To breastfeed or not to breastfeed

[MUMTOBE7]

Hello in 36 weeks pregnant and struggling to make a decision on breastfeeding, up until my now ive being set on not breastfeeding as i have the smallest nipples ever and the thought makes me shudder, also my partner is not fond on the idea eother, i recently started leaking and now questioning my decions

[Pipandmum]

Why don’t you just give it a try? Size of nipples or breasts has nothing to do with it. Just give it a go. If you don’t like it then you can go to formula, but you may regret not trying.

[Joopy]

Try breastfeeding, you can change to formula if you don't like it.
I didn't use formula so I can't give you that point of view but bf is so easy, no sterilising bottles and measuring formula and worrying about amounts or temperatures

[Blossom28]

Why is your partner not keen?

[mamatoizzybee]

I would recommend to give it a go. As the other poster mentioned, if you don't take to it, then you can switch to formula . You wouldn't be losing anything by trying :)
I have a 12 week old who I combination feed. I breastfeed throughout the night (I just roll out of bed and get my boobs out - no bottle prepping or messing about in the kitchen ! ) but if I am really exhausted in the day time, I give the occasional bottle .

If you are leaking during pregnancy I would say thats a good sign that you'll have a good supply to give it a go :)

[BohemianDream]

Curious as to why your partner is not fond of the idea of you breastfeeding your baby
I use nipple shields and find they have helped a great deal. I think the medela ones are the best though you may not need them at all. Good luck.

[MUMTOBE7]

Its not that he is not keen im the same just the thought of breastfeedinf makes me feel abit quizy he is the same. My freind breastfeeds and i really dont like it

[Aggh]

It’s completely wierd and a bit yucky....till you try it, then it’s the most calming, incredible and bonding and convenient thing. Definitely worth having a go. Whatever you do, enjoy!

[Biggie123]

Congratulations on your upcoming arrival!

I’m just guessing and I may be wrong - but I suspect you have not grown up seeing a lot of women breastfeed. I grew up watching my mother breastfed my siblings so for me, it feels totally natural. But I can imagine if you don’t see it much from early age it can all become a bit strange.

I would say it’s just really a case of educating yourself and then making an informed decision. However, it doesn’t matter what decision you make your child may decide otherwise and things with children don’t always go as planned. So, you can only ever try!

People might tell you formula and breastfeeding are the same. But the truth is, they are not. Breastfeeding has benefits for your baby and benefits for you. I don’t think any mother should make herself stressed, ill, ruin that initial period, or make what can be a time of recovery and massive change more stressful than necessary so I wouldn’t say you MUST breastfeed.
But, I honestly think you should try. Some people find it easy.. I found it hard to begin with but it was only because I knew all the benefits that I persevered. I would say that it helps to know where your nearest breastfeeding support group is and go as early as possible. You will also meet loads of other mums just like you and it help you and your partner see that it really isn’t abnormal.

[Biggie123]

Stuff to read

[Biggie123]

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[Biggie123]

I know couples who obsess about buying their baby the best clothes and toys but yet won’t even try to breastfeed which gives their baby all of the above.

Like I said, nothing when it comes
To children is within your control and it’s not worth jeopardising your mental health over but I would say it’s worth a shot..
What have you got to lose by trying?

[Horehound]

I don't understand how the most natural thing in human existence can be "yucky" as a pp said or make you feel weird. It's producing milk for your baby to survive..

Also the health benefits to YOU not just baby are well worth it imo. I say this as a first time mum to a 3 week old and have found it hard with large breasts and a tiny baby but I'm sticking with it.

[tropicalwaterdiver]

It's amazing bonding experience plus it's very convenient. The other important point - when you fully breastfeed, your milk acts as immune protection for your child until you introduce other food into baby's diet.

[Shmithecat2]

Give it a go, what have you got to lose?
It's free.
It's super convenient.
Nothing to prep.
It's the best milk for your baby.

[Loli2]

Yeah I get what you mean. Freaks me out and it makes me feel a bit Ick aswell. Don't know whether to try or not. But as people say can always try and then switch?

[Superfoodie123]

A couple of books I recommend before making your decision:

1. the politics of breastfeeding
2. The food of love

[youwereagoodcakeclyde]

Give it a go, they will benefit from however long you continue!
You might find it easy/love it but you have to try to find out!
I found it hard the first 3 weeks (4 kids - hard every time- wasn’t because I didn’t know how ) but from week 4 on it was so handy and found loads benefits - no periods, no PMT, free cost, lost weight despite eating everything, felt “relaxing”, babies thrived.

[apples24]

Go for it. It's hard at first but once you & your baby have got the hang of it, it's easy, cheap & convenient.

[YakkityYakYakYak]

I breastfed exclusively for 7 months, now combination feeding as DD is about to start nursery. It took a few weeks to establish, and it was sore initially, but I’m so glad that I persisted with it.

The benefits to your baby are indisputable, but it’s also just so much easier than faffing about with bottles, especially at the start when you are doing lots of night feeds, you don’t even have to get out of bed!

And don’t worry about the small nipples, mine were practically flat when I started but they’re bloody huge now

I’d say just give it a go and see how you get on, even if you can just give baby the initial colostrum for the first few days (even if you give it via syringe!) it will benefit them so much.

[Selfsettling3]

You can give it an try and see what you think. Colostrum, the very concentrated milk that you have at the start is called liquid gold because it’s so good for baby. Even if you only do it for a few days it’s beneficial for your baby.

Small nipples will make breast feeding easier in the early days. I’m not going to lie, lots of women find breast feeding tricky in the first feed days/weeks as you and baby are learning a new skill. But you are learning lots of new parenting skills. Having had one formula feed baby and one breast baby I would say breast feeding is so much easier.

[BumbleNova]

I know what you mean OP but honestly, I love it. It's so easy when you both get the hang of it. It's free - no money spent on formula, bottles, prep machines etc. Baby cuddles when you are breastfeeding is just so lovely. It's also a secret weapon. If my DS is not feeling great, has hurt himself, is teething etc it's a really easy way to soothe him.

[Zofloramummy]

I breastfed and I have pretty flat nipples! It took a few weeks and nipple shields to get established but I’m so glad I did. It was so convenient and I still have her a bottle everyday so that when she went to nursery she would take milk there. It doesn’t feel odd when it’s your child and it is an amazing bonding experience. Try it, if it doesn’t work then use formula. But if it does enjoy it, save the money, time and faff of having bottles. As for your partner? Well that’s what boobs are for!

[BumbleNova]

Oh Andi lost my baby weight plus a stone in 3months. Not been this thin in ages 😂

[june2007]

Believe me it is so much more convenient at night. Your giving your huan baby your human milk just as nature designed. If it doesn,t work out formula is fine but it is a back up it,s not an equall alternative.

[auslass]

Its totally up to you, though I would suggest thoroughly educating yourself on the benefits of breastfeeding first. It's tailor made for your baby, has everything he or she will need, helps you bond with the baby, and also is completely free.

That said, its not easy for some, but I would try your best to put the concern of weirdness from your partner aside. It's not about looks or weirdness, it's about feeding your baby. I would suggest discussing your concerns about breastfeeding with a breastfeeding support group or your midwife.

While its down to choice, and I don't believe anyone should bully you into breastfeeding (which can happen), it's probably best to get all the facts and make an informed choice.