Breastfeeding and negative comments

[nicannie]

Right, please can people just give HONEST opinions on their breastfeeding experience/s.

I plan to breastfeed, since the day I found out I was pregnant I said straight away, I'm breastfeeding. I plan to go back to work when baby is around 10 months so I have been planning to breastfeed for around 6 months and see how it goes from there. I understand that breastfeeding isn't for everyone, and not everyone is able too. But I'm in the mindset of that I will be trying, and all going well it will be the method I use.

My MIL was absolutely gobsmacked when she asked 'you'll be bottle feeding the baby right?' And my response was no breastfeeding. Her response was 'well you'll always be doing feeds yourself' in a snippy tone, which of course I know will be the case at the start but I'm planning to express so that DH also gets to bottle feed my milk and have that bond with baby too. I think because it's her first grandchild she was just a bit disappointed maybe that she won't get that chance to do any feeds right at the start.

My mum, made a comment about how I should prepare and expect to have really saggy boobs after it, I almost felt like she was trying to put me off as well.

My DH is really supportive, all for it and hasn't said one negative word about it.

I'm only 25, but feel like everyone is putting me off by saying I'm going to hate my boobs after I've breastfed and how awful it's going to make me feel. I've came to the conclusion, that regardless of whether I breastfeed or not my boobs have already went up in size quite a bit and I think they will sag after this pregnancy anyways, so what's the difference?

I mean, did any of you breastfeed and then regret it? Or wish that you knew how your boobs would look at the end of it? I am at the stage where I'm not actually bothered, only person that see's them is DH and myself - so what does it matter?

Just wanted to update everyone. We are 8 weeks into our BF journey now and in lockdown.

Lockdown gave me a good chance to get things going and get on with it. I found the first 2 weeks extremely difficult and painful. Had cracked bleeding nipples. Was awful. Sat up at night crying trying to feed baby whilst DP slept peacefully (ugh)

But happy to say I stuck it out, and I'm loving every minute of it now and it's like second nature. Oh and boobs, not saggy at all 😂 but have rocketed up to an F cup!!!!! Anyways, thanks for all the responses all those months ago ladies, it really helped me

Congratulations and so glad to hear all is going well for you! Well done for sticking at it xx

Congratulations OP! I loved breastfeeding my babies, after the first few difficult weeks were over. Once you and baby have the hang of it, it’s so much less hassle than dealing with bottles and it’s good for you and baby too. I cherish my memories of those special times.

I breastfed, wasn't sure I was going to but it just worked out that way thanks to my OH being so supportive in the early days (it is tough)

No saggy boobs here! I'm 32.

Really it doesn't matter what anyone thinks. As long as you and your baby (and OH of course) are happy then that's what's important.

And of course if you do decide to formula feed then that's fine too

I was 19 when I first got pregnant (big surprise!), straight away I was set on breastfeeding. I never struggled too much, but i did get a lot of negative comments of how I'd never cope, I won't get a break, I'll be up all night, baby will be spoilt and never sleep etc. I felt like everyone just wanted me to give up really. I've never had negative comments or dirty looks in public, I've had snarky comments from family though.

I was adamant though and I'm not sure if that somehow irritated people. I even got told that because my son fed often (which most BF babies do) that meant my milk 'wasn't good enough' and my baby was starving. Utterly ridiculous really.

My son was thriving, he was born prematurely but never lost a single pound, in fact he grew like mad. I had my health visitor telling me how well I'd done with breastfeeding and how great my son was getting along but my own family making me feel like a total failure and like I was messing up constantly.

Mostly criticism was from my mother and grandmother, it's difficult and not everyone succeeds but I think these comments mostly reflected their perception of my ability to effectively parent at that age.

I breastfed my son till he was just gone 3 years old, he's never had formula in his life and he's a very healthy, happy boy.

Im pregnant again now and bracing myself for more negativity but I'm so much more confident now. Honestly don't stress yourself out, get as much support as you can with BF if you need the help and remember to always believe in your body's ability to provide for your baby. It's a natural process!

As for breasts sagging mine are a bit droopier and smaller, but i think that's because if I was at home most of the time I'd be wearing no bra.

Oh god wish I'd read the whole thread lol,

Congrats OP those moments are some of the most precious. There is something particularly infuriating about a sleeping partner during night feeds