Why do people keep telling me how hard BF is?

Seity · Mar 19th, 2010, 14:48 PM

I keep getting people telling me how brave I am and how hard breastfeeding is.

I've only been at it for 2 weeks, so I'm wondering if it gets harder or something. To be honest I'm finding it to be the easiest thing ever. I can't imagine anything easier. The idea of having to mix formula and clean bottles all the time sounds like a ton of work when all I have to do it lift my shirt and instant supply of all he can drink milk. I hate that I'll have to start pumping soon for going back to work and have to deal with cleaning the pump and bottles and whatever else goes along with that.
I find the constant diaper changes more draining.

WTTMommy · Mar 19th, 2010, 15:21 PM

Count yourself lucky!

Elski · Mar 19th, 2010, 15:46 PM

A lot of people encounter various difficulties, it's great your LO's taken to it so well

redpoppy · Mar 19th, 2010, 16:14 PM

If BF goes well I imagine its the easiest and most natural thing in the world and I REALLY hope its stays this way for you.

It's when you have supply, latch, pain, illness, stress or weight gain issues when things get hard.

Ell87 · Mar 19th, 2010, 16:17 PM

BF does have it's difficulties, I struggled with my first 2 children but then my 3rd and 4th have bf brilliantly.

Punky79 · Mar 19th, 2010, 16:18 PM

Seity I know what you mean! We had a few problems at the beginning but I really don't find it that hard either. We are the lucky ones though!

BeccaMichelle · Mar 19th, 2010, 16:31 PM

I've had sore, blistered, and scabby nipples. I've had a crack for 2 weeks and a thrush infection! *laughs* but despite all that I know exactly where you're coming from. I can't imagine having to bear my little one crying her heart out while I made up a bottle.. OR all the washing involved. I'd rather deal with a few weeks of pain. But again, like the others have said, my LO is latching well, feeding well, and gaining well. It's just my own pain I've had to deal with. I can't imagine how upsetting it must be when everything else doesn't fall in line. I'm so glad I haven't had to make the hard choice between BF and FF

Babyshambelle · Mar 19th, 2010, 16:39 PM

I had this an awful lot too when I was first BFing Liv....some of the time it was from people who had failed to breastfeed sucessfully and I can understand why they would be saying it because obviously they found it hard. I think some of the time people would tell me in a way that sort of meant more like "it's ok to stop, you know....I know its hard work"....if that makes any sense??

Now I get people saying "Wow, you must have found it really easy" when they find out I'm *still* feeding Liv...people never seem to be able to keep their thoughts to themselves xxxx

minkie · Mar 19th, 2010, 16:57 PM

I'm happy to hear your having such an easy time!! With my first it was probably the worst experiance ever...she wouldn't latch on EVER my nips were bleeding raw scabbed (tmi) and I don't think I have ever felt sooo much pain...ended up having to pump and bottle feed for a few months then switch to formula because she never did latch...second one latched right on and it wasn't the same kind of pain at all, really wasn't bad and she just turned 3 and I am still comfort nursing her at night (working on weaning her completely now that shes 3) so I think it's just different for every baby!!

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2cb493

ellie · Mar 19th, 2010, 17:05 PM

good on you!

we had a few problems at first but nothing like others have had, and at the moment it seems fairly easy (i just get stressed about feeding in public now). really hoping it stays that way 'crossing everything'
so glad its going well!

Mar 19th, 2010, 14:48 PM	#1
Seity Other BnB Elite Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 12,807	Why do people keep telling me how hard BF is? I keep getting people telling me how brave I am and how hard breastfeeding is. I've only been at it for 2 weeks, so I'm wondering if it gets harder or something. To be honest I'm finding it to be the easiest thing ever. I can't imagine anything easier. The idea of having to mix formula and clean bottles all the time sounds like a ton of work when all I have to do it lift my shirt and instant supply of all he can drink milk. I hate that I'll have to start pumping soon for going back to work and have to deal with cleaning the pump and bottles and whatever else goes along with that. I find the constant diaper changes more draining.

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Mar 19th, 2010, 15:21 PM	#2
WTTMommy Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 2,240	Count yourself lucky!

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Mar 19th, 2010, 15:46 PM	#3
Elski Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,023	A lot of people encounter various difficulties, it's great your LO's taken to it so well

Status: Online

Mar 19th, 2010, 16:14 PM	#4
redpoppy Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3,575	If BF goes well I imagine its the easiest and most natural thing in the world and I REALLY hope its stays this way for you. It's when you have supply, latch, pain, illness, stress or weight gain issues when things get hard.

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Mar 19th, 2010, 16:17 PM	#5
Ell87 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wirral, UK Posts: 792	BF does have it's difficulties, I struggled with my first 2 children but then my 3rd and 4th have bf brilliantly.

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Mar 19th, 2010, 16:18 PM	#6
Punky79 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 278	Seity I know what you mean! We had a few problems at the beginning but I really don't find it that hard either. We are the lucky ones though!

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Mar 19th, 2010, 16:31 PM	#7
BeccaMichelle Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New to North Carolina - Scottish transplant. Posts: 780	I've had sore, blistered, and scabby nipples. I've had a crack for 2 weeks and a thrush infection! laughs but despite all that I know exactly where you're coming from. I can't imagine having to bear my little one crying her heart out while I made up a bottle.. OR all the washing involved. I'd rather deal with a few weeks of pain. But again, like the others have said, my LO is latching well, feeding well, and gaining well. It's just my own pain I've had to deal with. I can't imagine how upsetting it must be when everything else doesn't fall in line. I'm so glad I haven't had to make the hard choice between BF and FF

Status: Offline

Mar 19th, 2010, 16:39 PM	#8
Babyshambelle Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Manchester Posts: 1,354	I had this an awful lot too when I was first BFing Liv....some of the time it was from people who had failed to breastfeed sucessfully and I can understand why they would be saying it because obviously they found it hard. I think some of the time people would tell me in a way that sort of meant more like "it's ok to stop, you know....I know its hard work"....if that makes any sense?? Now I get people saying "Wow, you must have found it really easy" when they find out I'm still feeding Liv...people never seem to be able to keep their thoughts to themselves xxxx

Status: Offline

Mar 19th, 2010, 16:57 PM	#9
minkie Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: California Posts: 624	I'm happy to hear your having such an easy time!! With my first it was probably the worst experiance ever...she wouldn't latch on EVER my nips were bleeding raw scabbed (tmi) and I don't think I have ever felt sooo much pain...ended up having to pump and bottle feed for a few months then switch to formula because she never did latch...second one latched right on and it wasn't the same kind of pain at all, really wasn't bad and she just turned 3 and I am still comfort nursing her at night (working on weaning her completely now that shes 3) so I think it's just different for every baby!! http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2cb493

Status: Offline

Mar 19th, 2010, 17:05 PM	#10
ellie Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: south wales Posts: 3,818	good on you! we had a few problems at first but nothing like others have had, and at the moment it seems fairly easy (i just get stressed about feeding in public now). really hoping it stays that way 'crossing everything' so glad its going well!

Status: Offline

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