breastfeeeding

Lexi321

dawney101 wrote:

i breast fed all 5 of my kids and no doubt i must have saved a fortune on formula milk, but what people, doctors and health visitors don't tell you is the amount of hard work it takes to breast feed, its not a matter of whip it out and thats it. I'm still breast feeding my last baby which will feed for at least half an hour four or five times during the day and 3 times at night(desperately trying to wean her off!) and shes over the age of 1! I know i did the best for my kids but i can fully understand why alot of women choose to bottlefeed!

Well I'm a training midwife and was talking to a woman about breastfeeding the other day, and fully said it wasn't going to seem easy. Though for anyone reading this having doubts about breastfeeding definitly definitly do it, usually any problems at the start can be down to positioning, if your midwives or other healthcare professionals don't give you enough help then stand your ground and get it. It takes a few weeks to really get breastfeeding established but for a lot of women it then becomes so much easier. And definitly cheaper, you won't have to buy all the steralising stuff and bottles either. And the benefits last for life.

alwaysonthego_2

I breast fed dd1 till she was 2 and half and currently feeding dd2 who is 1 I found it easier than having to make bottles up in the middle of the night

siren13577

On this topic, maternity wards and hospitals accept donated breast milk to feed prem babies, it's deffo worthwhile breast feeding, I did it with my son, it can be hard to find somewhere private but it's nothing to be ashamed of if you have to do it in a cafe etc. John Lewis has lovely facilities and Boots can be quite good. I had absolutely no problem with my ds, latching on or cracked nipples etc, it was really nice and used to make me doze off sometimes, ds liked to be tucked under with one arm against my tummy, it was very snuggly.

you can also get formula milk cheaper from health centres or your gp, don't forget that if you have a low income you can get milk tokens and also free fruit and veg, go to http://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/

If you get milk tokens you should get this automatically anyway.

Enterprise_1701C

I breast fed both of mine, and having those trusting little eyes looking up at you when you are dooing something so wonderful for them is worth more than anything. It's just so nice, such a closeness, such a wonderful cuddle. I have to say I was very lucky, I found it incredibly relaxing.

felicity1

Reading some of these posts makes me miss breastfeeding my daughter, I can echo with a lot of the sentiments expressed on here.

I fed both my girls up to 8 months then they sort of 'self-weaned' and became so fussy at the boob that I introuduced formula until they reached their first birthday. However, found it a lot of faff, and I have to say I found breastfeeding a whole lot easier!

Also, why is formula so expensive? Feeding a baby can cost around £20 a month which to be honest is ridiculous. Thank goodness for child benefit!

lottee

Understand what everyone is saying, I only BF for 3 weeks & that was enough for me. The relief of not having to do it anymore far outweighed the cost of having to hand over the cash for formula!

Alwaysonthego, I take my hat off to you, but what about all those teeth ???!!!

rackstar

bizzy_d wrote:

if you have any spare you could bottle it and sell it :money:
well maybe not

The World Health Organisation recommends a "wet nurse" as second to breast feeding your own baby. The last option is formula milk. I suppose it is the junk food of the baby marketing world, but essential for babies that can't be breast fed.

lottee

What confuses me is that if formula is not meant to be that good & BF is best, why are there so many brands of formula available? If & when I have another baby, I would formula feed right from the start. I didn't BF my DS for very long & he has turned out to be a happy (sometimes!) healthy, strong boy.

Cinders2001

alwaysonthego wrote:

I breast fed dd1 till she was 2 and half and currently feeding dd2 who is 1 I found it easier than having to make bottles up in the middle of the night

Fed mine for 3 1/2 years! Both of them.
It came to a natural end. They tailed off wanting it and I tailed off producing it.
I had no soreness from being engorged as it did not happen abruptly.

Oh yes, and I whole heartedly agree....so much easier at night!!

3 1/2 years x 2 @ about £6 a tub a week!!! oh yeah, I am so much better off and in the club...The Money Savers Club!! :rotfl:

keelykat

My sister was really upset as she really couldnt breastfeed, the nurses drove her mad trying to force her to keep trying and she was in tears in the end with fristration-they didnt really help her at all. Shes had three kids now, and couldnt do it with any of them, she did try tho but she said it hurt like mad/made her sore etc. I feel very sorry for her, it cant be easy.

keelykat.