Did you find Breastfeeding difficult or easy?

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Permalink Reply by JoJo Goldstein on October 20, 2009 at 7:04pm

Hey, I'm nursing my 15 month old right now. I had a terrible time with my first one. My milk came in all of a sudden and he spit it out. Then he would not eat for 12 hours. I flipped out and ran to the hospital at 5 AM. Luckily one of the nurses that night was a lactation consultant and helped me out. Still new to breastfeeding, I pumped and never fed him in public. That did not work at all. We ended up never leaving the house. By the time I had my second child I had it figured out. I went right to the lactation consultant right after she was born. I bought a sling and carried her around and fed her where ever I was. A couple of months ago I walked through Disney while she ate. When I explain it to people who ask I always say "Babies don't know how to breastfeed, you have to teach them." If you keep that in mind it is much easier.

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Hagen on October 20, 2009 at 9:52pm

Breastfeeding??? Let me just say this - I call it breastbleeding. If it weren't so healthy for my babies, I would have quit a hundred times. Thrush, mastitis, cracks, etc. I don't think watching a hundred others breastfeeding would have helped me. I lasted 4 months with my first one, 10 1/2 months with my second (she quit) and one year with my third. I am happy to never do it again. Is that so wrong?

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Permalink Reply by BETH GUNDERIA on October 21, 2009 at 3:55am

Breastfeeding in the beginning is a full time job. You worry if they're feeding long enough, too long, or getting enough nutrients. But, once you get over the hump, I too agree it is the most rewarding time. The sense of calm that would envelope me was amazing.

I think nowadays it's too easy to quit. But the benefits for both Mother and child far outweigh the worry in the beginning. It pains me to see Moms bottle feeding (unless of course there is a medical reason). Stick with it. You will produce enough milk. Don't supplement. It will make your milk production decrease.

Nurses and Doctors are far too quick to insist on supplementing. Moms today need support in getting on the right track otherwise it's too easy to shove a bottle in their mouth.

But in the end a happy Mother is what is most important. So do what you think is right!

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Permalink Reply by The Triumphant Child on October 21, 2009 at 4:54am

Wow, what a journey - I can't believe that doctor told you that! Good for you for trying again.

Courtney said:

With my first, it was "sabotaged" by my doctor at the time. This was 14+ years ago and forumla was pushed big time. I was young and naive and he told me that "because of my age, I won't make enough milk" and so I supplemented from the get go and she only nursed about 2 weeks.

With my second I was gung-ho determined to make it work. He latched like a charm and nursed great. He wasn't able to stimulate my supply on his own (we later found out he has hypotonia and now suspect speech apraxia from the hypotonia... so he didn't have the muscle tone in his face to stimulate supply), but I did a good pumping each morning (about 12 to 16oz total each AM) and that kept it up. He nursed until my milk dried up 9 weeks into a pregnancy that unfortunately ended in miscarriage at 10 weeks), he was 14 months old.

With my third, things have gone almost too well. No supply issues, latches great. BUT he refused bottles from about 2 months on. He is still nursing strong at almost 15 months old!

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Permalink Reply by The Triumphant Child on October 21, 2009 at 4:56am

It's not wrong - what us mothers go through to give our babies the best!


Wendy Hagen said:

Breastfeeding??? Let me just say this - I call it breastbleeding. If it weren't so healthy for my babies, I would have quit a hundred times. Thrush, mastitis, cracks, etc. I don't think watching a hundred others breastfeeding would have helped me. I lasted 4 months with my first one, 10 1/2 months with my second (she quit) and one year with my third. I am happy to never do it again. Is that so wrong?

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Permalink Reply by The Triumphant Child on October 21, 2009 at 4:57am

Here, Here - I agree!

BETH GUNDERIA said:

Breastfeeding in the beginning is a full time job. You worry if they're feeding long enough, too long, or getting enough nutrients. But, once you get over the hump, I too agree it is the most rewarding time. The sense of calm that would envelope me was amazing.

I think nowadays it's too easy to quit. But the benefits for both Mother and child far outweigh the worry in the beginning. It pains me to see Moms bottle feeding (unless of course there is a medical reason). Stick with it. You will produce enough milk. Don't supplement. It will make your milk production decrease.

Nurses and Doctors are far too quick to insist on supplementing. Moms today need support in getting on the right track otherwise it's too easy to shove a bottle in their mouth.

But in the end a happy Mother is what is most important. So do what you think is right!

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Permalink Reply by Dawn Pigoni on October 21, 2009 at 6:00am

For me, I had a real hard time breastfeeding with both of my boys and while I tried my best with both of them it truly didn't work out for me. I wasn't patient enough and didn't have strong support from my husband.

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Permalink Reply by Elyse G on October 21, 2009 at 11:53am

When I had my first son I was scared to death because everyone told me it was going to be hard and hurt. By the time I had my daughter I made up my mind that i would give it a try because I wanted to have a special bond with her. was it difficult at first YES did It get easier YES and she nursed until she was ready to stop. By the time my baby boy was born I was a pro. I prepped my breast through massaging, and pumping and by the time the baby came my milk was flowing freely and nursing was great! I don't think nursing debougles happen because of what we don't see I think they happen because this is new to us and our babies and keep in mind that our milk flow does not come out as fast as they'd like. With proper preperation breastfeeding is easy and the best thing we can do for our babies!

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Permalink Reply by Chrissy Atley on October 22, 2009 at 6:57am

Hi. I don't know if being exposed to it would help. I feel like babies come out either knowing straight away how to do it or needing a little guidance. My first needed guidance as he didn't latch on very well. I used a nipple shield and found out later they reduce milk supply. I ended up stopping after 3 months and was supplementing before then. My second came out knowing what to do instantly and she is almost 4 months now and it has been going great! What really helped me this time around was seeing a lactation consultant right away. She showed me how to tell if they're actually eating, how long they should eat for, not to wake them at night, that the soreness would get better soon, etc. and this made ALL of the difference.
Chrissy :)

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Permalink Reply by Joy Kennel on October 22, 2009 at 9:29am

I got help from LaLeche League. Also, some babies seem to take to it more quickly too.

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Permalink Reply by Linzy on October 22, 2009 at 8:35pm

For me the first 8 weeks were really hard. He kept biting and it always hurt. But after 8 weeks it got better. Now I have been nursing for 11 months and its been wonderful!!!!

www.iheartmotherhood.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Kelly Luzod-Jones on October 22, 2009 at 9:06pm

I never breastfed my first...I admit...I was a first time mom totally grossed out and freaked out by breastfeeding...fast forward 3 years and I breastfed my second who was 5 weeks pre-mature and spent 10 days in the NICU...

Needless to say I wish someone would have told me how difficult and PAINFUL, not "uncomfortable" it was. I swear the first 2 weeks were absolute hell but I persisted. I did have a good latch, I did everything "right" but it was painful. After two weeks I gave up and lasted about 24 hours before I nearly cried at not seeing my little boy attached to my breast...after 3 days, it was all of a sudden a painless piece of cake and I wouldn't change it for the world...I love it! My only regret is not breastfeeding my first son but he's also healthy and happy...I'm converted for sure!

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