[Tralyn]

Hello!

I am pregnant, this will be my first child. I am wondering about breast feeding. I know it's best for your child. What does it mean for the mother besides the obvious and how long do you normally breast feed for? Any other detail you want to throw in too...

Any feedback would be GREAT. Thanks in advance for helping me make an important and informed decision!

[N0help4u]

Some women actually lose weight by breast feeding
If you want to breastfed it is best to continue your prenatal vitamins because when you are pregnant/breastfeeding the baby takes your vitamins and minerals so you need to make sure you don't end up deficient.

[Wondergirl]

First, you need to have a good support system to encourage you. I didn't with my first baby, so I bottle-fed him. He survived and is 37 now. Almost five years later after I had his brother, I came in contact with a group of LaLeche Leaguers who were wonderful support.

The recommended time to nurse is six months. I've known moms who've nursed their kids to age 4 (more of a comfort thing by that time). I firmly believe:
1) nursing gives the baby antibodies to make him healthier;
2) nursing satisfies his sucking instinct (it's harder for a baby to nurse and takes more energy than it does to drink out of a bottle);
3) the nursing position is much more natural than how the baby ends up lying while bottlefeeding;
4) it's better mothering to nurse because, when you nurse, you can't prop up a bottle in his crib and leave him there maybe to gulp and get tummy aches (not a good thing);
5) nursing is tons easier because the milk is already warm and ready to use;
6) nursing is tons more fun because you and the baby spend a lot of bonding time together;
7) nursing helps shape the baby's mouth muscles and dental arch;
8) nursing is better than bottles because when you go on vacation or away from home with baby, you don't have to take along a ton of bottles, nipples, formula, etc.
9) nursing helps a newborn because the colostrum he gets during early nursing kicks off giving the baby immunity and gets him off to a good start;
10) nursing forces the mother to eat right and drink lots of liquids so that she benefits too and gets back to her old self faster and a healthier self on top of it.

There's more, but I'll quit and let someone else talk.

[Alty]

The nursing experience for mom can be many things, it depends on you and your baby.

My first child was not a natural breastfeeder, and of course I wasn't either, we struggled at first and I almost gave up a few times. We had thrush for the entire time that I was nursing, so that made the experience even less desirable. I ended up nursing him for 10 months, he's now a happy healthy 9 year old soon to be 10.

My second child was a natural, she latched on minutes after she was born. This time no thrush and I ended up nursing her well past her 2nd birthday. I didn't plan it that way, just kind of happened. She's now 5, 6 in a few weeks.

Check out a la Leche league in your area. There are usually nurses and other people there that can help you with the breastfeeding process, it's a great support system, and you will need it.

Remember that it isn't easy, it will take allot of your time, but the rewards are worth it. :)

Good luck.

[Tralyn]

Thank you for your answers... I really appreciate them.

Is it true you cannot get pregnant again while you are nursing?

Also, can you ween your own baby off nursing at 6 months if you choose not to go beyond that or do you have to let it take it's natural course?

Did you ladies pump at times... was that really inconvenient? I mean, I want my boyfriend and grandma and grandpas to be able to bottle feed now and then, is that not okay when breastfeeding? I will contact a la Leche league, I'm early pregnant right now though and just seeking some general answers to help us decide.

Again.. Thanks for sharing with me!

[DoulaLC]

Nursing also decreases the odds for the mother against such things as ovarian cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis, helps the uterus return to its prepregnancy size sooner, helps prevent too much postpartum bleeding... there are a number of benefits to mom and these accumulate. So if you have one baby and nurse for 6 months, then another and nurse for 15 months, etc. it all adds up for benefits to mom.

If you are doing exclusive breastfeeding... no bottles, then it offers a pretty high degree of birth control, but it is not 100% and there are women who are surprised to find themselves pregnant with a 3 month old while breastfeeding. Often ovulation doesn't return until baby starts skipping a feed or two (hopefully at night!) or you start to supplement with a bottle, but best to have back up protection to be more confident of preventing a pregnancy while breastfeeding.

It is recommended to breastfeed exclusively until baby is 6 months old, and then continue up to a year at least... while they will be taking in other foods as well, there are still benefits from breastfeeding for both mom and bay. Nutritionally, they don't need anything else before 6 months, and sometimes not even at that time... if given foods too early they will actually absorb less of some of the nutrients, such as iron, from the breastmilk. The digestive system is still maturing even into the second half of the first year.

You can wean at anytime you want to... some women decide to before going back to work or school, some just want to... some will combine breast and bottle feeding either with expressed breastmilk that they have been storing, or with formula in the bottle when away from baby and breastfeeding while at home. Whatever you decide, the key is to do so gradually so you and baby both have a chance to adjust to the change.

You can offer a bottle while continuing to breastfeed... generally it is suggested to try and wait about 4-6 weeks, until you have a good milk supply going and you and baby both feel comfortable with what you are doing. The concern with starting too early, is that some babies will develop a preference for the bottle and balk at going back to the breast as it is easier to get milk from a bottle. Some babies don't care where they get their meal from, but some won't want to have to work for it anymore and it can be frustrating to get them back on the breast. If supplementing becomes desired or necessary before that time, there are several ways to feed baby that lessen the possibility of nipple preference. Many people will express and store milk to allow dad or someone else to feed baby once in awhile. It doesn't have to be an all or nothing situation.

Three good books about breastfeeding to check out... there are several more, but three that are often recommended: The Breastfeeding Book... by Dr. Sears, Nursing Mothers Companion... by Kathleen Huggins, and So That's What Their For... by Janet Tamaro

[Tralyn]

Okay, that's a lot to soak in. Am I right in understanding it's recommended for 6 months to a year.. BUT.. you can ween safely after 4-6 weeks if you want to? That being said, you can pump and breast feed (so bottle feeding may be included now and then?)

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

[Wondergirl]

Okay, that's a lot to soak in. Am I right in understanding it's recommended for 6 months to a year.. BUT.. you can ween safely after 4-6 weeks if you want to? That being said, you can pump and breast feed (so bottle feeding may be included now and then?)

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

My personal experience (and I'm a librarian, not a nurse) is that you can wean anytime you want to. Try to breastfeed at least three months, though, if possible for basic benefit from breastfeeding. And yes, you can pump breastmilk and feed the baby by bottle (so you could be away from baby or allow other family members to enjoy that part of nurturing).

Also, the human nipple is different from a bottle nipple, and the baby has to use different techniques for each. From what I've read, the bottle nipple is easier to get milk through. Thus, the baby might get "spoiled" by the bottle nipple because he won't have to suck so hard to get milk--and could end up gulping if the bottle hole is too big. (Human nipple holes are never too big :).)

[N0help4u]

Is it true you cannot get pregnant again while you are nursing?

Yes but it is a gamble cause it is not the same for every women. It is more like it is less likely than that you can't.

Also, can you ween your own baby off nursing at 6 months if you choose not to go beyond that or do you have to let it take it's natural course?

You can wean them at any time you want.

Did you ladies pump at times..... was that really inconvenient? I mean, I want my boyfriend and grandma and grandpas to be able to bottle feed now and then, is that not okay when breastfeeding? I will contact a la Leche league, I'm early pregnant right now though and just seeking some general answers to help us decide.

Breast pumps are good and convenient for others to feed, but can get feeling like a nuisance where you really don't like the bother. When my kids were babies the doctors said you could not do breast feeding and formula alternating but my daughters dr told her it would be fine. But I would still breast feed as much as possible.

[Alty]

Some women don't ovulate during breastfeeding, it depends on your body and how often you are breastfeeding. Keep in mind, you ovulate before you get your period, so you could get pregnant without having a period between pregnancies, it's happened to allot of people who used breastfeeding as a form of birth control. Best to still use protection.

Pumping is not that big a deal, but get a good breast pump. Medela makes everything from hand pumps to electric and is a great product. Best to ask your Doctor or Midwife, there are also lactation consultants that you can ask, and many times they can get these products for you cheaper than in the store.

As for weaning, that's up to you and your baby, the longer you nurse the better, but also the harder it is to wean. Why do you think I nursed my daughter for over 2 years? ;)

[DoulaLC]

Okay, that's a lot to soak in. Am I right in understanding it's recommended for 6 months to a year.. BUT.. you can ween safely after 4-6 weeks if you want to? That being said, you can pump and breast feed (so bottle feeding may be included now and then?)

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

Breastfeed as long as you would like to... obviously the longer the better for both mother and baby, but it may not always be possible or desired. Some is better than none. As Wondergirl said, you can wean whenever you want to however. Just take it slowly so your body has a chance to adjust to the need for less milk production. Drop one feed a day for a few days, then drop a second one for a few days, and so on and you will likely find it fairly easy when you do so gradually.
Yes, you can breastfeed and do some bottle feeding as well... many women do. If you think you are going to want to offer a bottle on a regular basis, it can help to start pumping a few weeks before and start building up a supply in the freezer. Breastmilk can stay in the freezer for a few months... in the fridge for a week... so many women will get a nice supply saved in advance. That way they will always have some at the ready should they need or want it. Some women will use formula in the bottle when they are away and breastfeed baby when they are home... your body will adjust, but there are things to do to insure you maintain a good milk supply.
Check out some good books on the topic and see if there are any breastfeeding classes offered where you live. You will get all kinds of info on pumping and storing breastmilk. There is also many sites online that can offer good info as well.
The key is to make sure you are getting accurate and up-to-date info and asking for any help if you need it if things don't go easily at first. The first weeks are often the most challenging. You will feel like you are wearing your baby because they eat very often early on (they are designed that way!), and it is very important not to compare your breastfed baby with a friend's or family member's formula fed baby. In the beginning especially, they will have different eating and sleeping patterns and often will even gain weight differently. When you shop for a pediatrician, you will also want to be sure they are very knowledgeable on the topic... some are more so than others.

[Wondergirl]

The first weeks are often the most challenging. You will feel like you are wearing your baby because they eat very often early on (they are designed that way!)

Yes, be very careful to choose knowledgeable doctors. My baby's pediatrician had told me to breastfeed him only every four hours. I didn't know babies could cry so long and loud!--I was actually starving my own child! At the next appointment, the same doctor told me the baby was losing weight. Duh! That's when I connected with LaLeche League and ignored the doctor when it came to breastfeeding advice.

[Tralyn]

You ladies are all being so incredibly helpful. Thanks for all of your insight.. anything else come to mind I'd be glad to hear it.

So... if you do pump - so others can bottle feed at some point that is just breast milk correct? NoHelp4u mentioned alternating breast milk and formula?

[Alty]

You can also mix breast milk and formula.

[DoulaLC]

Yes, as Altenweg said, you can offer both.

A few of examples of combining both:

*Mom goes back to work, breastfeeds in the morning, baby has formula during the day, mom breastfeeds when she is back home and at night.
*Mom breastfeeds the majority of the time, but wants to go out or have someone else feed baby, and baby has some formula while mom is busy.
*Breastfeeding is off to a slow start and baby needs to be supplemented... mom breastfeeds first to have the stimulation for milk production, then baby gets topped off with a bit of formula.

When possible: Breastmilk straight from the source would be first choice... offering expressed breastmilk now and then for someone else to feed baby would be next... offering formula now and then would be next. (there are other options but many people aren't as comfortable with them, such as offering banked breastmilk... it's costly and not everyone is comfortable with having someone else's breastmilk)... that's a whole other scenario... :)

[Tralyn]

Wow you guys.. I went from being really super leary about breast feeding to thinking I am most definitely going to give it a try - at least for awhile. After all, some breast feeding is better than none right?

[Wondergirl]

Yes, some is better than none. Be sure to be patient with yourself and the baby. Both of you will gain a lot, even if it is just for a few months. My breastfed baby has a perfect dental arch, never has had cavities in baby or permanent teeth, has three master's degrees, and has a great job. Between my fantastic mothering and three months of breastfeeding, he is a success! :D

[Alty]

Breast is best, but don't be too hard on yourself if you can't breastfeed or decide to wean early. Love and care is the most important thing. :)

I have to say that the bond I had with my kids while nursing was amazing. The skin to skin contact, the suckling little baby in your arms, relying on you for nourishment, love, everything, it's an amazing feeling. The bottle is fine, and you can have that intimacy even if you choose bottle feeding, but for those that have done both, they always say there's something special about nursing your child.

Remember that it won't be a piece of cake, make sure you have support and that you go to your doctor with any concerns. Breastfeeding can be either a wonderful experience or a horrible one, it depends on you and your doctors, your support system and your baby.

Also, we're here if you need us. :)

[Tralyn]

This may seem like a weird question too but I have to ask it. I had a friend that was adamant to breast feed. Her baby would not take to her nipples no matter what, so she did give up.
Can't a mother still pump her breast milk for her baby and bottle feed her the breast milk for awhile even if the baby won't take to her breast? I couldn't understand why when she gave up she just went to formula and that was it.

[Wondergirl]

This may seem like a weird question too but I have to ask it. I had a friend that was adamant to breast feed. Her baby would not take to her nipples no matter what, so she did give up.
Can't a mother still pump her breast milk for her baby and bottle feed her the breast milk for awhile even if the baby won't take to her breast? I couldn't understand why when she gave up she just went to formula and that was it.

She should have been able to, although that is less than satisfying and fun. Maybe the pumping would have brought in her milk better and then her nipples and smell would have appealed to the baby.