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Reasons you SHOULD breastfeed

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i havent read through the entire thred so i dont know if its been asked already or even if its a daft question lol one of the reasons i stopped breastfeeding last time was because my nipples were in agony and kept cracking it was so painful and i never had anyone to ask before about what to do is there anything that can be used to help with that? do breast shields really work? or will the soreness go away on its own eventually? x

Good questions! You may have bad a bad latch which can lead to nipple pain, bleeding and cracking.

First, you want to make sure your baby has a proper latch each and every time you nurse because this will significantly reduce the pain you experience. Some pain in the beginning is normal because your nipples are adjusting but this should not last more than a few weeks. If it does speak with your LLL leaders or a lactation consultant for advice and help. I have never used nipple shields before but I have known several mothers who have and they did help them. You can use lanolin (or olive oil, which is what I use) and moist heat therapy to keep your nipples moisturized and to promote healing. You nipples will adjust and the soreness will go away, if there are no underlying issues.
 
i havent read through the entire thred so i dont know if its been asked already or even if its a daft question lol one of the reasons i stopped breastfeeding last time was because my nipples were in agony and kept cracking it was so painful and i never had anyone to ask before about what to do is there anything that can be used to help with that? do breast shields really work? or will the soreness go away on its own eventually? x

Good questions! You may have bad a bad latch which can lead to nipple pain, bleeding and cracking.

First, you want to make sure your baby has a proper latch each and every time you nurse because this will significantly reduce the pain you experience. Some pain in the beginning is normal because your nipples are adjusting but this should not last more than a few weeks. If it does speak with your LLL leaders or a lactation consultant for advice and help. I have never used nipple shields before but I have known several mothers who have and they did help them. You can use lanolin (or olive oil, which is what I use) and moist heat therapy to keep your nipples moisturized and to promote healing. You nipples will adjust and the soreness will go away, if there are no underlying issues.

i think ive had more great advice on this thread today than ive ever had off a midwife or anyone i know so thanks :) x
 
When I was pregnant I planned on bfing for a month. When the month was approaching, I thought I'd aim for 6 weeks. Then two months. Then three. Then six...we eventually stopped at 10.5 months when Holly self-weaned.

I was quite naive going in to it, didn't do any research etc because I figured 'hey, it's natural, how hard can it be?'. The answer for me was really bloody hard. I was in a high dependency ward after my c section and the midwives were apparently too busy to sit with me and show me a proper latch. So I went home, muddled on, had each midwife/hv tell me a different thing, a couple manhandled my boobs and just forced them into Holly's mouth, I ended up with a split nipple, tears, frustration, pain (so much pain!), fights with my ex and my MIL because they wanted me to stop because I found it so hard...

And do you know what? I would do it all again. In a heartbeat. Those 10.5 months were just the most special times of my life. The look on my baby's face when she would literally fall off my nipple with her eyes rolling back, head flopping, milk dribbling out of her mouth - or when she got a little older and would reach up and touch my face or twiddle my hair whilst feeding, or when she figured out if she squeezed and pulled off she would get squirted with milk...and apart from all of that, the feeling it gave me to feed my baby was fantastic. I felt like superwoman!

What I do think this country needs, so so badly, is more support for those who choose to breastfeed. But support from actual proper lactation specialists who know what they are talking about, who are empathetic, who care, who spend time helping you (and who all sing from the same hymn sheet). Campaigns to encourage breastfeeding are great, but there is so little support once you decide to do it (imo).

The fact that I had to use a forum, of 'virtual' friends to get advice, information and support is a real reflection on the level of support on offer (in my area at least). If it wasn't for bnb I don't think I would have made it so far.

And please don't think that I am anti-formula. We ended up combination feeding for a number of reasons, and I don't think that any woman should feel forced into doing anything. Full stop. But it is such a wonderful start for your LO, and the women who are so pro-bfing are that way because they feel passionately about it.
 
When I was pregnant I planned on bfing for a month. When the month was approaching, I thought I'd aim for 6 weeks. Then two months. Then three. Then six...we eventually stopped at 10.5 months when Holly self-weaned.

I was quite naive going in to it, didn't do any research etc because I figured 'hey, it's natural, how hard can it be?'. The answer for me was really bloody hard. I was in a high dependency ward after my c section and the midwives were apparently too busy to sit with me and show me a proper latch. So I went home, muddled on, had each midwife/hv tell me a different thing, a couple manhandled my boobs and just forced them into Holly's mouth, I ended up with a split nipple, tears, frustration, pain (so much pain!), fights with my ex and my MIL because they wanted me to stop because I found it so hard...

And do you know what? I would do it all again. In a heartbeat. Those 10.5 months were just the most special times of my life. The look on my baby's face when she would literally fall off my nipple with her eyes rolling back, head flopping, milk dribbling out of her mouth - or when she got a little older and would reach up and touch my face or twiddle my hair whilst feeding, or when she figured out if she squeezed and pulled off she would get squirted with milk...and apart from all of that, the feeling it gave me to feed my baby was fantastic. I felt like superwoman!

What I do think this country needs, so so badly, is more support for those who choose to breastfeed. But support from actual proper lactation specialists who know what they are talking about, who are empathetic, who care, who spend time helping you (and who all sing from the same hymn sheet). Campaigns to encourage breastfeeding are great, but there is so little support once you decide to do it (imo).

The fact that I had to use a forum, of 'virtual' friends to get advice, information and support is a real reflection on the level of support on offer (in my area at least). If it wasn't for bnb I don't think I would have made it so far.

And please don't think that I am anti-formula. We ended up combination feeding for a number of reasons, and I don't think that any woman should feel forced into doing anything. Full stop. But it is such a wonderful start for your LO, and the women who are so pro-bfing are that way because they feel passionately about it.

Just because you breastfeed dosnt make you anti formula its a choice just like any other, just like I and some choose to breastfeed.
I liked your story and loved reading the bit about eyes rolling, its a great way of getting them to sleep and saved my ears from crying. Still is a tantrum solver with my toddler. Breastfeeding releases hormones, good ones. I cant remember the names though that can help with PND.
 
This is one of my favorite breastfeeding quotes-

While breastfeeding may not seem the right choice for every parent, it is the best choice for every baby. ~Amy Spangler
 
Damn right blutea! That quote is so true!! :thumbup:

I hardly ever hear about a baby who as issues with his/her own mother's milk. Not to sound too severe but I just don't see how a mother who is able to breastfeed doesn't understand this.
 
I seen some say their baby was intolerant to their breast milk? can that happen?
 
I seen some say their baby was intolerant to their breast milk? can that happen?

^ I am curious about that as well?


It is possible but it is very rare. This article gives a great explanation-

https://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/lactose-intolerance.html

Is my baby lactose intolerant?
By Kelly Bonyata, BS, IBCLC

If your baby is sensitive to dairy products it is highly unlikely that the problem is lactose intolerance, although many people may tell you so.

There are three types of lactose intolerance:

1.Primary lactose intolerance
2.Congenital lactose intolerance
3.Secondary lactose intolerance

Primary lactose intolerance (also called developmental, late-onset or adult lactose intolerance) is relatively common in adults (and more common in some nationalities than others), and is caused by a slow decrease in the body's production of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose (milk sugar). This occurs gradually, over a period of years, and never appears before 2-5 years old and often not until young adulthood. Almost all adults who are lactose intolerant have this type of lactose intolerance, which is not related to lactose intolerance in babies.

Congenital lactose intolerance and similar congenital disorders

•Congenital lactose intolerance is very rare and is an inherited metabolic disorder rather than an allergy. This disorder is generally apparent within a few days after birth and is characterized by severe diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration and failure to thrive. It resolves after the age of six months.
•A similar, less severe, metabolic disorder is congenital lactase deficiency. This disorder, apparent within 10 days of birth, occurs when brush-border lactase activity (required for the digestion of lactose) in the small intestine is low or absent at birth and is characterized by diarrhea and malabsorption. It is also very rare.
•Galactosemia is another rare metabolic disorder that occurs when the liver enzyme GALT, needed to break down galactose, is partially or completely absent. Although this disorder does not directly concern lactose, babies with the more severe forms of galactosemia will not be able to tolerate any lactose since lactose is formed from the two sugars galactose and glucose. The classical form of galactosemia is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice and failure to thrive within a few days after birth.
•Some premature babies have a temporary form of lactose intolerance because their bodies are not yet producing lactase. This will go away as baby matures, and in fact the maturation process can be accelerated by baby's ingestion of lactose. One option is to add lactase to baby's feedings (instead of switching to lactose-free formula, which is nutritionally inadequate).

Secondary lactose intolerance (also called acquired lactose intolerance) can appear at any age and occurs when the intestinal brush border is damaged by an infectious, allergic or inflammatory process, thus reducing lactase activity. Causes of secondary lactose intolerance include gastroenteritis, food intolerance or allergy, celiac disease (gluten intolerance), and bowel surgery. Per Joy Anderson, IBCLC (in Lactose intolerance and the breastfed baby):

"Anything that damages the gut lining, even subtly, can cause secondary lactose intolerance. The enzyme lactase is produced in the very tips of folds of the intestine, and anything that causes damage to the gut may wipe off these tips and reduce the enzyme production.

"...Secondary lactose intolerance is a temporary state as long as the gut damage can heal. When the cause of the damage to the gut is removed, for example the food to which a baby is allergic is taken out of the diet, the gut will heal even if the baby is still fed breastmilk."

Although cow's milk protein sensitivity and lactose intolerance are not the same thing, they can sometimes occur at the same time, since food allergy can cause secondary lactose intolerance.


In addition to the different types of lactose intolerance, baby might also experience a lactose overload, caused by breastmilk oversupply (also called foremilk-hindmilk imbalance).

Lactose Overload can occur in baby when mom has an oversupply of milk. The milk that baby gets earlier in a feeding (foremilk) is higher in lactose and lower in fat than the milk later in the feeding (hindmilk). Per Diana West, IBCLC (in Is my baby's fussiness caused by the lactose in my milk?):

As baby begins nursing, the first thing he receives is this lower-fat foremilk, which quenches his thirst. Baby's nursing triggers the mother's milk ejection reflex, which squeezes milk and the sticking fat cells from the milk-making cells into the ducts. This higher-fat hindmilk mixes with the high-lactose foremilk and baby receives the perfect food, with fat calories for growth and lactose for energy and brain development. However, when milk production is too high, baby may fill up on the foremilk and then have difficulty digesting all the lactose that is not balanced by fat. This is known as foremilk/hindmilk imbalance or oversupply...

Although infants are not lactose intolerant by nature, a high volume of lactose can overwhelm a baby's digestive system. When there is not enough lactase to break down all the lactose, the excess lactose causes gassiness and discomfort, and frequently green, watery or foamy stools. Over time, large amounts of undigested lactose can irritate the lining of the intestines so that even a little bit passing through can cause irritation. Occasionally, this can result in small amounts of bleeding into stools that can be misdiagnosed as a food allergy. Some pediatricians will mistakenly diagnose lactose intolerance if there is undigested sugar in the baby's stool.
 
i never thought to watch videos on how to do it im gonna have to have a look at those

I thought this video was nice. Haven't breastfeed as yet as this is my first and so hoping that it would work out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oQHe1eYsnE

EDit: Not sure if it is allowed to post video or not.
 
Hi all! I read a good portion of this thread, and loved that most of it was such wonderful support for BF and future BF mums. It makes me feel comfortable to know that there are so many second-tri girls to have as support after I deliver.

Isabella is 20 months and BF is still going strong!!:happydance:I probably couldn't get her off the boob even if I tried! :rofl:
 
Hi all! I read a good portion of this thread, and loved that most of it was such wonderful support for BF and future BF mums. It makes me feel comfortable to know that there are so many second-tri girls to have as support after I deliver.

Isabella is 20 months and BF is still going strong!!:happydance:I probably couldn't get her off the boob even if I tried! :rofl:

That's what I have found too. My son won't let me turn him down but at the same time I can't "force" him to nurse. That's why the phrase "just make sure your not doing it just for you" always bothered me. :dohh: As if a mother has some sexual fetish or insecure need and she is a selfish woman for wanting to give her toddler the best possible nutrition. If you can't force a toddler to nurse and they want to nurse and there are tons of health benefits for both mom and baby...how it is just for the mother? :shrug:
 
I can fight through all the physical problems I might have because I really want to BF so much, but I am slightly concerned by the perception issue and BF in public. Have you got any tips about how to BF in public discretely and if there are any taboo places to BF (realistically!)
That's my main concern as I'm quite a shy person.
 
I can fight through all the physical problems I might have because I really want to BF so much, but I am slightly concerned by the perception issue and BF in public. Have you got any tips about how to BF in public discretely and if there are any taboo places to BF (realistically!)
That's my main concern as I'm quite a shy person.

I was unease to nurse in public at first too. A nursing cover can be nice for privacy. It depends on your state but most areas have laws that allow a mother to legally breastfeed anywhere anytime. No place SHOULD be taboo so I guess it would depend on the crowd you are around at the time. For example: you would feel comfortable breastfeeding without a cover at a La Leche League meeting but you might get uncomfortable breastfeeding that way around a group of forty year old men and you might want to use a cover.

My tip: practice at home a bit the way you would feel most comfortable nursing in public.
 
Thanks, I'm in the UK so it's legal to nurse everywhere I think. But it's not always that simple in reality. I'm not really confident enough to get into an argument with someone if they tell me I shouldnt be doing it. Luckily it will be summer so hopefully I can sit in a park and feed or something like that, it'll be easier than in the winter. I've never seen anyone BF on the train for example which I would have thought would be a good place! Infact I never see anyone BF anywhere!
 
Here (Canada) it is actually illegal to even ask a woman to cover herself.

Me, I bought a bunch of nursing capes but when the time came, I was walking around topless in the house with two pumps attached, even with random relatives around (including FIL).

I really really just didn't care :rofl: It was so far from sexual it was unreal. :rofl:
 
Hi everyone, I'd love to introduce myself. I bf'd my son until he weaned shortly after his first birthday. I will definitely be bf'ing this baby as well. I am looking forward to those beautiful moments of bonding with my LO, but I am also nervous about some aspects of bf'ing as well. Mainly the fact that everyone seems to have an opinion. I'm not a very confrontational person so I usually don't stick up for myself when someone has a nasty comment (like can't you do that in a bathroom...). I have read most of this thread and am looking forward to refreshing my memory before this LO shows up!
 
^^ Aww hun :( If you want to be passive, simply keep a business card with the clear laws about BF in public written on them, and just hand them a card!!! :rofl: You don't have to say a word! Then stay put and do your thing :)
 
I just dont want everyone to see my stretched marked flabby belly and big boobs so I cover to.
 
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