Breastfeeding

[Helenzuchlinski]

I'm thinking of breast feeding my baby, does it really hurt? How often do breastfed babies feed? Thanks!

The answer to both of your questions is 'it depends on the person'

Personally, it hurt me nipple for about 6 days, then overnight it stopped and never hurt again.

My first child fed every hour for about 6 months (during waking hours, not overnight thankfully). She was way off the top of the chart for weight though, so very unusual.

Second child feeds every 2-3 hours depending on naps. I could get this less often if I wanted I think, but it's so nice having a quick cuddle as he's a super active maniac.

Hth

However much they want it really, both of mine were different. One was a real comfort-nommer so he was attached all the time!
If the baby doesn’t latch correctly from the start it can cause some pain at first but doesn’t last... just make sure you get the latch right! It’s important. Good luck

I didn't ever find it painful but I was shocked by how often and for how long my LO would feed in the beginning. When i read 2-3hrs between feeds I thought that meant from end of one feed to the beginning of the next but what it actually meant was from start of one feed to the start of the next. So if DS fed for over an hour every 2 hours I was only getting 45 minutes in between when I wasn't feeding him.

I think if someone had explained this was normal I wouldn't have struggled so much thinking I was doing something wrong. It's exhausting in the beginning but I've found it worth it and it's made life a lot easier when DS isn't well and off his food etc.

Try it and do it if you can. Do not beat yourself up if you can’t. But it is free, no hassle, and pretty healthy. It definitely gets easier after first few days. Hospitals, mud wives etc will help.

I didn’t have much problems getting the hang of it, babies latching on - a little bit of hardness, engorgement and pain.

My first fed non stop though, felt he was never off the boob but also used it as comfort and to stop him crying - tiny babies feed often, can be very iften at the start.

Breastfeeding has never hurt me - I've been lucky to have a champion latcher who figured it all out very quickly and gains weight very well. He is, however, a very frequent feeder - every 1-2 hours in the early days 24/7 with epic cluster feeds. He's now 5 months and it varies. He sometimes has hungry days and feeds every 2 hours, other days he goes 4 hours or so no problem. He is also a bottle refuser and still feeds overnight so all wake ups are pretty much down to me.

Was invaluable though for instant comfort and not having to get up at night, heat bottles etc. I also flew a lot and we went overseas in holiday from 2 months old- easy peasy.

Hi op google for your local breastfeeding network groups- i went along even while still pregnant for advice and support and everyone was fantastic

I'm only 2 weeks into breastfeeding but it hurts a loooot less than it did at the beginning, it's still a bit sore when she latches but not when she's feeding. The cluster feeding is relentless though 😥 I'm in the throes of that right now and she seems to feed for most of the night! During the day every 2-3 hours I would say.

I did get slightly sore nipples at the beginning and just before my first period they got really really sore for a day which was weird. Someone on another thread said to put lansinsoh (sp) on your nipples every day for month before you give birth and I did. My milk didn't come in for 5 days (long labour+csection) so I had to top up as my baby was losing weight but soon stopped topping up.
DS sometimes feeds every hour, sometimes every 3-4 hours. I feed on demand and its really easy to go out for meals etc when you're not tied to a routine.
Breast feeding takes a bit of work in the first few weeks but its really worth it for the easy night feeds, not having sterilise/make up bottles (I've had a lot of pet lambs and I found bottle feeding them hard work), instant comforter, and its really easy to travel. Good luck.

For me breastfeeding was super painful at first but after a week or so it didn't hurt atall. I absolutely love breastfeeding and maybe that's why I'm still giving her a feed at bedtime at 21months 🙈 I did struggle with my left boob for the first few weeks for no apparent reason and my breastfeeding support lady who visited my house gave me some tips!
I'm 6+1 now and will definatley be breastfeeding again if i can. But I'm not against formula atall if needs be.
Firstly its free (yay!) and I'm lazy which is great- No bottles to clean and sterilise.
Do what ever is best for you, Never ever let anyone pressure you one way or another. Goodluck xx

Sadly for me breastfeeding didn't work. The pain was unbearable. It never went away, I managed 4 weeks and had to throw in the towel. 3 months on instill feel like the worst Mum. I hate myself really. Saying that, I have plenty of friends who have managed no bother. I think a little pain at the start is normal? I'm not sure. Every baby is different. Xx

A week before the pain stopped, then it was fine.

I found it quite painful at first and had real problems getting my DD to latch properly. After about 3 weeks of exhaustion, bleeding nipples etc she was diagnosed with a tongue tie. Once that was fixed it became so much easier. She did feed an awful lot at the beginning but she's 6 months now and will sometimes go 4 hours. She does comfort feed a lot too though.

As other posters have said, I think breastfeeding is so much easier than bottle feeding in terms of being out and about. You don't have to worry about sterilising, if you've brought enough formula with you etc...

Also look up your local baby cafe. They are so supportive.

My first baby was premature and we struggled at the beginning - the first 8 weeks were really tough. I remember shrieking with pain as he latched and sobbing through feeds because they hurt so much. I know that sounds really negative but the point of the story is that we got through it, ended up breastfeeding for two years and I am definitely planning on breastfeeding baby 2! I just hope it will be a little easier this time!

I was lucky and had zero pain but it's normal for it to hurt a bit. If it hurts a lot, something might be wrong, e.g. Tongue tie.

They feed a LOT. Like, some days you literally can't leave the sofa for more than about 10 mins. It's cluster feeding to increase the milk supply, plus their little stomachs can't hold much at a time. And of course they want to be on their mum. You're all they've ever known; you're their world.

I had one day when DD was about 5 weeks old and DP was back at work when I was on my knees by the bed and we were both screaming!

But that stage really doesn't last long. By the time you've blinked, they're a few weeks older and it spreads out to every few hours.