First Time Mom and Breastfeeding - How Long Did You Do IT?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One week. DD hated it and would scream when I tried to latch her on. I tried pumping and could only get 2 oz after an hour, which she would eat and then I'd wonder WTF I was going to feed her in two more hours. My pediatrician finally gently told me that trying formula didn't make me a bad person. I gave her a bottle and life instantly got better and easier for all of us. She ate, she slept, I relaxed, we no longer battled over the boob. It was relief. I used formula the rest of her infancy and never looked back. I plan to start formula from the get-go when #2 arrives.

I dragged it out for 6 long weeks before giving up. Bottle-feeding was the best decision I made for us!

[Anonymous]

27 months and pregnant with #2 for my first.
#2 is now 11 months old and no plans to stop until he's ready.

While some people find it hard, please don't let that put you off. Many people find it very easy and relaxing and it has many benefits for the mother as well as the baby.

[Anonymous]

I'm 4 months pp and still EBF and I'm on my second period now.

[Anonymous]

I'm expecting my first in August, and I have no idea, but it's interesting to see that people breast feed for so long.

My mom said she loved it, that it was a wonderful experience for her. But apparently I started pushing away the breast at 3 months, and she decided to let it go.

For those moms who kept going, did you do it because you enjoyed it or because you feel this pressure to do it because it's best for your baby? I feel like a lot of moms aim to breast feed as long as possible as some sort of contest almost, which everything I've read says that after 6 months. the benefits have leveled out.

But if you love it or find personal benefits to it, I can see sticking with it for longer. I just know for myself that if it was massively inconvenient or pumping made me feel like a dairy cow I don't think I could keep it up. Also, does that mean you're still having to wear nursing bras and pads and worry about leaking and stuff during all that time? And what about sex?

[Anonymous]

For those moms who kept going, did you do it because you enjoyed it or because you feel this pressure to do it because it's best for your baby? I feel like a lot of moms aim to breast feed as long as possible as some sort of contest almost, which everything I've read says that after 6 months. the benefits have leveled out.

But if you love it or find personal benefits to it, I can see sticking with it for longer. I just know for myself that if it was massively inconvenient or pumping made me feel like a dairy cow I don't think I could keep it up. Also, does that mean you're still having to wear nursing bras and pads and worry about leaking and stuff during all that time? And what about sex?

Sex? Ahahahahaha. That's right, other women would be thinking about that. I'm single so that's not an issue.

After my milk came in and regulated, I didn't really have a problem with leakage. The only time it really happens now is in the morning, when I'm a little full -- when he nurses from one breast, the other one leaks. Sorry for the gory details.

I don't mind breastfeeding, because my kid really loves it. He's been a breast man from the beginning. Mostly, though, I do it because it's cheaper than formula and more portable. (Though I hate pumping)

I did feel some pressure to nurse through my maternity leave. I started stressing out tremendously when I went back to work, found that I couldn't really keep up with his needs, and saw my paltry stash dwindle away. But I decided that formula would be his "stash" -- he takes it happily. So it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing deal. He has some formula, some breastmilk, some table food, he's happy and I'm happy. (Though I'll be happier when he's weaned. I'm going to try to make it to a year and then the bar will be closed, I think.)

[Anonymous]

I nursed my first and second till 15 months when they self weaned. I've been nursing #3 for 9 months, and hope we make it to 15 months, I have been having supply issues but was just given and Rx for Reglan to boost milk production.

[Anonymous]

4.5 weeks pp here, and I'm struggling with supply issues. LO was in the NICU for 10 days and despite pumping 10-12x/day, I've never gotten more than 2oz/pumping (now 7-8 times/day). So far we haven't needed formula (except first few days in hosp) but I'm afraid my supply won't keep up with demand.

I dread having to use formula. Not because I think it's bad, but because I'm cheap and tired...don't want to spend money and wash bottles!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm expecting my first in August, and I have no idea, but it's interesting to see that people breast feed for so long.

My mom said she loved it, that it was a wonderful experience for her. But apparently I started pushing away the breast at 3 months, and she decided to let it go.

For those moms who kept going, did you do it because you enjoyed it or because you feel this pressure to do it because it's best for your baby? I feel like a lot of moms aim to breast feed as long as possible as some sort of contest almost, which everything I've read says that after 6 months. the benefits have leveled out.

But if you love it or find personal benefits to it, I can see sticking with it for longer. I just know for myself that if it was massively inconvenient or pumping made me feel like a dairy cow I don't think I could keep it up. Also, does that mean you're still having to wear nursing bras and pads and worry about leaking and stuff during all that time? And what about sex?

My original goal was to make it 6 months. After we hit that point and we were still going strong, I didn't see a reason to stop. If I stopped, I'd have to buy formula and nursing was free and easy. Well, the pumping was a pain but for evenings and weekends it was easier. I pumped for 13 months. After that, I stopped pumping and just nursed mornings, after work, and before bed. It was a simple thing to do and I truly enjoyed nursing. I stopped at 20 months because I didn't think I had much milk left anyway and my son was fine with stopping. It was a natural end to it for us. I felt like I knew when it was time to stop because he didn't seem to need it anymore and I was ready to by done.

It was definitely not for any kind of competitive reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those moms who kept going, did you do it because you enjoyed it or because you feel this pressure to do it because it's best for your baby? I feel like a lot of moms aim to breast feed as long as possible as some sort of contest almost, which everything I've read says that after 6 months. the benefits have leveled out.

But if you love it or find personal benefits to it, I can see sticking with it for longer. I just know for myself that if it was massively inconvenient or pumping made me feel like a dairy cow I don't think I could keep it up. Also, does that mean you're still having to wear nursing bras and pads and worry about leaking and stuff during all that time? And what about sex?

PP here who is still going with a 3 year old. No leaking for me after the first couple of months; I don't wear underwire bras (got mastitis the first time I tried that!) but I don't wear nursing bras now that we're just nursing at nap and bedtime.

To answer your other question about "why," it's not really any of the options you lay out. I didn't feel pressure, but I did get a lot of encouragement. I was committed to breastfeeding through the full first year because I did not want to have to use formula, for many reasons. It turned out that DD is dairy and soy intolerant, so formula was not an option for us. We continued nursing through the second year because she need the nutrition and fat since she could not eat dairy or soy products or drink dairy or soy milk. I suppose that the closest answer is "because it's best for her" but that doesn't mean that I disliked it. There are and were definitely times when it was very hard, when she was going through growth spurts or sick or I was sick and not getting enough sleep. There were also difficult times emotionally, when I felt trapped and put upon, but that was never about the breastfeeding, that was about my own baggage and just how demanding having a young toddler is.

Because of DD's allergies and food intolerances, she's always been small and we have been very committed to making sure that she gets enough calories and good nutrition. Therefore, I haven't limited nursing except to gently redirect if she asks for it outside of "regular" times, beginning around 15 months. If she insists or gets upset, I don't push it. It might sound silly, but I feel like she's working very hard inside her little body to grow and be healthy and I know that nursing is a reliable comfort and source of food for her. It has always soothed her when her digestive system is a bit upset and that was one benefit that continued on past 6 months. There were definitely nights when I would think, "I cannot WAIT for this to be over!" but now that the end is in sight I feel very sentimental about the connection and her trust in and reliance on me, and it will definitely be bittersweet when it's over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

For those moms who kept going, did you do it because you enjoyed it or because you feel this pressure to do it because it's best for your baby? I feel like a lot of moms aim to breast feed as long as possible as some sort of contest almost, which everything I've read says that after 6 months. the benefits have leveled out.

But if you love it or find personal benefits to it, I can see sticking with it for longer. I just know for myself that if it was massively inconvenient or pumping made me feel like a dairy cow I don't think I could keep it up. Also, does that mean you're still having to wear nursing bras and pads and worry about leaking and stuff during all that time? And what about sex?

I sm still nursing at 10 months. But, I found it very easy, which is not the case for many women. So, I'm still doing it because It's just so easy. No bottle to prepare and it gives us quiet time together. But, I only work part time, so I don't need to do a lot of pumping. I stopped wearing breastpads around 4 months, but I still use them when she has a shift in schedule, or if I know I'll be gone from her for more than 4 hours. Sex is fine. Libido is lower, but I try to get myself in the mood for the sake of hubby. I don't find it painful, but my husband was patient and we waited until 4 months post partum because I was afraid of the pain. So, for us, breastfeeding is very convenient. Everyone should just do what is best for their families.

[Anonymous]

I dread having to use formula. Not because I think it's bad, but because I'm cheap and tired...don't want to spend money and wash bottles!

This will save you having to wash bottles:

http://www.playtexbaby.com/Bottles/Dropins/Premium-Nurser

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm expecting my first in August, and I have no idea, but it's interesting to see that people breast feed for so long.

My mom said she loved it, that it was a wonderful experience for her. But apparently I started pushing away the breast at 3 months, and she decided to let it go.

For those moms who kept going, did you do it because you enjoyed it or because you feel this pressure to do it because it's best for your baby? I feel like a lot of moms aim to breast feed as long as possible as some sort of contest almost, which everything I've read says that after 6 months. the benefits have leveled out.

But if you love it or find personal benefits to it, I can see sticking with it for longer. I just know for myself that if it was massively inconvenient or pumping made me feel like a dairy cow I don't think I could keep it up. Also, does that mean you're still having to wear nursing bras and pads and worry about leaking and stuff during all that time? And what about sex?

We are still nursing at 20 months. I do it becuase of the health benefits, because I like the bonding experience, becuase DS still wants to do it, and slightly becuase weaning sounds exhausting.

I never leaked so no need for pads or whatever. Sex is fine, but I don't like DH to touch my boobs.

[Anonymous]

over 4 years. also didn't see that coming. Do what's right for you - that's what makes you and baby happy - the most important people in this equation.

[Anonymous]

I really hated breastfeeding, but I did it for 17 months. I think I hated it because I had really leaky boobs and they grew to be like DDD size and I just felt like a horrid cow.

[Anonymous]

13:28 - nursing at 4 doesn't look like nursing as a new born! If you met us, you'd never know. Once/day, and often, not even every day. Why? Kid had crazy temper tantrums, and it was calming when nothing else worked. Also a form of together time. She was a poor eater and it was guaranteed nutrition. I also connected in other ways, and it wasn't our only means of cuddling or discipline. Right for us.

She's a happy, healthy, well behaved 10 year old now.