek out a lactation consultant. Best of luck to you!!

LiveNLove44 · July 2015

For comparison: Pregnancy is really difficult, painful at times (very at the end and in recovery), and you can read all about how challenging it is for many women. We are still doing it, right?

Breastfeeding has different levels of challenges for different women. I personally decided that I would be doing it and committed to figuring out what would work best for DD. We needed a nipple shield at first, and after couple weeks, we went without it. I didn't suffer from engorgement and my nipples never cracked.

Breastfeeding benefits for me and for my daughter greatly outweighed any minimal discomfort I felt when we were getting started. I encourage you to seek insight from a lactation consultant when your LO arrives and prepare beforehand by attending a class or at least seeking literature at your local hospital or LLL. Don't let the fear of the unknown make the decision for you.

stephleslie86 · July 2015

I am a first time mom, and also feeling anxiety about breast feeding. Exactly the same as you. What I tell myself is that people for thousands of years breast fed - when there were no such things as bottles and they survived. If they did it without a pump, shield, gaurds or modern medicine so can we!

mrsdhouse89 · July 2015

If you are interested in it then try it. It can be difficult and I was only able to do it for six weeks but I'm glad I did it. I know what went wrong to fix it for baby #2 and there are consultants out there that can help. Good luck!

JaqiDec04 · July 2015

With DD, I knew I wanted to breastfed, and was terrified I wouldn't be able to, because my mother never could. But I was so stubborn and determined to give it a shot. The nurses kept pushing a bottle on me, and I kept telling them that if they wanted the baby fed they should send in a lactation consultant, QUICKER. The LC came in twice a day all thee days I was in the hospital, and was so amazing and reassuring about how we were doing things, the struggles, and how much she should have been eating, etc.

I exclusively breastfed DD for 15 months, and it was amazing. I had other babies around me, and their moms formula fed. They had to have clean bottles, bottled water, measured formula, warm it up, etc. each time they fed their babies. I whipped out a boob. Not to mention, the expense. Formula is expensive, breast milk is free.

I'm so glad I did it, and think you should at least give it a shot.

oceanlove13 · July 2015

The lactation consultants at the hospital are great and they will continue to see you as an out-patient to help work through any challenges your having. It was hard for me the first 4 weeks, but after that it's been easy. I struggled with the commitment and lack of freedom I felt with nursing, (I.e. Hard to get away for long periods of time because baby had to eat)but it was my choice and so very rewarding for the bond it has created. Also, if you have a good supply pumping in addition to feeding will help build a frozen supply which will buy some free time and time for someone else to feed. Good Luck, give it a try!

xlipservicex · July 2015

There's really little reason to stress about things that may or may not happen. If you want to try you should. If you struggle or find an issue you can always transition. But you may find it works out really well.

Just because something can happen doesn't mean it will happen.

lginnan · July 2015

I am super nervous too. But I figure might as well try! If not, formula is a great backup.

mandala1107 · July 2015

I was terrified with my DD and was thinking all of the same things you are and guess what... She latched on perfectly the first time and we BF for 19 months. This doesn't always happen but don't scare yourself out of trying. You just never know. I think it is important to educate yourself. Read articles and books. My favorite book was New Mother's Guide to Breastfeed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Also a Nursing Mother's Companion. I'm a knowledge is power person, so I read everything I could find before I was faced with it. It does hurt, but it's not debilitating and it does go away. Word to the wise- use lanolin nipple cream before going into the shower at first. You may think the water will feel good, and although it relieves engorgement, it is killer on your nipples. I slathered that stuff on like an ice cream cone and was much better. Didn't even other rubbing it in for shower times.

cmjn94 · July 2015

Don't let other peoples' opinions/experiences keep you from doing what you feel is right for you. I'm a FTM, but breastfeeding is extremely important to me. There is every benefit to breastfeeding for both baby and mom. I plan on breastfeeding and I only will not breastfeed if I literally can't. I will even pump and feed over formula. Formula is so expensive and not nearly as beneficial as what our own bodies make!

Telebell · July 2015

When I was a ftm I planned on breastfeeding and was really stressed out when I learned how hard it was, and time consuming! I wish people had been honest with me about that in advance. I think it's wise to prepare now for the hardest scenario if you're truly committed. But also to visualize letting go and doing formula if it doesn't work out. I felt guilty for months after quitting but now I only wish I hadn't been so stressed out about the whole thing. I would have enjoyed those first few weeks more.

For the second I will casually try again, but if it's like the first time I'll let go immediately and go to formula. Our daughter is in perfect health and I have no regrets or dismay about not breastfeeding her at this point.

Just be gentle on yourself - that's my main advice!

babyynumbertwo2015 · July 2015

I went into breastfeeding thinking it would be natural and come easy, and boy was I wrong. The fact that you are going into it knowing there is a learning curve you're already a 100 times more prepared then i was, and I nursed my daughter for 13 months. It's hard in the beginning, but there are so many outlets for suport, and lactation consultants are worth their weight in gold. What I can tell you, is there is no better bond or the emotion that comes over you when you look your baby in the eye while they are nursing, and you know your body is nourishing your child. It brings you back to the warm feeling you get now while pregnant knowing your body is growing and nourishing your baby, except you get to watch your baby while experiencing that feeling. And all of that makes everY tear shed over nursing absolutely worth it!

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