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Parenting

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Original poster

To breastfeed or not to breastfeed

76 replies

MUMTOBE7 · 20/05/2019 22:16

Hi im 36 weeks pregnant and have being dead set on not Breastfeeding as i have tiny nipple which is going to make it more difficult and the thought makes me shudder also my fella is not fond on the idea, but recently i have being questioning my decision and in stuck any advice

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JoJoSM2 · 20/05/2019 22:51

I didn't want to breastfeed so went onto formula straight away. Yes, there are bottles or sterilising to do but it does have its advantages too. My husband was able to get involved from day one and bonded a lot sooner than most dads. If it wasn't a work night, he would look after the baby and I could get a good night's sleep in another room.

Having said that, if you really want to breastfeed and your only concern are your nipples, then do give it a go as it might just work out.

BraayTigger · 20/05/2019 22:54

Definitely breastfeed. Is your partner willing to get up at X hour and prepare bottles?? He sounds awful if he won't support you feeding your child naturally. Small nipples do not affect breastfeeding. Yes it hurts like hell in the beginning but that is regardless of nipple size. You can breastfeed at any time any place, prepping bottles is A LOT harder work x good luck

JoJoSM2 · 20/05/2019 22:54

In terms of health benefits, the pieces of research that I've seen actually found mixed feeding (bit of breast and bit of formula) to be the healthiest and the differences were generally pretty tiny.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

3rd trimester Families General parenting General pregnancy

HomemadeGranola · 20/05/2019 22:55

It's entirely your choice

However, nipple size has nothing to do with feeding.

But if you're determined not to, could you try expressing some colostrum?! It's so important for a newborn

Original poster

MUMTOBE7 · 20/05/2019 22:57

My only concern is my nipple but i also cringe at the thought off breastfeeding it has always made me feel abit like urrgh, my partner does not mind if i breast feed he is just like me and its just makes him feel abit urgh i totally understand as im the same, i have got formula milk all bottles and steriliser as had no intention of breast feeding but for some reason im a little curios must be my instincts kicking in

OP posts:

AvoidingMarking · 20/05/2019 22:58

If you can do it, even for a few weeks your baby will get so many immunities and antibodies from you. Cheaper too.

Also, I put some in my son's bath last week and it got rid of his cradle cap. It's miracle stuff.

There should be lots of support from midwivss and health Visitors if you do decide to try-don't be afraid to ask! The children's centres run groups too with support and there is a 24 hour helpline for advice if you need it

Original poster

MUMTOBE7 · 20/05/2019 22:58

My partner is fully supportive in what i decide he feels the same way i do.

OP posts:

Original poster

MUMTOBE7 · 20/05/2019 22:59

What us colostrum is this the clear/milky looking liquid that im leaking?

OP posts:

AvoidingMarking · 20/05/2019 23:02

Yes; it's the yellowy concentrated liquid that comes first before your milk comes in (usually around day 3)

Purpleartichoke · 20/05/2019 23:03

I think it’s always a good idea to commit to 6 weeks and go from there.

I had small nipples. We ended up needing a nipple shield. Used it for 3 years. Easy please.

TeaForDad · 20/05/2019 23:03

FWIW my dw could never imagine it, seemed wierd, etc but when our baby was born she just clicked (well the usual 'teething' peoblems)

Its better for the child and easier for you. Give it a go, no shame if you can't do it or don't like it

AvoidingMarking · 20/05/2019 23:04

Stomach size of a newborn- no matter which way they are fed.

Some mums who breast feed struggle with not knowing how much they are drinking so I think this helps

MacrosomicMumma · 20/05/2019 23:06

I am massively pro-breast feeding and had always planned to but I totally understand how you feel.

We've been conditioned that boobs are sexual and so the thought of feeding a baby can feel weird and I thought it would be weird and couldn't get my head to stop telling me it was weird. However, as soon as she arrived and rooted naturally for the boob she latched on and it felt like the most natural thing in the world. I enjoyed every minute and loved those quiet times when it was just me and her. I really missed it when I stopped.

I've not breastfeed for nearly two years but am pregnant again and plan to breast feed again this time. However, even now, sometimes I feel weird about it even though I know it also felt so different to what my head thought!

I'd say try it and see how you feel (if you want to) and if not, then don't feel bad about it. Your body, your decision. Good luck!

Original poster

MUMTOBE7 · 20/05/2019 23:06

Yeah i think im going to give it a try just the thought is making me cringe but dont want to not try breatfeeding and regret the decion, what the difference between the colostrum and normal milk and how long will i produce that for?

OP posts:

MollyHuaCha · 20/05/2019 23:16

Crabbitstick love the video! (Had to reduce the volume of the music though).

Babies really want to breastfeed. We talk a lot about choice for mothers and this is of course important.

A newborn baby's choice will be breast over bottle every time.

If you would like to try OP, be proactive in asking midwives for help in making it happen.

Wishing you well with the remainder of yr pregnancy.

AvoidingMarking · 20/05/2019 23:25

@MUMTOBE7

This webpage is really useful and explains what will happen in the first few days- and what colostrum is.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/breastfeeding-first-days/

Original poster

MUMTOBE7 · 20/05/2019 23:35

Thank’you the NHS website was a great help think i will let baby get the colostrum and try formula food at the same time them baby will have practice in both bottle and breast as dont think i will be comfortable with breast but want to try and do whats best for baby, thank’you 😁

OP posts:

mrsk28 · 21/05/2019 00:47

I couldn't breastfeed due to needing to start back on medication as soon as DS was born 5 weeks ago.

Like you I always felt a bit funny about it so wasn't pushed that is wasn't an option for me when I was pregnant. But when DS was born I did feel like I was missing out. Plus you are nearly shamed nowadays for choosing not to breastfeed.

Do whatever suits you, there is benefits to formula feeding too. You can share feeds with your partner and that's really helpful while you're recovering and exhausted.

Crabbitstick · 21/05/2019 00:54

If you want to bf then try to avoid bottle to begin with - it can cause latch confusion and stop your milk coming in. With bf the more you feed the more you make - using formula initially means baby isn’t putting their order in - so to speak.

If there are any difficulties early on you can cup feed baby or express and use a syringe - you can get support in hospital for this.

Colostrum is liquid gold! It contains antibodies and is amazing for gut health.

This website is brilliant kellymom.com/.

NameChangedNoImagination · 21/05/2019 01:11

I was adamant I wouldn't breastfeed. In the end did mix feeding from day 1 which was brilliant and ended up loving breastfeeding as well so win win. You might feel differently when baby comes

Birdie6 · 21/05/2019 01:15

Do whatever you want to do. I never breast fed and that was fine for me. I loved that my husband could bottle feed the baby when he got home, it was lovely bonding time for them both. But everyone is different - just follow your heart.

Original poster

MUMTOBE7 · 21/05/2019 01:45

I would like my partner to be able to feed her awsell as he wants be as hands on as possible when he’s not at work, think im going to opt for expressing colostrum and feeding with a syringe before her formula bottle so she still get the nutrients, Thank’you everyone your advice as being a great help my brain is still in major overdrive though!

OP posts:

edgeofheaven · 21/05/2019 02:04

Give it a try, you can always stop and the first colostrum and milk are so important for a little baby. If you hate it after a week the formula and bottles are still there.

costacoffeecup · 21/05/2019 04:12

Formula fed my first and currently (literally)breastfeeding my second. I don't enjoy it at all really and feel w I've made a rod for my own back as I'm hardly sleeping and I'm under doctors investigations at the moment. I jsut feels drained and like my body is shutting down. It is easier at night not to have to get up to make a bottle but my daughter slept for four or five hour stretches and my son doesn't go for more than 90 mins, so I've not slept for a longer chunk then this for four months. He also has reflux though and uses the breast for comfort so I can't stop. My partner shared the night feeds with my daughter and feels he hasn't bonded with my son as he's not feeding him which means he wants me all the time and I can't get even an hour away from him. I realise I may be wrong to blame breastfeeding for this but in our case I feel it's not been a good decision really.

BertieBotts · 21/05/2019 04:14

I trust your partner is offering to do 100% of bottle feeds, including making up formula and sterilising, since he feels so strongly?

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