I agree with PP, if nursing hurts then there is something wrong and there are things that can be done to help. If you've never nursed before, there is a bit of a learning curve for your nipples where you may be sore at first, but *pain* isn't normal. If you're scared, I highly recommend going to a La Leche League or Breastfeeding USA meeting before babe arrives and ask questions. They're fantastic resources and they're free.
@bnsmith85 I exclusively pumped for 7 months without any issues like that. I'm sorry your friend had so much trouble. It sounds like she needed to change out the size of the flanges/suction part or dial down the suction or speed. There shouldn't be that much rubbing if she's using the correct size parts and appropriate settings.
@bnsmith85 I had soreness with pumping but sometimes I would use some coconut oil (if I'm remembering correctly) and it helped. My issue was clogged ducts which I think wouldn't have happened had I exclusively BF instead of exclusively pumped. I usually had to nurse DD to get her to unclog the duct.
I keep telling myself I'm going to try as hard as I can to BF and that I won't beat myself up if it doesn't work but I'll be really disappointed if it doesn't. Not because I think FF is bad, I'm definitely team Just Feed the Baby, but because I've always had a yearning to BF. It's the same yearning I feel to be a mother. I'm probably romanticizing it and will laugh at myself in 6 months when I'm exhausted and spending the day topless with Vaseline on my nipples.
Me: 32 & DH: 37
Married: November 2014
TTC #1 Since: October 2015
BFP #1: 11/18/15 - CP BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16 IT'S A BOY!!!! DS Born 10/16/16
On another thread we've been discussing sking to skin and whether it's beneficial to do it directly out of the womb or if it's just as beneficial to let them take the baby away to clean up, measure, etc. and start skin to skin a few minutes later. I'm ashamed to confess that I kinda want them to clean the baby up first. I know I probably won't care after 9 months of waiting and hours of labor but they are pretty messy when they come out. I feel guilty feeling a little icky about holding and kissing on a baby covered in everything.
With my first, they didn't ask, they just took him and cleaned him up first. With my second, my doctor asked! Wtf. I didn't have time to prepare for this moment. Here he is, holding this slimy, fresh out of the vagina, baby asking if I want him or if I want them to clean him up first. Uh...uh...I didn't know what to say! I wanted him but he looked so slimy and like you said, I wanted to hug him and kiss him but eww, so I finally managed to say clean him up first but then I immediately regretted it lol. It was awful. I felt like I said the wrong thing. I've seriously been thinking about that already, trying to prepare for what I'll do but since I'll be prepared they probably won't ask again.
I have been an on and off SAHM with DS. I HATE being a SAHM. It is just not for me. I end up feeling really isolated and depressed, even if I go to meet-up groups or story hours. Now that I am an RN I am not giving it up for anything. Strangely, DH has been dying to be a SAHD. It is his dream. I currently get the best of both worlds because I only work every other week but by the end of my "off" week I am desperate to go back to work. I don't feel any guilt about it at all, either. I can't be my best self for my children if I don't take care of myself, and work allows me an opportunity to take care of me and my needs. In the future I may choose to work full-time so DH can spend a couple of years fulfilling his dream at home.
To any ladies anxious about BFing, please please please go to a few La Leche League or Breastfeeding USA or other local BFing support groups (local WIC offices usually have them or often lactation consultants offer them) while you are pregnant. It makes a world of difference to understand more of what to expect, normal/not normal, etc. Breastfeeding isn't always simple and straightforward and often takes a lot of work but if you know your resources and come to the table prepared then you stand a better chance of meeting your breastfeeding goals, whatever they may be.
Thanks ladies! It's nice to hear that there's a good chance I'll have a different experience.
question- when hers got really bad was when she was pumping exclusively. Like it rubbed a sore on her nipples. Is that normal?
To to those it bothers, sorry, I just didn't feel this one last question needed it's own thread
I think it's important to make sure you get a good breast pump if you want to set yourself up for success (edit--with pumping). Also, I didn't end up doing this, but I know the place I went for pre-birth breastfeeding classes offered to look at the fit for you if you had any doubt about what size funnels to use. I had a medela, and never had any issues from pumping in the 10 months I used it. *I did get thrush once from nursing though.
Re: FFFC (4/1)
question- when hers got really bad was when she was pumping exclusively. Like it rubbed a sore on her nipples. Is that normal?
To to those it bothers, sorry, I just didn't feel this one last question needed it's own thread
Me: 32 & DH: 37
BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16
IT'S A BOY!!!!
DS Born 10/16/16
Me: 32 & DH: 37
BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16
IT'S A BOY!!!!
DS Born 10/16/16