I did not breast feed my son but would like to try w/my new baby in December. Just curious how it worked out for other moms doing. Did it inconvience any activties at all? Any info I can get on breat feeding and personal experiences w/it would be great.

My friend it getting my signed up for a class in November.

One other question if you have children that were older when you were breastfeeding how did you handle that? My son is 8yrs old and not sure if I should breast feed in the privacy of my bd or just cover up w/a blanket and do it in the living rm. It's a natuaral thing I just don't want my son to think he is not involved in the babys life I also want him to realize that there is nothing were about breast feeding. HELP!

Thanks
SPIRIT

I did not breast feed my son but I did breast feed my daughter. With my son I was so sick after I had him that I really could not. With my daughter it was a great experience. I have so many storys about leakage. The only time that I really covered up was when I was out in public or around many people so as to not make them uncomfortable. I did work and breast feed I just pumped in the evening and while at work. My son was my helper, at first he thought it was gross but later would pour the milk into the bottles and everything. To ween her I mixed my milk with formula. If you can I recommend it, if you can't that's okay too. I will say in the beginning it was painful. My sister-in-law had to stop with my nephew becauseit hurt too bad and there were people that tried to make her feel bad. But like I told her the type of mother you are is not based on if you breast feed or not. But good luck

*enter your friendly neighborhood breastfeeding nazi*

Let me start by saying I couldn't imagine not bfing my girls. My oldest nursed until I completely dried up while pg with the baby. She was 17 months when she weaned, but I'd wanted to get to 2 years.

The class should teach you the basics. If you're prepared, it's a lot less scarey. Be sure to ask for a lactation consultant to come see you after the baby is born. Even if you don't think you're having problems, a good LC can be a tremendous resource and comfort.

Truth be told, it's going to hurt for the first few weeks. In fact, it might hurt a lot. I didn't have nearly as much pain the 2nd time around, but I think it's probably because I nursed my oldest for so long. Get yourself some Soothies (the LC or your post-pardom nurse can get them for you) and Lansinoh. The first will help with discomfort, and the second will help keep your nipples from cracking and to heal them if they do crack.

Anyway, I've never found it to interfere with any of my actvities. I've gotten good at feeding the baby and maneuvering around the kitchen getting dinner fixed. I work FT and pump twice a day. I haven't had any problem keeping up with the demand. Heck, I even enjoy a glass of wine in the evenings after the girls are in bed.

The only person I don't nurse in front of is my BIL. My dad and brother couldn't care less, and I don't frankly care what the general population thinks. I don't cover up, but I don't hike my shirt over my head and let everything hang out either. If I had a much older child, I certainly wouldn't hole up in the bedroom every time the baby was hungry. I wouldn't cover up in the living room either. Yes, your son will be curious, but that's the nature of the beast. Explain to him what's going on and he won't even notice after a few days.

One more thing. I highly recommend The Breastfeeding Book by Dr. Bill and Martha Sears. It's an invaluable resource.

Hey Spirit,
If you are considering breast feeding give it a try. I breast fed all of my kids and would not have changed it for the world. There are some that it is very natural to and you may be one of them. It will help you bond with the baby and feel closer.
Now as far as doing it in front of the older kids I did. Now I did not just wip things out. I would make sure my shirt was pulled over most of me and try to be respectful. My kids for the most part grew up thinking that was the only way to feed a baby. They learned different from t.v. and other places.
If this makes you uncomfortable he is old enough that you can leave him for the few minutes to go feed the baby.
If you feel like he is not being a part of the baby let him burp the baby when you are done, change diapers, help with a bath, pick out clothes, and so on. There are plenty of other things to do with a baby that you can make him feel a part of it.
I am a very strong avicate of breast feeding. I wish more women would at least make the effort. Now the first time can be difficult but it will soon come. Just make sure you feed the baby as soon as he/she is born and all should come from there.
If you are having any trouble you are welcome to pm me and I will try to work you through it.
Best to you and God bless.

Thanks for the advice. It's great to hear so many people are still into breast feeding. I wanted to try w/my son but was to shy and still lived at home and felt shy doing it around my parents. Now that i'm living on my own and it's just me and my son I think I can do it. I ahve heard that it's painful for the frist few weeks but I'm tuff...I'm a single mom...theroy what does not kill me will me stronger. LOL

My mother of course does not like the idea of me breastfeeding. She thinks it's just wrong. Feels it should not be done in the living room! My god what kind of example would I be setting for my son LOL She is very old fashioned about the human body and you must cover it up at all times. I also think that she does not approve either b/c the baby's father wanted me to do it b4 we broke up. Oh well I made up my mind I'm doing it.

I feel my son will accept it b/c we are very open about everything. We have a privacy borders and we don't cross them but we are very open as well.

So wish me luck and I can't wait to try this whole breastfeeding experience even if I only make it for the frist two months atleast I tried.

SPIRIT

quote:

Originally posted by SPIRIT27:
[qb] My mother of course does not like the idea of me breastfeeding. She thinks it's just wrong.
SPIRIT [/qb]

WOW, I find this so strange, SPIRIT. I don't know how old your mother is...but formula is quite a recent invention, 1 generation ago there was no such thing (I believe it started in the 60s), and of course breastfeeding was the only way to feed your baby.

There is nothing wrong with formula of course, but breastfeeding is the natural way to feed your baby.
Why would anyone say it's 'wrong' ?

It can never hurt to try, do give it a couple of weeks though as at first it can be frustrating but once you get the hang of it as does baby you may enjoy it. I found it much easier than getting up in the middle of the night to warm a bottle! I nursed my oldest AND the twins (yup, I looked like mother of a litter, it wasn't pretty)

With the twins I did a lot of pumping mainly for the sake of my then 17 month old... that way I could read her a book or something and then if somebody was over they could also feed a baby!

As for your son, my nephew was 8 when his brother was born and he thought it was the most natural thing in the world. My sister was more concerned and he could have cared less. I think the bigger deal you make of it the more unnatural it would seem to a child that age. He still is pretty much a little kid so by you doing it and not worrying too much he will probably think nothing of it -- do expect questions though!

Best of luck and you know what, if it doesn't work, if you don't like it, if you can't get comfortable with it, Give Bottle! Don't feel guilty or stuck with any method you choose!


My best word of advice though as my oldest would NOT take a bottle until after 8 weeks, nothing worked formula, breastmilk, others feeding her, every nipple in the world that was sold.

SO! With the twins I told them right up front the midnight feeding needed to be done in the nursery with a bottle of formula. One, I got a bit of rest. Two, they learned both ways immediately right from night one! They had no issues with what they call "nipple confusion"

but that way if it isn't working for you, you know you can go to bottles. Also, if you do pump your son can also be involved in feeding which might be a really great way for him to bond with his new sibling.

It was so much easier for me! No bottles to make, OR TO WASH!! I didn't have to worry about running out of formula, one less thing to pack in the diaper bag, and in the middle of the night, I just rolled over, threw one in Jack's little mouth, and went back to sleep.

The convenience of the whole thing was so great. And the best part, was that it helps to lose the pregnancy weight. Your body will use the excess fat that you have, and make milk out of it. Not to mention that I went from a 36-B to a 36-D in 2 days. Some women pay THOUSANDS for a chest like that!!

I looked great, I felt awesome, and it was so much easier. No bottles, less expensive, nothing to mix. I had a little irritation on the nips, but if you are determined to stick with it, one week of nippy pain is all you should have.

If you get discouraged, just remember that women have been doing it for thousands of years. If they can do it, so can you.

But JMHO, if you are going to do it in public, please be discreet, use a cover-up. Or a light blankie. It is a wonderful beautiful thing, and I'm a TOTAL advocate, but I really don't care to see it at McDonalds playland while I'm eating.

I hope you decide to do it. Try it for a couple weeks. Really try, put an effort into it, don't give up. It's soooo worth it. I nursed Jack for a year.

The boobs are great, until you are done breastfeeding............................ (there aren't enough dots to describe itLOL) B to a D to an A I refer to them as flaps of skin. If I could take my excess butt and use it to fill the flaps I'd be looking GREAT!

LOL Sue, I know the feeling.

Spirit,
I also have to agree with Sue on the mixing a bottle and formula right from the beginning. My first one would not take a bottle either and when I did have to leave him it was really hard. All after that I started a bottle right away. Sometimes I would put milk in it sometimes formula sometimes both. I always made sure I pumped if I gave a bottle not to mess up my milk supply.
Now the first 2-3 weeks I would make enough milk to feed 10 babies so I had to bump to relieve the pressure. I would freeze it and then when my husband or Grandma had the baby they could feed breast milk and if they ran out I always kept a little formula on hand. After a few weeks my supply would lower and to a more regular pace for baby.
Another thing is if you get a pump I recommend is a hand pump instead of electric. You will have more control over it and be able to get more milk and easier.

I am glad that you are planning on giving it a try. I think it will be well worth your time and efforts. Keep them lubed and you won't be as sore.
God bless.

Doesn't the La Leche League offer free breast pumps? I bought an Advent hand pump, but I always thought it was just easier to use my hand (like a COW)..

Something kinda wierd here, but Jack is 6yo, and I still produce milk. Anyone know why?

No clue why but Yup, it has been 5 years since Maia and Delia were born... so 4 plus years since I've nursed and I can still do the cow thing. (oh this is way more info than needed I'm sure)

I used the avent handheld when I went back to work after Olivia. For the twins, I had the double electric, no time to waste you know! (Talk about feeling like a cow at the Hood factory)

I don't know why milk is still there after so long but I have it too. Stange things I guess.

quote:

Originally posted by commander leftover:
[qb] Something kinda wierd here, but Jack is 6yo, and I still produce milk. Anyone know why? [/qb]

Well they say adoptive mothers can breastfeed an adopted infant - given that they've conceived children in the past, even if years prior. It takes a lot longer to get the flow to start but it can be done. The more you stimulate the breast, the more milk is produced. So on that note leftover .. stop playing w your boobs!