to ask what you love about breast feeding?

[macramemiss]

I've been breast feeding for 8 months. It was fucking awful in the beginning and initially I did combined feeding as my son was losing weight (dangerously so). No formula now, but also no judgement towards those who do ff. That's not what this thread is about and I still have my formula in the cupboard, just in case :)

Bf for me is amazing now and I absolutely love it. I love the way my son kneads my boob it's pretty cute, and the way he whimpers when I'm trying to get my bra undone but am not quite going quick enough. It's a pretty distinct noise!

Anyway. I've been experiencing pain which I discovered is from a blocked duct. Very painful and wanted to remind myself of why I love breastfeeding.

Anyone else care to share what they love about breast feeding?

I loved that I could do it whilst I was sleeping whilst I (safely) co slept. Otherwise I think I would have died from tired.

Also i liked being able do it anywhere, anytime. Very convenient.

That amazing zoned out feeling you get just after the let down reflex - like a natural high!

@SmileEachDay I co-sleep too. My son latched on to me the other day without me knowing!

It is so relaxing, just you and baby.

@Tefiti2 I have never ever experienced a let down reflex. My mum said she feels sorry for me because it feels so nice. Couldn't tell you what it feels like

His little tongue flicking gently when he’s distracted and pulling away to look at something else.

The way he tastes the milk when he’s finished and clears his mouth.

It’s the little things 🤷‍♀️

Feeding while lying down, hands free!
The way my baby's eyes light up when she sees my boob.
It's also hilarious when she hiccups herself off the boob!

I love when they look up at you and meet you eye. So bonding.

Convenience, knowing that it was giving them the best start, the physical closeness, not having to go to the kitchen to prepare bottles etc at night, cheap, being able to feed in the sling, having an excuse to eat more cake, no sterilising, delayed periods returning, instant comfort for baby... So many reasons! I loved bf!

I could fill a page with why I dislike it now though! Bloody breastfeeding olympics

@macramemiss you might not be missing out. My letdown feels weird, almost painful, like a sort of suction. Definitely not a blissed out lovely feeling!

Argh. I didn't get the delayed periods either. Gutted!

I love the way I can instantly comfort DS if he's had a fright, bumped his head etc.

The faces he pulls as I unclip

Bed sharing and sleep feeding

Not having to get up to make bottles or take bottles, flasks, milk, and gubbins out with me

Living by the rule 'if in doubt, whip it out'. Boob solves most issues at this age.

Oh and flutter suckling while he is dosing

I second that @nwqueen it’s an uncomfortable sensation

@TheBabyAteMyBrain Living by the rule 'if in doubt, whip it out'. Boob solves most issues at this age.

My friend is still bf her 2.5 year old and she still lives by this mantra!

Not having to get up and mix formula in the middle of the night is what kept me determined through it all. Being able to just sit down and feed anywhere, anytime.

I loved that it was just me and dd alone together always. I loved their little hands spread out like stars on my boob. I loved the feeling of being able to satisfy my precious child's hunger. I loved that I could just strap my dd to me and go anywhere, with a spare nappy and packet of wipes in my pocket.

The only thing I really loved was the convenience. It was just a thing I did, not a blissful experience but not unpleasant either.

I love it. I fed DS until he was about 3.5 years. I loved that it allowed me to sleep. DS would wake often but as we co-slept, he settled quickly and so did I. Also that I didn’t have to ever get out of bed to feed/settle him. I loved the connection when he was upset or poorly and that it helped him settle/made him feel better. I loved how it helped us reconnect when I went back to work when he was 11 months. I loved that if he was fractious or over tired when we were on holiday or out, it could help him settle. I am a huge fan 💕

My youngest is 9 now and I still miss BFing, loved all the things mentioned on here but loved getting into bed with the baby, TV on low and snuggling and feeding to sleep. I’m proud of my boobs feeding 4 children and they still look ok.

I love those snuggles at night when the house is quiet.
I love their wee hand resting on me.
I love that milk coma look when they’re done.
I love the convenience of not having to faff with formula and bottles.
I love how the hard times in the beginning fade away to a distant memory but the good ones linger on.

Their tiny little arms sweeping back and forth over my décolletage as they fed, like a metronome. They both did it, and it was beyond cute.

@Purplejay can I ask, did you get much judgement for feeding for so long? I personally think it's fantastic and that people should do what feels right for them. My friend keeps being asked when she's going to stop and her MIL told her she's only bf for herself now and it's not to her son's benefit. Ridiculous as he's only 2.5! I worry that I'll feed past 2 but be judged by others...

I have an 8 day old who I'm breastfeeding right now! We are topping up with formula as she lost a lot of weight too. And I'm expressing to build a supply.

I'm finding the initial latch a bit painful on one side at times, but once she has got into her flow it's fine.

I love her milky moustache when she's finished, and the 'milk drunk' look she gets too.

I'm guessing when she's back to her original weight, I will stop the formula- is that what you did?