Mums who found BFing easy!

[tinytabby]

Up until a week ago I found it a lovely, happy experience. I went into it open minded as I know lots of people who ff but as soon as midwife showed me how to put her on a few times she latched herself and we were away!! Never had a days problem with it and was planning on going until she self weaned was hoping at a year but the past week she has ended every feed with screaming and crying, she gets herself into such a state, however, she will take a bottle of expressed milk no problem! I'm guessing its a supply issue now she's 5 months, going to speak to hv on weds. But, before this week it was all good!

That actually sounds like it could be a distraction issue rather than a supply issue. Many babies around 4-6 months start screaming and fussing at the breast because they've become more aware of the world and want to be able to look around but can't when they're latched onto the boob. Bottlefeeding isn't such an issue because they can be more upright and see what's going on.

Anyway, I had the same problem with my daughter at that age and it was rough but we survived. Is she still eating at night?

Thanks Its hit and miss at the moment, she mainly has her last feed at 11pm and can go until 4 or 5, but sometimes she's waking frequently in between. Her first feed of the day is normally the least fraught and then it's all downhill from there! I was thinking it could be a distraction thing as she's such a little noser these days and hates being laid down, she wants to be up looking at the world! What can I do to help her! I really want to keep BFing but its soooo miserable at the moment!

Could it be wind? Do you burp your LO during feeds? Mine used to scream and I had no idea why until I worked out she was very gassy. Infacol also helped.

 

[Gym knickers]

I do try, but she gets soooo angry!! If I try to take her off the boob and burp her she screams and flings herself about until I put her back on but then 1 or two sucks and she's off again. So frustrating! I've got some infacol still here so will try that. Thanks ladies

 

[Rachel_C]

With my second baby, I have found it surprisingly easy. She latched pretty much straight away and although she is a bit of a lazy latcher, I didn't really have any pain. I applied nipple cream regularly for the first few days but found I didn't need it at all which was really surprising as I had horribly sore nips with my first baby. We're still going strong at 21 months, she's never had formula so I'm pretty pleased with myself. I put our success this time down to knowing so much more about what to expect. With my first, I didn't realise that a baby can feed for half an hour and then want more 10 minutes later! We had a blood incompatibility thing too which made the normal jaundice worse and were told we had to top up with formula, which was the start of a slippery slope to 100% formula by 3 weeks old. I was expecting it to be hard with my second too, but in the time since I had my first I've spent a lot of time around mums who BF and picked up a lot of knowledge which kept us on track this time

 

[tinytabby]

I do try, but she gets soooo angry!! If I try to take her off the boob and burp her she screams and flings herself about until I put her back on but then 1 or two sucks and she's off again. So frustrating! I've got some infacol still here so will try that. Thanks ladies

That sounds like wind!

 

[Feline]

I do try, but she gets soooo angry!! If I try to take her off the boob and burp her she screams and flings herself about until I put her back on but then 1 or two sucks and she's off again. So frustrating! I've got some infacol still here so will try that. Thanks ladies

It could also be that her gums are a bit sore with potential teeth coming through ...coupled with a bit of over-tiredness. This has been affecting my boy a little.xx

 

[Feline]

I have found breastfeeding to be a lovely, nurturing experience - didn't expect to, due to all the horror stories! I had a c-section, but no probs with milk coming in or latching etc. My boy took to it like a duck to water, and it's lovely seeing him get excited at the prospect of boobie...so endearingly cute! My mum found it easy too..maybe it's genetic? We had great support from our midwives regarding getting the latch right first time, and I think this was pivotal to our success because a couple of times he was latched a bit wonkey and I could see how easily this could cause soreness. I have massive respect for women who nurse through painful sore nipples - it is very very hard and they deserve recognition. X

 

[djbutton01]

It's been easy for me, too! The only issue I have is she gets distracted and pinches my arm while she feeds. Not really breast feeding issues as far as my breasts go. I didn't even get sore at the start except when I tried to use an electric pump....once lol. My baby girl's eyes light up when she sees me and she's a boobie monster. Writing this makes want to wake her from her nap to love on her but I know better!

 

[rainbowskin]

It has been easy for us.. he latched minutes after being born and been a champ at bf ever since. I told my OH the other day I wouldn't know the first thing about ff a baby and that it seems difficult to me. I can't imagine having to make up a bottle while he is crying in the night when I can just pop a boobie in his mouth real quick.

 

[Gym knickers]

I do try, but she gets soooo angry!! If I try to take her off the boob and burp her she screams and flings herself about until I put her back on but then 1 or two sucks and she's off again. So frustrating! I've got some infacol still here so will try that. Thanks ladies

It could also be that her gums are a bit sore with potential teeth coming through ...coupled with a bit of over-tiredness. This has been affecting my boy a little.xx

Gums could be a possibility as shes drooling alot, chewing her hands and rubbing her ear, the only thing confusing me in all of this is the fact that she's happy whilst boobs are letting down and she'll happily devour expressed milk, makes me think its a supply issue but don't know why? Thanks for your advice!

 

[Shadowy Lady]

great idea for a thread

Breast feeding is the norm here in Ottawa, Canada. We get a tone of brochures supporting breastfeeding, free bf'ing help and also a whole year off maternity leave which make things even easier.

I always wanted to bf'd. I was lucky enough to have a uncomplicated and medical free labour and had my LO on my chest within seconds of birth and bf'ing right away. My midwives were also very helpful showing me how to hold her and all.

The first few weeks were tough as she wanted to bf'd all the time but I was committed to it and made it work. I would say again having support around the house helped as I could't get much else done those days.

I also have no problem bf'ing in public. Right now LO only bf'd 3 times a day so hardly even when I'm outside. But when she was younger I'd just pop her on under the bf'ing cover. I did use a cover as no one around here goes without and I really don't wanna be the only one doing it

hope this helps someone

 

[rainbowskin]

It has been easy for us.. he latched minutes after being born and been a champ at bf ever since. I told my OH the other day I wouldn't know the first thing about ff a baby and that it seems difficult to me. I can't imagine having to make up a bottle while he is crying in the night when I can just pop a boobie in his mouth real quick.

 

[lizzywiz]

My monkey latched for almost an 1 hour when they put her on my chest after birth and has been an easy nurser since then. My nipples were sore in the beginning and we went through a biting phase, but it was all very manageable. I work full time so we started 1/2 pumping/ 1/2 nursing at 4 months and she transitioned great to the bottle. The transition to solids has been equally easy.
I am SO grateful nursing worked out because she is a crap sleeper and I don't think I could have kept my sanity if feeding AND sleeping were a nightmare!

 

[Lavendel]

i have flat nipples so at the hospital they gave me nipple shields. some nurse bugged the hell out of me, some (including my midwife) told me they were a great help and i should not feel bad for using them.
everything worked perfectly for us and im not planning to stop anytime soon!

 

[stephie_corin]

Great idea!

Breastfeeding has been one of the best experiences of my life! LO didn't breastfeed for the first five days due to some complications but the minute I got him latched it was smooth sailing. I've never had any health issues (thrush, mastitis etc.) not even a cracked nipple!

I also have a distracted feeder but once I decided to just trust him that he would take what he needs its been all wonderful, fantastic and amazing

 

[justkitty]

This thread gives me hope and makes me smile

 

[LDC]

I'm with you Larkspur, I also had a really positive and easy breast feeding experience so far. I had some bleeding at the start but everything seemed to come naturally for baby and I. I adapted feeding ways / positions and just did what I felt was best. It's tiring for sure but worth every minute.

Xx

 

[Here_we_go]

I too find it way easier to breastfeed. My mother breastfed me and my brother so I knew it was something I wanted to do as well.

With my son, I never had any issues at all breastfeeding, not even sore nipples. He latched on perfectly from the start. Unfortunately I wasn't able to bf him for very long because I had to work I HATED formula and bottles

I'm a bashful person though (I won't even wear a bathing suit in public, hate people oogling!) so I'm not a very public bfing person (not to mention I have to hold my boob for my daughter since it falls out of her mouth otherwise and flashes the world )

This time around I have had issues (shallow latch which caused awful blisters food allergies, oversupply) but I chugged right along because to me, it is way easier to bf than to formula fed. I'm lazy and HATE dealing with bottles

 

[OmiOmen]

I found BF'ing DS1 very difficult but DS2 is really easy. I had a very traumatic birth and I couldn't hold him for a few hours and him and DH were sent out of theatre while they repaired me but once I was in recovery he took to feeding right away. He is a very hungry baby but so far feeding is going great...granted it has only been a week though.

 

[seaweed eater]

I have and haven't found it easy. From the start LO was a natural and an enthusiastic and frequent nurser, and I never had very much soreness. I think, for some reason, I also had an easier time emotionally with his cluster nursing than some moms do.

On the other hand, I am especially proud that our BF relationship has survived hospitalization for hypoglycemia, and later my starting part-time work. I know both of those circumstances can pose challenges, and it has taken some persistence to keep things on track. But it is SO worth it!

 

[aliss]

I just popped him on and he latched & nursed well right away, not a problem.

I 'failed' with my 1st (by that I mean I attempted).

For me, the difference was #1 good circumstances (great birth, unmedicated, smooth) and #2 knowledge of normal feeding (not getting upset by cluster feeding, not worrying about supply, not worrying when he was waking a lot).