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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

I'm sold, now trying to sell BF to DH and he's not buying!

26 replies

liquidclocks · 31/08/2006 23:10

Has taken me almost whole pg to decide definitely to try BF with DS2 who is due in four weeks. I've taken lots of advice from wise MNetters who've helpedme leap all the hurdles of understanding what went wrong last time, what I can do different this time and found me some medication that I can take safely while BF. Feeling very positive about trying again from a personal point of view.

Anyway, so out for dinner this pm with DH and he says he doesn't know why I want to try again as 'it only helps the immune system and DS is fine' - to be fair to him he did watch me suffer a lot physically and emotionally last time and he's done a lot of supporting me in this pg when I've been ill and I know he just doesn't want me to make myself worse BUT - how do I sell this to him. Usually I'd google it all but I'm soooo tired and I'm hoping to get some links/help from you all, sorry if that makes me a bit lazy but there's such a wealth of knowledge on here you'll save me sorting wheat from chaff!

So a quick sell on why breast is best please! Thank you!

OP posts:
moondog · 31/08/2006 23:12

There are two lovely ones..

10 reasons to b/feed

101 reasons to b/feed

Will look....

moondog · 31/08/2006 23:15

101 reasons to breastfeed

fistfullofnappies · 31/08/2006 23:17

good luck then liquidclocks. Here are my best reasons:

if you breastfeed, you'll do all the night time feeds (if he pushes you to bottle-feed, its only fair that he should do 50% of them).

No time-consuming faffing with bottles.

It saves money.

Less chance of baby getting gastro-enteritis (3% vs 16% I believe)

and very important...it's something that you want to do, and even just trying it again will make you happier.

Original poster
liquidclocks · 31/08/2006 23:18

That was quick! Thanks moondog, knew I could rely on MN!

You'd think a bloke would be sold just on the idea of the easy access bras but apparently not...

OP posts:
bubble99 · 31/08/2006 23:19

I think the fact that he won't have to do any night feeds should sell it?

moondog · 31/08/2006 23:21

There are lots of 'Ten reason' ones but here is one.

Original poster
liquidclocks · 31/08/2006 23:22

This is the problem fistfull - he's such a domestic goddess! Last time he washed, sterilised and made all the bottles and did lots more than 50% of the night feeds as lack of sleep is one of the things that makes me ill (though I've tried to explain new BF friendly meds this time will help) - in his mindFF is the easy option for me! Bless, he's so altruistic!

Didn't help we also got free milk as DS had relfux and was prescribed enfamil!

The 'it would make me happy reason' is a good one to go with though - why didn't I think of saying that - I've been focussing totally on the facts - thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
liquidclocks · 31/08/2006 23:24

didn't know about the lowering risk of breast cancer - that's a good one... reading down 101 list slowly...

OP posts:
Original poster
liquidclocks · 31/08/2006 23:35

Think I like the nicer packaging one the best!

Seriously - thanks for the links - much more prepared for my 'convincing' conversation tomorrow.

OP posts:
moondog · 31/08/2006 23:37

My feeling is that when you give birth,you can have some say.

Otherwise snout out!!

Original poster
liquidclocks · 01/09/2006 09:09

I know - it's my choice but it would be nice to have him on board. We usually agree on most of our 'parenting choices', this is a biggy and I'd like him to back me rather than say 'dunno why you're doing it' the moment I hit a bad day/moment.

OP posts:
kiskidee · 01/09/2006 09:17

you can always be clever and bide for time. try saying that you will take bf one day at a time. hopefully, before you know it, your baby will be six months!

also wrap it in the package that you love him because you know that he always supports you 110% of the time and know that he will help you just as much as last time if bf doesn't work out. (it goes unsaid of course that he will do the same in the early rough patches of bf too. )

men love flattery.

Original poster
liquidclocks · 01/09/2006 09:52

hmmm - sneaky - agree that men love flattery though! Getting lots of ideas about the 'right' approach - ta!

OP posts:
crunchie · 01/09/2006 10:18

he is a bloke, therefore it is simple in his head. You struggled last time, so why do it again. In his head he is trying to protect and look after you.

Why don't you discuss it again and explain you would like to TRY, but realise it maybe hard and are prepared to change your mind.

Original poster
liquidclocks · 01/09/2006 10:26

That's EXACTLY where I think he's coming from crunchie - I mean bless 'em, there is this thing about men where thay just want to look after us isn't there? I think you're all right, I need to change my tact tonight and go for the 'it'll make me happier' approach but tell him that if it doesn't then I'll be prepared to change my mind but can he support me as long as I'm happy.

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 01/09/2006 10:31

LC, I'd be careful about saying "can you support me as long as I'm happy" - say as long as I want to keep doing this, and bear in mind that I might look like I've had enough, but if I say I want to keep doing it, please will you support me, thank you very much Oh and don't let me give up in the middle of the night, that would be very good too.

SherlockLGJ · 01/09/2006 10:32

There speaks Hunker the voice of experience.

Original poster
liquidclocks · 01/09/2006 10:42

Yes - maybe 'happy' is the wrong word - especially when it'll be the 5th time I've got up since midnight and the sun's not up yet...

Or perhaps that should be - what have I let myself in for?????! Why do people do this again and again?

OP posts:
dinosaur · 01/09/2006 10:44

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
liquidclocks · 01/09/2006 10:49

Awww dinosaur - that sounds lovely! That was the sort of thing I felt I was missing out on last time, reminds me, ought to get a comfy chair for LO's room.

awwww! I've gone all gooey!

OP posts:
moondog · 01/09/2006 10:54

Lovely dinosaur

dinosaur · 01/09/2006 10:55

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

moondog · 01/09/2006 10:55

I had plenty of those too.

damewashalot · 01/09/2006 11:03

dinosaur your post made me go all teary and my boobs are all tingly -ds3 is sleeping but due a feed so I'm rather full

dinosaur · 01/09/2006 11:04

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.