Breast feeding pros & cons??

[K_Mercedes90]

I have 12more days left til my due date and im really confused about breastfeeding.. I'm having 3rd baby but with my first 2 pregnancys I never really got any milk and never breastfed.  And I really want to try to do it this one last time since I'll be getting my tubes tied after giving birth.  Can some of you ladies tell me the pros and cons of breastfeeding?? I hurt it really hurts and your nipple even bleed sometimes??

[GeekMom1213]

You most certainly can feed your baby straight from the breast in public. It's WAY easier and more convenient than the alternative. Sure, people might look... so what? They can look all they want, or they can choose to avert their eyes if they don't like it. People look because it's somehow a new and novel concept that breastfeeding is how babies are supposed to eat. It's totally natural but it's not something we see on TV so it seems surprising and catches people's eyes. There are laws protecting a mother's right to nurse her child in ANY public place, at least here in the US and in most other enlightened countries as well. Feed your baby. If people saw it more often they wouldn't be so surprised by it.

There's a learning curve, though, honestly. People think that it's just a natural thing, that of course it's easy, that it's all instinct. Nope. Make sure you know how to contact a lactation consultant. Make sure you've got a good latch or you're going to suffer through a lot of pain unnecessarily. Switch boobs frequently and invest in a pump (even a small handheld manual) to relieve engorgement when your breasts get too full. Learn how to properly and safely store excess breastmilk for those times you're taking a trip to the store alone or just taking some time for yourself.
Breastfeeding is an amazing way to bond with your baby while offering them the best possible nutrition  source available, which also happens to be free, always the right temperature, and always in the perfect packaging (nobody ever had to sterilize their nipples before offering a breast to their baby). The discomfort of the first couple of weeks is well worth it when you add up the benefits. I had a hellish first month of nursing but fought through it and nursed my son for the first two years of his life. Worth every minute, and I can't wait to start all over with baby #2. (Oh and BTW I went back to work when he was six weeks old and then on to full-time nursing school when he hit six months. Busy schedules don't necessarily mean formula is a necessity. It just means you have to plan ahead and make it a priority.)

[momMaggie]

I never had any pain breastfeeding. Sometimes it can hurt and nipples can crack or bleed. They make lots of creams for that and warm water helps with soreness. I did get a kind of weird pimple on my nipple where it was clogged with milk that hurt a little but not bad and only for a day. It can be difficult finding a good position and helping baby to latch. This can be frustrating, but rewarding once you figure it out. Our hospital had a lactation consultant to help. Also one of my nipples was kind of flat and I had trouble on that side for a few weeks. They make these nipple covers that you can wear that pull the nipple out. It doesn't hurt. You can't feel it really. You can't drink or take certain meds while breastfeeding, but you can pump in advance if you plan to drink and just pump and dump while the alcohol is still in your system. It makes nightime feeding much easier on you to not have to make a bottle and if your mate is going to do nightime feeding too then he won't have to mix bottles. Just use what you've pumped. It's a really good bonding time with your baby, though I'm sure you can certainly bond with bottle feeding. It's much cheaper than formula. Pumping was actually the worst part for me because I only had a hand pump and it took forever. I will definitely be investing in an electric pump this time. Breastfeeding is also better for baby, especially in those first few months when you are passing antibodies to your little one to build up their immune system. And you run less risk of overfeeding your newborn with breastfeeding. Also, a tip is that breast  milk helps clear up a baby's stuffy nose.

[K_Mercedes90]

Thanks ladies! :) I really want to breastfeed but the only sad part is that I've seen woman who try to breastfeed in public and the looks they receive is just crazy. Even though they're all covered up and no skin is showing they still get dirty looks. I'm a stay at home mom,  so I'm thinking while I'm at home I'll just breastfeed. And when I go with my husband and kids I'll bottle feed.

[LilyRay]

I'm breastfeeding now. I did it with my first baby and now with this one. He is a week old today and my nipples are sore but that's it. When ur milk first comes in it hurts but the benefits for baby and the bonding makes everything worth it. Once ur nipples get used to it and u have ur latch right then ur good to go from there.

[roflbecca]

Pros: breast milk has antibodies
It is free
Let's you bond with baby

Cons: if you want to leave baby home you'll have to pump enough ahead of time
Sometimes baby won't latch or eat enough
Sore nipples
Can't exactly feed your baby in public straight from your breast

I really would like to breast feed also but knowing my schedule I'll more than likely have to use formula also

[tendrelina]

From what I've read, It's a great bonding experience and benificial to both mother and baby. Your milk will adjust according to what your baby's needs are and breastfeeding will help your uterus get back to its pre-pregnancy size and help you lose the weight you gained, its also suppose to help prevent cancers (breast and cervical if i remember right) I've never heard about nipples bleeding, but heard that it does hurt for about the first 2 weeks(ob said a warm black teabag will harden nipples and help with the pain) also you won't have to try making a bottle with water and formula in the dark when your baby wakes up at night

What i believe to be cons would be medications you won't Be able to take because of transfer to your baby through your milk and the way today's society looks at breastfeeding in public.

I think the pros out weigh the cons so i am choosing to breastfeed after i have my child. Goodluck!