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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

You know how posters have said people like me put them off bfing (usually mythical babies they've no intention of having in the future, I think it's just something to say, but still)

160 replies

NotReallyHereHunker · 24/07/2007 23:48

I'd like a head count of people I and others like me have helped to breastfeed, please.

Not just me. My part's small and insignificant compared to people like Tiktok and Mears, I realise that.

So go on - is posting about bfing in general as opposed to specific issues helping or hindering people?

Real people who are having real babies in the future, please, for preference, not those who aren't having any more and just like having a go at me for posting about this. You know who you are

OP posts:
MadEyeMisdee · 24/07/2007 23:50

me.

without you, and other mnetters, dd3 woul,dnt have been breastfed for over 2years.

TooTicky · 24/07/2007 23:50

Who has been put off? How odd. The more discussion the better, I say.

LadyOfTheFlowers · 24/07/2007 23:50

I have passed a few pointers on that I have been given from others on here, you included.

collision · 24/07/2007 23:51

me!

Tortington · 24/07/2007 23:52

i am a person not ever going to have any more children thank god.

however i think this discussion helps with the societal shift in seeing breastfeeding as a norm. that is how it should be.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 24/07/2007 23:56

It helped me to b/feed DS until he self weaned at 26 months a few weeks ago.

Budababe · 24/07/2007 23:57

Well - not sure I qualify BUT......

I wanted to breastfeed but when DS was born he really really didn't want to and the midwife came to me after 24 hours and told me that he was showing signs of low blood sugar - waving arms about shakily apparently. She took him off to test and told me that his blood sugar WAS low. So we gave him a bottle. End result he was a formula baby. Bright and breezy and healthy although did have dairy related excema.

I have to say that I have since learnt a lot from MN about breastfeeding and I think I would do things differently if i was ever lucky enough to go again. And I know I would get lots of info and support here.

HOWEVER..... I do find that sometimes i question the advice on breastfeeding threads where someone is obv really struggling and they are told that baby isn;t hungry and just needs to suck and suck and eventually milk will come in. How does anyone really know this? How do you know that a baby isn't starving while waiting a few days for the milk to come in? Am not critisicing but am really really curious.

(Sorry - this is not what you were asking for!!!)

Original poster
NotReallyHereHunker · 24/07/2007 23:57

I've just realised I actually think it helped ME to bfeed when I had mastitis.

Not the "you should do this" side of things.

More the "omfg what on earth would MN say if DS2 was ffed?!"

OP posts:
kiskidee · 24/07/2007 23:58

you helped me hunker. you, tt, highlander, HC did to mention a few of whom responded to my thread.

i was the waif who was eating 6 times a day and still only weighed 7.5 stone. You gave me the which made me laugh through the tears.

my hv had told me i had to top up with formula because i was ill with the flu and dd was 2 wks old. You were about pg with your ds2.

welliemum · 25/07/2007 00:04

Me.

Don't ever stop posting about bf.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 25/07/2007 00:12

Is this a weird, back-handed way of starting a "please come back Hunker" thread?

NoBiggy · 25/07/2007 00:17

I found bf easy, I admit, but I'm sure reading the gung-ho bf'ers on here has made me carry on without recourse to follow-on milk. First time round I was told my vitamins had run out!

Also, I'm starting to feel a bit militant about it!

CalifrauniusFudge · 25/07/2007 00:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheBlonde · 25/07/2007 00:28

Yes you helped me Hunker (and others did too)

Glad to see you back

I think the general discussions are good

Those who have personal issues about breastfeeding will have them whatever you do - I was shocked to find that me breastfeeding made my mum feel guilty that she didn't breastfeed me

MKG · 25/07/2007 03:18

MN helped me. I haven't had any problems bfing this baby, but when I was pregnant with I read all the bfing threads and got informed about bfing. I still say everyday that I want to switch to formula but tomorrow we'll be bfing for 9 weeks which is longer than I thought I would.

SauerKraut · 25/07/2007 06:43

Over the past while I have been translating documents for a breastfeeding foundation which is charged with implementing the UNICEF Baby-friendly Initiative in this country. I think you and Tiktok et al represent the Mumsnet BFI!! I have followed most bf threads, even though my youngest is nearly 6, and watched you all help loads of struggling bf-ers, and I wish I'd known about Mumsnet when I was struggling with dd3, forgetting all I'd learned with the other 3 because of the stress.

Keep it up!

PrettyCandles · 25/07/2007 06:51

Me. I wish I'd know about MN when I was struggling with ds1.

If you're refering to that unfortunate foolishness with the Oct 06 postnatal thread, when you joined the thread briefly to suggest that they didn't need to feel pressured to wean early (or something similar), please don't let it bother you. They were hugely rude and insular, as well as extremely stupid in their attitude. Ds2 is an Oct 06 baby, but after that (I missed most of it, but read it when I returned and it was almost over) I abandoned them in disgust. I thought you were completely right in your opinions and in your approach. Perhaps significant that most of them were first-timers?

popsycal · 25/07/2007 07:23

me

constancereader · 25/07/2007 07:26

Me Me Me.

I am sitting here bf ds at seven months. I nearly gave up at 11 weeks until I obsessively read loads of the ff/bf threads. I started by feeling defensive as I had pretty much decided to stop. But I was convinced in the end. The practical advice was invaluable too.

I mentioned this on another thread as Lizyjane.

mandymac · 25/07/2007 07:27

Me too!

I got great advice about clearing blocked ducts, which prevented mastitis twice (my GP was very impressed!). Also Mears (I think) encouraged me to consider expressing when I returned to work at 6 months - which I did for 6 months.

Result: DD exclusively breastfed or ebm to 1 year. I am still breastfeeding her morning and bedtime and she is 2yrs 1 month now - Thanks to everyone who posts about breastfeeding!

harpsichordcarrier · 25/07/2007 07:34

Budababe, to answer your question:

HOWEVER..... I do find that sometimes i question the advice on breastfeeding threads where someone is obv really struggling and they are told that baby isn;t hungry and just needs to suck and suck and eventually milk will come in. How does anyone really know this? How do you know that a baby isn't starving while waiting a few days for the milk to come in? Am not critisicing but am really really curious.

well I think most people giving advice on here have expererience of the supply and demand aspects of bf and have seen it happen and they have confidence in women's bodies to respond to their baby's demands in this way. so this probably comes across. but I would say people normally/often say something like "got lots of rest, make sure you eat well, get lots of skin to skin" (all to improve supply) and also say something like "is he doing lots of wees and poos/wet and dirty nappies? is he well and lively and alert in himself?" checking for signs that the baby isn't getting dehydrated or unhappy.

I think people don't really say the baby isn't hungry (often posters are looking at a growth spurt or cluster feeding and the response is just to say the pattern of feeding is normal)

harpsichordcarrier · 25/07/2007 07:35

oh yes and me
for support when I was having a wobble at feeding past three yo, that self weaning was possible, and support during tandem feeding and support when feeding a toddler on demand was getting too much.
thanks everyone

Pruners · 25/07/2007 07:38

Message withdrawn

TootyFrooty · 25/07/2007 07:40

I just don't get this. Why would anyone be put off bfeeding because of your (and others) pro bfeeding stance? There's nothing but support and kindness on here for every one who's struggling with bfeeding. Much more than you get from a HV or midwife.

Budababe · 25/07/2007 07:51

Thanks Harpsi.

I do wish I had had access to MN when I had DS. As I said I ended up not breast feeding (which my sister thought was hilarious as there was a huge banner on the outside of the hosp for National Breastfeeding week!) - and I really do think I didn't get enough help from the midwives. DS screamed hysterically whenever I tried to put him on the boob.

If I ever get to do it again I will be bringing a laptop and have you guys on constant call!

So Hunker - to answer your OP - you and others haven't helped me but I know for sure you have helped others and you have helped me feel that I could do it next time.