Should I bother with bf??

[AlistairSim]

Sorry about the contentious title but wanted to grab attention.

Many years ago I had some surgery on my breasts to remove some ,thankfully, benign lumps. As a consequence, I was told bf would be unlikely.

When I was pregnant with dd, wasn't too bothered about bf but was delighted when my breast started to leak.

Anyway, dd was induced and born by emergency c-section. I decided I would try bf. I was VERY lucky to have a massive amount of support, in hospital and once I was home. I live near a midwife-led birthing unit and was encouraged to phone/visit anytime 24/7. I was down there every day and tried every position known to womankind, every pump etc.

Nothing worked and I had to move onto ff. Have no problems with this, dd thrived and I gave it my best shot.

Currently 7 months pregnant with number 2, breasts leaking a little bit, and wondering if I should try again?
I know there is no way I can exclusively bf but wondering if it is worth trying for a while so at least baby stands the chance of getting some colostrom.

Any opinions, please?

[Twinklemegan]

I'd give it a go. It's not just the milk itself it's the whole package, the comfort for your baby, etc. Sounds like you've nothing to lose and you're prepared for the realities so give it your best shot. The colostrum along will do your LO so much good.

[louii]

I know after a breast reduction which removes some of the milk ducts etc, after each pregnancy and subsequent breastfeeding the supply improves.
Not quite sure of the reasoning to this, maybe someone else knows.
Give it a bash I say, hopefully things have improved a bit and if not i wouldnt worry.

regards

Lou

[NoBiggy]

Go on, nothing ventured and all that

[CristinaTheAstonishing]

I think I would try. It might just work better this time round, who knows?

BTW really good to read how at peace you are with how things turned out with your DD.

[AlistairSim]

Thanks for your positive replies, everyone!

Had originally decided not to bother as it seemed like such an effort when I knew I wouldn't be able to do it properly, ifyswim.
Think I will at least TRY again, even if it just means having to try expressing.

Thanks again.

[motherinferior]

Give it a whirl. Go on. Good luck!

[3andnomore]

Sim, you obviously had a great attitude to it with your first child and gave it a go and were also fine when it didn't work, without geting upset, and beating yourself up, so, if I was you I would try again
Especially if maybe this time you won't have to be induced or have a C-section, things that can be counterproductive to Breastfeeding anyway.
A friend of mine had Breastreduction years ago, and was not encouraged to even try with her first child, however, with her 2. child she decided to give it a try and even though she was never able to exclusively breastfeed, she did manage some bf and she loved it and felt that her little daughter did at least get lots of comfort from it.
So, for her it was worth it!

[FrannyandZooey]

Oh yes, do try, although I understand your reasons for hesitating

Even a tiny amount would be very beneficial if it was possible

best of luck with it

[AlistairSim]

Thanks everyone.

My boobies seem to have stopped leaking now! Can't remember if this happened last time or not but does anyone know of any ways to increase any supply that might come in?

[FrannyandZooey]

Just lots of skin to skin contact when the baby is born, offer and encourage feeding as frequently as possible

I don't think there is anything that you can do before the birth except for trying to be well-fed and well-rested (not being so won't prevent you from breastfeeding, but being so will certainly help EVERYTHING after the birth seem easier)

[kittypants]

id give it ago.i didnt get on with bf,but am so pleased i tried!dd was 5 weeks,ds1 didnt try,ds2 was about 6 weeks.i know its not long but im proud of myself for trying.
about the leaking stopping,im sure i did too,had lots of leaks then stopped then started again!

[lyrabelacqua]

Definitely worth it if your baby gets even a tiny bit of breast milk. It's full of antibodies and other good stuff. You could do bf and ff together.

[AlistairSim]

Thanks yet again.

Think I'm just getting a bit paranoid. I thought I was a lot more sorted about the whole issue, iyswim.

[AlistairSim]

Sorry to be reviving a very old topic but just wanted to thank all the posters for their encouragement.

I did bf ds for a few days until I ran dry and am really glad I tried.

So, thanks again.

[moondog]

Ah,well that was great that he got the colostrum and more.
Do you have a definite physiological reason as to why it was hard?

[AlistairSim]

I had surgery many years ago and new as a result I wouldn't be able to bf. I just don't have the right equipment to make milk.

Leaked a bit during both pregnancies, so gave it a go anyway.

A glutton for punishment, that's me

[moondog]

Well good on you.

[chipmonkey]

Good for you, AS! Whatever he got will have done him a world of good!