I am really wanting to breast feed my child however I am terrified at the same time. I don’t want it to hurt plus I am not one that once to go into public and put my boob out and start feeding. I am very private when it comes to things like that. Is it normal to only breast feed at home and pump the rest of the time?? If so can you give me advice on it?
November 26th, 2009 at 4:39 am
I was a lot like you before I had my daughter. I knew breast feeding would be the best thing I could do for her, but wasn’t sure I was really up to it. The truth is that after you have a baby you pretty much lose any sense of shyness you may have had, there won’t be a single part of you that a hasn’t been viewed by a room full of strangers and when the time comes it won’t even bother you. Breast feeding turned out to be one of the most wonderful experiences I’ve ever had. I can’t say enough good things about it – the bond I have to my daughter, the fact that she was a year old before she ever got the sniffles, I saved all that money on fromula and never had to sterilize a bottle, I lost most of my baby weight within weeks and I went almost a year before I got my period again – just to name a few! I never actually used a pump, instead if we were out I would go sit in the car and nurse her. I always had a blanket handy to cover up with and that’s really all you need to avoid flashing a crowd of people. Now, the pain will be unavoidable, it’s going to hurt a little i the beginning, but there are plenty of things you can do about that. You can try rubbing some breastmilk on your nipples, or ask your doctor what kind of creams you can use to help them heal. If all else fails go to the store and pick up some nipple shields, they work wonders! You would only have to use them until your npples are healed up and after that breast feeding should be pretty painless! Good Luck to you and your growing family!
November 26th, 2009 at 8:04 am
It will be uncomfortable and maybe a little awkward when you first start nursing until you and your baby get the hang of it. After that, your nipples will toughen up a little and it will be comfortable and enjoyable for you. I was very private as well. I either timed the feedings so I would be in the privacy of my home to feed, or I would pump before I left the house and carry a bottle with me. There were a few situations when I had to nurse in public, but I found a very secluded area and did it discreetly, covered up. Get a good breast pump, as there is nothing wrong with bottle feeding breast milk from time to time.
November 26th, 2009 at 10:33 am
It does hurt the first few times, then your breasts ‘toughen up’ and you don’t really feel anything. The ‘pain’ is soooo much less than labor and delivery, it is negligible. The benefits far outreach any pain also.
You can be quite modest and discreet when breastfeeding outside of the home. A blanket can cover you both, special bras make breastfeeding easier, there are even special blouses that open to expedite feeding. Also, once you become comfortable at home with feeding, you may feel more confidence with feeding in public.
However, it it is not your thing, you could pump or use formula. You are the mom, so you decide what is best for your baby and you.
November 26th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Breastfeeding is so wonderful. It shouldn’t hurt if your baby is latched properly. What does hurt is your uterus contracting when you feed. Nothing panadol can’t help though and if your nipples get sore put on some lansinoh cream. I used this all the time eventhough my nipples didn’t hurt.
I too am a very private person but once you have a baby and your baby need to feed you will feed it and it wont matter where you are.
However if you still feel uncomfortable then there are special feeding blankets, there are feeding rooms at shopping centres and most people wont even realise you are doing it.
Pumping is hard. You have to work twice as hard to get the amount your baby needs. It takes me nearly 3 days to get 100ml. lots of people do pump and feed but to me it is twice the effort. It is so easy to just put bub on the boob, without having to make, warm and clean bottles and pumps.
Read up on breastfeeding and you will feel more confident.
My tip is if it hurts pull them off and try again. This stopped me having sore nipples.
November 26th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
1- the pain- you can desensitize your nipples before the baby is born. Easiest way is to let your husband take care of that job.
#2- any way that the baby can get your milk, whether on the breast or bottle- it is the best thing you can do for the baby’s immunity.
Who knows- you may get more comfortable with it. Really, when the are wee little ones, you can do it so discreetly. You are always carrying them at that level anyway. Do what makes you comfortable because the baby can sense it if you are not.
November 26th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Hi Dianna – I’m sorry, but you’ve got some really terrible answers here (not all, but quite a few).
First, breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt at all, ever (okay, until the teeth come in and you get scraped!). Pain with nursing is always the result of either an incorrect latch or a nipple issue. Both of these problems are almost always correctable with either practice or the assistance of a lactation consultant (or good friend who’s nursed successfully). Again – BREASTFEEDING SHOULD NOT HURT. I’m sorry that the ladies her experienced pain and I wished that they had had better support.
Second, you can nurse your baby when, where and how you feel comfortable. If you are going somewhere that might be awkward to nurse, you can absolutely pump and bring a bottle (if you baby will take a bottle). Or, you can make arrangements for a private spot to nurse. These dynamics are completely up to you and there are no right or wrong answers.
I hope this helps, and I hope all goes well with your little one and your breastfeeding journey!
*Edit
Okay – tmi I know, but I’m going to tell you what was never told to me and if you can remember this, you may find it really helpful…here goes…
The baby does not suck the nipple. Babies suck very powerfully, and sucking on the nipple would be excrutiatingly painful.
The baby should “slurp” in the breast from just beyond the areola. You should be able to compress/squish your breast to help it in. Once on properly, the nipple will go untouched and be near the back of the baby’s throat, the baby’s mouth will be very wide open, and his/her tongue should be directly under your breast. The baby’s tongue being under is very important. If it is not under, you may have to help the baby redirect his/her tongue, or ask your partner to help move the tongue. (My daughter had tongue issues)
From there, the baby will suck. The action will not hurt as the nipple will not be touched.
To accomplish this, it is better if your breast is soft – not hard or with a hard nipple.
I’ve added this in because I think a lot of women go into this thinking that it is the nipple that is used to nurse and it is not. I think is where a lot of the pain comes from. Nipple issues (like inversion) can also cause problems because the baby won’t get on properly; there are shields to help with this sort of problem.
Again – I hope this helps (and that I didn’t freak you out!)
November 27th, 2009 at 12:08 am
I’m a private person too but I’m planning on breastfeeding my baby girl when she gets to come home. Actually I’m pumping and taking it up to the NICU for them to feed her since she’s a preemie.
I know in some of the restaurants where I’m from, they have a special section for breastfeeding mommas. Its private and no one sees any booby flashing. Some women are so adapt at nursing their babies that in public, no one is getting flashed by boobies.
As I said, I’m very private. I had to pump in the hospital and even though it had a curtain my baby’s male doctor walked in….I was so embarrassed! Then I thought..I have to get over this, my baby needs this, I have it and she’ll have to have it too!!
I would start off breastfeeding at home, once your adapt at it, if you have too you could feed in public( make sure ahead of time they have rooms for that though).
There is nursing wraps you can wear too.
November 27th, 2009 at 2:36 am
I am currently nursing my first- he’s 6 months. I was absolutely terrified to breastfeed. I am very modest and could not imagine whipping out my breast in public to feed my child. However after he was born I realized the benefits were too great and I got over it. Get a good nursing cover. I love my Bebe au Lait cover. It’s not too hot and is a great size.
It will not be comfortable at first and may hurt a little but it gets better. Get in touch with your local La Leche League for support and guidance.
Congrats!!!
November 27th, 2009 at 7:37 am
i never had the expectation that i would breastfeed my son thats why when he refused to latch i wasnt upset i express for every feed and have a few spare bottles this gives me so much convenience by not being the one to always feed him , i know how much he is having can feed anywhere the medela hospital pumps are the best and dont hurt its very nice not having to be tied down to him incase he is hungry i can get sleep im not against formula and dont feel that i am being selfish by giving up on breastfeeding as he still gets nurturing cuddles as i feed him and all the benifits of breastmilk and after every feed that takes a hour it takes me half hour to pump wich is exhausting at times but do what suits you but for me to not expect to breastfeed was wonderfull as i wasnt upset when i couldnt
good luck
November 27th, 2009 at 11:07 am
I wasn’t hell bent on it but I tried it and it felt like someone twisted my nipple off! The lactation consultant said it was because my son wasn’t latching right, so she grab the baby and my nipple and ficed him right, and it still hurt. Some people can do it, all the praise to them! If I were you I would try it out, and if not you are not a bad mother or anything going to the bottle. I lasted 1-2 days breastfeeding.
They have cute little wraps that go around your neck to breastfeed in public. But I do have to say its very time consuming and demanding.
November 27th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I’m was like you when I had my first baby 8 months ago. I breastfeed at home because I was comfortable doing that and I pump when I had to go to school. They do sell those blankets that you can breastfeed undercover at stores like Target.
November 27th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
i wouldnt want to breast feed in public either. its totally normal to just breast feed at home and pump the rest of the time.
November 27th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Sure! My daughter has her system down pack! It will be a tough first few weeks, the breastfeeding nurse will come speak with you, ask if she doesnt offer for the new plastic nipple covers, they help you not get as sore and place you in the baby properly.
Increase your fluid intakes, no hot sauces, citrus, gassy veggies, those can be suspect for gas in baby, if you cut them out when babies born, you will have hopefully less problems.
My daughter gets these bags, has insulated carriers and warmer, its an art, but so doable! Your husband will be able to give you time off after a few weeks once you can pump enough to stock pile and that will get you that rest you need. The nurse might also give yuo this new thing, its a like a tiny bottle or something that you put the tube next to your and baby can take it in and its to enuse its getting enough, you can put breast milk later, in the beginning supplimental formula, it gets baby fuller in one easier sitting, and you more rest between nursings. Only one of my daughters was offerd this new system, her sister had her child in anohter state and they did not offer or mention it. My daughter with her first says between the nipple covers, and the tube thingy, shes not as sore anymore, and baby sleeps very well, and that formula in the tube, did not get baby not eating enough, she has more than enough and doesnt need it anymore, but it saved her from overdoing it, trying to get baby fed enough, so she didnt have the sore nipples as bad which is so common.Congradulations!!
November 27th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Hi,
You can listen to all the stories in the world but you will find everyone is different. I am breast feeding and found it not to hurt at all, although I was expecting it too. All I can say is take it one step at a time and give it a go for it is a wonderful experience and fate will decide.
Goodluck.
November 28th, 2009 at 5:58 am
I don’t think anyone, before they become a mom, is the kind of person to just whip a boob out in public. Well, maybe ‘no one’ is not quite accurate, but MOST of us are not exhibitionists by nature. I know I’m not. I wouldn’t even wear a bikini to the beach until I was 20 from shyness. Within 48 hours of having my baby I could nurse him in front of anyone without being shy at all. It just stops mattering. If you’re still shy, there are ways around that. You can drape a receiving blanket over your shoulder and wear nursing tops. There are really good ones nowadays that barely expose any skin so you don’t feel so naked while nursing. If that still doesn’t sound appealing, a lot of public places like malls have family and mother’s rooms where you can go to nurse. Or you can do as many mothers do (and I usually do for long outings) – before you leave the house you feed your baby and get a bottle of expressed milk ready for the outing. That way baby can still eat while you’re out shopping or something. The only drawback is milk only lasts about 4 hours unrefrigerated so you’d have to have a short trip out, or be prepared to find a quiet place to nurse. You should still wait until breastfeeding is going really well before you offer a bottle, if you plan on breastfeeding exclusively. Some babies get frustrated switching back and forth. Ours never had a problem and would take a bottle of expressed milk at a month old, but we were lucky.
The truth is, breastfeeding usually does hurt quite a lot to start with. I’m not going to butter it up. I had bleeding nipples, bruising, cracks, scabbing. It was crappy. BUT I also did my labor with morphine, gas, AND an epidural. I do NOT have a high pain tolerance, at all (I can finally admit that to myself now after begging for a top up on my epidural and shaking like a leaf when it came time to push) Knowing that I’m a wuss when it comes to pain and yet that I could tough it out for two weeks worth of severely painful nursing, I really believe that anyone can, if the pain is the only problem. It’s not that bad, and just like with labor, once it’s over and you and your baby are well it’s as though it never even happened. Once your baby figures out that a proper latch gets the most milk the fastest, he or she will be a pro at it.
November 28th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
when my wife and i had our first child she had the same worry but it is natural and sometimes rewarding my wife would pump at night and pu it in the fridge so that she can feed our little bo during the day also she likes the sucking at her nipple so much that she made me suck on her **** for milk and we would drink it together out of my mouth it was much like when she would let me *** in her mouth and we would share it i think it is called snowballing plus i get turned on when she wold whip out her large breast in public and we would both think of our nights nobody stared at her engorged breast cus they new that there was a baby there if we have enoher child i will probaly force her to breast feed
November 28th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Totolly up to you…but ur natural milk is pure and doesnt have sugars…like other milk with have sugars and set in the babies mouth and cause decay over time unless you wipe it out every once in a while, if you dont its first set of teeth will be rotten. I just got done learning about this in my Family Class at school..im a senior at Great Bend in Kansas!
November 28th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Don’t do it, its not worth it. If someone ever saw you feed your baby, it would ruin your life forever, and it hurts your credit score. Trust me, nothing could ever make it worth doing