Single mum - breast feeding.

[Kmx]

My sister has recently discovered she's pregnant and she no longer has a relationship with the father. She's hurt and upset by the way he has treated her but wants to be civil and for them to parent together as much as possible. The thing is that she's planning to breastfeed for at least the first 6 months. Obviously this may make it difficult for the baby to be away from her for long periods of time or to stay over night. The dad seems to have a problem with this and claims she is going to deny him access or limit it because she is bitter towards him but although she is angry at him for various things he's done, she is not deliberately trying to be awkward.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? How do you ensure the father has plenty of time with the baby to bond but also ensure you can breastfeed for as long as you want to and is possible?

 

[KayBea]

the father just has to accept her decision to BF, if he decides to take her to court the court will side with her.
a baby cant be without mum while BFing.

he will just have to have LO in between feeds which will be hard to begin with as baby may not get a solid routine of feeding straight away xx

 

[Dezireey]

He will have to accept that during this time, access will be limited. He can bond with baby just fine in lots of other ways and at times when it's convenient. The only compromise I can see here really is for her to go to his place sometimes with baby and just be available for feeds in between time he spends with the baby. Apart from that he will just have to be patient and wait till his child is older to spend one to one time with them.

 

[Becky61]

I was a single mum right from the beginning, & I breastfed my son for the first year. I couldn't express breastmilk & didn't want to combi feed. FOB hated me to say the least, but he realised I just wanted the "best" start for our son. He would visit me at home for around the first 3-4 months, maybe for 1-2 hours 2-3 times a week. It was hard for us, making small talk when we couldn't stand each other. Then, when LO was 7 months old, out of the blue, he asked to take LO 4 hours away to visit his parents (LOs grandparents). I couldn't deny my son the oppertunity to meet his grandparents, so I very reluctantly agreed to go. The things we do!! The first night FOB had LO (around 9 months old) I would pay a visit before LOs bedtime, & when he woke up, to BF him. It was hard work, but we kept it up one night per week til LO was a year old & I weaned him off the breast.

Please OP, assure your sister is doing the right thing. I hope breastfeeding works out for her, & they can find compromises like me & FOB did x