Breast Feeding discussion

margaretclare

Hi

Yes, you can re-start breast-feeding. The only reason why an 'expert' (I used to be a midwife) wouldn't advise this would be if lactation had been suppressed and this no longer happens, thank goodness!

There's perfectly good milk there which is going to waste, you said you're leaking while at the time you're buying formula - how MSW is that (not?)

You're going back to work in May but that's 4 months away. In that time you could give her a really good start in life, a boost to her immune system. In addition you get your figure back quicker, your uterus contracts and returns to the non-pregnant state much quicker - how many more advantages are there? Oh, and saving money!

Best wishes

Margaret

skylight

Only one answer here. Do you WANT to breastfeed??

If so, then do it. If not, don't. Don't do the guilty thing and stuff as its pointless worrying.


Personally - I would be breastfeeding. Did for all 3 and will for this one too and will persever if need be. But thats me.

patchwork_cat

What about mixed feeding. I am sure a purist wouldn't like it and your milk may not keep coming as well as if you solely breastfed, but I did it for 6 weeks with my daughter.

Jet

Personally, I would breastfeed. My son was a nightmare to latch on and the midwives were really at a loss on how to get him to feed. One even said she had never known baby to scream and scream with hunger while the breast was in his mouth!

But I perservered and am very, very glad I did so and I fed him myself for a year. In the end it's only one or two feeds a day and I never felt that I was "on demand". At the end of the day, I had to be there for him anyway, so not having the hassle of making up, sterilising and paying for formula and bottles, I think makes breast feeding easier.

But at the end of the day, it really is down to you and your choice, but you can breast feed with a toddler in tow - my friend has breast fed all 4 of her children.

Having two good feeds of colostrum will have been good and you shouldn't feel guilty if you choose not to breastfeed any more.

Good luck with your decision.

cazziebo

Go for it!

My baby was in special care when she was born and despite having a big notice on here cot saying "-Breast fed baby, no bottles" every time I went to feed her she'd just been given a bottle! Grrr!

But when we got home after 8 days she took to breastfeeding right away. Much prefer it to bottles - too much faffing around for me and so much easier to feed when travelling etc. I fell ill a few months after my second so switched to mixed for her and that was fine too.

good luck!

themaccas

I would put her back on the breast too IA but in the end only you can make that choice. There is no substitute for breast milk really - formula is only cows breast milk with some additives. I was in a similar situation to you with one of mine and I decided to give formula and I have always regretted it even though I breastfed DD since.

What many people give up on is the frequency of feeding BF needs. Because Breast milk is easily digested, babies usually feed more often and some people think it is a sign that they do not have enough milk. The trick is to give your baby access to the breast as much as they want, (it may be every 10-15 minutes at times or 4-6 hourly) if they are having wet/dirty nappies that is a good sign they are getting what they need.

spinning_hamster_wheel

I breastfed my son for 13 months and am hoping to bf no.2 when he/she arrives in June, I agree with other posters the most important thing about breastfeeding is actually WANTING to do it. Not feeling pressurised or guilty but actually wanting to do it yourself. My ds never took a bottle without a whole lot of fuss/crying etc so I always associated bottles with loads of hassle; preperation/heating/cleaning/sterilising. Breastfeeding has always seemed like the lazy option to me, and I am one lazy so and so. There should be no physical reason why you can't re-establish breastfeeding at this stage so if you want to, I'd say go for it!

P.S. Just remember that a happy mum = happy baby

Carmina_Piranha_3

i haven't managed to breastfeed either of mine but i've seen my sister do it for her three and it seems like the easy option - i wish i could have done it! if you have lots of milk you could express it and then the baby could be bottlefed with expressed milk, if you think breastfeeding would make your toddler jealous.

sahmx5

Congratulations on your new baby.

You sound like you want to breastfeed. Don't worry about going back to work, enjoy your daughter and give her the best food in the world for as long as it works.

I've managed to combine breastfeeding and working for 4 of my children. Now I'm a stay at home mummy to 5. (Childcare costs would be astronomical):eek:

in_my_wellies

Just perservere with breastfeeding and forget all the so called guilt trip. If you want to do it you will even if you have to battle a bit with sore nipples, etc. If you really want to you will try for at least 2-3 weeks.

Going back to work, worried about two year old - excuses! If you can't be bothered then get a bottle and be done with it.