Must be really dumb question, but what does bf feel like?

[Jelly Bean]

Hi ladies, I'm planning to bf exclusively for the first 6 months (if all goes according to plan), I'm wondering what it feels like for you? Both the physical and emotional sensations, I mean.

I know it's painful when they develope teeth or nipples becomes dry and cracked, but the rest of the time? Is it pleasant?

Thanks girls.

 

[Chellebelle]

I think it's different for everyone. For me, I had a pain in my nipples for the first 5/6 daysand they went a bit red, then it went and now I barely notice any feeling, and if I do, it doesn't hurt... just a little tingle.

Emotionally - the first few weeks were very hard, I felt glued to my sofa and thought this was how it was always going to be. I would get teary quite a bit, but I think that was from the tiredness. After a few weeks, I started getting out more and getting into some kind of routine and now I love breastfeeding. I think it is a wonerdful feeling.

 

[soon2b6]

First I have to say I am biased!! I think its wonderful, it feels a little strange to begin with. When I started with my 3rd he kinda grabbed it with his mouth like a shark (at half an hour old) which surprised me because my second was a picky feeder and I had to struggle to get him to feed. When your milk gets going you feel a rushing sensation as your milk is sucked out and their is the let down reflex which feels like you have muscles in the fleshy part of your boobs which tighten, sometimes to start you might get tingling too.
Emotionally its great you have a special bond with your baby which is unique to you two. I have to say its also convenient, free and always available you cant run out at 3am!!

 

[Jelly Bean]

First I have to say I am biased!! I think its wonderful, it feels a little strange to begin with. When I started with my 3rd he kinda grabbed it with his mouth like a shark (at half an hour old) which surprised me because my second was a picky feeder and I had to struggle to get him to feed. When your milk gets going you feel a rushing sensation as your milk is sucked out and their is the let down reflex which feels like you have muscles in the fleshy part of your boobs which tighten, sometimes to start you might get tingling too.
Emotionally its great you have a special bond with your baby which is unique to you two. I have to say its also convenient, free and always available you cant run out at 3am!!

lol and always at the perfect temperature...I imagine myself to have feelings of "I am so amazing, look at him get so chubby just from my boobies alone"...hope I don't get teary!

 

[Chellebelle]

I do feel proud when I get him weighed and they always say "he is a perfect weight" I think yay for my boobie juice!

I was thinking of weaning at 6 months... but now I am thinking of leaving it for longer as I am really enjoying it. One thing that is nice too is that he has started to grab my boob when he is feeding haha.

 

[Whisper]

When things are normal ie no pain etc. It doesn't really feel of anything, its just a nice all round feeling knowing that you are feeding your LO, that you can give such comfort and nutrition all by yourself is quite amazing.

The first few weeks were hugely hard, extremely painful! (despite still being on painkillers from the section).

It is a wonderful experience and i feel very lucky to have been able to feed her myself and for as long as i am, no-one in my family or OH's family have ever really breastfed for long so i sorta feel like a pioneer for the family...lol

As someone said above you can never run out and its always perfect temperature!

I have yet to experience the teeth, but i'm sure if it hurt that bad then humans would have died out hundreds of years ago!

Things can be emotional in the early weeks especially when they feed so damn often but once you get a routine established ie every 2hours its easier and doesn't seem as much as a burden.

All round i wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[Mervs Mum]

It felt a bit funny at first and I had a short spell of being a bit sore early on. Once I got past that I dont think it registered as feeling like anything TBH. It doesnt always get painful with teeth either.
Emotionally it's just another extention of the emotions all mum's feel towards their babies - it's just more love.

 

[Jelly Bean]

that you can give such comfort and nutrition all by yourself is quite amazing

I hadn't thought about the comfort thing...it must feel amazing to be able to soothe cries just with your boob!! Hail the all-conquering titty lol...no I really mean it, it's so cool!

 

[Mervs Mum]

 

[Jemima]

Physically, I would say it feels like a pulling sensation and can feel a bit achey or crampy initially when you experience "let down" (when the milk starts flowing after baby has suckled a few times) I didn't experience any pain through cracked nipples, just a little chafing in the early days but lots of air remedied that. No pain here through teeth...yet.

Emotionally, I don't know any different as she's my first so don't know if it feels any different to giving a bottle but I think I feel a real closeness when she's feeding. Especially in the early days when she would gaze up at me during a feed. I sometimes experience a wave of lethargy sweep over me when I am feeding but I think this is normal, makes me feel like dozing off.

And, yes, I would say it's more than "pleasant".

I hope it works out for you. x

 

[marley2580]

The thing I was surprised at was the painful cramps I got for the first few days after birth, it was my womb shrinking (which BFing helps with) every time I fed. I had a lot of pain at first with Kaya for various reasons (including mastitis and thrush) but once we got past it it was fab. I didn't really feel tied to the sofa as I just made sure I had a book to hand (I read a lot those first couple of months lol). Oh, and teeth don't hurt that much as long as you nip biting in the bud.

 

[Mrs_Nesbit]

aside from the physical which everyones covered it does release a happy hormone which seriously does (in my case) make me feel all content and a bit sleepy. For me its an immediate mood enhancer. It's absolutely lovely.

 

[Poppeteer]

Oh yeah- the cramps that Marley just posted about! God, I was in absolute agony for the first few days whenever she latched on just from the cramps in my uterus (helps it contract and shrink quickly), and the pain from my sore bleeding nipples initially And the whole latching her on properly- that was a nightmare!


But..... we love it now. And I really mean it. Physically, I don't feel anything really now when she's feeding, but I love the little cooing noises she makes when she's all content, with her eyes half closed like she's really enjoying it

And when you see how she grows and it's all with the power of boobie milk.... it's a great feeling...

 

[leedsforever]

It really hurt me to begin with but that didnt last long.... and I really really liked the feeling!! Especially when your boobies feel all had and full of milk, it was a nice relief...!! Just wish courtney liked it too

 

[Rachiebaby24]

It really hurt me to begin with but that didnt last long.... and I really really liked the feeling!! Especially when your boobies feel all had and full of milk, it was a nice relief...!! Just wish courtney liked it too

me too.....

 

[Mrs_Nesbit]

As opposed to initial boob discomfort which I think everyone gets in varying degrees I think dont think everyone specifically suffers afterpains after every birth. Never got them with my first, but by crikey they hurt with the other two.

Still, no pain no gain eh?..Plus it's nice to have the MW say your wombs back to diddy size as little as a few days after birth.

 

[Brockie]

must admit it bloody hurt at first!! had cracked nipples but after a couple of weeks it was fine and doesnt hurt at all now! i can understand why people dont persevere with it but once you get it its great and really easy xxx

 

[mylittlebubs]

i don;t know how to explain but i had pain on my nipples in the first 2 weeks or so because Lincoln was feeding every hour all day all night,lol
I love breastfeeding, the first time he looked my eyes while i was feeding him was one of the most amazing moment