Can I ask, how hard is breastfeeding? Honestly?

[Firstimer2015]

I'm overdue with DC1, so have been possibly stupidly reading online about bf to try and prepare myself for what's to come.

I'm not adverse to formula feeding at all, in fact I don't know anyone who has breastfed so ff is the norm to me. However, I decided months ago to give bf a try because of the health benefits, but also, mostly because I thought it would be easier.

I have an illness called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome so I get tired very quickly (although I know anyone with a newborn baby would be chornically tired!). I thought bf would be easier, in that I wouldn't have to get up and make bottles, wait for them to be ready, steralise them etc etc, especially in the middle of the night. I thought I could just put the baby on my boob without having to even get up and it would be easier that way.

I'm having doubts now though. I knew before it can be painful if the latch isn't right so your nipples can be sore etc, but what I really, really didn't anticipate was how often babies feed! As I said, I've only ever been around ff babies, so I'm used to them feeding every 3 hours or so. I had no idea bf can sometimes be every 2 hours, and for hours and hours at a time (cluster feeding I think I read it's called).

It's just made me question my decision, as I thought bf would be the easier option (that is of course, if baby takes to it - have bought bottles just in case) but now I'm wondering if it's actually the harder option?

I just want to do best by my baby, but also I don't want to wear myself out so much that I'm unable to care for the baby properly, so just wondered what other peoples experiences are?

My own experience, for what it is worth:

DS1 - Breastfed for 23m in total. It was a bit tricky for the first few days, but only because he was jaundiced and kept falling asleep all the time so I had to prod him awake so he fed. After that it was easy - so much easier than bottles. Never had thrush, cracked nipples, soreness or any of that.

DS2 - Breastfed for 3 years (so far! Trying to stop now but he's not very keen). He latched on easily and fed like mad right from birth. I got mastitus once when he was about 3m old which wasn't pleasant, but other than that no problems at all (except he is obsessed and won't stop!).

I'm on day 12 with DS1. I'm very lucky to be finding it both easy and lovely. I would hate to be waking to stagger down to an freezing kitchen to make up bottles. He's naturally seeming to go 3 hours between feeds and would be more like 4 in the day except that I wake him.
Very best of luck and hope you have an equally pleasant experience.

OP, it's great that you're preparing by reading about the ways in which bf can be difficult. So many new mums struggle at first and since nobody tells you at antenatal classes etc how difficult bf can be, so many women end up feeling like they are the only ones having problems and feel like failures.
My milk took 6 days to come in, my baby was so hungry that he couldn't maintain his latch because he was crying so much. I managed to get him to keep trying to feed, and pumping as well to encourage the milk production as well as keeping my baby going with formula until my milk came in. It was so upsetting and I really felt I was failing him. I was very very lucky to have my mum staying with me, a supportive partner and midwives coming every day to help. Despite all that support, I was about to give up when my milk came in.
Now I'm so, so glad I didn't give up. Breastfeeding is the most rewarding, loving, tender experience I have ever had, my baby and I have such a special bond, and I'll treasure the experience for ever.
I know that a lot of women have much more difficulty getting bf going, and I don't in any way think that women who are in excruciating pain or have sore nipples, mastitis etc should necessarily carry on trying to bf - a happy mum is the most important thing at the end of the day...
BUT if you are considering bf, please, please try, because if you are successful it really is a very special experience.

I have only read the OP so apologies if repeating but will give my own experiences. I also have CFS and am currently bf dd2 who is 5 weeks. I bf dd1 until she was almost 3. I have had 2 big, hungry babies but have bf both with no problems at all. I'm lucky in the both latched on immediately after birth and bar a tiny bit of soreness from long feeding sessions (easily fixed with lansinoh) I've never had any problems. Dd1 wouldn't take a bottle and I've not yet tried with dd2 so I've done all the feeding and been fine.

Admittedly bf is tiring but it does force you to sit down - at least with first child, not so much when also entertaining a toddler! One of the best things to do is learn to feed lying down so you can at least rest even if you don't feel comfortable co-sleeping.

I feel terrible when pregnant but apart from normal tiredness from having a baby, feel great post birth. There is evidence to suggest that the hormones released by bf improve CFS and I have certainly found that.

I'd recommended trying it and make sure you have details for plenty of real life support if there's any problems - lactation consultant etc.

Also while you are recovering, just make feeding baby your job - dp/dh/your mum etc can look after you and the house!