What I am most afraid of…

Breastfeeding did not come easy for me. When my first had difficulty in the hospital, I immediately thought he was starving and started feeding him formula. Then days later I was crying and frustrated that he still couldn’t get it. It was very important to me to breastfeed, so I called a lactation consultant. It was a long process, but eventually we got him to nurse and supplemented with formula. Around 5 months, he stopped wanting to nurse, and went 100% formula.

When I had my second 16 months later I knew more about the process. I knew that it sometimes takes awhile for babies to get the hang of it, and for some a few days for milk to come in. I had the support of an online message board community who knew so much about the subject and encouraged me to stick with it. It did take us a few days to get it right, but we did. She was 100% bf, as was her younger sister.

If it is important to you, you can and will make it work. Just know that, and trust yourself.

I found Dr. Sears to be really helpful.

I’ve done both formula and bf and can tell you that bf is way, way easier.

You are so stinkin’ cute! I hope you are able to run till the very end!

Breastfeeding is tricky getting started sometimes, even when you’ve done it before. Don’t be afraid to get help and even find a lactation consultant after you’re home from the hospital if you need help, that’s what saved me with my first. Just remember that babies are programmed to lose a little weight in the beginning, all they need those first few days is colostrum, so don’t panic when your milk doesn’t come in right away. I think the biggest thing is just keep trying! For me my first was a difficult journey but it was so worth it in the end. Hopefully baby will be a great nurser and it will come easily for both of you!

Oh, and that half second clip from Inside Edition was on The Soup! lol Such a proud moment. *tear* ;)

I was scared. I wanted so bad to breastfeed. So I read everything the doctors gave me, everything I could get my hands on. Be prepared for it to no work at first but be willing to keep trying and tweaking till you find what works for you and for the babe. And everyone is different. Even with each of my kids I had to do it differently because they were different people. So be willing to try something and if it doesn’t work, it’s ok, just keep adjusting. I personally believe because I went into it with that attitude with my first she latched on and ate just find right from the beginning. I was shocked! Good Luck! Oh, and I wasn’t really running, but I was in school at the time. That should count, right?

Totally different with every baby. My first took a little while (like months) to get the hang of feeding especially in public (i.e. church). They hadn’t come out with the “hooter hiders” then, so I was stuck trying to keep a blanket over me (which she would push off every time). My second (a boy) was not a nurser. I struggled for 6 weeks and he just wouldn’t latch on. My third was a dream! I loved nursing (something I thought would never happen)!!

My MIL told me before my first baby, that I would definitely get Mastitis and that everyone got it. It scared the living “you-know-what” out of me! It never happened. I never even got cracked or bloody. I wouldn’t worry too much… you will be fine! :)

Breastfeeding is something you will never regret doing for your child. I have two B.f. Kids with the first baby it hurt badly for a week, I got one breast infection (mastitis) at 6 weeks then another at seven months, but was able to prevent both those things with the second baby through proper latching and knowing the early signs of Mastitis (Cold/flu type symptoms) then preventing it early.
It was difficult when with my second child I got a spinal headache and couldn’t get out of bed for 13 days, I couldn’t do anything but i was able to Breastfeed her which made me feel not so withdrawn from her. To be really honest it was so hard at times and it was a real treat when I could get my partner to take on a night feed with formula once or twice a week, but so many women go through the same thing you don’t need to feel alone and there’s some great advice from other women when you need it:-)

The only thing I can tell you about breastfeeding is that “not having enough supply” is a myth that just won’t get away because even doctors and nurses keep telling to people that it is possible to not have enough milk for the baby. Actually, it is not (unless you are one of the very very rare cases where due to a medical reason it is not possible).
Producing milk for the baby works like supply and demand. If you demand more milk (i.e. put your baby to your breast more often even if there’s not that much milk) your body will start to produce more milk. You just need to be patient about it. Your boobs aren’t a fast food restaurant. It takes a while until your body adjusts to it. Just be patient. It will be fine!

Breastfeeding was not easy at first. My daughter wouldn’t latch on and once my milk came in and I was engorged I decided to use a nipple sheild. I had to use that until she was 5 months old and she finally figured out how to nurse without it. I regret using the sheild and wish I had just tried harder at the beginning to get her to latch. She is now 13 months old and still nurses a couple of times a day. Stick to it, I’m sure you and your sweet daughter will figure it all out together! Don’t be afriad =)

Like everyone said, for most, it is not easy. I had a lot of problems in the beginning and didn’t really start to get the hang of it until the 6-8 week mark. Now that Ashton is 4.5 months old, we are totally in sync and its great. I think having a supportive husband for me was key, especially at 2 am when the baby was screaming and wouldn’t latch. My husband keep telling me that we could do this and work through it. I also used a lactation consultant in the hospital which I 100% recommend and the I had her come to the house once to reinforce what I was doing. It definitely takes time, but its worth it. I love that bonding time, the convenience and it also saves us a ton of money (more race registrations!!! :) ). And worse case, if you can’t, there is nothing wrong with formula!

I never worried too much before my son was born & he took to the process without any issues. Unfortunately, I wasn’t producing enough for him & 3 days after he was born, we had to start supplementing — I tried for a couple of months, but he just never got enough from me, so eventually, we stopped trying. It was hard for me (as a type-A) not to feel like I failed, but ultimately, I know I did what I had to in order to let him thrive. He’ll be 5 in August & I can honestly say that I don’t have any regrets. My point being, try not to worry – there will be A LOT of people to support you, give you advice if there are any issues. Given your history (which mimics mine) I’d say the biggest thing you can do is to make sure you’re getting enough calories in so that you can produce what your little girl will need. It sounds easy, but when that little angel is sleeping, you’ll have a chance to eat or sleep….9 times out of 10, you’re going to choose sleep :-)

You’re going to be such a great mommy!

Breastfeeding was hard for me and my kids, but I heard that it comes naturally for others. I still wanted my kids to get the benefits of breastmilk, so I pumped with both my kids and gave it to them in a bottle.

My son was premature and I had to seperate all the milk I pumped because the milk that comes out right away is more nutritious. Who knew!

I say do what feels natural, and what you feel is right.

My SIL was unable to breastfeed because of medical reasons and felt so bad. But it wasn’t her fault and if your baby needs to have formula then that’s what’s best for them.

You are due on the same day as my other SIL – too funny!

Such a cute lil belly you have there!

I breastfeed both of my girls, the first for 17 months and the second for 13 months. It took a couple days with the first to get a good latch and it was pretty frustrating, but once I got the hang of it everything was fine. There were some bumps in the road (mastitus being one), but I am so happy I decided to stick with it. With my second it was easier, however, she has food allergies and I had to go on super restrictive elimination diets, so it was still difficult. However, I didn’t give up and again I was glad I stuck with it. I also ran my first half marathon less than a year after giving birth to my second daughter while I was still nursing, so running and nursing is definitely possible!

Good luck to you and try not to be scared, it sounds like you have done your research, so just be sure to have a good support system in line for breastfeeding and everything will work out fine! :)

if you ever want any nursing advice feel free to e-mail me!

Hi Janea! I haven’t ever commented on your blog before but I read it daily :) I am a new mom – my son was born on April 13, so here’s my two cents on breastfeeding. It was actually what I was most nervous about (not labor and delivery; labored and pushed naturally at a birthing center, then had to go to the hospital for a csection). The first several days of nursing were really difficult – dealing with recovery, learning how to take care of my son, having sore/bloody nipples and one nipple being inverted, and making sure baby boy had a good latch. I also had a mild case of thrush. But after a couple of weeks (and the blessed use of nipple shields!!), things got better. I had planned on nursing my son til about 6 months or so, but because I have to be back in the office on July 30th, I’ve already started weaning him to drink formula. Now, I only nurse baby first thing in the morning and for his last feeding at night. He is a healthy, thriving boy! Don’t be scared about breastfeeding. You can do it! Just keep in mind that you’re new at it and so is your baby. You both have to take time to learn how to do it :) Talk to a lactation consultant and talk to your friends who have nursed their babies. Having support helps so much. And making sure your husband supports you in your decision to nurse.

Good luck with everything and I look forward to reading more about you and your baby’s progress! God bless you!

This is the first time I’ve commented on your blog, but I look forward to reading it each day.
I fully understand your anxiousness about nursing. My mother nursed both my sister and I for nearly a year each. Apparently she was a nursing rockstar! Things didn’t come as easy for me. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&tok=f7btOi4VZeTl9VhRl6VvwA&cp=10&gs_id=5u&xhr=t&q=the+womanly+art+of+breastfeeding&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1600&bih=757&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=1538799370685984865&sa=X&ei=-qztT9PuKqSu0AHI_8HPDQ&sqi=2&ved=0CFUQ8wIwAA) is a good book that has a LOT of helpful tips. Take them for what you wish. From what I understand, every baby is different. It’s important to relax and find your groove with each other. Do what’s best for you. Our hospital provided walk in hours for instruction on breastfeeding, so if you can find something like that, you can get free help from someone that really knows what’s up.
I think the hardest part for me was the guilt I felt. I didn’t love nursing because it was tough for me. And I felt guilty about that. But when it became clear that it was time to move one from nursing completely (after 12 weeks, for us) I felt guilty about that too.
Looking back I am glad I gave it my all and I know next time around that I won’t sweat it too much. Healthy Happy Baby and Mama are the most important thing. Children learn what they live.
Best of luck. It is sure to be the most amazing thing you have ever done.

I tried really hard to bf but my milk didn’t come in till baby boy was 12 days old… and at that point I was only producing 1tsp a day. It was an incredibly emotional experience and I eventually decided that formula would be best for both of us. I think the most important thing to remember is to do what is best for the two of you. There is no need to feel guilty is you want to formula feed, even if that’s your only reason. Your decision has to be best for your baby, you as an individual, and you as a mom. In my experience, the emotional side of it all did not allow me to be the best mom I could be until I finally decided to formula feed. There are pluses to both!

I managed a year with my first. And the first six weeks were hard. My motto was I just want to do it through tomorrow (similar to how I run till the next corner)

We used some formula too because I needed help so my husband would give a bottle of formula while I pumped at bed time. Then he had a bottle for a night time feeding.
Just remember to relax and drink ALOT of water/juice/lemonade.

I read the la leche league book, The Womanly Art of breastfeeding.
So of it was a little extreme for me (some of the theory and diets) but it had great diagrams for how to stick the baby on.
Thier website is llli.org.

Anything you do that works for you, your baby and your family it the right choice:)

GOOD LUCK you will be a GREAT mom!

I nursed my daughter and there were definitely tough points, but once we got through those (they were all pretty early on) it was so much easier and more convenient than making bottles! My advice is to expect some trouble and to have some support in place for when that time comes – I went to a really great nursing group at my hospital where I got help from their lactation experts and other moms and that helped a lot. It can be tough going at the outset but once you get in a groove it’s great!

As for supply, I found that having a lot of steady demand really helped mine. I don’t know if you’ll need to pump, but I did and I kept a pretty steady schedule of pumping and tried to skip as little as possible. If you didn’t pump, I think that nursing regularly or whenever baby’s hungry would achieve the same goal. I also pumped in the morning before I nursed – I read somewhere that because the baby is really efficient at drawing out milk she would still get milk even though I’d pumped. She always did and I think that helped a lot with banking enough for bottles because you have so much built up from overnight.

baby #1 no interest in breastfeeding, baby #2 curious but it hurt and seemed awkward so shortly after a few attempts to the bottle I went, baby #3 I want to breastfeed! It’s free!! And It’s so organic, I want!.. but it did not work out.. I tried for months.. I cried several times.. bottles were just the way it went for me..

You are such a cute mama! I breast fed my kids. Lactation consultants are awesome! The nurses will also be a great help. I would definitely try pumping a few times at the hospital so that the lactation consultant can answer any questions.
Boppy pillows are wonderful as well. I know it’s one more thing to bring to the hospital, but it’s amazing! Breast feeding can be difficult, but once you get the groove it’s super easy. I felt like I needed three hands the first few days. I loved that I could do something for my kids others couldn’t. It was our special time together that I could spend with my kids.
La Leche League is a great resource on breastfeeding. Our hospital also offer breastfeeding classes.
The biggest thing is to relax and try to keep calm. Babies can feel tension, and then they will get upset. If you are calm (or at least faking it), then they will stay relaxed and eat. I know it’s easier said than done. I can’t tell you the number of times I have had a friend not be able to pump or get the baby to nurse, and then when I’m there, it works out. Not because I know all about breastfeeding, but because the mom relaxed knowing they had someone there who had been there before.

Breastfeeding can take work but it is worth the effort. Ask questions if you have them and utilize your resources! Your hospital should have lactation consultants available and your birthing nurses may even have some knowledge. La Leche League is a good place to research online. If your baby has some trouble latching or getting it at first, keep trying and you can pump to keep your body producing.

Breast feeding is more emotionally hard than anything….is baby getting enough, but I’m SO tired, etc etc. I started doing a formula bottle in the night so daddy could help. If u don’t buy a medela pump, rent one. SO worth it. And you can cut two tiny holes in a sports bra so u can pump hands free. They sell bras for that but it’s way cheaper to use an old bra :). Another thing I didn’t know about is the night sweats for the first weekish. Just all the fluid from pregnancy coming out. I laid a towel down in bed and kept a couple dry towels and tshirts next to bed so when I’d wake up drenched. I’d just change it all out real quick. Being a mommy is so amazing & ur gonna be awesome at it!!

Dr. Sear has a lot of info on his site, as well.

You are so sweet. I was terrified and I had good reason go be. Everything that could go wrong, did. But I went to a lactacion consultant a few times, ended up with a nipple shield and I nursed Pman for a year. I wasn’t to set on it in a hippie way but it drastically reduces your risk of breast cancer. I’m glad I gave it a fighting chance. It was the most UN natural thing I have ever done. But not everything has to be easy to be worth it, right? I would recommend having the consultant visit you everyday in the hospital and when you get home make another appointment if you need. Also, it took me two weeks to figure it out and I feel like a lot of people quit if it doesn’t happen right away. And finally, be kind to yourself. If it works great, if not, it doesn’t mean you love her any less. I’m so excited for you, being a mommy is entirely amazing!!!

My biggest advice is to surround yourself with people who can support and encourage you through it and who you feel comfortable with. I have two sisters-in-law who were amazingly helpful. One of them forced me to go to the doctor when I wasn’t feeling quite right and it turns out I had mastitis. If it wasn’t for her I would have gotten much more ill.
I was lucky and both of my daughters were nursing champs and I nursed them each for about two years. I’m not going to lie though, it really hurt the first two weeks but I found it helpful to distract myself with blog reading or watching a movie.
Also, if you can, buy a good breast pump like a Medela. It will be a lifesaver if you can pump a bottle for Billy to feed her because sometimes you just need a break from being the milk truck around the clock. Breastfeed is awesome and totally worth it but don’t beat yourself up if you decide it’s not for you.

P.s. if you do nurse get a hooder hider so you can nurse on the go. Once I mastered that I was so much happier. I hated the thought of being trapped at home just so I could feed him. And I’m not “mom enough” to not cover up, but that’s just me.

This is a good resource for evidence-based tips & advice on breastfeeding, supply, managing plugged ducts, etc.! http://kellymom.com/ The hospital lactation consultants were helpful too.

Breastfeeding did NOT come naturally for me. I tried for 2 months and my son never latched. I went back to work after 6 weeks and I was resenting my son. My husband and I decided that it would be best if I stopped breast feeding and switched to formula. I took a lot of grief over this from family members who believed that breast is best.
I have a really large chest and thought that that would make breast feeding easier…turns out, it makes it harder. I never got any mastitis and was a little creeped out by the whole process (honestly). My son has been incredibly healthy and is now two and a half and thriving. We are due with our second 2 weeks after you and I will give breast feeding another shot. If it doesn’t go well, I’m not going to beat myself up over it this time.

You will do great and it is important to make the best decision for you and your family!!

My best friend had her first child a little over a year ago. She was so frightened about breastfeeding that she almost didn’t give it a shot. We talked a lot the time about how much it petrified her. Well, it turned out to be her most favorite thing. She was s sad when her milk supply dwindled because she loved it SO much. She said she felt so connected to her son and that it was the best bonding experience. She also swore by nipple guards. She said they helped a ton.

On the flipside, both of my sisters chose not to breastfeed. The choice is yours and don’t feel guilty about whatever you decide. :)

What a great supply of answers! I BF both of my boys… but I didn’t last as long for my 2nd (only 2+ weeks).

My advice is similar to so many of those above:

SUPPORT is critical. I mean support of whatever decisions you make and however it is going!

EDUCATE yourself. Lactation consultants are great (don’t be shy about asking anything and showing everything to them so you can get all the help you need).

LANSINOH cream. Maaaan BF hurts at first, but it gets better!

RELAX! It was so much easier for me to breastfeed when I was relaxed about it and not worried and stressed (easier said than done… but it’s true).

Have CONFIDENCE. You are going to be a GREAT mother and you are going to have to make a million choices that are right for you, your daughter and your family that not everyone else around you would make. It’s ok to be yourself. Only YOU can be the perfect mom for your little girl!

Good luck! :)

Lots of liquids!!!!! I drank a ton of water. Also, you will definitely doubling up those sports bras. Nursing came very natural to me and my three kids. Biggest advice..DON’T OVERTHINK IT! Really, don’t stress about it and relax.

Loved, loved, loved breastfeeding….I was kind of sad when my daughter just stopped suddenly at 11 months. I thought I was going to have to wean her but she cut me off cold turkey. That being said, I did NOT love it for about 2-3 weeks at the beginning. It was well worth it and I’m glad I stuck it out, but I do see why people give it up before that 2-3 week time period was up! You CAN do it, but it is up to you and what works for you and your baby. Don’t let anyone guilt you into breastfeeding. Perfectly healthy, happy babies are results from formula as well!

Look at The Leaky B@@b on Facebook for lots of info and testimonials, questions, etc.

I have 2 kiddos who have never had formula, bf for 16mo and 21mo, am a NICU RN and lactation certified. And despite all my experience helping other moms bf, I had a really hard time with my first. I followed the same advice I gave my patients (or patients’ moms) – give it 40 days. That seems to be the magical number. And schedule appts for a lactation consultant the day after you leave the hospital. The La Leche League website has great info to locate an IBCLC (intentional board certified lactation consultant- the gold standard in training and certification for lactation) in your area. With my first, I had mastitis (uncomfortable but not a big deal, really), but latching was my real problem, which surprised me bc I had helped hundreds + of mother-baby couplets initiate bf. but it looks different from a different angle, and felt different from a different perspective, and the new mom hormones made me lack judgement with getting a proper patch. But after time it worked out (though 5 years later I still have a scar to prove how difficult it was!) and I loved the experience of bf. I have lots of personal opinions and scientific facts to support bf, but ultimately it comes down to your choice. If you are determined to bf, it will happen for you. I was determined to bf exclusively for 12 mo and literally fought for it. Support is key. The womanly art of bf is a great book as well as the la Leche league website.

it did not come naturally for me at all. everyone told me about how it was a beautiful experience and blah blah, but i had a hard time seeing that. at least at first. also, everyone told me it would hurt like crazy, but nobody told me about the emotional roller coaster it would be. i am probably scaring you off! i’m not trying to. i did it because i felt like i should and because i knew it was best for my baby. i think i was too selfish? i went back to work and had to pump on my lunch break and then i lost my milk when he was like wish months. i felt SO GUILTY for switching to formula. my neighbor and i used to joke about breastfeeding bullies because there are some women who are so pro about it that they make you feel awful if you do it any other way.

ANYWAY, my point is that yeah it is hard and blah blah whatever, but it will work out. my advice would be DON’T STRESS! i put so much pressure on myself to do it and stick it out and do it right, and it made me paranoid that he wasn’t getting enough, wasn’t gaining weight, i wasn’t doing it exactly every 3 hours on the dot…i think i would have enjoyed it more if i hadn’t made it such a job for myself. i wish i could have relaxed and enjoyed it. that is easier said than done, but seriously. don’t stress. and if you DO switch to formula or supplement with formula? SO WHAT! it is perfectly healthy and dane is just as happy and normal as any other crazy 2.5 year old.

okay. longest comment EVER! and i probably scared you and didn’t help at all. so the end.

I only recently found out I’m pregnant (and I’m not that far along), but I’m learning that there is so much that I don’t know and I’m scared. Just read this blog post – http://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2010/9/23/happily-after-giving-birth-10-things-they-dont-tell-you.html (eek!).

I might be coming to you for advice!