How long do you intend to BF for?

[Shifter]

I hope to breastfeed exclusively for a year, including expressed milk, but we'll see what happens.

On the IQ thing, the figures are genuine, but that doesn't mean that bottlefed children can't be intelligent.

 

[babe2ooo]

my oh said to me he wanted me to bf for 6months i wasnt sure if i could do it, i love bfing and i'm planing on making it to 6months and then just see how its goes, i was think of just making it to christmas but i love the fact that i dont have to make a bottle up and i can just put him on the boob

 

[Shifter]

Obviously any amount of breastfeeding you do is great, but exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is the minimum recommended in order to get the best benefits.

 

[Serene123]

My HV said the first 2 weeks are the most essential

 

[Shifter]

My HV said the first 2 weeks are the most essential

In a way this is true, because the colostrum contains lots of important antibodies. But the first six months are essential if you want to protect your LO against ear infections, gastro-intestinal infections, chest infections, urine infections, childhood diabetes, eczema, obesity and asthma. And protect yourself against cancer. The World Health Organisation's guidelines are based on extensive research.

 

[Serene123]

I breast feed and she has eczema. However, she is really healthy apart from that. I would like to think I'm helping her!

 

[hsollis]

I don't know yet. I love BF. Didn't think I would and was planning to bottle feed but was open to trying BF to see if it worked. LO and I took to it day 1.

However, I start work in February and LO will be just over 4 months and she'll be 3 days with day care or MIL/FIL.

I'm not able to express very well so if I don't BF she has to have a bottle of formula. If I could get my expressing working, I'd go for longer - at least 6 months (or until a lot of teeth).

My hubby also wants me to BF as long as possible.

No one in our families BF but I don't feel judged. My mum makes comments but it always comes across more as genuine questions and concerns and not negative.

 

[PeanutBean]

I'd like to go the recommended 6 months til solids then see. Maybe feed longer for evening feeds, depends how things go really.

 

[Eoz]

I intended on 6 mths just like my last 2 children.I did top ups with both but it was mainly breast.My 1st had problems at birth so only managed 6 weeks with her.I'm bf now but my 2 year old is being a total sod about it.I am thinking about stopping as I'm feeding on demand and baby is a hungry baby.Just have no time any more.I feel so guilty for thinking about quitting but I need to get some order back in my life.

Well done to all you mummys xx

 

[JayleighAnn]

My HV said the first 2 weeks are the most essential

In a way this is true, because the colostrum contains lots of important antibodies. But the first six months are essential if you want to protect your LO against ear infections, gastro-intestinal infections, chest infections, urine infections, childhood diabetes, eczema, obesity and asthma. And protect yourself against cancer. The World Health Organisation's guidelines are based on extensive research.

Now I know this is based on loads of research, but my mum breast-fed us 3 exclusively for the first year, I have horrendous ear infections every year since birth, I suffered really badly with urine infections till I was about 13, I have asthma and suffer really badly with 6month long chest infections, my brother has eczema and suffers with chest infections as well.

What went wrong with us two?

Back onto the subject, I plan to BF exclusively for 12months

 

[Serene123]

There is always an exception to the findings I guess. They're not saying it WILL help, just it PROBABLY will

 

[Jemima]

Im hoping to definately do it for 12 months and then for as long as Harry wants to.
I think after a certain time i will feel weird about bfeeding in public, im ok with it at the mo but i can imagine people have bad reactions to seeing an older baby bfeeding. I read a good tip the other day to choose something to call boobies something and stick to all calling it that so that if your LO learns to talk whilst you are still bfeeding you wont get the embarrasment of ''BOOBY'' being demanded at top volume in public!!
I thought this was quite a good idea, my husbands suggestion was to call it melon!!

This really made me laugh! As for your husband's suggestion, couldn't he have thought of something slightly less conspicuous!

 

[sam's mum]

I was originally going to feed Sam for 12 months, but it makes me sad that it's now less than 3 months away, so maybe longer...I can't imagine stopping any time soon. Everyone I see seems surprised that I'm still doing it though, and people keep asking me when I'm going to stop, in a way that makes me feel as if I'm inconveniencing them somehow?!

 

[JayleighAnn]

There is always an exception to the findings I guess. They're not saying it WILL help, just it PROBABLY will

Oh yeah I just thnk it's quite funny how we just have to be the exception lol

The only thing I do think I benefited from, I didnt need to have my TB jab, nor did any of my other breast fed friends, but all my bottle fed friends (yes me and my friends compared lol) did need theirs