Could someone tell me something positive please?

[kathykins]

I haven't been in this forum before now, but I'm getting quite close to my due date now and everything I read or hear about breastfeeding seems so negative, I thought I'd ask you ladies for your good experiences. My MIL (who lives next door to me) and all her family are really down on the idea - it hurts, it ruins your figure, you get infections etc etc and I'm sick of hearing it! Any advice would really be appreciated, because I really want to give it a go.

 

[FsMummy]

if u want to give it a go then go for it. it is nobodys business but ur own hun. i love bf my girls and would never let anyone tell me not to. every time i feed them they lay there staring up at me and i love it. as for it hurting, i have the odd day where one of them doesnt latch on properly and it gets a bit sore but on the whole its fine, if they r latched properly it doesnt hurt at all. what do they mean by it ruins your figure? as far as i know bf is supposed to help u regain ur pre=pregnancy7 figure quicker! i really cant believe ur mil and family are being so unsupportive! tell them you have made ur choice and its final so no more comments. i loved bf my eldest dd but had problems with her positioning and latching on and i gave up. its my biggest regret and i so wish id have perservered. it saves a hell of a lot of time as there are no bottles to sterilise (unless u choose to express or combine feed of course) and u save a lot of money on formula! plus its best for your baby and exactly what he needs as its tailor made for him! you will get a lot of support on here if you do choose to bf (there is also a ff forum). good luck with whatever you choose to do hun and please dont let anyone else influence your decision and push u into something you might regret. it is YOUR decision. good luck

 

[asacia]

The only thing I can really say is that breastfeeding is the most wonderful and amazing thing I have ever done. To look down on my baby, who is all happy and content on what I made him, is fantastic. He pulls off sometimes just to give me a huge grin. It is so warm, close and lovely. It has been hard work at times, but a million times worth it. I'd do it all again. There are so many wonderful things about breastfeeding, I could go on all day - the milky smiles, watching him grow on what I make, hearing a huge burp with a giggle afterwards, him falling into a deep sleep after feeding, waking me up with a smile and a poke because he is hungry, him lying there in my arms stroking me. I could go on and on!

 

[Lu28]

Aside from the emotional benefits, there's a massive sense of achievement in knowing that you're feeding your baby all by yourself and they're gaining weight because of you etc. On top of that, it's so much easier than having to sort out bottles etc, you don't need to worry about taking supplies with you when you go out so your plans can be more flexible. Also it's a money saving!

At the end of the day, if you want to give it a go, don't listen to anyone who's being unsupportive. There's plenty of people on this forum to support you as you go

 

[Lucy_lu_84]

I completely love BF'ing, there is the odd time when it hurts but that is usually cos he iis so anxious to get that he doesn't latch on proper. Once you have mastered getting your LO to latch on it shouldn't hurt at all.

I love seeing his content little face as he feeds, him staring up at me. Falling to sleep as he feeds, I just find it so rewarding.

BF'ing apparently burns around 500 calories a day, so if anything it helps you get your figure back a ltitle faster.

It is so much easier in the night to, so going downstairs to make up bottles. Just bring LO into bed with me, feed him, he falls to sleep then place him back in his bed. When you go out, you don't need to worry about taking supplies... you have all the food you need on you.

Can't believe you MIL is being so negative, I something think it's because it's not what they did, or they didn't stick at it and feel bad for it. So they try to put people off.

if you decide you want to do it, stick to your guns... this forum is amazing and you will get all the support you need.

 

[leighbaby]

Good for bonding, provides tailor made nutrition, no planning required, good for weight loss, can do anytime/where with no restrictions, natural, provide baby with antibodies, get extra cuddle time and more!!

 

[Mervs Mum]

You need to hang around in here for a while......on the whole BFing is a very positive experience for most of the regulars here

Have a read of the sticky about what helped when starting out and the BF photos.

 

[Twist]

I have to agree with what all the other ladies have said in here, I love knowing that I am able to feed and nurture my child, honestly it feels like a huge accomplishment or something and is something I am really proud of. I love looking down at her all snuggled in close, it is a special time that I know I won't have with her forever but I will enjoy while I can.

 

[beancounter]

it helps you regain your figure, whenever your oh tries to make you do something you only have to holler 'IM NURSING' and then demand some tea, you can wander out of the house with a nappy and a wipe without having to worry about bottles, your baby doesnt have to still there hollering while you make a bottle, and it never hurt me at all. I think BF ing is great!

 

[Mervs Mum]

You can eat cream buns and say 'I'm nursing!'

 

[stephwiggy]

B-feeding is the most amazing wonderfull feeling - i too had a but of a rocky start but it was only for a week or so - and here the advice is amazing - i'm even looking forward to it again and i am TTC atm!!

I think the best think is to think - that thats what they are there for!! and if you do have any problems the ladies are here pretty much 24/7


Good luck xxxx

 

[Serene123]

It doesn't ruin your figure, very much the opposite IMO. I'm fed up of hearing breastfeeding gives women saggy boobs too (not from you,) I've almost finished breastfeeding and my boobs are still fab if I do say so myself

There are pro's and con's to both sides I guess. I think breastfeeding has less cons, but that's just my opinion.


It's the most wonderful and amazing thing I've ever done. I feel my little girl is who she is because of it.

 

[coccyx]

Give it a go. Lot of the negative views are from those who have never BF. Can be tough in the first few weeks, but i loved feeding all my 4. Lots of support on here. Good luck with birth and feeding

 

[Twist]

Just wanted to add,... that it does wonders for your boobs! I have gone up 2 cup sizes and they are so firm, round and perky, that I look as though I have had a really good boob job!! Also, All the experts say it helps you lose the weight faster, My LO is 2 months and three weeks old now and I just have 5 pounds left to lose to get back to my pre pregnancy weight, Two Huge Thumbs Up for BF!!!

 

[Faerie]

I LOVE breastfeeding my baby, she wasn't able to do it for the first 3 weeks of her life for medical reasons and when I was finally allowed to feed her it was the most amazing feeling, the proudest moment. Sure it hurt for a couple of weeks, but nothing was going to put me off.
Personally I'm far too lazy to bottle feed, I've had to make up bottles and it's too much hassle for me! As others have said, I love watching her grow because of what I made her and she loves the boobs

 

[Brockie]

it has been one of the most rewarding things i have ever done!!! yep the first few weeks were tough for me but after that it was fab, so convienient, amazing bonding experience, fab feeling when he got weighed and he was piling on weight like it was going out of fashion!!! knowing that was all me making him grow xx i have loved it and will be sad when it ends!!! remember its your baby, your decision how to feed him/her xx good luck whatever you decide x

 

[ellismum]

Your child, your choice!!! It makes me so angry to read posts like this. TBH if I had met that much negativity I would have been more determined to BF. I echo everything everyone else had said, the support on here is fab. My boobies look fab and it burns cals, I get an extra 10 points on Weight Watchers lol!!! I'd love to know what these infections are - thats a new one I've heard!!!

 

[Samantha675]

Positives, well there are too many to name. The biggest one for me is when I am nurisng my son, and the look on his little face. OMG, it sends me to the moon. There is nothing more precious and perfect. It is the most amazing feeling, and the greatest gift. If you look at BFing through the negatives, then you can look at anything like that. Pregnancy is filled with loads of negatives, but no matter how horrible and crappy it is, in the end when you hold your baby does any of the bad matter? No.

 

[Logiebear]

I have struggled and fought and had so many bad days I have lost count. However, Hannah and I have this unbreakble bond and the feelings I get when she is feeding it is just the most amazing thing on earth. I have 3 other kids and have bottle fed them, the bond is so different. Just try it and see how you feel. You can always stop if you want but it is harder to start when you don't do it from the beginning xxx

 

[SGDMom]

For me it hurt for a couple of weeks and then it was over, after that I didn't feel it at all. It saves you money and it lightens the diaper bag lode and saves you time and hassel of having to wash bottles. I've done both bottle and bf (i'm still bf my 17mon old while pregger's). Plus there's nothing like having your baby look up at you and gaze into your eyes. Enjoy it while they are little it doesn't last long. Most important do what's right for you.