I love breastfeeding

[TiffanyDoggett]

I’m hoping to start a happy, gentle breastfeeding chat about the things we all love about breastfeeding. It’s always mentioned on here when things aren’t going right and I’d love to just chat about the happiness and contentment it brings me and my baby.

*This is not a discussion thread about BF vs FF. I’m pro informed choice (when you have a choice) about how you feed your child.

[TiffanyDoggett]

I'll start. I have a gorgeous 10 week old boy who is my second child. He's so content compared to my first and I love the way he's starting to connect that the breast is attached to me . He keeps looking up at me when feeding with surprise and then gives a big smile. I'm in love!!

[RunningBean]

Love how easy it is after the initial bit, no waiting while you make bottles and not having to actually get up during the night.
Like the physical closeness and cuddles during it and how they go from fussy to so relaxed.
Also felt like it made up for my first 2 being premature a bit, felt bad that they'd missed the last 2 and 3 months of the pregnancy so felt like they were at least getting something from me to make up for that time.

Though don't like that it means DP gets off the hook for settling and night wakings because of them demanding only me, or when they scratch your boob while feeding!!

[QueenAravisOfArchenland]

I just love how it feels. I love the amazing convenience and flexibility and the power I have to instantly soothe.

It also saved my bacon many times. Delayed flights, toddler illnesses, major meltdowns, that time we both got stuck in a bathroom for 4 hours... I'd have been buggered without BF.

[TookyClothespin]

Love the ease of it after initial weeks. Not having to think how long we'll be out and do we have enough bottles.
do not love that 16 month old DD still wakes 2-3 times a night and will only settle for me after a BF

[CocoDeMoll]

Ahh this is lovely!!

I love how it calms me down as well as ds. It just feels so special that it’s the two of us having this amazing bonding time together. I was going to say the same about dh being off the hook with feeding thoug!!

[ellesbellesxxx]

I only did it with my twins until they were 10 weeks due to supply/issues.
I loved that they would Bring themselves off and crash out on my breast to sleep.. that feeling of them feeling safe and loved to
Do so.

[TiffanyDoggett]

It's heartwarming to here your happy breastfeeding moments.

I love eating so much guilt free at the moment. The hunger is unreal and I've developed a big cake habit!

[CointreauVersial]

People always talk about the fact that if you bottle feed it can be done by someone else, but that to me was a disadvantage! Breastfeeding can ONLY done by you, so YOU are the one that has to sit down and cuddle your baby while others run around doing chores, making you tea etc.

I also loved the fact that it is an instant comforter and soother when your baby is crying/unhappy - no waiting for bottles or worrying the last feed was only an hour ago.

[CrazyOldBagLady]

My DS is my first so nothing to compare it to, but it is very convenient and of course doesn’t cost us anything. Love it when he takes a pause during a feed, looks up at me and gives me a big gummy smile 😍 We co-sleep too which is lovely and makes night time feeding a breeze. We’ve all had plenty of sleep since we brought him into our bed, so I’ve not experienced any sleep deprivation which has made the whole experience a lot easier than some of the stories I hear.

[TiffanyDoggett]

Co sleeping is such a sleep saver. He's only just mastered the lying down position so it's another corner turned.

He vastly prefers one side at night so I'm a bit lip sided!

[cornishmumtobe]

I love it when he gazes up at me whilst nursing and does a little giggle 😍

[ShowOfHands]

I bf both of mine for over 3 years each and it evolved as a relationship. From frantic and desperate feeds to comfort for illness, soothing to sleep and a quiet reconnect after time apart. It fills myriad purposes. It was such a special time and I will always treasure it.

What a lovely thread.

[kirta]

I love when his eyes lock on to mine and smiles! I've had a shit night last night and considered giving it up in the morning! This thread has made me remember that the pros get you through the tough days! Thanks!

[Lightsong]

My youngest is 15m and still BF, but when they were tiny both of my DC used to have lovely little 'milk-drunk' faces when they fell asleep feeding and just leaned heads back with mouths still wide open.

BF made two weeks holiday abroad with a four month old a doodle, no sterilizing equipment or making sure we could buy formula.

[princessdaffodil]

I absolutely loved breast feeding. I loved how close it made me and dd. I fed my dd for 8 months until we moved into my mother and father in laws and I just didn't feel comfortable enough to do it in their house. It broke my heart to stop so soon I would still be doing it now if I could (dd is 12 months).

[Madmarchpear]

I fondly remember those early days high on oxytocin and prolactin
It is the gift that keeps on giving. It's great when they're ill and restless. I've never had to deal with secondary infections of ears and throats because they seem to sail through colds.
When mid tantrum an offer of a quick booboo is never refused and they soon forget what had irked them.
And the memories of them staring up at you with absolute adoration are priceless.

[SnuggyBuggy]

I love the good nights where she feeds, gentle winding and settles and I can just go back to sleep.

I also got back into my pre-pregnancy jeans pretty quick.

[GummyGoddess]

Before dc1 I thought it was disgusting and that I would hate it. However I ended up feeding him for over a year until he weaned himself off.

I love that they fall asleep while doing it, and if DH had to take dc1 afterwards he would do a semi sleepy milk drunk milky smile.

I love that I don't have to get up or wash and prepare bottles to feed.

I love not having to try and work out how long I'll be out the house and then need to take all the bottles with me and stick to my planned timings.

I love that they are so happy when feeding and that I (maybe selfishly) don't have to share that with anybody else.

I'm just waiting for the horrific pain to stop now that dc2 is here so I can enjoy all of the above again. I know it will stop soon which encourages me to push through the pain.

[TiffanyDoggett]

I can really relate to enjoying night feeds and finding it hard to get back to sleep but not always minding (unless it's a weekend and I've got both my children the following morning!) last night he woke up for a feed and then started doing these adorable gurgles after and smiling at me. We were both up for two hours!

[Aozora13]

I also had a bumpy start breastfeeding dd (thanks undiagnosed tongue tie) but then it pretty much became my go-to parenting solution! Hungry? Boob. Tired? Boob. Upset? Boob. Wake up in the night? Boob. Possibly why I ended up with such a big fat potato baby! I’m pregnant again and no question about bf again, the intimacy was lovely. As was the convenience!

[BlessedMango]

This is a lovely thread! Thank you! Today’s a bad day but reading this has helped remind me its all worth it.

[QueenAravisOfArchenland]

I love the way DS2 can start off a feed restless and agitated but as he feeds his weight relaxes into me until he's this totally content and limp little weight across me.

[NellMangel]

Love it. Love all the cuddles. Even when DS is poorly I know he'll still breastfeed so I'm not worried about nutrition.

[troodiedoo]

I loved the night feeds so I could browse mumsnet in the peace and stillness in my comfy Ikea rocking chair.

[Adviceplease360]

Hungry? Boob. Tired? Boob. Upset? Boob. Wake up in the night? Boob.

This is the reason I never learnt to actually settle my kids, I just offered the boob instead.