BREASTFEEDING

[avik7]

okay ladies ive been going back and forth between whether im going to breastfeed or not. ive decided that i am going to. i got a book to read about nursing but no one in my family ever nursed so i cant get info from them and i have few friends that bf. i would love any experiences you could share with me! and this may be a stupid question but can i just pump and bottle feed with breast milk or is that impossible to pump that much?

[AnnieBrooke]

It's hard to pump that much, partly because it is really boring to pump.  Feeding a baby is a cinch compared to pumping to do it, because the baby is so sweet and entertaining.  (I think we're genetically programmed to like being that close to our little love bug.)

Something that I did that gave me a lot of information and confidence was to take a one-session breastfeeding class at our local hospital.  it was not expensive, it was really fun to talk to the other women who were there (of course we were all first-timers), and you learn all the different ways to hold the baby and stuff like how to get the baby to open wide.  (If the baby does not open wide enough, you can get sore nipples.  The idea is to get them to open up like they're about to eat a bite of a Big Mac.  Fortunately, they do this pretty naturally!)  We also got great lists of things to soothe the nipples if they get sore, and things to watch for (like how to tell if the baby is getting dehydrated, and how to know he or she is getting enough).

Also, when you are in the hospital, when the lactation consultant comes in, listen to everything she says and do everything she suggests.  :)  

Buy some white vinegar and make a solution of 4 parts water and 1 part white vinegar and put it in a bottle -- it's great for cleaning your nipples before you put your bra back on.  Get some breast pads, and some PureLan100 (a Medela product that you can get at Babies R Us).  All of these things work together to keep your nips in shape.


The class and the consultant were the best two things for me.  My son was a great little eater and the whole experience was positive.

[findinghumility]

I agree with everything Anniebrook said.  One other option for you for before and after you have the baby would be to see if you have a local LaLecheLeague in your area.  The leader of a group like this has to go through significant training and are usually extremely knowledgeable about any problems etc you may encounter.  They would also know the local lactation consultants and who to send you to if you need further help.

The biggest thing is to remember that it breastfeeding is something that has to be learned for many moms and babies and is generally not as second nature for most of us as we think it should be.  The important thing is to make sure you are in contact with people who are EDUCATED as far as what you should be doing and to remember that even the toughest nursing problems usually have relatively simple solutions if you speak to the right people.  There is a learning curve for many when first starting out so try not to get discouraged, because once you get past that it's SOOO rewarding and usually very easy.  Good luck!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

You can absolutely pump and give it in a bottle.  I was doing that becuase I have problems with milk supply and my kids all had major underbites making latching difficult.  I actually found it easier to do that.  Just keep an open mind and don't beat yourself up if you have a hard time with it.  Most women have no problems, but some do.  I'm one of the ones that does.  Two of my kids i nursed and supplemented with formula til about 4 -5 months.  This last one I supplemented in the beginning til i got my supply estabilished (by pumping and taking meds to help produce) and then I was able to give him breastmilk exclusivley for severl months until it got to be too much with working full time and having 4 kids.  

It may help for you to go ahead and schedule and appt with a lactation consultant who can help prepare you for that first time you nurse.  Never been ashamed or embarrassed to go to one for help if you are having difficulty.  

[avik7]

thanks for the comments guys, i think what my problem is i dont really want to bf in public or even in front of family. i just dont like the idea of it bc im a very private person. i will be a sahm so i know i will have the privacy here at home. i just really want to try bf out. like i said i dont really know many people that have...i just dont want to beat myself up over it! thanks again and any other ideas comments are appreciated!

[AnnieBrooke]

I never breast fed in public, either, although a friend of mine who had a "Hooter Hider" had the knack and you couldn't even tell she was doing it.  You'll be able to find the opportunity to breast feed without having to do it when others are around.  Even when they are, it just means excusing yourself to another room.

[avik7]

i def would have to go in another room. i just really want it to work out. i was 1st partial to bf'ing since i dont really know much about it, but now that ive read the benefits for baby and even me i just really want to give it a shot!

[findinghumility]

So I just have to share my favorite nursing in public story with you.  When we had our first son, I too was very self conscious about nursing in public or around people in general..When he was still a newborn we went to visit some friends back at college and while I was nursing in the living room a whole bunch of other college friends suddenly showed up.  Well I had a blanket over my shoulder and just let the baby keep nursing although inside I was FREAKING out.  One guy we were friends with who is a sweet guy but not at all comfortable with babies etc, sits down next to me, PUTS HIS HEAD ON MY SHOULDER (oposite side of where the baby was nursing), and says "WOW you're just glowing!!!! and proceeds to small talk with me....lol....I didn't know what to do and finally he got up and left.  When the baby was done nursing I had to give him **** and told him what had happened. He just about lost it. (laughing at himself but of course embarrassed too) He had NO idea that entire time that I was nursing the baby and his face was like 6 inches away!

My point is that if you are able to cover up descent and have a baby that isn't too squirmy, it's very common that nobody will have any idea that your even feeding the baby.  Usually they just think you're holding him/her and their sleeping etc.  Plus these days most malls have nursing rooms if you are at a bigger one where they are private with comfy chairs etc.  But yeah...it's a balancing act, but not as bad as I thought it would be!  

[BabyHardiman]

You will be surprised at how shyness will not even enter the picture when you have a hungry baby.  Your Mommy instincts will have your more focused on nurturing your little rather than worrying about what everyone else around you thinks.  I was a shy "my private parts are private" type of person too until I became a full time breastfeeding Mommy.  Findinghumility is right, it is a balancing act, and its one that you will have to become comfortable with.  I do wish you the BEST of luck.  Remember that you will begin breastfeeding at the hospital and you will be exposed to the nurses as well as other doctors that may enter your room.  Nursing your baby is so very rewarding.

[BabyHardiman]

Don't know why I have missing words in that post!  

[AnnieBrooke]

Finding, that story was a riot!  

BabyH, funny, I was never embarassed around the doctors and nurses, I guess since they have seen it all a thousand times.  It was family (even my mother).  Maybe it was because *they* were secretly embarassed at the whole concept (sending me invisible but potent Embarassment Rays?) but I just didn't nurse around them.  Occasionally it was a little awkward to get up and leave the room taking the baby with me (since he was the one they had come to see) but, "tough poo," that was just the way it was.  Everyone adjusted.