mum2be.ie - Pregnancy and Baby Forums

[TheNewMrs]

Title pretty much says it all!

This is my first, and I am still quite young (23, will be 24 when he/she is born) and I plan on trying to breast feed. I'm wondering if any of you are the same, or even if you've done it before? Just a place for us all to chat and share ideas or questions?

[mom2djp]

im planning too. to be honest cant see myself doing for a long while (like maybe 6 weeks max) but like you this is my first so it all depends on how hard i find it. im not gonna punish myself if it doesnt work out and would have no problem swtiching to a bottle if i find it too hard (like baby is a real hungery baby and i dont really have a break from it)

they way im gonna go in is, if it works for me great, and every feed i manage is one better.

[soexcited]

Yeh Im gonna give it a go thats the plan anyway.

[TheNewMrs]

Thats great girls!
I have read up on it quite a bit but I guess nothing will prepare you for when it actually happens. I am expecting it to be painful at the start, and once I get that over me I know I'll be fine. I'm going to try to do it for the first 3 months anyway, I figure its better for the baby and what 3 months out of my time to give the baby the best start in life?

[mom2djp]

oh yeah i know it will be sore esp at the start, but like you said once you get used to it and baby is laching on right it becomes easier and app isnt sore.

[Bonnie]

I love the idea of breast-feeding, and that it's supposed to be the best start you can give your baby from a nutrient and immune system point of view, so will definately give it a go and hopefully won't find it too difficult/painful...

I have been kindof wondering to myself though how long should you do it?

I know some friends who've breast-fed, and they sometimes found it hard to get out and about (unless you're prepared to do it in front of family or in public-which I'm not really), and for that reason gave up after the first few months. I half said this to hubby and a few others, and just felt really guilty though when I heard myself say I didn't want to be stuck at home for 6 months (we live in an appartment and I'll be climbing the walls!!!!!)
That's already a bit of a sore point as no one really visits us cause our home is so small... so we pretty much have to go to both our families homes all the time... which I'm not looking forward to with all the baby-stuff you have to bring everywhere... plus I know I'd be banished up to a bedroom for any breast-feeding (which I know used to drive a friend of mine mad cause it used to take her a couple of hours at a time to feed, and this was after making the 2 hour journey to her parents house )

[TheNewMrs]

All going well I plan to BF for the full 6 months. I'll probably express around the 8wk mark. But Boobymilk has all my baby needs till shes 6 months so If I can I will.

[pebbles]

i am hoping to BF, and just hoping that all goes well. im open to it anyway and realise its going to be hard and at times frustrating and painful. if it works brilliant, but if not then ill have done my bestest to give babs what he/she needs!

[babyL]

I really want to breast feed this lo, I didnt my first I was 21 and taught the world and his sister would think I was too young or stare at me lol! Stupid I know! So on this little chap i really want to try and see how it goes! I'll go in open minded knowing that it doesn't work out for every mum2be but I'll be delighted if it goes smoothly but equally happy if I have to bottle feed!

[exciteddotcom]

I really want to BF too but If it gets to hard and difficult for me Im not going to be too hard on myself. If its very painful I might express atleast that way my Hubbie can share the night feeds with me and the baby still gets the best start.

[pebbles]

I really want to BF too but If it gets to hard and difficult for me Im not going to be too hard on myself. If its very painful I might express atleast that way my Hubbie can share the night feeds with me and the baby still gets the best start.

i think u have the right idea there exciteddotcom, thats exactly how u feel too. n with my boy only home at weekends id really like to be able to express so he can share in it. im gonna buy a box of formula n have bottles n all at the ready. i hope the BF works but if not i wont beat myself up over it.

[soexcited]

Girls I think if you know in advance its gonna be hard then you'll be grand... you all know what to expect by the sounds of it. If it does get difficult and sore give it more time because once you get past the first week its so easy!

[firsttimer]

girls as a new mum of just two weeks i was adamant i was breast feeding but after the fourth day it was so incredibly painful and i got so engorged that i had to stop. but i think that this was mainly my fault and i would just like to leave a few pointers for those of you who would like to give it their all.
buy lanolin cream,
buy nipple shields (use only for two days as nipples need to toughed up)
make sure a midwife is there every time you get babs to latch on as i didnt do this and thought babs was on but he ended up causeing lots of damage instead, the midwives will be more than happy to help.
you have to relax and remember that babs does not need food until about the fifth day and he/she is only latching on for a tiny bit of cholostrum at the start and it takes about 10-15 mins for anything to come out properly.
by day 4-5 milk comes in and i found a warm face cloth helped it to come out and relieved some of the discomfort of the full feeling

i failed at BF which i am very disappointed about but if i was to have another baby i would be more prepared and i would definatly try it again

[soexcited]

girls as a new mum of just two weeks i was adamant i was breast feeding but after the fourth day it was so incredibly painful and i got so engorged that i had to stop. but i think that this was mainly my fault and i would just like to leave a few pointers for those of you who would like to give it their all.
buy lanolin cream,
buy nipple shields (use only for two days as nipples need to toughed up)
make sure a midwife is there every time you get babs to latch on as i didnt do this and thought babs was on but he ended up causeing lots of damage instead, the midwives will be more than happy to help.
you have to relax and remember that babs does not need food until about the fifth day and he/she is only latching on for a tiny bit of cholostrum at the start and it takes about 10-15 mins for anything to come out properly.
by day 4-5 milk comes in and i found a warm face cloth helped it to come out and relieved some of the discomfort of the full feeling

i failed at BF which i am very disappointed about but if i was to have another baby i would be more prepared and i would definatly try it again

Good advise.. yeh I second the cream!
Use heat to help soften the nipple and let down milk... massage massage massage!

[firsttimer]

massage towards the nipple if you are feeding or pumping and you feel a lump, this is a clogged milk duct and needs to be emptied,

get lots of nursing pads, as you will leak milk from the 4-5 day too and it can happen at any time when any baby is seen or cries, its very strange