Hello there ladies, Im ttc conceive right now and OH and I are deciding how we want to do things, I think I may want to breastfeed, but I wanna make sure that people really do think it is the best way to go. I personally havent been able to think of any negatives to it, but I was wondering if you ladies could let me know what you think, if it is the best decision.

It is easy (once you get going), convenient, cheap, great for bonding, Its all good hun Just hard at first but stick to it

I don't think you can really base your decision on what every one here thinks. As this is the BFing section, we are all pretty pro-BFing. I know I made the right decision for myself and my child, and I would not have wanted to feed him any other way. I love nursing him, it has been and still is an amazing part of my day and my relationship with my son. It is a lot of hard work at the beginning. I remember being so tired and frustrated some days, but I just kept at it, and it did get easier. All the way through this past year there have been negatives, but huge pluses.

I will give you my balanced opinion. I have 3 bottle fed babies and am currently bfing my 4th baby.

IMO it is the hardest most stressfull thing I have ever done. If I'd have known then what I now I would have bottle fed. It is so challenging, time consuming and demanding. But we have had loads of obsticles and things in our way!

However, every time I look in her eyes I know I have done the right thing for Hannah. Her prematurity and illness has taken it's toll but it has strengthened our bond beyond belief. I feel so special when I think of what we have achieved together. HTH

i think if you want to breastfeed its the best hting for you. however like someone else asid, you cant really base your decision on what we say! it's defo the most convenient form of feeding and the cheapest! and the bond when you look at LO and they're happily suckling away is he most amazing feeling in the world its also fantastic when they're doing really well and gaining load of weight and you know its all cos of you!!

i fed katie up until 5months, we had problems tho and had to stop. i'm undecided whether to BF #2 cos i know that initially its a lot of hard work, and in a way i dont want to go thru all the hard work just to have to stop a few weeks down the line if it doesnt work out.

but all you can do is give it a go hun, if it doesnt work out right for you then so be it, if it does then great!!

I'm very pro breastfeeding so I will always say it is better lol. I have bottlefed my oldest because breastfeeding didn't work out, so I have done both. But I think that breastfeeding is better in everyway. It is hard at first, and you hurt some, but it's so worth it after you get past that. I loved nursing, knowing I was giving them the best thing, the bond with them, everything about it showed me everytime I nursed it was the best for them.

If bfing is what you want, then go for it.

I tried to bf, but ended up going to bottles only, it was really frustrating and stressful after a hard labour and other complications. I do hope to attempt to bf number 2!

My honest opinion is you have to try it to know whats best for you and baby!

I always knew I was going to breastfeed...but wasnt going to stress too much if I couldnt do it. Everyone I know who breastfed made it look so easy and of course noone ever says oh my god I was stuck for a whole day feeding for hours or that they felt their nipples were about to fall off! Its only when you turn to them and say they admit oh yes I was the same! But I must say it is the hardest thing I have found about having a baby!

In the begining it was a case of learning for the both of us through trial and error with positions and getting him to latch on....then there is the whole what if they arent getting enough milk?? But when they start to put weight on and they sigh after a feed like we would after a huge yummy meal its soo the best feeling!

Pros for me - its free, I get to cuddle him often, love his wee face after a feed and its full of mummy goodness. I also read its good for introducing different flavours before weaning as your milk tastes different depending what you eat!

Cons - trying to fit in the loo, brushing your teeth and eating whilst feeding especially if they are having a growth spurt. Cracked nipples. public feeding (I have to admit I was scared and a bit embarrassed at the start!) being the only person who can feed your baby which made me feel a bit isolated at times.

That said we have now found a combination of breastfeeding and bottle(formula and breastmilk) feeding .

I say if you want to breastfeed you should go for it...just be sure you have plenty breastpads and nipple cream! It is worth it!

Emma.xx

i have loved b-feeding Fred and so glad i stuck with it xx i had a very long and exhausting labour so found first couple weeks hard as we were both learnig and i was very sore and knackered! but all of a sudden we got it and it has been lovely xx i really believe it gives your baby the best start after all thats we we produce milk! thats my PO x

he became really fussy feeding from me in the day at around 4 months so i started doing a bit of both and it really suits us xx i still do 2-3 feeds a day the rest are bottles but he is also starting solids xxx

i will definately b-feed my future babies xxx

I think this thread is worth reading to give you an idea about BFing.

What helped you when starting out