Breastfeeding General Chatter #13

[Sterla]

Yup, totally normal to go a while without bowel movements. My DS went 6 days between them for a while there, but I've heard of much longer. When he finally went there was SO much!!!

AFM: I had actually been wondering about this thread recently... whether it was still going! I thought maybe a new thread had been started and I'd missed it, but no - just very quiet! I am still feeding my 19 month old DS, and still feeding a fair bit - 3 or more times a day usually, it's pretty unpredictable though. I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that DS could wean when my milk changes while I'm pregnant... will just have to deal with it when/if it happens.

[Persephone1]

HB, one of my friends says that her DS would go 10 days between bowel movements, and then they would have to stay home for the day because there was so much poo. Not sure about the wind though, I'm sure that's pretty normal.

I'm still here too! Bfing is a delight - I love that DS talks to my boobs, kisses them, pats them, smiles at them. My only problem right now is the growth-spurt which is just about killing me. Anyone with any advice: 3-month-old sleep, bfing and growth-spurt questions.

Meanwhile, I'm becoming increasingly disappointed about my MG ladies all giving up bfing in favour of FF, for the sole reason of wanting their bubs to sleep through the night I find this very demoralising, and suddenly I'm the "hippie" who exclusively breastfeeds and wears her baby. What's saddest about this is that we live in a very "yuppy" inner suburb of Melbourne, and all the ladies in my MG are University-educated, highly intelligent women. Somehow the memo on the benefits of bfing passed them by

[human bean]

Thanks for that - I've always known in can be days in between poops, just didn't realise such a cute baby could stink out a room in seconds

Persephone at 12 weeks exactly my DD went through a week of waking 2hrly during the night to feed. I thought it was because we had been away and co-slept the last 2 nights of the trip, and it took a full week once we got home for her to resettle to only a few feeds overnight. During the day never changed, just upped the night feeds. I never really knew if it was the travel or a growth spurt....but it was hard and very tiring. Hope your nights get easier too.

Only 2 of us in MG exclusively BF too, and everyone is mortified that I am doing BLS - one even asked how I could let DD go hungry! They all went to formula or comp feeds/early solids in an effort to get their bubs to sleep through too, and only 2 babies in the group are. My DD and the other exclusively BF little guy. It makes me chuckle, I never brag but I'd love to ha ha

ETA just realised how awful that sounds. I don't mean brag that we are better, just would love to remind them all how they kept saying I should intro formula or solids 2 months ago to get her to sleep through. We managed quite fine ourselves with just BF

[Jellyfish]

Hello! I'm still here and feeding my 18month old DD. We are having a feed before her day sleep, feed before night sleep, 2-3 overnight and sometimes another couple fit into the daylight hours.. It can be a bit tiring still having no long stretches at night but my body clock seems to have adjusted so I'd probably feel worse if something changed (but I won't complain if some of the night feeds disappear suddenly hehe).

DD used to go 10-11 days between bowel movements before she starting consuming decent amounts of solids and now goes daily. Never any issues from it, they were always "normal" so I just enjoyed the break from smelly nappies!

[HotI]

Meanwhile, I'm becoming increasingly disappointed about my MG ladies all giving up bfing in favour of FF, for the sole reason of wanting their bubs to sleep through the night I find this very demoralising, and suddenly I'm the "hippie" who exclusively breastfeeds and wears her baby. What's saddest about this is that we live in a very "yuppy" inner suburb of Melbourne, and all the ladies in my MG are University-educated, highly intelligent women. Somehow the memo on the benefits of bfing passed them by

I have been pleasantly surprised by the majority of my MG ladies who continue to breastfeed. This is in a semi-rural area, many of the women are intelligent but i think have low education. They definitely understand the benefits in BFing.

[starangelk]

I didn't know this thread existed - but I'm really glad that it does. I spend so much time BF'ing or thinking about BF'ing and how much milk I am leaving for DD (almost 4 months) and what she is consuming every day I drive myself a bit crazy!

I read this article recently that said that by 12 weeks only 50% of mothers were exclusively BF'ing. I am expressing and giving DD EBM while I am at work but otherwise she is BF and she's not getting anything other than breast milk so I am proud that I am part of that 50%. I also find it strange that so few women exclusively BF. Many of my friends have used the going back to work excuse and talked about how "ideally" they would BF but it's just so unfortunate it's not possible. Now I am in this situation and we are making it work - it just takes work and thought! I can't understand why people who are informed of the BF'ing benefits choose to ignore them? Of course some women are unable to BF but it's those that choose not to that I can't understand. This is probably the most opinionated post I have ever done! I just feel so strongly about it. I wouldn't vindicate anyone who didn't make the same choices as me, I just can't empathise with their situation.

I personally find this whole process so rewarding. Seeing her grow and knowing that I am providing her food source is so motivating to me and gives me such a wonderful bond with her which is important to me as my DH is the SAHP.

[leckert]

I had someone today say I should just give up BF (DS is 14mths old) as the past week I've had to cut out dairy, egg and sesame from my diet & DS's diet as we're trying to figure out his eczema trigger. Given that I don't eat salad - tried but just can't manage to eat it (gag and all) I was having a slight whinge about not being able to eat much. They suggested that I just stop feeding and put him on cows milk - dairy derrrr then suggested soy milk (can't have that yet either according to the specialist) and cheese and yoghurt for calcium intake I pointed out it's still cheaper for me to feed than to get formula especially with the fun we're having to sort out the triggers.

[Persephone1]

Feeling a bit down ladies. I was always so determined to breastfeed, it's never been a matter of whether I would or not, just something I took for granted. I was breastfed until I was 2 1/2, my four siblings were breastfed, and both my parents were active in their local NMAA group, so I guess I always had positive breastfeeding role models around me.

I love BFing and am grateful that DS and I are doing it so well and both enjoying it. I accessed the right supports at the right times and made it work. I would never say that BFing was "easy" in the beginning - it took some effort, patience, time and determination for it to work. We didn't have to contend with mastitis, thrush, poor attachment, supply issues, etc, that I know some women deal with, and I'm grateful for that.

What's getting me down is that it seems almost everyone around me is turning to FF. Those women that have no choice aside, most of the people around me FF are doing it because it's the "easier," "more convenient" "makes DS/DD sleep through" reasons. This flies in the face of everything I know to be true about BFing. They also tell me it's because they "don't have enough milk" which for many of them is only because they supplemented with FF in the first place

I'm not wanting to judge anyone who chooses to FF, for whatever reasons. What's upsetting me is that I'm working really hard to BF DS. This currently means waking every 2 hours overnight and feeding him. It means BFing in public which is not always relaxing or enjoyable, it means being completely depended upon, (even when I express and give EBM to DH to feed DS, I'm still depended upon to express it in the first place). I KNOW I'm doing the right thing by DS, and I KNOW this gives him the best start in life. But at the moment I feel like there's no payback. My FF friends are boasting about their babies sleeping through - but if I were to boast about bfing then I get the evil eye (not that I boast, but ykwim). Why is it okay to tell me how fantastic FF is but not okay for me to congratulate myself and tell you how fantastic BFing is? BFing, for all it's wonders, is also pretty thankless (although it is rewarding, itms?).

I know I'm going around in circles. I just wanted to vent. If I vent IRL then I risk pi$$ing people who FF off. I am so proud of my BFing achievements already, and that DS is doing so well on MY milk. I just need some sleep at the moment, and I'm frustrated that other people look like they're having it easier than me - but I know it's because they're FF, which is not an option I'm prepared to consider just for some sleep.

On the other hand, I'm actually a bit sad that in less than three months we'll be attempting BLS - meaning my exclusive BFing journey with DS is already halfway finished. Do you reckon anyone would notice if I kept exclusively BFing him for a few more years?

Thanks for the ears ladies.

[Sterla]

I know what you mean Persephone - I had the same thing in my MG. A lot of mums just stopped breastfeeding in favour of FF, and the reasons they gave were all about convenience for them. I never spoke up, because like you I didn't want to risk offending anyone. Luckily for me, within my MG (it was a huge group) there was also quite a few of us who were still breastfeeding. One stopped at 12 months, and two others have only just weaned theirs at around 16 months. I am now the only one still breastfeeding, but those that did breastfeed longer are still quite supportive.

It's hard when everyone around you is doing something different, and bragging about it - especially when the FF vs BF debate can make lots of mums quite defensive. But you know you're doing the best for your bub, and you're just at the beginning of this beautiful relationship!
Have you thought of joining the ABA? If you go along to meetings, you will be surrounded by plenty of breastfeeding mums who will be more than willing to rave and brag about the benefits of breastfeeding with you!

[Jellyfish]

You are doing fantastic Persephone! I know what you mean, not many people seem to appreciate breastfeeding but your little man does, even if he doesn't have the words to thank-you yet

I have two very beautiful stories to share. I've had cousins say my extending feeding is bordering on paedophilic (which totally isn't offensive because hey, it isn't now; just if you keep it up :rollseyes: ) so I've started being a bit reserved in discussing our continuation but this weekend I went to see my Nan for her Birthday and we were discussing my cousins newest baby when my Nan turned and asked how long we ended up breastfeeding for, without thinking I replied "we are still".. I was nervous but she turned and gave me the biggest hug. She said she was so surprised but beyond proud, that I deserved a gold medal. Those words made me feel amazing! I'm not hiding it anymore, breastfeeding isn't anything to be ashamed about -- my Nan is proud and so am I.

Then today, I tripped over and hurt my knee. It was pretty bad and the tears began to flow when my toddler ran over, pulled down my top and tried with all her might to push my breast towards my mouth while patting me on the back. I could have died, it was so adorable! She knows that milkies are more than just nutrition

[kungfubecca]

wow rumpled elf im jealous. i dont loose weight like that and i've had to ditch most deserts cause doc said i have high cholestorol

[Persephone1]

Hi Ladies,

DS was doing some crazy 2-hourly overnight feeding recently, and then only feeding once or twice during the day which was driving me mental. I managed to turn it around a bit by settling him with the dummy overnight rather than with the boob at the first sign of hunger (co-sleeping = booby settling, sometimes a bit too much!). He's now feeding 2-3 times a night and lots more during the day, which is good BUT has made me more conscious of making sure he's feeding adequately during the day (more feeds during the day = less feeds at night).

This of course means more BFing in public. This is, and always has been okay in theory but in practice is not always pleasant. It's not so much the "BFing in public" that I find uncomfortable, it's more that DS gets distracted and pulls off the boob, milk goes everywhere, he squeals, then tries to do a poo at the same time, that I find stressful. Would much rather be at home for his simultaneous feeding + bowel movements

Anyway, so I was at the Finders Keepers market today and had to feed DS. I found a seated area and pulled up a chair. Another lady sat down at the same table (seating was limited) and fed her bub, whilst chatting with her pregnant friend. Another lady came along and said "I see this is the feeding table, can I join you?" and sat down to feed her bub. Five minutes later ANOTHER lady came along with her bub and fed him at the table as well. Four BFing women at the same table! It made me realise that BFing in public can be enjoyable - I felt like we were part of a secret club - and lots of passers-by smiled as they saw us all feeding our bubs together. No bottles at all! 'Twas very nice to be part of the club and share knowing smiles. And no one noticed DS's loud bowel movements either

[HotI]

What an awesome experience!

My bub gave up her dummy recently, and if we put it in her mouth she will just spit it out again. If we put it in her hand she will sometimes give it a suck- but usually holds it by the nipple and sucks the handle. I keep trying though!

[Barb Glare]

that's a sweet story Persephone. Mothering, as breastfeeding, has it's ups and downs. There are days when you really want a break, and it seems to endless. It passes very quickly, though, in the whole scheme of things

[Beautitude]

Hi guys. Just wanting to introduce myself, my name is Beautitude and OMGosh i am breastfeeding!!! After a horrible experience with DS1 i was determined to do my best but not stress out with DS2 and we have had a bit of a tough journey with a stay in neonates and we needed to use bottles and formula yesterday for a few reasons but luckily for us it has actually done us a world of good and ds2 is back to the breast today with gusto and i think it is going really well!!! I am so proud of us as yesterday i was gutted that our breastfeeding journey was over but today ds2 has turned a corner and my milk has come in and he is in 7th heaven. I look forward to getting to know you guys and sharing my journey.