breastfeeding

[butterflybaby28]

Ok so this is my 3rd baby and I really want to try breastfeeding again, I tried with my 1st and it was just very uncomfortable and was told by Dr not to bother with my 2nd bc his jaw was very recessed and we had to buy longer nippled bottles..... ok so here is my question both my kids are boys and I felt very uncomfortable with bf bc of that, Im hoping this is a girl and if it is I think I will b comfortable with bf more than before is this uncommon? Or should I have not let it bother me either way?

[egroat]

My daughter would never BF from me so I pumped with her. The benefit of pumping is that you know how much baby is eating. It is definetly worth trying with your next baby, just try not to think about the problems you had before.

[Clysta]

It's an extremely common worry, but the baby's  diapers, skin and eyes tell you the answer. I found comfort sometimes not knowing because we see so often people fret that its too much, too little.... And because all baby's have different appetites and growths they eat different amounts.

The average BF baby has 3-12 wet diapers and 3-6 dirty diapers a day. As time passes they can have fewer and fewer bowel movements because almost everything in breast milk is absorbed into their bodies. Formula is harder to digest - because BM is so easy to digest though baby's nurse more frequently than a formula fed baby will. Sometimes as often as every 30 minutes. This isn't signs of starvation unless there's other signs of failure to thrive - this works to get your supply up and establish BFing habits and is extremely important.

For the first 6 weeks baby is usually glued to you. With my daughter I got comfy on the couch and just sat there all day. Support is also super important - without it, it can make everything much harder and easier to give up.

BFing is in ways demanding because unless you intend to pump as well only you're feeding the baby. Talk to everyone you can, ask tons of questions and consult LC, the LLL and anyone else you know. We also have a BFing forum if you haven't checked it out yet, and many of the ladies there are very knowledgable and can answer any of your questions.

[butterflybaby28]

Im also not sure about not knowing exactly how much baby is eating... :( ugh its so confusing eventhough I'm not a ftm its been almost 7 years since I had a baby....

[Clysta]

Different people are bothered by different things. I wouldn't personally be bothered, but there's nothing wrong if you are. I don't know if its common though.. I haven't seen that particular reason but that doesn't mean much.

A lot of the issue (in general) is people see the breasts as something sexual and not as a method of feeding. If you look at em, they're exactly the same as a mans, ours just produce milk.

Just keep an open mind about it and if you have another boy and are uncomfortable with it still don't let it get to you.