Freaking out (a bit)

[GreenCar]

I'm giving birth shortly and really really want to breastfeed. But...everyone I know either bottle-feeds or breastfeeds but have older babies (6 months plus) who wake every 2 hours or more often at night and feed continuously during the day.

I've read loads of books about breastfeeding to prepare myself and my impression was that if the baby takes a proper feed then it should last a bit between feeds and certainly at 6 months should be sleeping for longer during the night.

Does anyone have any more "positive" breastfeeding experiences? Any tips as I'm not sure I'll be able to cope with a baby permanently attached to my breast day and night and this isn't really what i envisaged breastfeeding would be all about.

I'm going to order that tonight :)

I also love The Politics of Breastfeeding. Very interesting and really good at explaining the history of how formula got into our society in the way it has, as opposed to as a medical product.

Another vote for "The Food of Love" here - very funny book, hugely informative, very easy read, and just realistic, as well.

There's a very sensible and humane little bit (can't remember where) which talks about women who end up FF-ing instead of BF-ing, which pretty much says 'you can't know what they've been through or what they feel, so don't judge.' Bit better put than that, but that's the sentiment.

"The Womanly Art" is a huge tome, be warned - I found going via the index for specific problems very handy, but there is quite a big agenda there beyond BF-ing, about the role of women/mothers in society, and I didn't agree with all of it (felt it was a tiny bit un-feminist, in fact). I didn't want to feel I was buying into a whole doctrine just to get info about BF-ing.... Although there is some excellent practical advice in the book, I don't want to do it down too much.

"The Food of Love" reads like it could be written by a mate, rather than an organisation, which is another big plus IMO.

I really appreciate all the detailed responses. Thank you!! Have just ordered the Food of Love book and looking forward to it arriving