How Long Are You Planning On Breastfeeding For?
October 30, 2009 by Guest Author
Filed under Breast Feeding Supplies
I’m 14 weeks pregnant with my first and i’m not looking forward to breastfeeding at all. I know it’s the healthiest for the baby and a natural thing to do but I’m just afraid it’s going to hurt and be uncomfortable. I’m just curious if most of you are breastfeeding and how long you plan on doing it for? I’m only planning on doing it for 6 months at the most.
I am on 22 months with our second.
The BEST thing for you to do is to read now and educate yourself. It doesn’t hurt- and if it does the latch is off.
For week 2 for both of my kids my breasts were sore- but it was from frequent nursing. After a few days it went away never to return again.
I like the fact that you gave yourself a short goal…and in 6 months or before- rethink it. If you can make it 6 months, you can make it a year. The first 6 weeks are the hardest because baby is nursing so frequently. It is very normal that they do so- not only are they learning to nurse but they are also building up your milk supply not to mention growing so very much.
Here are some things to read:
http://www.kellymom.com
http://www.askdrsears.com
(breastfeeding)http://www.normalfed.com/Continuing.html
Also:
The Breastfeeding Book by Sears.
For me, that was the book that I used quite often and will probably leaf through it again.
We are expecting our 3rd baby this winter and we have no set time limit for that baby either.
Hit the 1/2 price bookstore or library in your area and start reading. Before your baby is born, start to go braless…the only thing I ever did to “prepare” for nursing and it helped immensly both times. Lolol…already doing it for this one.
Good luck to you- and start reading~
I’m due in september so I’m REALLY looking forward to the summer heatwave, not!
I’m gonna breastfeed for a year assuming everything goes to plan and breastfeeding is successful, this one is my first so I have no idea if breast feeding is for me, but as well as doing it coz its whats better for my baby, I’m also doing it for the selfish reason of losing the baby weight quicker, I’ve put on a lot since I got pregnant and I’ve always had issues with my weight, just before I got pregnant was the slimmest I’ve ever been and I’m determined to be that thin again by this xmas!
I’m still gonna express my milk into bottles so my partner can feed our baby too and do some bonding while I get some rest or have a bath or whatever, but I’m definately breast feeding for at least a year.
I don’t think you should get any abuse for your ideas and opinions, its your body and your choice and I hate all the “Breat is best” people on here who automatically think you’re a bad mother if you dont want to or can’t breast feed your baby, for a lot of women they can’t breast feed due to medical problems and these anti-bottle bandits have no right to give them abuse, so if you get/have had any (I didnt read the other answers) don’t listen, its your choice at the end of the day and I wish you congratulations and the best of luck
I breast fed my children for at least a year each. For me it was much more convenient than having to get up and fix a bottle in the night, or haul bottles with me when I was away from home. In addition, besides being more nutritious than formula, it contains mother’s immunities. Not to mention that formula can be very expensive. When you first start breast feeding, it causes your uterus to cramp (which actually is helpful in your recovery). This doesn’t last for long though. Also sometimes when you first start breastfeeding there can be some tenderness, but if that persists, you should consult with a lactation specialist who can help you determine if the baby is latching on properly. Breastfeeding shouldn’t be painful after the first week or so. I think that once you get past the first couple of weeks, you will find that breastfeeding is a great bonding with mother and baby.
Any breastmilk is better than none. If you want to do the “try and see” approach, try for at least 4 weeks, the first month is the most difficult while you two are both getting adjusted to eachother. If it lasts longer than that, great, if not, well you tried and did the best you could.
I was hoping to breastfeed for 6 weeks, that turned into 6 months, now my goal is a year. If he wants to wean after a year I’ll let him, but I wont force him.
My son is 11 months old. I had planned on doing it for the first year, but both of us like it too much to give it up just yet. Breastfeeding takes a little learning on your part and on the baby’s part, but after the first few weeks most of your problems should be ironed out. It’s nice bonding time. When he’s really upset it always calms him down. And it’s way easier than bottles.
Whenever you decide to stop breastfeeding, just remember that your baby will continue to benefit from breastfeeding, even if you only do it once a day.
It is going to hurt and be uncomfortable (in the beginning) .. but carrying a baby in your uterus for 40 weeks isn’t easy either.
We have to make sacrifices as Mothers and do what is best for our children; whether or not it’s ‘fun’ for us.
Breast milk is the healthiest thing you can offer your baby. Once you look at your baby in your arms, you will realize how important that little person is, you’ll want to give them the best start in life possible.
The first few days of breast feeding *might* make your nipples sore. It did mine. I didn’t give up! After the 4th day, I felt like a pro!
I planned on six months, and it’ll be a year next week. Instead of eating every few hours, my son only nurses a few times during the day, and he’s much more efficient, so it takes less time than it did when he was little. He sometimes has a hard time staying focused now, but having that time together is so nice. I work part time and pump when I’m at work. The pump works fine, but it is a lot more comfortable to feed directly.
I’m nursing a 28 month old and a 7 month old, they will wean when they are done.
I too was worried about breastfeeding because I HATE people touching my nipples. But to me breastfeeding is different.
You can only do the best you can do though, but the benefits of breastfeeding are far, far from over at 6 months.
American Academy of Family Physicianshttp://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/polic…
A Natural Age of Weaninghttp://www.kathydettwyler.org/detwean.ht…
It shouldn’t hurt. If it is painful, then there is something wrong, such as incorrect latch.
I am still nursing my 19 month old son, and I will allow him to nurse until he decides to stop. I am also 8 weeks pregnant and plan on doing the same with this baby.
The AAP recommends nursing for a minimum of 12 months, the WHO a minimum of 2 years. They also note an increased risk of illness in children who wean before 2 years.http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/eb…
I breastfed/ feed for as long as they wanted to… I had a rough first week with my daughter, but we finally got the hang of it. She nursed for 20 months and just decided one day that she was ‘all done’. My second is still nursing at 31 months, I never intended to nurse him this long, I just figured he’d wean when he was ready, so I guess he’s just not ready yet
And I am also nursing my 10 week old. By 6 months, you may completely change your mind, I think bottles are just way too much work for me…. Congrats! and Good Luck!!
I am going to breastfeed for the first 6 weeks and i have a breast pump for the rest of the time until he is around 10 months and then transition to cows milk
That is the plan anyway so we will see what happens
I’m planning on nursing my children until they’re done.
Set some good short-term goals, and see how you feel when you get to them. Breastfeeding generally gets easier as babies get older, so you may find it less taxing at 6 months than you thought it would be.
I was planning to go for 12 months…Instead I went for 16. It’s really a good bonding time for us and I did cut back the feedings to like once a day once my son reached a year. But, you both have to be ready. I think Dr.’s say 6 months is okay.
I pumped. I didn’t make enough milk w/ the first kid. With the second it took awhile for enough milk to come in, then when it did, he was too used to the bottle. I pumped until around 7-9 mos with my first, & am at 8 mos w/ my second (plan to pump until he’s 1)
I said 6 months- a yr…6 months is here and we are still going strong! I thought it would be hard but it is so easy and convenient! Takes way less time than warming a bottle =). anyway, just take it day by day and see how it goes!
I love breastfeeding. I had to learn how to at first but once we became good at it, it is so easy. Jack is almost seven months and I do not plan on stopping anytime soon.
I DID IT FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. IT WAS EASY AFTER A WHILE AND HE IS REAL SMART
Im afraid of breastfeeding too , Im going to pump for as long as i can
I think it’s great that you’re making the decision to try breastfeeding, even though you’re not looking forward to it!!
I tried breastfeeding my first daughter and it was a disaster, and I pumped for 6 weeks and then switched entirely to formula. I’d really wanted it work, and felt very guilty about how it all went. But I got over it and have a very smart 8 year old now! With our second daughter I knew I wanted to try extra hard to make breastfeeding a success, and it has been. It was painful for the first week or so, and I remember being so afraid that I’d fail again!!! But ultimately the pain went away, and it was comfortable and enjoyable ever since. I thought I’d breastfeed for 6 months and then see how I felt. My youngest is now 13 months and she’s still breastfeeding quite a bit! It’s nourishing for her as well as comforting, so it’s not something I am planning to take away from her until she’s ready. I am back at work now about 6 hours per day, so she skips an afternoon feeding, which is great since she’s eating regular food and water now too. I think that as time goes on she’ll naturally be weaned (as she spends a night a grandma’s or I go away for a conference, etc.), so I’m just playing it by ear, and enjoying my little bean while she’s still so young!
If you plan ahead of time for some initial discomfort it’ll be a lot easier to breastfeed successfully, and you’ll be surprised at how easy it is after you get the hang of it. If you are at all concerned about feeding discreetly in public places, check this site out: http://busybabywraps.com. They offer great nursing covers that are built just like a regular shawl, and are super soft and comfortable. I have one which I take everywhere (still), and I’ve used it not only to breastfeed in public, but also as a blanket for the baby.
Good luck!