What did you think about bfing BEFORE and AFTER baby?

[Jennifer13]

I was very keen to bf my baby, but the comments 'not once she's walking and talking', or 'once she can eat a steak, what does she really need to bf for?' did come from my mouth!

I completely surprised myself by bfing until she self-weaned at almost four, just because I didn't see any reason to stop (not even once she was eating steak). Now I watch those 'extraordinary bfing' shows thinking 'what's so strange, so her five year old hasn't weaned yet, big deal!'

What did you think about bfing before you had your baby and did you change your viewpoint afterwards?

[nattyfred]

just subscribing as I have to go out but I have a story to tell....

[Traveller]

I used to think it was sexual abuse to feed a child beyond 6 months and I did stop BFing by 1st at 6 months, but not for that reason. My second I wanted to go for a year and lasted 9 months, and with the twins I was so determined to feed until they wanted to stop, but gave up at 20 months as I was beginning to resent their pull on my body. I could not equate extended BFing and sexual abuse any more, I'm not sure why I ever thought that TBH.

[blessedatlast]

Lol, this is funny.. BEFORE I had the boys I always said I would 'try' to b'feed but not persevere and I didn't really like the idea of it.. Not really sure why, I think although I am ashamed to say boobs were sexual to me.. AFTER I had the boys all I wanted to do was breastfeed but sadly never got the chance I still liked that I could express and they had Mummy's milk for a couple of days (Even if it was 1ml every 4hrs and through a tube) NEXT baby I definitely want to breastfeed for as long as I can. It is amazing how Mummy instinct just kcks in and as soon as they were born I just wanted to do whatever I could that was best for them..

[Roryrory]

I read heaps about BF and full expected it to be painful and difficult, but I am almost embarrassed to say it was as easy as falling off a log. No pain, no leaking - very easy for me.

[Nai]

I expected it to be difficult and painful as well from what I had heard - but for me both times, it wasn't difficult or painful. I also expected to stop when they got teeth but afterwards I found out that teeth didn't make a difference really.

[alioops]

before I was not keen on public BF, now nearly everywhere is a suitable place. I never had a problem with extended BF though. DD3 gets hungry and doesnt consider where she is so when she is hungry she needs feeding no matter where.

[*Beema*]

Before hand I thought it would come naturally, it may be a bit painful. But I never contemplated it would be as difficult as it was for us.

I thought that BF'ing beyond 12 months was a bit extreme but I went to 15 1/2 and was upset when DD weaned!

Afterwards I realised that it was bloody hard, and not just for me, for so many others. It comes with a raft of emotions and worries about weight gain, am I feeding enough etc, and saddness as after exclusively BF'ing and top ups with EBM from when we left hospital to 10 weeks, then having to do F top ups that I had no idea how upset I would be giving F.

But it was so so much more rewarding than anything else I have done, I sustained a life, I helped that life grow and develop, and my body did that (even with soem help )

[~Kim~]

I can honestly say i didn't have an opinion before I had a baby - cos it wasn't something that entered my space IYKWIM?
Since baby, I couldn't have imagined how hard it would be or how much it could hurt, but I also couldn't have imagined how passionate I would be about it and the rights of women choosing to do it, nor how well I could turn DH's opinion.

[Peach*]

Before I had DD I didnt even think of how I was going to feed her- i my mind BF was the only option although I just thought women only BF'd till their LO's were 12 months old. Now almost 16 months on DD is still on the boob and I cant imagine stopping anytime soon.

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Before DD1 i was determined to BF, i didn't buy bottles or anything i just assumed everything would be easy and natural, at the start it was HARD, she would fall asleep, she was lazy and she killed my poor boobs but then we got in our own little groove and i was shattered when my supply dropped after complications from surgery... i was so so upset but i had made it to 5mths.

This time round i am determined to make it atleast to 12mths, i love the bond i get with my daughter while i feed her and knowing that my body is making milk just for her is an amazing thing.

To be honest i can't see myself BFing past 2, i don't know why but i find it awkward (no offence to anyone), maybe it's because DD1 doesn't even have bottles anymore, she hasn't since not long after her 1st birthday and i can't imagine needing my boobs anymore.
Don't get me wrong if Z wants to feed off me every night til she's 4 then i will do it but often when i hear people talk about it i wonder why......

[Catastrophic]

Before DD1 - I wanted to BF and my goal was only getting until 6 months, I thought it would be super easy...

After - I realised how hard it was! But the stubborn me kept me going, then I really started to love the bond and the closeness I felt with me DD, she self weaned at 9 months and I cried!

DD2 - is 10 months and still going! and this time i' want her to self wean as well...

I also now feel (after children) that is isn't easy all the time, it isn't for everyone... But it's the best thing for me - which what matters :P

[mbear]

B4 children, i thought there was a definite choice between b/f and bottle feeding...i thought you either wanted to breastfeed, or you didnt.....never, ever did i even contemplate that women whom want to b/f but couldnt , was even a possibility.
Now i know....some women just dont have a choice.....

[FabFiona]

I never thought it wouldn't work for me. I did the classes, read the good books and thought it would all work. However low supply that just wouldn't move meant that BFing wasn't going to happen.

However what I have learnt is regardless of how you feed your baby, the mother / baby bond is very strong.

[Spring Angel]

I'm ashamed to admit that I remember seeing a very close friend feeding her 14 month old who was pulling off to have a look around (as they do) and thinking it was too old and I felt uncomfortable. Since having kids I think it's beautiful and make sure I give breastfeeding mum's a big grin. Feeding my boys hasn't been without it's challenges I'm so happy I've bf the boys.

I'd say for me my views on bf have become so much more positive. I think Belly Belly has played a huge role in that.

Spring xx

[allycat06]

Being so young and unprepared for a baby I spent most of my pregnancy (well the 20 weeks I knew about anyway ) trying to get my head around the whole situation. How I was going to nourish him was the last thing on my mind. Both my mum and MIL were very pro BF so it was pretty much expected of me to breastfeed. I always thought oh yeah I'll give it a go but I don't think I'll be too fussed if it doesn't work out. I remember saying to DH 'when there are teeth it's over.' Towards the end of my pregnancy I started reading a few books about breastfeeding including one called the Immunobiology of Human Milk and it made me realise how important and beneficial it was to my baby's health. DS took to breastfeeding like a champ and I never looked back. I put this down to a relativity drama free birth, my age, positive thinking and lots of support from my family, doula and particularly DH. I'm glad that he respects my wishes and encourages me to feed DS for as long as he needs. I was lucky that breastfeeding was never hard for me, I know it is for so many women and I take my hat off to those who persevere and continue.

I have successfully fed DS for 1 year now (with 7 teeth ), he hasn't had one drop of formula and that makes me really proud. Especially that I've gone from someone who was completely indifferent about babies and breastfeeding to a passionate lactivist who is a member of the ABA and often has her nose in some sort of baby related book. Who'd have thought.

[Lenny]

Before my first child I did think it was normal and natural to bf, but I guess I didn't think I would be doing it once they could walk?!
I joined the ABA just before i had DS1 and it dawned on me that i knew NOTHING about bf. Nothing. Phew, thank goodness i did get a bit of information before hand, or I would have quit for sure. But I am so pleased and proud that i didn't. It was one thing I always felt right about when i was parenting. I was surprised how sad i was having to wean DS1 - i'd have been happy to carry on for a lot longer - even though he was walking!! lol.

Now I feel I need to support other breastfeeding mums, because I know that there were times when i felt unsupported.

[nattyfred]

I was always positive I wouldnt breastfeed...Aside from the fact that I had had breast surgery (yep augmentation as I had next to no boob tissue and always felt out of proportion) My surgery cost heaps and I didnt want to wreck my boobs after my effort to make them pretty lol...I just thought I would definately not have the boob tissue to feed a baby.... I used to joke that Id rock up to the hospital with my container of formula and even went to the extreme of telling my OB that I didnt want to and to tell the hospital not to talk to me about it....I had been supported by my ob as she assumed I couldnt feed with the boob job anyways....

So I shared my feelings with my belly buddies group and Ubba and Telletubby gently gave me their opinions, which gave me something to think about....I decided Id bf her enough to give her the colostrum but that was it.. (what a hard a*se..)

So the day V was born she was given to me and the mw helped put her to my breast and that was that. My friends and family are shocked and dh and I even fought the paed who was making us comp feed. My friends have been quite curious if not amazed at my turnaround and actually constantly bugging me about starting her on formula...(um why would I go to all the effort of bf then stop for no good reason?)

I have no problem with the length anyone wants to feed their kids, Ill probably stop day feeds when I go back to work when V is 14 months but am happy to do nights etc...I plan for her to go straight to cows milk and skip all that other formula stuff.

So anyway on a good note my boobs look heaps BETTER!!!! They are less "bolt on" and more natural and I bet noone would even pick them as fakies...Oh and they work just fine lol.