husband pressuring me to breastfeed...

[alfanobaby]

Hi mommies!  I am 11w5d and this is my second child. This is my husband's first, he is going to be 50.  I didn't breastfeed with my now 11yo daughter and she was 11 weeks premature. I tried but I wasn't comfortable with it.  I know it's the healthiest thing for them but I just couldn't do it.  I still feel the same way now but my husband is really pressuring me about it and I don't want to disappoint him. How do I make him understand how I feel without sounding selfish? Any other moms go through this? Am I the only one??

[texxan]

Oh Sweetie! I'm glad you're going to try -that's wonderful.  At the same time, as one of the previous mom's mentioned,  stress can affect your milk supply.  Talk to your hubby about your concerns with your depression and discomfort with the subject.  At the end of the day,  what's best for baby is a happy healthy mommy.  I breastfed my first for a little over a year,  however,  my husband was 100% formula fed and he is the smartest,  Most hard-working man i know.  It will all work out.  Let your husband know you understand why he wants you to breastfeed and all of the benefits of it.  Also let him know this is going to be a hard time and a big adjustment.  Tell him you need his support and your worried about disappointing him.  
I know several women Who have breastfed while taking Zoloft (it has the shortest half life and less gets in your milk) they're babies and older children are doing great!  

[River_Melody]

I am manic deppresive. I had bad post partum with my first. I'm always in my head, over thinking and worring about this or that. I don't know what to suggest for stopping meds. I've not been on meds in years, I've learned to cope with intense therapy over time. All I can say is trust that your body knows what to do. Try to be patient, and don't stress if it doesn't work out. It doesn't make you a bad mom if you don't breastfeed. At least you tried.

[alfanobaby]

I was 23 with my daughter , and I didn't produce any milk for the first 2 weeks. And I was just uncomfortable with it. Not sure exactly why. It's not that I don't want to, it's that I'm still uncomfortable with it. I AM going to try but I AM afraid if I still feel uncomfortable with it he won't understand. I also have had to stop my depression medicine, and I fear post partum depression. I had it with my daughter.  I don't want that to add to my issues already. I know I can't go back on my meds breastfeeding. I'm just super worried (probably all in my head) about falling back into depression after the baby arrives and resenting my husband, the baby or hating myself.

[CutieMommy2be]

It's simply uour choice whether to  breast feed or NOT. If this is making you that uncomfortable and stressing you, your milk wont let down and it will be difficult anyway. Honestly, it is better for the baby, but there are plenty of formula fed babys who are healthy. Try talking to him and explain your feelings. Good luck! Personally i plan to breast feed my baby girl as its also a great way to bond with the baby.

[River_Melody]

I would talk to a lactation consultant. Dr's are usually no help when it comes to breastfeeding.  I know it takes a couple of weeks to get a nice rhythm going between the baby and you.

[curly_carly_RN]

Why don't you want to breast feed? Insurances provide free breast pumps now. I'm 32 weeks and already got mine. Instead of breast feeding maybe you can try pumping for awhile. Or to make him happy try it for the first month. It's hard to breast feed premature  babies because your milk might not have been ready or her suck might not have  developed yet. Just play it by ear and see if you're able to try. Maybe he will be happy with your willingness to try at first.

[14yearsyater]

I started with breastfeeding my son 14 years ago but I don't remember why I stopped I do know that he wouldn't latch and the doctor wasn't much help.

[River_Melody]

Have you taken a breastfeeding class?

[alfanobaby]

I am going to try .  I promised him and have been reading a ton about it but I'm just worried I will still feel the same.

[River_Melody]

I wasn't comfortable breastfeeding with my first, who is now almost 11, so I bottle fed him. I gave it one more shot with my second and it was a much better experience.  I honestly think you should at least try with this one. No harm in trying and if it doesn't work out then no harm no foul. Each baby is different.