Anyone Else NOT Planning Long Term Breastfeeding?

[genkigemini]

Hi Ladies - I just want to start this thread by saying I do not want to insult anyone or start a fight. I just wanted a supportive place for people who only want to breastfeed short term and advice and support from mommies who did only breastfeed short term.

I know that they say breast milk is best and I also know that there is A LOT of peer pressure on this board for long term breastfeeding. I am not too sure how it goes in the UK but here in the states, it is pretty rare to be breastfeeding long term.

For me personally, I find the thought of breastfeeding off the boob after 6 months or so odd. FOR ME, once my child can really move around and crawl and is aware of their surroundings, that is when I am no longer comfortable breastfeeding. I may still pump and do bottles but I am just not sure about that. My whole theory is that I was raised on soy formula due to a milk allergy and I am fine.

Anyway, sometimes because of the way I feel about it, I feel scared to speak my mind because I feel like I am the only one not planning 12+ months of breastfeeding. I also feel like if I do say something it will start an argument which is the last thing any of us need, right?

So, somebody please tell me that I am not the only one that feels this way. LOL

Thanks.

 

[sparkswillfly]

I only breastfed for 2 months. For a number of reasons really. I felt emotionally and physically drained being the sole source of food. I didnt really have a time that I wanted to do it I just took one day at a time but hit a wall at 2 months.

 

[Panda_Ally]

I would b interested on this thread....

I originally said that i would give up when i go back to uni (holly will b 7 months) but evertime i have said that i have been told i dont need to give up...

Since weaning i'm not down too 3/4 feeds a day so i looks like i may stop soon or go on to follow on milk at 6 months... I do love breastfeeding but i'm not sure long term breastfeeding is right for me??

 

[Mervs Mum]

I didnt plan to breast feed for a specific length of time - I hoped to get to 6 months but I never actually thought I would. I commited to about 8 weeks initially and then just kind of went a bit further and a bit further.

I dont however think its 'odd' to BF past 6 months. I think that's a cultural thing. Before formula was invented a little over 100 years ago, women had no choice other than to BF (or use a wet nurse) past 6 months - that's been the case for the hundreds of thousands of years that humans were around pre-formula. Obviously everyone has their own comfort zone with things though and what one person thinks is odd, another would think is perfectly natural or normal - that goes for all sorts of life choices!!

The advice I would give to someone wanting to BF for 2 weeks would be the same as that for a mummy wanting to BF for 6 months or 3 years. It's not really about how long you want to BF for - it's about where you and your LO are in your own BFing journey.

I dont think you are alone hun. I'd say there are more people who plan less than 12 months of BFing - I know I did but just because I couldnt imagine me managing to stick at it so long - nothing to do with it being odd.

 

[genkigemini]

Thanks, Lisa!

I never meant to say or imply people were weird who did breastfeed past 6 months or so. Just FOR ME, it is our of my comfort zone and I totally agree that it is a cultural thing.

Thanks for the advice. For me it is actually cool to know that you didn't mean to go long term but did it because it is right for you. That is good to know.

 

[miel]

i don't think i will be available to breastfeed due to owning my own business i need to go back to work probably with in 20 days or so of having the baby...i was thinking should i breastfeed for couples of weeks and then try to pump? but genki you saw the shop and how tiny it is ! how could i pump ...i think i will try to give it try still..try pumping and freezing the milk that could be a solution...

 

[genkigemini]

Miel - Yeah... you would be stuck in that tiny little closet bathroom trying to pump. That would be so hard. Maybe bump at home at night and do like half formula bottles and half breast milk but in the end, I think we all just have to do what is right for us and if formula works for you and Daniel then I am sure you LO will be a-ok with that.

 

[Mervs Mum]

Anytime honey.

My sister didnt want to BF period. She did once in the hospital and then she went with her plan to FF. I dont mind or expect people to have the same feelings about how natural I find BFing - at the end of the day what's natural for one person doesnt HAVE to be for the everyone - not even your siblings!

We are all as individual as our LOs are/will be. I think the best thing is to just suck it and see.....OMG....that's such a baaaaaad pun there.....

x

 

[Mervs Mum]

Miel you can mix it up to suit you. I think lots of people are under the impression that it has to be all or nothing but that's just not the case. If you wanted to you could BF just in the morning and night and use formula during the day. You just need to find what works for your particular circumstances.

 

[miel]

Miel you can mix it up to suit you. I think lots of people are under the impression that it has to be all or nothing but that's just not the case. If you wanted to you could BF just in the morning and night and use formula during the day. You just need to find what works for your particular circumstances.

oh i did not know we could mix!!!

 

[genkigemini]

Miel, another option (if you are comfortable with it) is a Hooter Hider. Karin at DHs work brings her 4 week old to work everyday and breastfeeds with it all day. It looks like an apron but is totally covering and surprisingly not awkward. Here is a link to it:

https://www.psychobabyonline.com/hooter-hiders/

Downside = trying to do flowers while juggling a baby.

 

[miel]

Miel, another option (if you are comfortable with it) is a Hooter Hider. Karin at DHs work brings her 4 week old to work everyday and breastfeeds with it all day. It looks like an apron but is totally covering and surprisingly not awkward. Here is a link to it:

https://www.psychobabyonline.com/hooter-hiders/

Downside = trying to do flowers while juggling a baby.

thanks sweetie...the shop is really to smelly for a new born anyway...even me sometimes the flowers smell are giving me a headache etc...specially in holidays time we will be full capacity in flowers...but my mum will be here for 3 months and if goes well we will extend her visa for 6 months...

so this why baby will need to be use to drink from a bottle and non just the breast...

 

[Mervs Mum]

I never heard them called Hooter Hiders before!! I LOVE IT!! That's so funny!!!

Yeah Miel you can combination feed very successfully. You could try to feed and get your supply established a bit for that first 2 weeks then introduce some formula at times to suit you with work etc.

 

[Bec L]

I had no idea how long I would breastfeed for, or even if it would work for us, but once Poppy arrived I wanted to do everything possible to feed her myself. I didn't set myself targets as such but I don't think I ever really thought I'd be doing it at almost 10 months! Now I can't imagine stopping, especially now she is mainly down to just 2 feeds a day.

I sort of get the impression from here and other girls I know that if you get past about 3 months you may as well carry on unless you have work committments which get in the way! And even then you can express if you really want to xx

 

[genkigemini]

Oooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh! That is so cool though that your Mom is coming out! What a blessing! That will really help you guys out too.

Yeah, I wasn't too sure on the some breast milk and some formula feedings either so Mervs Mom has helped us both out.

 

[genkigemini]

I never heard them called Hooter Hiders before!! I LOVE IT!! That's so funny!!!

I KNOW! As soon as Karin told me what they were called, I was like, "OMG! I want one!" I am a dork like that!

 

[Lu28]

In the beginning, I didn't have a time period in mind for bfing, every day was a bit of a milestone for us. Once I got past the first month, I said I'd go to 6 months. But now coming up on 3 months it's become so easy that I can't see me stopping at 6 months unless there's a specific reason other than hitting that milestone Never thought I'd say that! I will probably have to go back to work at least 3 days a week somewhere around that time anyway so I'll need some advice on how to keep going at that stage...

 

[britmum]

Why stop at 6 months?? That's when it gets easy!! I breastfed both my boys until they decided they were ready...which was 21/2 and 31/2. Each child is different and breastfeeding is more than just about the milk.

With no offense intended....the statement" I was raised on soy formula and I am fine" does no-one any service I was raised by people who smoked in the house and I am "fine" but would never allow people to smoke in my house. I was also never in a car seat and I am "fine" but many babies died. Sadly formula feeding has risks and to deny them might make some people "feel better" but it does not change the facts. Just as saying that your granddad smoked for 80 years and died in his sleep healthy as an ox does not change the fact that smoking causes cancer and kills many many people.....ok <blush> back down off my soapbox

 

[Arcanegirl]

I didnt intend on BFing, id decided it wasnt for me but i still gave it a shot.
2 months in im still doing it but i am very slowly moving over to bottles now.

 

[ryder]

I didn't want to breastfeed when I was pregnant... I did make an attempt and she got it for the first month or so... I pumped alot and mixed it with formula, i tried breastfeeding in the hospital and at home and had a few good times, but most times were horrible and painful... So I decided to stop.

You shouldnt feel pressured, now matter what you choose... A happy baby and mom is the only thig that matters... I also found switching to only formula did help with sleep etc.