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Infant feeding

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

is it true that if you bf for 6 weeks you get 80% of the benefits?

21 replies

iamjigsaw · 28/09/2008 13:05

is this true?

OP posts:
GreenMonkies · 28/09/2008 13:18

No.

There are no benefits associated with breastfeeding, only risks associated with artificial feeding. The earlier you stop breastfeeding the more risks involved.

Two articles you might find helpful, here and here.

iamjigsaw · 28/09/2008 13:22

hi GM, thanks for taking the time to reply and for the links.

I am trying to support one of my friends, who is finding it tough going as he already has a toddler.

she is thinking of giving up soon, and someones told her thst if she lasts till 6 weeks baby is 2 weeks atm, the baby will get 80% of the benefits.

I totally understtand the point that bf is the norm so there are no benefits to it just risks involved with ff.

OP posts:
GreenMonkies · 28/09/2008 13:34

Point out to your friend that if she stops she will have to care for a newborn, entertain a toddler and wash, sterilise and make up bottles, and that will be much harder work!!

If you can help her get through the first 6 weeks (which is the hardest bit) she should find the feeds start to space out a bit and it will get easier.

She probably just needs gentle encouragement, practical support; take the toddler to the park for a couple of hours, cook a meal or provide some easy to eat snacks, do a load of washing for her, that kind of thing. If you can keep her spirits up, tell her what an incredibley good job she's doing, how briliant she is etc, over the next few weeks she'll find it gets easier and suddenly isn't such an uphill struggle any more. Thats when she'll start to reap the rewards, bf'ing is so easy then, baby chunters, you pick it up and put it up your jumper and read a book to your toddler.

She may find a nice sling helpful too. One of my friends used to come over and play with DD1 (2.5) whilst I was feeding DD2, then hold DD2 as she slept whilst I played with DD1. It was enormously helpful, and having another adult in the house once DP had gone back to work kept me sane from a conversation point of view too!!

You sound like a really nice supportive friend, well done for being there for her.

whomovedmychocolate · 28/09/2008 13:39

I know where this came from actually - it's thought that for the mother after six weeks the protective effect from breast cancer/ovarian cancer kicks in. But that's little help to the baby honestly.

I have a toddler (who is still breastfed) and a newborn - it is bloody hard work but it does get easier. I'm at 10 weeks now and it's starting to get easier already!

BabiesEverywhere · 28/09/2008 13:42

I have a toddler and a newborn and I am nursing both of them.

If I had to add the time needed to prepare bottles of formula on top of my current days activities I would go mad.

Plus the biggest advantage to breastfeeding is that you have to sit down on the sofa to nurse (at the start) which gives you chance to rest a bit, Mumsnet and the hormones breastfeeding releases help you feel relaxed and happy.

iamjigsaw · 28/09/2008 13:42

thanks gm.

i have said how well shes doing and that she is doing a wonderful thing for her ds.
and reminded her[she has bf before] that it does get easier.
i can do some more practcle help as well as telling her how great she is.

its quite annoying when people keep telling her crap, like how easy it is to mix feed etc.
and that you pnly really need to bf for 6 weeks etc.

OP posts:
BabiesEverywhere · 28/09/2008 13:43

WMMC, Glad to hear it gets easier...I'm just behind you with a 6 week old baby

GreenMonkies · 28/09/2008 13:43

WMMC

I thought it was 6 months before it made a difference to breast/ovarian cancer risks?

Well done on the tandem feeding, I know how you feel!!!

iamjigsaw · 28/09/2008 13:44

thanks i will try my best to keep encouaging her

OP posts:
GreenMonkies · 28/09/2008 13:45

Hi BE!! congratulations on your new bundle!

GreenMonkies · 28/09/2008 13:48

Jamjigsaw the best thing you can do is to just be there for her. Help her with practical crap like food, laundry etc (if you are a close enough friend to furtle around in her kitchen!) and company. Plenty of cups of (decaf) tea for her a nice new book/jigsaw for her toddler.

iamjigsaw · 28/09/2008 13:51

thanks thats my plan sorted then

OP posts:
DeJaVous · 28/09/2008 13:57

I think you could say that it's true that if you bf for 6 weeks you've through 80% of the hard bits.

BabiesEverywhere · 28/09/2008 14:07

Thanks GM, He is fantastic

GreenMonkies · 28/09/2008 14:26

Blimey BE are you sure he's only 6 weeks? He looks very grown up and alert! Not to mention well fed!

whomovedmychocolate · 28/09/2008 16:49

Greenmonkies - don't ask me, read it in one of those dreadful parenting magazines!

BabiesEverywhere · 28/09/2008 21:14

GM Yep, Only 6 weeks old. He is very alert and chunky for his age and in 3 to 6 month clothes.

Check this out, comparing him to his sister at a month old here

Sorry to hijack thread...iamjigsaw

NorthernLurker · 28/09/2008 21:16

Oooh continuing the hijack - cute, cute babies babieseverywhere!!!

GreenMonkies · 28/09/2008 22:41

Stop it! Stop it! Don't you dare make me broody!!!

BabiesEverywhere · 29/09/2008 09:07

Thanks NL

Go on GM, have another baby, they are so cute

GreenMonkies · 29/09/2008 09:43

No, No, No, No, No!

Too old, too knackered!

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