Thinking about breastfeeding

[MummyJade]

Ello Every one.

I am currently 23 weeks pregnant with a little girl she is my 1st child.
I was convinced that i was going to bottle feed. But lately I have been seeing a lot about breastfeeding. how it is good for the baby etc. Now i am in 2 minds!! Being only 19 I wouldn't feel comfortable breastfeeding in public also my partner is keen 2 help. so i thought about expressing. But i am not big chested and i am worried bout sagging what i have got!!!

Any tips would be great
thank you

love Jade and Girlie Bump
xx

 

[Ragirl]

Ello Every one.

I am currently 23 weeks pregnant with a little girl she is my 1st child.
I was convinced that i was going to bottle feed. But lately I have been seeing a lot about breastfeeding. how it is good for the baby etc. Now i am in 2 minds!! Being only 19 I wouldn't feel comfortable breastfeeding in public also my partner is keen 2 help. so i thought about expressing. But i am not big chested and i am worried bout sagging what i have got!!!

Any tips would be great
thank you

love Jade and Girlie Bump
xx

It is definetly the best thing since sliced bread! I recommend you read the four "Myths about breastfeeding" threads that are on here, as many of your questions are answered there. But even the smallest boobs make enough milk. If anything makes the boobs sag, it's pg, not bfing (so you are already out of luck there). Expressing only can work, but it is more difficult than bfing alone and often fails (see thread "Pumping..destined to fail"). Remember, daddies can help in many ways other than feeding. He can even be the one to burp her as you nurse. And you will both be thankful when you can stay in bed to feed her rather than get up out of bed to make bottles. But if at some point he does feel left out of the whole feeding thing, after your milk supply is established in a few weeks, you could always bf AND express a little so he can give a bottle once in a while. As for bfing in public, it is a personal choice. But I don't think you have any reason to worry- if someone is appalled by you bfing in public, they aren't going to care if you are 19 or 49. To be perfectly honest, when I see younger mom's bfing, I usually think better of them than when I see them bottle feeding (just my own bias...I know I'm horrible). You would definetly find a ton of support here if you decide to bf

 

[MummyJade]

Thank you so much 4 ur advice, I will give it loada thought, I mite do both express for when out and bf wen home. Well my boobs r screwed then! lol!! I wil check of the 2 links u have given me thanks again

Jade and girlie bump xx

 

[Serene123]

I'd say, get information on both and just go with what feels right for you and your little girl when she's in your arms. Good luck.

 

[Holldoll]

I just read Dr. Sears entire website on bf and it was very interesting. I highly recommend reading it!

 

[luckyme225]

I'm in my early twenties and breastfeed and I love it. It's good for the baby and it's easy once you get the hang of it (after the first 3 weeks or so). I do express every night so daddy can give a bottle before bed. I have a wonderful nursing cover for when I am in public or I just express and bring a couple bottles in a cooler. It sure makes nights easier because you can just pop your boob in their mouth instead of getting up making a bottle and warming it when they are hungry. Breastfeeding does not make your boobs sag, that would be thanks to pregnancy in general, my breast are not saggy as of yet

 

[Serene123]

Now I'm not up with a baby on my boob I can give you a better response. I'm 18 and I had no intention of breast feeding atall but when she was in my arms it just felt right. Now I couldn't care less who sees.

I bottle and breast feed and I wouldn't recommend it at all. I'd say if you want to breast feed you need to stick to just that. I wish I had. You'll regret it if you give up. It is quite hard at the beginning but I'm assured it does get better.

It's your decision. Do what's right for you and sod what anyone else thinks.

Good luck.

 

[Linzi]

Im 21 and I breastfeed, and I can honestly say Ive noticed no change in my boobs whatsoever apart from they got bigger lol. They haven't sagged or anything yet. And if I remember, the sagging isn't affected by breastfeeding, it's by the pregnancy. So whether you breastfeed or not, it wont make much difference (someone correct me if Im wrong)

I think that breastfeeding is the best way forward for me and Seth, but it's different for everyone and I wouldn't judge anyone for bottle feeding. The bond you create with your baby is one of the best things about it. It's not 100% easy, but it's very satisfying a lot of the time.

Give it a shot if you want, if not, don't worry. I'm sure you'll know whats right when the time comes

xxx

 

[mommytashaX2]

I was in the same boat that you are when i was pregnant. I'm 20 now and I breast fed my daughter (now 4) and I had a hard time getting her to bottle feed afterward when it was time for me to go back to school however, she did get used to the bottle and never had any problem afterwards. Because of this and wanting to have the option of being able to leave the baby with daddy and take a walk etc. when I needed to, I said that I wouldn't breast feed this time around. I ended up changing my mind because it is more affordable, there are TOOOOOO many benefits for your child when you breast feed, its so much more convenient than carrying bottles or having to make them during the night, plus you are having that time to bond with your baby. I wouldn't worry too much about breast feeding in public, I have expressed milk when we went out once and have decided to discontinue because it wasn't enough for him, and I had such a hard time getting enough milk expressed (takes wayyyy too long and he wants to feed again right after he finishes the bottle!!). When I'm out in public, I just cover up (receiving blanket over my shoulder, breast and baby's head) and I honestly couldn't care less what anyone wants to think. My breasts have not sagged from breastfeeding my little girl, and right now they're still fine, so you shouldn't worry about this either. Breastfeeding is a personal choice you have to make and be comfortable with. If you feel like this is not something you really want to do, don't let others be the reason why you've chosen to do so. I have family members, friends etc. that have bottle fed their babies and they're healthy and happy kids as well. Good luck with your decision making.. You still have a bit of time to think some more about what you feel will be best for you and your baby.

 

[coccyx]

Give it a go. Cheap, convenient,great stuff for baby. No need to expose all the boob in public, can be done discreetly and the oh can bond in other ways.Yes, i am very biased but have breastfed all my 4 and loved/loving it

 

[Samantha675]

I am breastfeeding my son, and I love it. It is the most wonderful feeling in the world to look down at him while he is feeding. Give it a try and see if it works for you, there is no harm in that.

 

[Bec Haile]

I loved breastfeeding. It made me feel really special because it was something I could do for him that nobody else could do. I was only 18 when Charlie was born and I was worried it would make me all saggy and looking middle-aged afterwards but I actually don't!! My breadts never went back to my orginal size (34C) they stayed bigger (38D).
RE:feeding in public - you can get some gorgeous semi-transparent feeding clothes that you drape over your shoulder and around the baby. They cover what's going on but the baby can still see the world (not that he/she is interested when there's food) x

 

[Holldoll]

I have a hooter hider that completely hides the baby. It makes it very easy to breast feed in public.

 

[luckyme225]

I have a hooter hider that completely hides the baby. It makes it very easy to breast feed in public.

I have one too, LOVE IT! I was nursing Connor and his uncle came in the room and asked where he was, he didn't even notice I was nursing.