decisions decisions!! Help!!!

[charveyron]

Hi all,

I have 3 children and a LO on the way, I was 19 when I had my first 2 (twins) and was easily influenced by my mum!! She really put down breastfeeding - things like - you can't feed in public, you have to do all the night feeds, it's really hard etc and stupid me listened so I bottle fed, and I also did with my DS as it was the thigh 'to do'!!!

Trouble is I think I want to breastfeed this time, and whetever my mum says won't change my mind, but her words keep rining in my ears! what if it is really hard, will it be embarrasing in public, what if we go to my FIL, I don't want him seeing me in all my glory! I've sort of spoke to my OH and he said "we've always bottle fed, that way we know how much the baby's taking" typical man!! But thats another concern I have - what if my baby ends up starving because I don't know that it's not getting enough?????

I had c-sections with both my previous pregnancies and have been told that I'll have to have another this time, I feel like I've missed out on a natural delivery and strongly feel that this is something natural I can do with my baby - although thats not my only reason for wanting to BF! To be honest I can't really say any resons why I do want to BF, it just feels like it's the thing I want to do!

Sorry for this rambling thread, I just hope someone knows where I'm coming from! Thank you x

 

[freckleonear]

If you want to breastfeed then give it a try and don't let anyone else convince you otherwise. After all, if it doesn't work out you can easily go back to bottlefeeding.

It's true that the first six weeks can be quite hard, but after that it gets much easier and is a lot less hassle than making up bottles!

Feeding in public gets easier with practice. It's possible to do it very discreetly, usually no one can see anything when I feed Aaron.

The best way to tell whether your baby is getting enough is to monitor their nappy output (see here). Your baby won't starve, they will soon let you know if they are hungry and your health visitor will say if there are any concerns with their weight.

Hope you are able to give it a try.

 

[Serene123]

Don't let ANYONE make you feel embarissed. I had this problem and I have thankfully overcome it. My breasts were made to nurse my baby and that's what they're gonna do. I don't give a flying sh*t about what anyone thinks anymore. If she wants to be fed I will feed her x

 

[Alexas Mommy]

If you want to breastfeed, don't let anyone steer you away from that! When I go to the inlaws, I just go to our room (we have our own bedroom at there place in the basement) and feed her, or in the inlaws room, that way I don't make anyone uncomfortable. I think all breastfeeding moms are worried that their LO's are not getting enough, but they will let you know if they are not getting enough, and as the weeks go on, you will see that they are getting a good amount, when you see the weight gain!! Good Luck!

 

[marley2580]

Hi all,
I had c-sections with both my previous pregnancies and have been told that I'll have to have another this time,

This is a load of crap hun. It's actually safer for you and the baby to have (or at least try for) a vaginal delivery. I know someone who had a natural birth after having 4 c-sections! If you really want to birth naturally they can't stop you. PM me about this if you'd like some pointers, info etc.

 

[ryder]

Good luck hun, if you want to try BF then go for it! You do what makes you happy, you may like it, you may not. But its worth a try.

 

[charveyron]

Hi all,
I had c-sections with both my previous pregnancies and have been told that I'll have to have another this time,

This is a load of crap hun. It's actually safer for you and the baby to have (or at least try for) a vaginal delivery. I know someone who had a natural birth after having 4 c-sections! If you really want to birth naturally they can't stop you. PM me about this if you'd like some pointers, info etc.

Really??? I have got to see the consultant next monday and was going to ask if it was really necessary, I had such an awful time in theatre with my DS, I was so out of it and didn't realise it was my baby crying when he was born I thought It was someone elses!!!! Obviously if they said it was really dangerous then I wouldn't even think about it, the only reason I wondered if it was possible was because my sister had had 2 sections and they asked her if she wanted a normal delivery but she was so worried about the scare stories that they'd told her about it in earlier pregnancy that she opted for another section! Thanks for this bit of info - I'll go in armed next monday!!!!!! xxx

 

[Samantha675]

I totally agree with what the others have said. So i will just add my own experience.

I was totally determined to BF my son, and never let anyone or thing stand in my way. I think just about every person in the hospital saw my boobs, and I just didn't care. I really was soooo focused on feeding him and getting it right, that I really didn't notice other people. I had planned a homebirth, but ended up in hospital with an c-section, so BFing really helped me get over the lose of my natural birth.

I found the first 6 weeks really difficult. Not because of soreness or cracking or any of that, it just takes a lot of time. My son fed almost constantly, which is totally normal. Think liquid diet plus tiny tummy plus developing jaw muscles and you will quickly understand why it takes a long time or a newborn to feed. Cluster feedings were the hardest. Bren would sometimes want to nurse for hours on end, trying to stock up for a longer sleep at night. I would just sit patiently on the sofa, switching him from one side to the other.

There were times I thought I would go nuts, and think F this I can't do it. But I kept at it, and suddenly one day I noticed that it has been a couple of hours since he had nursed, and it has only gotten better. It is sooo easy now, and I love nursing.

As for how much they get, it's a diaper thing. As long as they are dirtying lots of diapers, there is no need to worry if they are getting 5 ozs a day or 500.

I would suggest finding a good lactation consultant, and getting together with the local La Leche League for support. Once you have made your decision you need to make a stand to your DH and your mom and tell them this is how you are going to do it this time, and you want their support. The more support you have, the better a time you will have with BFing.

Good luck hun. For me, BFing has been a wonderful experience. I am about to hit the 6 month mark, and have no plans on weaning him anytime soon.

 

[Sarah88]

Don't listen to your mum! Bfing is an amazing experience! It's hard at first coz it is a learned skill, but after a few weeks you and your baby get used to it and it's so easy! I even bf in our shopping entre foodcourt yesterday! I normally wouldn't but savannah was hungry and we were still eating so instead of making her wait I fed her. After you get the hang of it, it's alot easier to be discreet so nobody knows!

 

[Lucy&Pard]

thousands of generation of humans wouldnt have evolved if they were being starved from being breastfed!

PS Even at my mums house I just go to their guest room and feed Leo but I am sure in a few months time I will be feeding in public.

 

[Miss Duke]

Defo give it a go. If it doesn't work out, at least you have tried. And the colostrom is so benficial, even a few days of bf is fantastic for your baby!!!

At least if you give it a go, you won't have any regrets.

It will be hard since you have 3 kids, but so so so so worth it!

Goodluck!!!!!