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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

how can I convince my friend to try beastfeeding...

44 replies

suzi2 · 30/12/2005 22:51

... without sounding really preachy? (which is a problem for me now because I think it's great!)

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 30/12/2005 22:54

PMSL at beastfeeding...

Sorry.

Ahem.

Er - does she not want to? Have you talked to her about it? WHat are her reasons for not?

dinny · 30/12/2005 22:56

oh, marvellous typo!

just wait until she asks about it then tell her your experiences..?

Hi Hunk

gigglinggoblin · 30/12/2005 22:57

if she tries it and doesnt like it she can stop. cant do that if you bottle feed 1st. and by the time she has tried it baby will have got all the colustrum so will be much better off anyway

i remember my aunties friend trying to convince me to bf, while my auntie told me to bottle feed. i didnt listen to either of them so you may have your work cut out. good luck anyway

thecattleareALOHing · 30/12/2005 22:59

I was so suprised and pleased when a friend of mine breastfed when I really thought she wouldn't even try. She did it for three months and gave a bottle at night, but I was amazed she even did that. I think I may have played a part in her decision. I just talked about doing it with ds and how easy and nice it was for me - but kept it very low key.

Pruni · 30/12/2005 23:00

Message withdrawn

Original poster
suzi2 · 30/12/2005 23:01

Oops Mind you, the way DS wrestles me sometimes you'd think he was a beast!

She feels that breastfeeding is too hard. I also think that she has huge issues with her body and that may have something to do with it. Personally, I find it hard to think that someone wouldn't even try so I'm trying not to say anything to her until I can subtly convince her. Baby isn't due until April so I have a while yet! I am the only one of a group of friends who has breastfed past the first 2 wks. I think that she's heard a lot of horror stories too.

OP posts:
motherinferior · 30/12/2005 23:01

Yes, just doing it in a very straightforward unhassled manner around her - and eating and drinking whatever you feel like - is probably the best advertisement. That and your bountiful bosom, of course.

gigglinggoblin · 30/12/2005 23:02

not having to get out of bed was also a big selling point for me (lazy moo that i am)

babaworshipper · 30/12/2005 23:03

Actually in tears at the typo here!

Tell her that she can sit about and get everyone else to do stuff for her, if she formula feeds everyone else will feed the baby while she makes tea cleans etc.

thecattleareALOHing · 30/12/2005 23:04

Yes, my friend saw me beastfeeding and I think was surprised it was so easy.

Mymble · 30/12/2005 23:04

I'm sorry, just PMSL also at beastfeeding. Dd is especially good at it, she has really sharp nails...

Tell her its convenient, helps you lose weight (sometimes) and gives you such a smug warm glow that you can get away with any amount of bad mummy-ness.

Also, you might get to offend people although I've never managed that one.

Also, see if you can give her a hand to suss out the support avalible, and maybe get her a book which explodes some of the myths.

motherinferior · 30/12/2005 23:05

Yes, you get to justify any amount of inadequate parenting. For years and years, even after the beasts have left the breast.

Original poster
suzi2 · 30/12/2005 23:06

I think that feeding around her might be a good approach. DH thinks I'm weird that I'm even bothered by her decision. He thinks I should butt out. But I have an uncontrolable urge to stick my nose in

OP posts:
motherinferior · 30/12/2005 23:06

And indeed your norks

Pruni · 30/12/2005 23:06

Message withdrawn

hunkermunker · 30/12/2005 23:06

Can you just say, "I really don't want to pressure you at all, but I would feel really bad if you regretted not breastfeeding in the future and I'd love to talk to you about it"?

hunkermunker · 30/12/2005 23:07

Sorry, sounds like her decision is all about how you'd feel. Not thinking v clearly tonight - blood sugar a bit high

(Hi Dinny, btw!)

thecattleareALOHing · 30/12/2005 23:07

I think it's like you see someone who doesn't want to go to Rome because they are afraid of pickpockets - you want to persuade them to go because it is lovely and they might really, really enjoy it. But you can't bully them into buying tickets, of course.

Mymble · 30/12/2005 23:08

Even when ds is eating any amount of crap I am sitting there thinking, "ah yes, he was breastfed to 13 months". It really is very helpful.

Original poster
suzi2 · 30/12/2005 23:09

That's just it hunker - I think I would hate to see her regret not even trying in the future. Perhaps I should get her to lurk around this forum too... but only once this message is well down the list!

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 30/12/2005 23:10

Suzi, you can always get this thread deleted - everyone would understand!

Pruni · 30/12/2005 23:11

Message withdrawn

Original poster
suzi2 · 30/12/2005 23:11

x posted with you Hunker. I think it is all about how I feel... jeez, this mummy thing does weird stuff to you! Maybe I should just butt out. I will (obviously) support her whatever she does.

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 30/12/2005 23:12

It's the whole "making people feel bad" issue again

JoolsToo · 30/12/2005 23:12

I think if she's wavering you might be able to persuade her to give it go - on the other hand, if she really has no interest (and some of us don't you'll be flogging a dead horse.

Good luck!

(I like aloha's analogy of Rome - friends of ours are besotted with New York but wild horses wouldn't drag me there!)