I love breastfeeding

[TiffanyDoggett]

I’m hoping to start a happy, gentle breastfeeding chat about the things we all love about breastfeeding. It’s always mentioned on here when things aren’t going right and I’d love to just chat about the happiness and contentment it brings me and my baby.

*This is not a discussion thread about BF vs FF. I’m pro informed choice (when you have a choice) about how you feed your child.

Wow verbena for your experience and for giving birth to a baby that big!

I think it often gets forgotten how healing breastfeeding can be after a traumatic time.

I had a terrible pregnancy and a terrible labour and a terrible time for the first three months breastfeeding, but once the pain finally went and my supply stabilised it had major mental health benefits to me - healed my soul to be able to able to provide for the baby in that special way and the hormones released do also help! And the baby loved it too.

Tiffany thanks for my gold star glows - actually labour was fine emotionally because the hospital staff were utterly brilliant, but recovery was so tough as I’d expected to be so much more capable post partum. All good now though, and very worth it!

Sengah I’m glad I’m not the only one who found it really healing - I think it’s maybe a more common benefit than I’d expected. Really helped me fall back in love with my body.

Yes, I found breastfeeding very healing after infertility and multiple miscarriages. Finally, something my body did effortlessly (after the first 2 months!). It's also very good for maternal health, apparently (reduced cancer risk etc), so I love that its good for me and good for baby, makes me feel great, she loves it. It's a win, win, win. It does frustrate me how people are so keen for you to stop when they're 1 and can get all judgy when you breastfeed an older baby/toddler, it's still magical and why would you stop if you're both still loving it and getting so much benefit?!

Yes that bothers me too, especially as people don’t seem to bat an eyelid at bottles of formula at similar ages. Never mind. Their loss.

Verbena Well, yes, and most babies / toddlers still need a lot of milk between one and two, so why having established breastfeeding would you randomly switch to milk from a cow instead which would lose all the closeness benefits, health benefits for mum etc. I totally get why some women can't breastfeed, it's tough at first and not everyone can do it but once you've got it going, why stop prematurely just because some random says so?!

I also love breastfeeding but it feels wrong to admit that a lot of the time because formula feeders seem to think it's a personal attack when it's really not! Nice to see a thread like this
I love the closeness I feel to my baby. The sleepy milky cuddles at night. The fact my body sustained her completely from conception until she went onto solids at six months. The fact its convienent and free is also a big bonus!

@Ineedacupofteadesperately
I know what you mean. After a few years TTC, a very managed pregnancy and an ELCS for maternal medical reasons I loved that my body could 'do' breastfeeding. I love looking at his chubby little body and thinking that's all from my milk.

Oh yes, and I love how convenient and free it is because I'm a disorganised cheapskate who wants an easy way to loose the baby weight!

I've breastfed all 4 including twins
Loved loved loved it
5 days in Paris with a 4 month old was a breeze with a breast fed baby
Just recently have felt guilty for advocating it......is there a push against it now??????

Awwwww
This is making me very excited!
Cant wait to meet dc4!
Still has some cooking to do but really want to have a proper go at BF

Loved it and was really sad when my milk dried up at 9mths when I returned to work for long hours.
The convenience of it was so good - I think my only complaint was trying to dress every day in a way that made my boobs accessible!

I love breastfeeding, it’s so convenient and easy once you get going. I’m finding it so much easier the second time around as I know what I’m doing and what cluster feeding is, that was such a shock to the system!
It’s lovely having snuggles with him, especially bed sharing, and knowing that I’m providing everything for him is amazing.
Agree the only real issue is having to think of what to wear! I’ll happily do it anywhere tho, love not having to faff with bottles.

I gave up pretty early on with both of them and loved formula feeding, but I did love the closeness, the sucking feeling, the convenience. It is a beautiful thing.

I get the healing thing. DD didn't have the easiest time when born and I had a lot of irrational guilty feelings. I feel lucky that I have been able to breastfeed her

Oh yes. The healing. The feeling that your body is totally broken after birth, yet it keeps on doing what you need it to do. Every time he is weighed and has put weight in,I give myself a high five and marvel that I can grow him!

I absolutely adore breastfeeding.

5 weeks here and slept 8 hours from birth and now going 12 hours. No cluster feeding or waking up at night.

I'm glad some other people find it positive too

I know I'm really lucky though and think I'd have not pursued BF if it meant I wasn't sleeping well. I admire the ladies who find it painful and tiring.

I couldn't do it if it was like that for me! Wonder women

Echo lots of the above.

It fixes all problems. We are years in and it calms always, helps when she's sick, great way to reconnect in busy days, etc

Not so much now but when she was smaller if I couldn't sleep I remember waking her for a sleepy feed as it would make me feel so sleepy. My milk has stayed through nights away and weekends away.

@Louise322 that's a stunning picture. And a beautiful baby!

kirta Thank you feeling so lucky at the moment

I love this thread . Keep popping back to read more lovely observations.

I love seeing how many of us have found it profoundly healing. Wonder if there’s any research into mental health benefits for mums?

Oh and I also love the little suckling mouth he does when he’s sleeping, so cute!

Lovely to read such positive comments, seem to read mostly negative things on here and elsewhere, it’s such a touchy topic

I'd never noticed the ear print on my arm. Last night I saw it and got very excited! Dh didn't quite understand

@TiffanyDoggett I showed my dh this thread he said I should get it inked but I'm so scared of needles!