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Avatar universal

to breastfeed or not to breastfeed...

so my doc informed me that i should NOT breastfeed. i was shocked to say the least considering since i found out i was pregnant i've had breastfeed drilled into my brain. his reasoning (which i understand and am starting to go...hmmmm) is that (and i quote) "you will feel like a cow and will be depressed". which yeah breastfeeding two is going to make me feel more like a cow on a milking line then a mother BUT isn't breastmilk BETTER for the babies? why should i worry about how I feel and give my babies something lacking the nutrition that they desperately need those first 6 months? and HOW on earth can he tell this early in my pregnancy i'm going to be depressed? sure i'm paranoid about getting really fat but...hello that's what exercise is for. so i'm not so worried. the only thing i'm worried about is eating since i'm nauseous 24/7. even if i do get depressed i have my family and friends around to knock me out of that. plus therapy. but....if my doctor is recommending i don't breastfeed maybe i shouldn't. i just don't know what to do.

what would you ladies do if your doc said that?
14 Responses
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1194973 tn?1385503904
It does not matter if you see it now or not. Some women will leak, and others will not. You won't actually produce breastmilk until baby is born.
Helpful - 0
1294482 tn?1354489288
I don't have twins but know people who have breastfed twins successfuly. My son is 2 1/2 and I breast fed him til over a year and never felt like a milk cow. I loved doing what was best for my baby boy and will do it again with this baby and would if it was twins. It is a personal preference but you really don't know until you try it how it will make you feel. I never had to suppliment since I had PLENTY of milk. I would find a different Dr personally because his views are completely different than mine. You need to decide what is best for  you and your babies.
Helpful - 0
1371160 tn?1303508772
LMAO... I just read your post to my husband and he was like,"That doctor better be glad I'm not that chicks husband or that he isn't your doc hun because I would knock his a$$ out!" LOL. I cannot stop laughing.

That doc needs to go to a people skills class or something. Do what you feel is most appropriate for your babies. So what if you feel like a "cow and depressed", you will have brought two beautiful children into this world who will love you unconditionally.
Helpful - 0
1271927 tn?1310580362
Do what feels best for you - but I would encourage breastfeeding. My sister only had one baby, but she has enough milk for the whole nursery after only a week of feeding. If you really want to do it, you can. What do you think mothers of twins did BEFORE the days of formula? They toughed it out, milk factory or not! If this is something you want and are determined to do, then you can. As other ladies said, supplementing with formula (or another woman's breast milk) can help you along.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I know this is completely off the subject.. But I am 7 months pregnant.. and I dont see any sign off producing my breast milk, is that something I should be worried about or can it happen to others??
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i would do what makes you comfortable . for me i bottle feed my 2 children because i was a 42dd at 136 lbs. so i was very large and didnt want to be that big for so long . i guess you could say i was ashamed to be that big. so in march 1998 i had a breast reduction . i had 7 lbs removed . i got pg with my son 3 years later and didnt know if i could even get milk . but i did ,but still choose not too. they were both very healthy though. hope you the best with your babies.
Helpful - 0
287246 tn?1318570063
I didn't read all of the comments but I did read most of them.  I agree w/ GA.  I have breastfed all of my babies.  For me, I really like it.  It's hard at first because you feed on demand, but that time only lasts for a brief time.  As others have said, you can always supplement and/or pump.  I always pump off the extra milk that the baby doesn't drink and end up having a freezer full.  This way, if you want to go to the store or run and errand, you can do that and someone else can feed the baby.  I'd try it and if it is not a good fit for you, you can always go to the forumula.  Best of luck.  I guess I missed that you were having twins!!!  Congrats!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i was talking to the df about it and he told me that if it's best for the babies i should but to also consider how it's going to make me feel. he said if worse comes to worse we can formula feed or for me to pump. my mom thinks i should breastfeed also. which i really want to. i want my babies to have a good start to life and i know mothers milk is the best way to get em started. i'm thinking about changing doctors. this one is just...blah.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hey! as shocking as it is to hear a doctor say that, did he say not to give them breat milk, or just not to breastfeed. because those are 2 totally different things. im sure if you chose to pump rather than breastfeed your doctor would be quite happy. i dunno, never had twins before, but i can kinda understand what doctor means about feeling like cow on a milking line. but yeah, i dont know. clearify with your doctor maybe?!
Helpful - 0
374457 tn?1229629656
i just noticed that mh introduced a new breastfeeding forum.  I am sure you can get a lot of info there =)
Helpful - 0
374457 tn?1229629656
There are many woman who sucessfully breatfed twins.  I can't believe your dr. would even tell you not too.  I would find other woman who breastfed twins to find out their strategies.  Discuss your concerns with a lactation consultant aswell.  Breast milk is the best for your babies.  You should just try it and if you can't do it or the babies aren't getting enough you can switch.  Remember you have to do what you feel is best.  There isn't a doctor or person on this forum that can know how you feel, so just trust your gut and do what you feel is the right thing to do.
Helpful - 0
354373 tn?1299184526
Your Dr. sounds like a jerk...Who is he to say that you will feel like a cow?  You very well may LOVE it.....Do what you feel is best for you and your babies......The most important thing is the inital milk that you produce after childbirth.......So even if you are able to breastfeed for only a week or so (if by chance you have problems), they would get that boost from the 1st week.....
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am going to agree with the above post.  It is sooo important for your child to get those essential nutrients that only he/she can get directly from the mother.  I am sure that it will be difficult to feed two babies at first, but you will mentally and physically get accustomed to a daily routine.  Maybe get a second opinion on this issue :)
Helpful - 0
202436 tn?1326474333
I'd have told him to that this "fat depressed cow" was finding another doctor

Seriously, millions of women have successfully breastfed twins.  Personally I say give it a go...even if you DO start getting worn out etc you can partial breastfeed and partial formula...I had to do that with both my youngest becuase of poor milk production and an inverted nipple.  

Don't let this doctor discourage you.  Talk to a lactation specialist, tell that doctor to stuff his crude words where the sun don't shine.
Helpful - 0
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