any second time mums who bf last time?

[ithoughtofitfirst]

No matter how long you did it for whether a week or 2 years... can I have your positive stories please?

I bf for 9 weeks with ds1 then was advised to stop so I could start taking an antidepressant and antipsychotic combination. I enjoyed those 9 weeks and enjoyed FF too.

This time I have decided to try BF again. I started to write in my diary all the reasons I've come to this decision so that when I'm struggling with my medication switchover it will remind me WHY I'm doing it.

I just wanted to see if you guys could help me write a list of why you enjoyed BF? I'd be really grateful Xx

Easier in the middle of the night to stick baby on boob than wait for kettle to boil

Easier when out and about-I was usually half way through my latte (one-handed operation) whilst my friend had to use her hands to hold bottle (after negotiating getting it warmed up!)

When annoying folk want to monopolise your baby, they ultimately have to give them back as you're their only food source.

When well meaning folk come round they have to help with jobs rather than holding your baby so you can put the washing on!

You're forced to sit down (guilt-free) for large parts of the day. Great for post-birth recovery

The 'rolling eyes in ecstasy' look when they've just latched on, and the when they're older and play with your hair or stroke your chest.

I bf mine for 9/13/14 months, and can honestly say that whilst there were rare times I got annoyed at the restriction, it was one of my favourite things from the early years and something I'm very proud to have done.

Not having to plan your day out so you know how much milk to take - with bf you can just head out and if one hour turns into 8 hours it really doesn't matter :) Such freedom!

Saving £10+ per week not buying formula.

Unoffensive nappies. Formula nappies smell awful.

Not having to get out of bed for a night feed.

I BF my DS1 for 13 months (stopped when I got really bad tonsilitis and flu) and i seem to be still BF my 2 year old DD - although I am trying but failing to call an end to it!!!
I found both incredibly painful for at least the first month but I just persevered and enjoyed it. Its a lovely closeness and no one else gets to see the things their faces do when they are feeding or study them in as much detail. Its a really bonding activity (even though I did lock myself in the bathroom on day 7 with DS1 as I couldnt bear the pain!!!).
I wouldn't change a thing except to make more of an effort to wean DD around 18 months.

Thank you sibling ! That was comprehensive. I forgot about the thing of being forced to sit down for 45 minutes with a nice drink. My ds used to do this crazy head shake when he was near my nipple it was so cute like where is It I need I now!!

Thanks everyone these are great!!

Its easier to whip out a boob than wash and sterilise bottles. Im lazy and hate washing up! Also Im not very organised so would have never got anywhere if I had to organise bottles first.

But you being happy and healthy should be a priority. I dont want to think of you being unhappy because you are not on the ideal meds, just so you can BF.

But if you can do it, its so much easier. I had to stop BF for 2 weeks whilst taking some medication so had to express and throw away every feed to keep my supply going, I found that 2 weeks of formula use such hard work (and expensive).

I also had to stop early after 16 weeks first time to start taking drugs. Didn't love it first time round.

But this second time I'm finding it great. After the first painful bit I've actually enjoyed it and love how hassle free it is. You can just wander out the house with a nappy in your hand without worrying about bottles and milk.

My 2yo sitting with a doll and copying bf. Not having to faff with a crying baby and whiney toddler - just sit down and feed when hungry. Easily bf baby while toddler eats lunch/dinner. plus the getting the baby back from other people for time together.

Ease, once you et the hang of it. Also an excuse to sit and watch whole episodes of Buffy, West Wing etc.

DS used to bury his head in my boob which was quite cute.

It's supposed ot help you snap back quicker.

It's such a tough call cause although I'm really stable and happy atm I am dreading FF a newborn. So much so it's making me really unhappy. I just really want that snuggy skin to skin where they just come on and off the breast as they please.

• Burns calories so it will help you get back in shape!

• babies less likely to have fussy tummies/less constipation therefore sleep better (so you can too!)

• I just want to reemphasise how easy it is, baby wakes up, pop them on, pop them off, carry on sleeping,.. Who can be bothered washing and making up bottles!

But best of all us that snuggy skin to skin contact like you say...

Your health is paramount though, try to get as much help as you can to make it easier for you... Hope it is easier this time xxx

The pride I felt in feeding my child and growing such an amazing person just from my body.
I've never felt such achievement. Amazing.

My DS also absolutely loved breastfeeding so it became a solution to all problems for a while. We are flying to oz when DC2 will be 1 month old and DC1 will be 3.5 and the main reason this doesn't fill me with dread is because if DC2 is anything like DC1 any fussiness will be solved with boob (and DC1 will therefore be DH's problem). The other reason it doesn't fill me with dread is because my parents are at the other end .

Thanks ladies these are all absolutely fantastic and I know they'll help me persevere when I'm wondering what I was thinking messing with my meds!

I remember the morning after my first night with him. My midwife had wheeled him down to the birth centre with her so I could sleep. When she brought him back It was 6am and the sun was already up and I could hear birds chirping. I just picked him up and put him on my chest and let him wake up slowly and as soon as he opened his eyes he started feeding. I just started crying because I was so happy.

LUSH.

All of the above plus the weight loss without dieting. Bfing uses 500 calories a day, the equivalent of a 30min run, I know what I would rather do! Dd is now 11 months and down to only 2 feeds in 24hr, need to cut back on my ice cream intake as weight is sneaking back on!

You can eat unlimited cake,

You can watch unlimited boxsets

Someone HAS to bring you a drink

Quickest way I know possible to stop a baby crying is to pop a boob in

You lose weight doing it

... And according to DH it makes breast look fantastic

Empowering-after a crap birth it felt amazing that I was successful in feeding her.
No fuss with bottles and making formula.
weight loss!
May not have anything to do with bf but no asthma, eczema etc (which runs in the family) and hardly ever ill (she is now 4).

I FF DC1 and am successfully EBF DC2 - it is sooooo much easier. Also incredibly rewarding as she's growing well. There was a FF baby at the GP at the same time last week - they hadn't taken a bottle out with them, the doctor was running late and then baby got hungry. I felt so sorry for them. I remember all that hassle so well...

Those cute little noises DC2 makes as she's getting her milk - so satisfying :)

I really enjoyed bf-ing

If I was tired (most of the time!) I fed dd lying on my side on the bed. We were both sleepy and relaxed and I loved it.

Night feeds are so easy. If the moses basket is right beside the bed you don't even have to get up.

No hassle with bottles and formula if you are going out.

Nothing calms an hysterical baby like a comfort feed.

Feeding to sleep makes bedtime easy.

Triggers your uterus to contract back down quickly after the birth, so you regain your middle earlier.

Wonderful unbeatable bonding experience. I used to just gaze at her and stroke her hair while she fed. Happy memories

I loved -
How portable it is
No sterilising
Bonding experience
Always calmed dd if she was upset/poorly
If she was poorly she seemed to be able to still manage to bf where a lot of ff friends struggled to get poorly
Dc to take a bottle
Weight loss
Always sent her back to sleep in the night