Breast feeding, pros and cons

sooty&sweep

Hi

I totally support breastfeeding but I tried to breastfeed both of my children and I wasn't able to for any length of time and I can still remember how upset I was when I wasn't able to.

All I can say is give it a go. Take it one day at a time and see if it works for you.

The health benefits of breast feeding cannot be denied however bottle feeding doesn't have any detrimental health impacts as such.

All the best

Jen

jess1974

I breastfed all 3 of mine, i never had any soreness or pain and found it the most easiest thing in the world, i could pop baby up my top and they would find it themselves..When i was pregnant with my first, i was so determined to breastfeed i never bought any bottles or sterilisers or anything, i was absolutely determined to feed myself, i think what i'm saying is i never gave myself the option of not being able to breastfeed, anyway i loved it, and would do it again and again...

jo_b_2

My youngest has just given up the breast earlier this week. He turned one last week and just stopped wanting to breastfeed on the morning I went back to work and hasn't fed since. (Perhaps he knew!) Even though I didn't want to carry on feeding much longer, I do miss it now - especially the first feed when he woke up in the morning and we just lay down in bed while he fed.

I think the worst part of breastfeeding is by far the first few weeks of it - which is a shame as that's the part that most mums only experience! They start off and after a few weeks of constant feeding (which it is) and pain (which it can be) and give up.

If you stick it out past the two month mark, breastfeeding is by far and away the most convenient way to feed a baby. You can go away you want to without worrying about facilities, warming milk, storage etc etc. Night-time feeds are a breeze and you both go straight back off to sleep. I'm far too lazy to faff about sterilising bottles and making up feeds etc!

I also didn't give up any food or drink when I was breastfeeding. I'm not a big drinker, to be honest, but whenever we've been out I'd drink the same as normal without any adverse effects on baby the next day. I did look through a list of food to avoid once and discovered that it contained nearly my entire (vegetarian) diet so I promptly ignored that and we've both done fine!

Broken_hearted

Breastfeeding is great if the mother wants to do it and the baby is able to. Just like some mothers some babies are not able to bf .

rachnbri

I bf both of mine and it was a 100% positive experience. I was very lucky in that it came very naturally to me and my babies and I didn't experience any of the discomfort that some mums have. I'm quite a disorganised person so it was a bonus that I didn't have to remember anything when we went out - my motto was "have boobies, will travel"!

I really do believe in the bonding aspect as well. My boys are now 11 and nearly 8 and the are the most affectionate, open, confident, self assured children I have ever encountered. They amaze me constantly with their attitude to life.

Also as far as I am aware it's pregnancy that makes boobies sag - not breastfeeding. And mine have done OK;).

OP - has your OH said why she's unsure/reluctant about breastfeeding?

Violetta_2

Congratulations, and good luck when the baby comes. Obviously you don't want to hassle your gf but has she said she does not want to bf, did she tell you her reasons. Everyone has given great advice, I think if you gave them some clues as to why your gf is not sure about bf, the advice can be tailored to her worries and may help you both. I remember at my antenatal class a bloke asked how he could make his partner breastfeed as she was refusing to even think about it. I'm sure he THOUGHT he had the best intention's but poor woman was crushed. (as I suspect his- erm family jewels were after the class).

moneypanicker

I bf both of mine and will bf no3 when it arrives! I won't lie though the first few weeks with the first was tough but i had a lot of support from breast feeding councellors, midwifes and HV but i got through it - it then becomes really easy! The 2nd one was a natural breastfeeder and i had no problems at all!

Partners can easily get involved though - I expressed from very early on and my partner always gave the after bath feed from a bottle. Although the hv frowned upon me doing this I never had the problems of mum not being able to leave their kids coz they won't take a bottle!! I'm planning on doing this again.

You have to feel comfortable doing it though - it really didn't bother me, you can't see anything anyway. My friend gave up because she just felt too uncomfortable and had to ask people to leave the room when she was feeding. You will always get the odd person who gives you evil looks but i found it was generally the older generation who used to hide away to breast feed. I just ignored them!!!

sooz

I was recommended a great book before I had DS1.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Expect-When-Youre-Breastfeeding/dp/0091906962

It was one of the few pieces of breastfeeding literature that wasn't totally pro-breastfeeding, & did give you an idea of how to bottle feed, & didn't give you a huge guilt trip for doing so.

All the info your partner will come home with from the hopsital & the midwife, & the NCT will be pro-breastfeeding, & everything else is considered sinful

hollydays

Some people just really don't" like" the idea " of breastfeeding,and if that is the case,putting pressure on them even by questioning them might be too much pressure.It's a totally personal descision.Just tell her you will support her in whatever she chooses to do.
Also some people have been brought up to believe it isn't very" nice,"which is a shame,but you can't discount those influences.

Swattie

One huge pro for breast feeding is that bottle fed babies nappies are far, far more unpleasant.

I breast fed no probs - would recommend.