Anyones dh/dp not enthusiastic about breastfeeding?

[northstar]

Just wondering? I was on my own with ds and breastfed happily and successfully for 9mths. Now i am living with dp and 6mths pg. It hadn't occurred to me NOT to bf, but he really doesnt like the idea - his mum didnt or any of his six sisters who all have 3-5 children (all healthy etc) I'm not the kind of person to be swayed from what i think is best, but any advice as to how i deal with this?
I know there's lots of literature, but anyone got any experience of this?

It is much easier to feed discreetly than to feed indiscreetly IMO. You have to make sure you don't wear button down the front shirts or, if you do, don't undo them, as that exposes a lot of breast. If you wear loose clothes that you just lift up a bit and the baby goes underneath IYSWIM, then most people need not even know you are b/f. Also, if you drape a cloth or a scarf over your shoulder to cover your breast and the baby's head, that also makes it more discreet.

i think it's v sad that men cannot cope with their own confused feelings about what women's bodies are for and make their partners feel that they're doing something wrong.

my DP wasn't that keen to begin with don't think he had ever seen anyone BF either, now though he's the first to say "I think it's time for magic booby"

he's also keen on the money we have saved and also says he hasn't had a bad nights sleep ever with the baby, if she gurns in the night mummy plugs her in he doesn't even notice shes been awake. He's also v proud of me that my milk has made this baby grow so big.

My dh had had 3 children before he met me and none of them were bfed. It had never occurred to me that I would do anything but bfeed. When I was pregnant with our first, dh got increasingly agitated as the pregnancy progressed at the thought of me "exposing" my breasts in public. He made up lots of rules about how and where I was going to be able to do this "breastfeeding thing." His ideal scenario was locking me in a closet in the dark (dh is a skinhead, tattoo covered, northern builder), so I just calmly said "yes dear" and ignored him. I had an emergency cs with my first and spent 3 days in hospital, and by the time I got home I was totally established and comfortable with the bfeeding and because of the cs I couldn't go out so dh didn't worry too much. AND THEN after only a few days, dh saw the light. He quickly realized that he didn't have to do anything. He had always been the one who had to get up at night for bottles with his other children, but with me bfeeding he could get his beauty sleep. In fact he became such a fan, that the instant ds started even thinking about crying, dh was ordering me to "whip them out" even if we were in the middle of a builder's cafe.
I think the secret is to figure out what's important to your dp and work him from the right angle. If he loves good food, then somehow tie in bfeeding with good food. I wouldn't worry about it too much before the baby comes out though as there isn't much you can do in advance (I think). Good luck.

my dh was totally supportive of me bfing BUT was a bit worried that i'd over expose myself in public (he saw a woman flash far too much in tesco's cafe once). once he realised that feeding was done without fuss he was ok and is still v supportive

When I used to use breastpads, with DS1 (with DS2, I don't leak. What's up with that?), I would palm them, and tuck them in a pocket. It's best not to put them down, even in other mums' houses. Once a toddler took one as a chew toy.

I don't generally spray if baby comes off, but from friends who do, I found the amount of spray was pretty gentle - it doesn't really gush when nobody's working on the boob, if you see what I mean.

That being said, if your baby is prone to pulling off (they generally aren't, mid-feed, as they like what they've got), you can drape a muslin square over his or her head.

Kama I have the same problem! My 5 1/2 month DD is easily disrupted when feeding and will whip off leaving a gush of milk and me trying to regain my dignity I dont leak so much now but when I wear breastpads I dont find I need to take them out when feeding. Maybe I wear different feeding bras or maybe I have missed something