breastfeeeding

yorkshirepudding_4

you make some good points but how much of it is it truly "not working" and how much is it people not giving it a go at all and others giving up at the first hurdle. of course if you really persevere but there is some genuine reason why, or there is an underlying significant reason why you don't try (like sexual abuse) then fair enough. I just have a problem with people saying that it's the mother's choice and they should do what they feel is best, even if it is not what is healthiest for their child. To me that is like saying it's ok for a mother to smoke while pregnant or whilst holding a newborn baby. She has made the conscious decision not to give up or has tried but not really hard enough. There is no real reason why she cannot stop apart from her own selfish needs, but it's what she wants for er and her child so lets leave her to it? This is not hyperthetical - I was at a childrens party at the weekend where all the mothers were smokimg-some holding newborns.

Dormouse

vixarooni wrote:

i would like to breastfeed when i can, but as a woman who has spoken to alot of ladies about boobs (im a bra fitter) they have nearly all said dont do it! Plus ive seen the boobs after, its not good for the future.

Women who have breastfed will probably moan about the (often virtually non-existent) sagginess, etc, just like all women who have given birth will moan about labour, stretch marks, sleepless nights, etc, and jokingly say, "Don't do it". Parents of teenagers will complain about moodiness and other problems, roll their eyes and jokingly "regret" having them. It doesn't mean we really regret having our children, does it?

It's like women complaining about men, and men about "her indoors" - everyone does it, it's just what people do.

I have never met a woman who breastfed properly who would have regretted doing it.

As for the comment about the boobs you've seen as a bra fitter, and how horrid they are, I didn't think that was a nice comment to make. I don't walk around slagging off the different shapes of people I see at the gym/swimming pool. :cool:

code-a-holic

I can never decide how to feel or respond to breastfeeding threads. I have had 3 children. Always intented to breastfeed ds1 and i did very happily for 3 weeks, when his weight dropped dramaticlly although was feeeding more. After expressing my milk was almost like water, for whatever reason it wasnt giving him what he needed to switched to formula for his sake. Ds2 - again 3 weeks and same story. Then with my daughter i chose not tio try, couldnt go through it all again - the physical side and mental side was rough, was made to feel like i couldnt do what nature intended. Then made to feel an irresponsible mother for bottle feeding with dd. I cant win! The first few months of all my babies has been full of being told how badly i was feeding them - whatever method!
Anyway - they are all happy and healthy between 1 and 5 yrs old. Health wise i cant tell any difference between the breastfed and bottlefed children. Time will tell on that bit - although not anticipating noticable differences!!!

greenishfingers

code-a-holic wrote:

I can never decide how to feel or respond to breastfeeding threads. I have had 3 children. Always intented to breastfeed ds1 and i did very happily for 3 weeks, when his weight dropped dramaticlly although was feeeding more. After expressing my milk was almost like water, for whatever reason it wasnt giving him what he needed to switched to formula for his sake. Ds2 - again 3 weeks and same story. Then with my daughter i chose not tio try, couldnt go through it all again - the physical side and mental side was rough, was made to feel like i couldnt do what nature intended. Then made to feel an irresponsible mother for bottle feeding with dd. I cant win! The first few months of all my babies has been full of being told how badly i was feeding them - whatever method!
Anyway - they are all happy and healthy between 1 and 5 yrs old. Health wise i cant tell any difference between the breastfed and bottlefed children. Time will tell on that bit - although not anticipating noticable differences!!!

You poor thing... I'm glad I managed to breastfeed, but know so many Mums who found the first few months stressful, and just went to bottlefeeding as a means of reducing the stress - completely understandable and the right thing in the circumstances. And motherhood, regardless of what you do and which choices you make comes complete with guilt attached.
Basically we all try to do the best we are capable of - and our children will still blame us for it (wayhey for the teenage years!). Hope this isn't too depressing!

madhouseof4

vixarooni wrote:

i would like to breastfeed when i can, but as a woman who has spoken to alot of ladies about boobs (im a bra fitter) they have nearly all said dont do it! Plus ive seen the boobs after, its not good for the future.

I am a breastfeeding peer supporter for my area and I can assure you that it is an old wives tale that breastfeeding makes your boobs sag. Actually getting pregnant, and the changes that your boobs go through is what causes the damage and it is no where near as bad as other people make out. I also feel that as a bra fitter, that you really shouldn't be commenting on the state of other people's chests.

I really don't think that breastfeeding is really cost effective, especially initially, what with the nursing bras, breatpads, nipple creams, nipple protectors/shields and cabbages (:p ) that you may need or want. Then, what if you want to express your milk? Then there are the bottles, sterliser as well as a decent breastpump. Some people want a comfy glider chair to sit on as you will spend many hours sitting and feeding your baby, others will want a boppy or v shaped pillow to prop the baby on (a v shaped pilow is also great for sitting on when you have stitches :eek: ). I know that you don't NEED all these things, but they can make life easier when getting used to life with a new baby.

I have breastfed both of my children, my first born, for 8 weeks exclusively and then a further 8 weeks mixed feeding. I am still feeding my second son at 2.5 as he has many health issues. I think I can safely prove that breastfeeding does not always reduce the chances of eczema, allergies or hayfever as my second son has all 3 of these.

I think that thing to bear in mind, and what I tell all mothers who come to me for advice is this: You have to do what is right for BOTH of you, baby will not be happy if mother is not happy and vice versa. If you give it a go, at least you tried and whether you breastfeed for an hour, a day, a month or a year, it will benefit the baby in some way, so don't sweat it.

zippybungle

I am very proud to have Breastfed my youngest son for 16 months and would encourage everyone to give BF a go!

As for the saggy boobs comments, well what did you think breasts were designed for? I still have 2 nice perky ones (if I do say so myself )

Zippy x

WELSH-DRAGON_2

My boobs went from 36C to after breastfeeding 4 children to just a size 34AA - am I bothered no, it was a small price to pay, anyway Tescos do a nice range of vests and there is always a wonderbra if needs be.

Welshy x

jocymru75

I am truly proud to have breastfed two of my children (only for 6 months each though, i ran out!):D

But on this little dumpling due in 13.5 wks i'm going to try and look after myself a bit better and breastfeed for longer. (Fingers crossed)

I do agree with OP, it does work out alot cheaper to breastfeed!

Washable breast pads - don't cost the earth, dry in about 15 mins on the radiator.

Add bottles/steriliser/breast pump to your baby gift list - or exchange the many outfits/unwanted gifts you have for these items. You don't need one straight away!

As for boobs, and dare i say it the sagginess, firm fitted bra during pregnancy (the ones which make your boobs rise up to your chin) are the best as it stops the ligaments from overstretching.

As to size, mine did shrink from 36d to 34c, but i was a size 12 now i'm an 8-10!:D

Soapy955

vixarooni wrote:

as a woman who has spoken to alot of ladies about boobs (im a bra fitter) they have nearly all said dont do it! Plus ive seen the boobs after, its not good for the future.

What a ridiculous way of thinking! What do you think boobs are there for? As a bra fitter you should be able to advise women on which bras give the best support to "sagging boobs".

mummymania

For the future of who??

I breastfed all 3 of mine, the last was for 18 months and I was devastated when she stopped of her own accord! I was a flatchested 34AA before I started and now I'm a 34C - very pert and no sign of a droop or sag. I have no regrets about bfing, I've given my daughters the best start in life and I've got a great pair of boobs thanks.

I would be horrified to think that a trained bra fitter is JUDGING the state of everyone's breasts - that's not your job!!!!!!!!