anyone had an easy time breastfeeding?

[romoca]

Currently pregnant and would like to try breastfeeding, but all I hear is horror stories of pain and bleeding nipples and infections!!!!! Never hear of anyone who has had an easy time!!! I've always bottle fed my children as I get myself so scared!!! X

It's already been mentioned, but i would also recommend the la Leche book The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (a kindle is great for reading during night feeds!)

There's a lot of peer support in my area and groups for breastfeeding mums - research now before baby arrives. It's good to establish support networks as soon as possible.

Yep. Easy from day 1. Baby knew exactly what to do. Mild discomfort on day one, totally fine from then on. 5months in now. Can't say I like breastfeeding, but it has been easy for me.

Wow, glad this thread exists as I wouldn't be able to admit this in 'real life'. I feel like I have had a relatively easy time of it. My baby latched straight away, the nips became a bit sore after a couple of days (no cracking/bleeding though, thank god). I introduced a dummy at day 5 for a tiny bit of rest. No probs. Had a few minor latch issues that were mainly because my nips were too big and his mouth too small (much better now he has grown). I checked La Leche league website for help and a local support group.
I feed him anywhere and even went on a country walk and he fed in the wrap/sling as I walked along. I can't imagine having to make up bottles when I can hardly manage to make a cup of tea (I am a lone parent so none to do it for me!).

I say all this as I genuinely had no expectations and thought I would go with the flow. I was prepared to not manage it after reading all sorts of horror stories.
So, OP, I would say:
Relax, try it. As the others say, surround yourself with supportive people for whom it is the norm i.e. they won't do a cats bum face when you get your boobs out all the time!
Lanisoh, breast pads (the milk will pour out when baby cries or you feed from the other breast - I had no idea!), drink plenty.
When you get the hang of it, try different tops so you can feed more easily when visitors around/out and about.
Lastly, the oxytocin rush is really nice :)

Terrible punctuation. Apologies.

Yes, it was a loooong time ago though.

I do realise I was VERY lucky.
Baby latched on straight away.

I do recall having mastitis but was very well supported through it.

I loved every minute of feeding my baby, I found it incredibly bonding.

I just wish she hadn't got teeth at 6 months and I'd have continued.

Good luck - remember the choice is yours though. Don't feel pressured either way, do what is right for you and your baby

Have loved feeding both mine. No problems at all. Never mention this in rl unless explicitly asked and even then I'm cautious as don't want to sound boastful (think it was mostly luck partly supportive DH who let me laze in bed for first 2 weeks) or make others feel bad if they're struggling.

Very straightforward with both of mine. No pain at all even on the first few days. Have never had bleeding nipples, infections, anything like that. Fed eldest until 20 months, still feeding youngest at 19 months but only every couple of days now.

Between 6-12+ months the sleep was pretty tough, not necessarily related to bf (my formula feeding mates have babies that don't sleep either!) but hard to have to do it all myself. Neither of mine ever had bottles. Boyfriend was very supportive carrying baby to and from cot in the night (when I didn't want to co sleep any more) and giving me lie ins etc. Moral support is hugely important and people understanding that it's a big tiring thing you're doing, even if it's going well.