Breastfeeding

Talia0116 · September 2015

I'm 18 years old and a FTM. I'm really debating on whether to breast feed or not... Everyone is telling me I should as though it's good for the baby. I really want to but I'm scared in a way, my boobs are not big atall!! How am I even going to have enough milk for the baby? What are my boobs going to look like afterwards? Any suggestions or thoughts about what I should do? Please help

mrsgetz4000 · September 2015

I think you should do what is best for you and your child. The size of your Breast doesn't matter, especially when producing milk. It is the healthiest option for you and baby but their is absolutely nothing wrong with bottle feed. Also, Breast milk is free and for some mommas, not all it can help jump start weight loss. Breast feeding is, from what I'm told (also a ftm) a beautiful and natural thing. So if you choose the bottle make sure it's for the right reasons.

cjd&k · September 2015

You're worried about what your boobs might look like after breastfeeding? Haven't you heard how a baby is born and all of the crazy things that happen to the rest of your body? I definitely suggest you take some breastfeeding classes and just get some information and reconsider your questions and decide from there.

KaylaC1994 · September 2015

I'm in the same boat really want to bf but not sure if I'll have enough milk or even if it will come at all ... Hopefully wanting to bf and pump so daddy can have some bonding time feeding baby too

Lljbean · September 2015

As the Doctor told Farrah on 16 & Pregnant, when she said she didn't want to breastfeed because she didn't want her breasts to change, "Breastfeeding doesn't make your boobs saggy, pregnancy does". Amen. I have small breasts and I was able to breast feed for 14 months and when I stopped my boobs went back to normal. They aren't saggy or anything (and I was practically an old hag compared to you when I had my first).

You'll be fine.

mrhargr · September 2015

mrsgetz4000 said:
I think you should do what is best for you and your child. The size of your Breast doesn't matter, especially when producing milk. It is the healthiest option for you and baby but their is absolutely nothing wrong with bottle feed. Also, Breast milk is free and for some mommas, not all it can help jump start weight loss. Breast feeding is, from what I'm told (also a ftm) a beautiful and natural thing. So if you choose the bottle make sure it's for the right reasons.

While I agree that breast is best and she really needs to consider all her options, breastfeeding is NOT beautiful for everyone. For some moms like me, it was painful, frustrating, and beyond stressful. Making the switchc to formula was such a huge weight off my shoulders. That said, how will she know unless she tries it?

claireloSC · September 2015

Take a breastfeeding class before and join a breastfeeding support group after you have the baby. Ask your doctor if you have questions. Breast milk is a great option if you can make it work and breast milk is really healthy for your baby. Formula is fine too but breast milk is better health wise. Smalls boobs don't prevent you from breastfeeding.

ntyravgsp · September 2015

Lljbean said:
As the Doctor told Farrah on 16 & Pregnant, when she said she didn't want to breastfeed because she didn't want her breasts to change, "Breastfeeding doesn't make your boobs saggy, pregnancy does". Amen. I have small breasts and I was able to breast feed for 14 months and when I stopped my boobs went back to normal. They aren't saggy or anything (and I was practically an old hag compared to you when I had my first). You'll be fine.

) I couldn't resist

OP, breast size doesn't matter. I suggest you do some research on how breastfeeding works - it's a fascinating biofeedback mechanism. I recommend starting with The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Your boobs will still look like boobs afterward. Good luck!

claireloSC · September 2015

Check out this article too: https://www.thestranger.com/features/feature/2015/08/26/22755273/the-more-i-learn-about-breast-milk-the-more-amazed-i-am Breast milk is seriously amazing.

Hrc724 · September 2015

I've heard smaller boobs make it easier to breastfeed, but I think you should do whatever you are comfortable with and what works best for you.

danasphillips · September 2015

Breast size definitely doesn't matter. I typically have average sized breasts, but they get huge during pregnancy and even bigger when my milk comes in, which actually made it tougher to get my son to latch. I always wished they were a more manageable size. And like the others said, IF your boobs don't look the same after, it's because of changes during pregnancy, not breastfeeding. Definitely take a class.

Latina211508 · September 2015

I got pregnant with my first child at 17. I breastfed him and it was an amazing experience. Plus I did save money by not having to pay for formula and never did I worry about how my breasts would look afterwards. There are many sacrifices you make when having a child. Breast size does not determine how much milk you will produce. Good luck.

JoJoMama730 · September 2015

I say don't put pressure on yourself. Read up on it, talk to experts at your hospital, and learn what it's all about. You will know what feels right for you and baby, and that's what you should do. I was uncertain and a little nervous about it too, so I told myself to just give it a try and take it one day at a time. That's exactly what I did, and ended up bfing for 13 months. Don't put any pressure on yourself and don't let anybody else do it to you either.

Cejiml · September 2015

What you are feeling is natural. I think breastfeeding is a beautiful thing as well. I wanted it to work so bad but I gave up after 6 weeks with my first. I'm going to try it again this time. Like others said knowledge is key. I feel like I didn't have all of the info I have this time to succeed, definitely read up and try to take a class. And don't leave the hospital without seeing a lactation consultant. You never know, your little one could latch right in and it's smooth sailing from there. Good luck!

willashbaby · September 2015

Um based on your avatar (if that's you) I think you'll be fine. Lol.

ChrissyD1203 · September 2015

I vote for give it a try. I have small boobs that haven't even went up a cup size yet. You can't worry about what your boobs will look like after (I'm not sure you were worrying vs just curious)-- put baby first, the rest will come naturally (if it doesn't, and if you care, you can always get some implants later). I'm also a FTM so unfortunately I don't have any experience to share. I'm going to be taking the breastfeeding classes my hospital offers and going to a few support groups. No idea if it will work for me, but I plan to give it a shot.

Emott13 · September 2015

I have small breasts, and I felt they hardly changed during pregnancy. After birth, though, my daughter had a HUGE appetite and I went up four cup sizes. Your breasts will adjust to give baby as much as he or she needs. And as far as the looks thing goes, I had the same worries- while DD was breastfeeding my areolas were HUGE, my nipples were the size of acorns, and I had super dark hair all around my breasts. With the size change, I thought for sure I'd have stretch marks like nobody's business. But after I finished breastfeeding, everything went back to perfectly normal- not a single stretch mark (wish I could say the same for my thighs!). Pregnancy is weird and breastfeeding is weird and your body is probably going to be weird for at least as long as your breastfeed, but I'll bet your body will be closer to normal than you fear. I know mine was.

Emott13 · September 2015

As a side note: for the first two months that I breastfed, I could feel my uterus contracting when DD ate. If you're concerned about your body getting back to normal, I DEFINITELY suggest breastfeeding. The hormones that your body releases actually trigger your uterus to contract back to normal size, which helps your stomach feel less flumpy. I was fitting into my pre-pregnancy jeans within the first couple of weeks. I don't expect such miraculous results after baby number 2, but I definitely attribute my quick body recovery to breastfeeding.

Hipshaker · September 2015

After the initial discomfort passed and my milk came in. When my milk let down and I was relaxed it felt awesome! Like warm fuzzy baby love drugs. Your just washed in oxytocin. That was my favorite part of nursing. My mom asked my why I had this sleep look when I nursed sometimes and told her. She never nursed and I felt sad she missed out on that part of being a mom.

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