I have a confession to make: I never tried to breastfeed Elizabeth.
When Dr. Loompa plopped the big E on my stomach, the nurse asked, "Are you going to breastfeed?" I said, quite happily, "No." And you know what? No one gave me any grief about it. The staff simply said, "Okay!" and started her on tiny bottles of Similac with no evil eyes, or rude comments, or Nursing Nazi propaganda.
I read all about the benefits of breastfeeding in What to Expect and really considered it--for the 7th month of pregnancy. Then I told my mom that I was going to try breastfeeding, and heard silence followed by, "Eww. Why?"
I'm from a family of bottle feeders. (Surprisingly, I don't mean beer.) Everyone used formula. Even my 80 year old Grandma told me, "In my day, only the poor women did that," and shook her head while looking totally disgusted.
As a new mom, I figured life with baby was going to be hard enough to adjust to without the pressures of a "brand new" feeding system to learn with ZERO support. I knew the first time I ran into difficulty my mom would be right there with a bottle of formula in hand, dramatically insisting that I was starving the baby with my stupidity.
Now? I'm at a different place in life. I survived one screaming, colicky newborn...so the new mom fears are no longer an issue. I know that babies are tough little suckers and I can't break them (on really bad nights, I would remind myself that babies have been found abandoned--yet still alive--in garbage cans, so my incompetence can't hurt her THAT bad).
And even better? I have a whole group of friends whose boobs have been there/done that! And they will help me figure out what to do with mine! So instead of my mom making worried sounds and hovering in the background with a can of powder, I'll have friends close by saying, "Try this way--it worked for me."
This time around...I'm going for it. But I still have questions that the baby/breastfeeding books just don't answer. Help a girl out, internets!
Q #1: Last time, I never had my baby anywhere near The Girls--and I still had plenty of milk. They gushed like mad for an entire month and I had to take pills to dry it up. I'm not the least bit worried that my milk won't come in...I'm freaked out that I'm going to drown the kid! Can you have "too much"???
I also have a plethera of milk. And I'm not gonna lie - there were times that my little guy would come up gasping for air cause it was coming a little too fast but after about a month, my body figured it out and now it isn't a problem anymore. - Lindsey
Q #2: I'm a 36DD. Last time? My "handfuls" turned into watermelons. NO LIE. When I laid on my back in bed, I felt like they were choking me. What the hell bra size am I going to swell up to as a nursing mom???
My 34Cs went to 34DDDs for the first few months of nursing. They're now down to 34DDs. Like others have suggested, I'd recommend starting out with a sleep bra and nursing tank. They're really comfortable and convenient for nursing in the beginning. They're not super supportive though and don't look great for going out. But, it took me a little while to figure out what would work best for me before I could go shop for a bra that worked well for the longterm. - Heather
Q #3: Can I work out? I know breastfeeding is supposed to burn mad calories (we'll see about that) but I'd like to get off the couch and back on the elliptical ASAP.
Work out all you want but know that it will be different because the girls are different and their new "swing" may surprise you. It has thrown my jogging way off because it feels like I have 5lb sacks of mud stapled to my chest. Oh and NOT EVERYONE LOSES WEIGHT. I gained all the way PAST my 40wk weight and am JUST NOW going back down. The first few months of nursing I was STARVING. Like, shoving WHOLE CHOCOLATE CAKES down my gullet. - Gena
Q #4: Weird question...but the ENTIRE areola should go in the baby's mouth? Really? Cause...uh...that's a lot. On me. And now I'm wondering if my boobs are weird.
Maybe not the whole thing. But a good portion of the underside, yes. Key thing - NOT JUST THE NIPPLE (OW!!). - Nicole
Q #5: Tell the truth. Did your boobs go back to normal after weening, or did they sag?
As for post-nursing boobs...I can't lie. Right now, they look different. I finished weaning a month ago, and it took until last week for me not to be making milk anymore. And now my girls are smaller than they were prepregnancy. HOWEVER - I hear that it just takes time to rebuild them. I have faith that they will return. Many women say that post-nursing they are happier with their smaller boobs for a while - I guess it depends. -Kitty
29 comments:
I tried with my first two to breastfeed and they wouldn't. Tried with my third and breastfed him for 5 months. My breasts are large (38DDD) and they didn't swell up too horribly during breastfeeding although they were larger. I would say go to the next size up for a bra. I loved the sleeping nursing bras. They were comfy although I wouldn't wear them in public. All you need is patience. My entire areola did not go in but a good amount should. Good luck! You might get cracked and sore nipples but it goes away. All you need is patience.
While I've never breastfed, I am a NICU nurse and have taken breastfeeding classes, listened to lots of knowledgeable lactation consultants and worked with tons of moms on how to breastfeed preemies...so I can answer a few of your questions :)
#1 - you absolutely cannot drown your baby breastfeeding. When you start breastfeeding, your body will regulate your milk supply to fit your baby's needs. If you feel like you have a huge supply you can always pump a few times during the day and freeze your milk (good for 6 months in the freezer) for bottle feeding later.
#2 - not sure :)
#3 - There's no reason why you can't work out while breastfeeding!
#4 - yup. Of course, if you have a REALLY large areola, then your baby may not be able to fit the whole thing - and that is okay. The main thing you want to be sure of is that baby is sucking on more than just your nipple. That is what leads to major soreness.
Hopefully the hospital where you deliver will have a lactation consultant. Every lactation nurse I have ever met has been the most patient, friendly and helpful person. They want to make breastfeeding an enjoyable process for you :)
Best of luck! The health benefits of breastmilk are FABULOUS for baby!
#1 - I also have a plethera of milk. And I'm not gonna lie - there were times that my little guy would come up gasping for air cause it was coming a little too fast but after about a month, my body figured it out and now it isn't a problem anymore.
#2 - I would buy one or two nursing bras that are the same band size but a cup or two bigger (or just some comfy sleeping ones) and then wait until your baby is a month old or so to buy a really good bra. By then you should go down in size a little and that's about where you'll stay until you are done breastfeeding.
#3 - I started working out when my son was 3 weeks old. The only tough thing was finding a good enough sports bra. I just stayed away from running or jumping since that HURTS!
#4 - No. And you are not weird. When I first heard that I was kinda confused too but just try and get as much in as you can.
#5 - Mine sagged. A lot. But my oldest son was only weaned for about 4 months before I got pregnant again and they ballooned right back up so I don't really know if they would have gone back to normal over time. For what it's worth, my mom said that she is just fine. And she had (and nursed) 6 kids.
Good luck! It can be tough for the first little bit but just tough it out and you won't regret it!
Q #1: Hehehehe, okay, I laugh cause I am a teeny tiny chested person(let us not get into letters on this one, mkay), and yet when it came to nursing I had hyperactive letdown... Which means that when my kids latched on, my ducts began quacking at an alarming rate. The baby will catch on quick. It only has pressure for a first few seconds really, then they control the flow. And then actually your milk will adjust to the demand of the baby, which means the more you nurse and pump, the more you produce. Oh, but the drowning part, sometimes when babies get sleepy and lazy they all choke once in a while, keeps em on their toes.
Q #2: Size wise, I am no help. I went up 2 sizes, but have had friends go up more.
Q #3: I think they suggest the usual timeline for working out. 6ish weeks or so. I did however notice that my kids didnt like nursing as much when I was active, apparently it can change the taste a little. I just nursed till I was skinnier, my plan for this one also.
Q #4: Another thing the baby will adjust to. It really is amazing that when you are holding your minutes old baby, that you get near your nipple and they are suddenly interested and just know what to do. The sooner you can nurse, the better. The more formula they give in the nursery or room, the longer baby will sleep and not nurse. Bottle nipples are easier because they are firmer.
Q #5: Very very sadly my boobs shrank. I longed to be nursing again after mine were gone, but not saggy. I am hoping that this time around the size sticks around, cause dang it I dont want to have to pay someone to enlarge my boobs, thats what pregnancy is for!
So I hope maybe that was some help, if not at least a little humorous. Honestly though I nursed both my first 2 and really truly I am looking forward to nursing again in June. It can be frusterating in the first week, painful too, but being engorged is much worse. The biggest thing to remember is to make sure you are comfortable because baby takes cues from you.
Ok I can't remember all the questions and I'm commenting with a phone, but no you can't drown your baby. I wore a 38H and got some bravada nursing bras and some from a specialty bra store. Target also sells XXL nursing tanks that are great around the house. I don't know if you think your areolas are big or if you have 10 inch dinner plates, but the nipple does go pretty far back. The hospital nurses should be able to help you. La leche also has some pictures to show where the nipple goes in the baby's mouth by giving you a side-view diagram.
Breasts change with pregnancy and age. Some women get super saggy before kids and some have great boobs considering their age. My whole family has dense breast tissue, so even my 38Hs aren't embarrassing nor are they down to my waist.
In the end, breast feeding is wonderful and I'm glad you're doing what is right for you regardless of those around you. If you get stressed out or you don't like it and switch to formula, don't feel bad either. Of course, as a 2nd time mom, you don't give a shit about ppls petty opinions anyhow, so you're already doing great!! :-)
Tried to breast feed Hayden but I didn't even try with the triplets so I can't answer most of these questions. Expect for the last one. It's no. My boobs are totally more saggy.
Q #1: You absolutely CAN have OVERSUPPLY. It is a big deal. There is choking and sputtering and also squirting. FROM ACROSS THE ROOM. I am 7 months in and STILL, if somewhere in the backwoods a little redneck baby whimpers, my girls SOB. My oversupply did not die down until about 3ish months. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/fast-letdown.html
Q #2: My boobs got very big very quick and then stayed rock hard until about 2 months. They have shrunk back a bit now. Still fuller than prepreggo but much smaller than when first nursing. The BEST thing EVER is the nursing camisole shirt cuz it keeps all the rest of your postpartum hot mess all tucked in. I still wear them EVERY DAY. (But the first time you pop your hooters through the boob holes is WEIRD. And my hubby saw it and said niiiiiiiice. Which made it weirder.) http://www.motherhood.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=935060362&MasterCategory_Id=MC29
Q #3: Work out all you want but know that it will be different because the girls are different and their new "swing" may surprise you. It has thrown my jogging way off because it feels like I have 5lb sacks of mud stapled to my chest. Oh and NOT EVERYONE LOSES WEIGHT. I gained all the way PAST my 40wk weight and am JUST NOW going back down. The first few months of nursing I was STARVING. Like, shoving WHOLE CHOCOLATE CAKES down my gullet.
Q #4: My thoughts EXACTLY. I was all "but Doc, I don't think I could fit the whole thing in MY mouth, much less an infant's" but they DO take in MOST of it. If they are swallowing rhythmically and your nipples don't crack and bleed afterward (yup, crackage and nipple bleeding, it HAPPENS), then you are probably doing it right :)
Q #5: Mine didn't after my first. They looked...odd. Maybe it was the preggoness that did it to them. Apparently BF has no effect on them. I disagree but I'm not a doctor. Dr Oz says no. *shrugs* http://ask.doctoroz.com/question/will-breastfeeding-make-breasts-sag
Ok so I am a male that has not feed an infant with my breasts. I can hear a collective sigh of relief.
From a guys perspective it was different when getting intimate with the wife and her "girls" I remember a spot on the ceiling one night.
I am off track here, the nipple cracking was taken care of by the wife with a vitamin E gel of some sort. I am sure you will find advice with the Le Leche folks.
This was a great post and the comments were really good.
Peace to you and yours
gk
A#1: Not really. And if you do, you can "train" your girls. I had what was called Oversupply and I dealt with it by feeding my son on one side only per feeding. Each time I'd just alternate the boob and we were good to go!
A#2: yeah I have no answer to that. My boobs actually indented when I lay down BC (before children) and even now 3 kids later, I'm only at a B.
A#3: two things. 1. While most people do lose weight with nursing, not everyone does. In fact (and Im going to scare the crap out of you) some women GAIN WEIGHT when nursing. ok. You can stop screaming now. I know. Its scary. I was one who never lost weight with 2 boys nursing, and with the third I lost 30 pounds then plateaued. So just keep that in mind if you do nurse and dont lose weight. But I do give you permission to glare daggers at the women who love to gloat about drinking 20 milkshakes a day and still lost 40 lbs nursing.
2. Yes you can exercise. Just... wear a sports bra. =)
A#4: Depends on the size of your areola. If they're the size of dinner plates, that would be a lot to ask a newborn. Most of it should get into the mouth and your baby will have no problems with it. The main part needs to be the bottom and nipple. Dont be afraid to ask for help either. A bad latch is ap ainful latch and its better to get help than to suffer in silence.
A#5: It's not the nursing that makes the girls sag. It's the pregnancy when they humongous and the milk already made in the first place. So even if you bottled fed your first, did they go back to their normal perky girlish figures? If they did, then I hate you and you are one luck woman! If they sag a little bit, you can probably expect the same thing this time around.
Congratulations on your impending bundle of joy! I've been following you for a bit and love your blog. Keep it up =)
I don't think you can really have "too much." In the first few weeks, yes - there are definitely supply issues. But very soon your body adjusts, and the longer you go, the easier it gets. I even weaned my baby to two feedings a day - morning and night - after several months, and my boobs totally cooperated! Believe me, in the first month I thought that would never be possible.
Breastfeeding is THE BEST DIET. I cannot emphasize that enough. You're burning at least 500 calories a day, just sitting and feeding your baby! I am on the small side, but I dropped weight so quickly while nursing. It rocked.
Also, yes you can work out while nursing. Just get a good sports bra (I had to buy a bigger one) and use nursing pads if you're worried about leaking.
As for post-nursing boobs...I can't lie. Right now, they look different. I finished weaning a month ago, and it took until last week for me not to be making milk anymore. And now my girls are smaller than they were prepregnancy. HOWEVER - I hear that it just takes time to rebuild them. I have faith that they will return. Many women say that post-nursing they are happier with their smaller boobs for a while - I guess it depends.
I loved nursing for the first 5 months. And then I didn't love it anymore, and I thought, you know what? Not to get all hippy-dippy, but if I'm resenting this, my son might be able to tell. Is it worth resenting a little baby's need to eat? No. So I stopped. Just go with what feels right!
I breastfed my son for four months and my daughter for 11 1/2 months. My son would only latch on to one side no matter what I did so I lost the milk in one breast while the other one stayed nice and full... I had to stuff my bra on one side... Fun stuff...
1)You can't drown your baby. Although you will probably give them a few good baths in the begining. I know I did more than once.
2)I am average chested and I got HUGE! Both times. I took my husband to Motherhood Maternity to get some nursing bras right after I had Caleb. I remember the girl measuring me muttering something about a EE and my husbands chin hitting the floor.
3)You can definately work out while breastfeeding!
4) My kids came nowhere near getting the whole areola in their mouths. Even when my daughter hit the 11 month mark... Be sure to have lansinoh or similar product on hand... you will need it...
5)Mine are smaller than they were before I had kids but they aren't saggy.
I nursed both my boys each for a year-ish. I plan on doing it again with this one---call me crazy! I saw your comments and it seems like most people answered your questions, but I just wanted to throw a couple other things in there....
1. Lansinoh. Buy stock in the stuff. It hurts like the dickens. For almost 2 months with my first I would cry at almost every feeding, then I discovered the miracle that is Lansinoh. I would put it on after every shower, after every feeding, and sometimes just when I felt like it!! It's a must.
2. Nursing is a mental decision. It's a huge commitment. If you don't pump (or even if you do, my first wouldn't take a bottle at all!) you are the sole provider of sustenance...no one to help. For me, it helped before the baby was born to set a goal in my mind of what I wanted to do, and then stick to it. I wanted to nurse for a year. I pushed through and did it. My friend set a goal of six months and she pushed through and did it. Whatever your goal is, just set one, and be determined going in. But don't stress if you don't make it either!! :)
It really is a blessing to nurse and I'm excited for you to try it! I pray you enjoy it!!! :)
I can only speak to a few of the questions, although BF'ing is very hard, but very rewarding and it gets so easy after the first few months. convienient, free, and comforting.
Q #1: I never had TOO MUCH, just enough it seemed. The body will regulate over the first few months. I would get those Lansinoh breast pads, cause you might be leaky in the beginning.
Q #2: I am in the same, small size bra 34B :(
Q #3: So it took me about 6 months to get back in my pre preg pants, but then from about 6mos till now (11 months my son is) I have dropped 5lbs below my pre-preg weight, which was the lowest Ive ever been. Once they start moving, and you are making so much milk, the lbs come off. I have not dieted, and the only thing I do is walk (alot) for exercise.
Q #4: Not really...
Q #5: Haven't weaned yet.
Everyone else answered your questions so well that I will simply add my own two cents about breastfeeding: 1) my daughter is four months old and I weigh less than I did when I got pregnant. And though I've worked out a bit, I attribute the weight loss (I gained 35 lbs) mainly to nursing--hooray for calorie burning while sitting! 2) Nursing really hurts for the first week. Or two. But then it's fine. 3) My daughter is on the fussy/colicky side and the boob calmed her like nothing else. Plus I never have to pack any bottles or formula when leaving the house. 4)Finally, I'm sure my boobs will be a wreck after this year is over but whatev. That's what Miracle Bras are for.
I am still nursing my 8 month old, so here's my two cents.
- don't know about oversupply. I've had enough for baby, but never had the problem of it gushing out in the shower, etc.
- I was a 34c when I got pregnant and a 34e by the time I had him. And I have stayed at a 34e while nursing. Hopefully they will go back down in size when we're done.
- don't have extremely large napples so can't answer that question. I will say my friend was a dd before being pregnant and then really big by the time she had the baby -and she had trouble nursing because she was so big that she didn't realize her daughter was latching on not quite right and it caused her boobs/napples to become worse than the normal cracking. They were like raw and scabby - so that's just something to look out for if you're really big.
- I bought a couple of sleeping nursing bras to get me through the first few weeks, and then got something that fit.
- yes you can workout.
- since I'm not done breastfeeding, I can't answer that. Hopefully they go back to normal or even a little smaller would be a-ok with me.
1st: I love your blog. I just had my son 4 months ago, and it make me laugh. REALLY HARD. Which I need sometimes. :) (been reading ~2 months or so)
I'm breastfeeding now, so here goes my attempt to answer your Qs:
1- Yes, it's actually more common than people think. I did a lot of research on this (b/c I had issues with it). If you truly have too much milk, pumping a lot is just going to make it worse (supply & demand - if it's coming out, you're making more!). I wouldn't worry too much about it though - it doesn't hurt the baby. I just had to start block feeding (feeding on the same side for a set amount of time - 2+ hrs for me - no matter how much baby wants to eat).
2- Probably BIG. I'm normally a B, & I went up more than 2 cup sizes. It was PAINFUL at first, but it got a helluva lot better after 2 months.
3- Yes. Just be prepared for your grocery bill to go up. :)
4- Maybe not the whole thing. But a good portion of the underside, yes. Key thing - NOT JUST THE NIPPLE (OW!!).
5- Not there yet. I'm shooting for bf'ing for a year. (Wow, abbreviating that way totally makes me think "barfing". No, I'm not puking for a year. Been there, done that.) But I've been pumping some, so my son'll probably get boobie juice in his cereal for longer than that.
Other random advice: check kellymom.com for breastfeeding help. If you have Qs, that's the reason lactation consultants exist. And trust yourself! You'll get the hang of it. :)
I went from a 34C before baby to a 36D now. Of course, I'm also in need of losing those last 10 pounds of baby weight...but is it really baby weight if he's now 2 years old???
Oh yeah...I breastfed 5 days and then said, "Screw that! Where's the formula?" I have no idea how large my boobs got when my milk came in but all I remember is that they were at least twice the size they are now.
I am just starting to wean my 9 month old now and can share my experience:
#1 – I didn’t have an oversupply but I leaked a lot. Buy lots of breast pads in the beginning. Most women adjust and regulate after a few weeks. And if you have too much milk, pumping and storing is a great idea. I never had much of a freezer supply and wish I had done more pumping on maternity leave.
#2 –It’s hard to figure out what size bra you will need until after you have been nursing for a few weeks. For the first couple of weeks, I just wore sports bras and they worked really well, but I’m on the smaller side. I went from a 36 B (pre-pregnancy) to a 36 C while nursing, so not that dramatic. I would only buy one nursing bra to start. I know a lot of girls use those nursing tanks so they might be an option as well.
#3 – Yes definitely, I started working out 6 weeks post-partum and never had any supply issues. Drink lots of water and nurse right before you workout.
#4 – I think your boobs are normal. I never really thought too much about it. Just get as much of the areola in the mouth as possible and rock and roll.
#5 – I just started weaning, so we shall see.
If I can offer any other tips it would be to drink TONS of water, apply lanolin nipple cream after every single feeding (I used Lansinoh and loved it) until your nipples get tough, and use a nursing pillow (I love my Boppy). Nursing can take time to figure out (for both you and the baby) but after you adjust, it can be a great bonding experience. Good luck and enjoy!
#1 - no, you won't drown the baby. In fact, I had such, um, "flow" that I would very often shoot milk out and my son would get shot in the face. . . he learned to cope with it until things settled down. . .
#2 - they'll return to a "normal" size once you regulate your milk flow. However, at first, you might feel the same way as last time - it goes away.
#3 - YES! You can work out - I suggest extra nursing pads and TWO sports bras in the beginning - I was always terrified of leaking in body pump class, but it worked out fine
#4 - I defer to an earlier poster who said get in there what you can - you don't want the baby sucking on just the nipple - this is a very common mistake and results in great pain and the need for a LOT of lanolin
#5 - mine aren't as perky as they were before, but they're not sitting on my belly. Nothing a supportive bra didn't help ;)
UNSOLICITED ADVICE: breastfeeding was a lot harder than I expected, and there were a lot of tears. But a reluctant trip to a lactation consultant and time (and some much needed pumping breaks) solved all of that. Oh, and make sure when you're feeding in the middle of the night your husband gets up and gets the baby - I dealt with a lot of "why, you're nursing? I don't have to get up" in the beginning (it was our first, there was an adjustment period for sure). ;)
I'm still breastfeeding my 6-month-old daughter. I'll share some of my experience...
Q #1: I never quite had an oversupply issue, but I had (and still have) plenty o' milk. I've pumped here and there since the baby was born and have a freezer full of milk now that baby takes from a bottle at daycare or from her dad when I want a little nursing break. (I'm back to work now where I pump twice per day. I take home 12-16 oz of milk each day to add to the freezer stash.) Keep in mind that if you pump a lot in the beginning to relieve yourself, your supply is going to increase, which might not be your desired outcome.
Q #2: My 34Cs went to 34DDDs for the first few months of nursing. They're now down to 34DDs. Like others have suggested, I'd recommend starting out with a sleep bra and nursing tank. They're really comfortable and convenient for nursing in the beginning. They're not super supportive though and don't look great for going out. But, it took me a little while to figure out what would work best for me before I could go shop for a bra that worked well for the longterm.
Q #3: I started working out at 6 weeks postpartum. I wear two sports bras--one size medium and one size large. This seems to keep the extra bounce under control. I have to drink lots of extra water and eat lots of extra food to compensate for the calories I burn while working out. Otherwise, I start to notice my supply going down. Also, if I wear my snug sports bras for too long before/after my workout, my supply dips a little too. I think it's a crock that people say you'll lose a bunch of weight by breastfeeding. Sure, I lost all of my pregnancy weight, but I don't attribute it to breastfeeding. If you are burning calories breastfeeding, you are going to have to eat to keep up or your supply will go down. So in the end, the calories burned equal the calories you take in. At least I get to eat like a pig now and not gain a bunch of weight.
Q #4: I'm sure your boobs aren't weird. :o) I think the point to remember is that the baby needs to take in much more than just the nipple part of the boob. If that happens, you will HURT.
Q #5: I'm not done breastfeeding yet, so I'm not sure what's going to happen. My guess, though, is that regardless of whether or not I breastfed, my boobs would end up about the same. I mean, most of the stretching out happened while I was pregnant and immediately post-partum when my milk came in. Not much has changed since then.
P.S. I second/third/fourth the others who recommended Lansinoh. I think it saved my nipples in the beginning. I was very diligent about applying it after every feeding and every shower.
AND, I also second/third/fourth anyone who said to get help. Before the baby is born, find out what breastfeeding support is available at your hospital, so you can have a lactation consultant help you right from the start. Go to a breastfeeding class. When the baby is born, ask all of the nurses to help you get the baby latched and watch the baby eat to make sure things are going well. If you don't like how a particular nurse/consultant is helping, find a different helper. Having help and support is key. Also, make sure your hubby is on board with the nursing plan. It'll make things much easier for you if he truly understands the whole process and how much extra work and effort and commitment will be required on your part--so he can pull his weight in other helpful baby-care areas. For example, ask him to get up to get and change the baby before you feed.
Lastly, if you want baby to take a bottle from time to time, start giving a bottle a day by the time baby is about 3 weeks old. Our baby still doesn't love the bottle, but she will take it. Even now, if we slack and don't give her one bottle per day on the weekends, she fusses with the bottle at daycare on Mondays.
A couple of things:
It hurts a lot at first, even if you're doing it right. I had so many people tell me it wouldn't hurt if the latch was right that I went crazy trying to find out what was wrong. It just takes a while to toughen up and then after a few weeks it's fine.
Lansinoh is great but be careful, it stains! Breastfeeding pads are good but don't wear the disposable ones too much or they will make your nipples even more sore (especially if they are wet). I leaked a lot (esp. out of the other side while he was eating) so I ended up just holding a burp cloth up to the nipple on the side that he wasn't using (or stuffing it in my bra), instead of buying tons of breast pads.
I started running after 5 weeks (I don't have HUGE boobs) and it worked great. Baby didn't seem to notice any difference but I had to make sure I was drinking enough water to make up for sweating.
Once everything gets sorted out nursing is super easy and very convenient. Although, now my baby has a tooth and I have to figure out how to stop the biting!
Cannot remember the exact order of the questions, but breastfeeding is not for the faint of heart. I am a RN who breastfed for over a year (longer than I wanted to but he wouldn't stop). It takes time to establish a good supply and it is harder to suck the breast so a baby takes some encouragement at times. It is so worth it though due to the health benefits to you and the baby. You will be reducing your chances of breast cancer and making your baby much less prone to infection and allergies. It is also a great bonding experience. Your breasts will get larger (maternity/breastfeeding bras are typically made for that increase), you need to wear your bra all the time, you can work out while breastfeeding but not before you can due to the birth, you will not drown your baby but your body takes a while then it is supply and demand---I am not kidding here, yes your whole nipple/ aereola need to go in the baby's mouth---the nurses will teach you, go to any classes you are offered in the hospital, you CAN get pregnant while breastfeeding---I never missed a period while breastfeeding and it was the only way my baby ate for months, and yes, your boobs are going to sag eventually anyway. (All boobs eventually sag, that is why mammograms become more diagnostic as the tissue thins.) You will not have to mess with mixing formula, heating up formula, washing bottles, etc. Your breast milk is a perfect temp all the time. It also saves a ton of money. You need to be getting your nipples ready soon. Good luck!
3 words. Just do it!
You will never regret it.
I did it. I loved it. It was MY special time with Kat...my breasts did not swell horribly but they were larger...I wore the next size up bra...I read breast feeding books...and I had a great nurse in the hospital who was a former breast feeder. kat and I were in sync by the time we got home. It was one of the greatest experiences ever...good luck and go for it.
Thank you for posting this, as I had some similar questions and felt like there was no where to go for answers without getting side eye. Good luck. I feel like my boobs are already a mess, so it can't be much worse...right?
I know these questions have been answered a million times at this point, but breasfeeding was pretty much my life for my daughter's 1st 11 months, so I'm going to short answer the questions....
1. No. Your body gradually adjusts to your baby's appetite.
2. Have no idea-I have one friend who was that big and I never asked.
3. Yes. Just drink more water than you ever have in your life.
4. If your areolas are that big, no, the whole thing is not going to fit in the baby's mouth.
5. This is a "every woman is different" answer. It's true-you won't know until you get there.
One last thing about the pain when first breastfeeding: if you can stick it out for 2 weeks, you've got it. When wincing in pain and feel the tears well up in your eyes, just think about all the benefits your baby's getting.
After those first 2 weeks, you'll sail right through it from then on out....
I tried to breastfeed with my first... but I kept getting breast infections. So after much beating up of myself, I quit. And I was a better mom because of it.
Fast forward 4.5 years, I had my second baby in December. Got a breast infection, convinced myself I was going to quit, and am still breastfeeding despite all my wanting to quit.
It's working this time. Inexplicably. I want to quit, but it's the best thing for him and I'm saving about 25 bucks a week vs. formula. I'm even pumping twice while I'm at work. Never thought I'd see the day. Honestly.
I'll try to address some of your questions.
#2. My formerly size 34C boobs are huge. Like I don't even know what size huge. I have 34DD nursing bras. Some fit, some don't. I can't button my blouses. I'm hoping they go back to normal.
#3 Working out... I've tried running. It's not easy. I have to wear a really tight sports bra to keep the girls from jiggling too much.
It's hard to get started with Breast Feeding. Prepare to be frustrated. You're going to be hormonal anyway. But stick with it... and you'll be glad you did! Keep the number of the hospital's lactation consultants handy. Most of them are super nice and supportive... and not Nursing Nazis.
Hey thanks for that baby-in-the-garbage reminder...I am going to use that on myself when I start beating myself up for not being perfect. Good for you for trying the breastfeeding thing. I told myself that was all I was going to do, try. Friends had told me their horror stories so I was prepared for the worst, but it honestly has not been as bad as I expected. You do need patience, though -- especially with latching on. I am supplementing with formula as he was not getting enough in the beginning and I think it helps him to sleep -- fuller belly for longer period of time. I think my attitude of "let's just give this a shot" helps me not feel at all bad about the supplementation. You do what you can do. Also my pedi (who was head of ER medicine at one of the top children's hospitals in the country) is totally not gung ho at all about breastfeeding. He says the literature is quite exaggerated re: the benefits. I still think it's worth trying but there's another reason not to be mean to ourselves if it doesn't work out the way we hope. Anyway I'm rambling -- good luck and yes, tap into this community (not your mom...mine is the same way about my nursing) whenever you need help!
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