What would you give up in order to BF your bub?

[Traveller]

Research does not cover every mother, baby or situation. Comments like that should be used very carefully IMO.

Of course every situation is different and should be looked on in it's own terms. But in general, across the population as a whole, formula feeding mothers and their babies have poorer health outcomes than breastfed ones. Not a nice truth (especially for people like me who chose to introduce formula feeding for no medical reason) but a truth nonetheless.

[Mad Scientist]

It's not that I disagree with the research. I just disagree with the comment which is stating that ALL formula feeding mothers and babies are worse off. I don't agree with comments like that no matter what they are about.

[Traveller]

I see what you mean Mad scientist. I added the words "in general" to Barb's statement (in my mind) and you added "all" taking it from a true statement, to a fallacious one.

[Olive]

i agree that i dont think you should have to give anything up to breastfed, but i cant help but think that i have given up my health to an extent.
dont get me wrong i have no intention of weaning (though have most certainly felt like it recently) but im exhausted from DD feeding multiple times over night and not sleeping well (she has had recent ongoing ear issues) but im suffering. my hair is limp, im loosing weight, i feel like ive aged 10 years in around 8 months... but breastfeeding is the best thing for her and i dont want to give that up

[Artechim]

Ideally you shouldn't have to give up anything, but in reality when you have to be near your child every 3-4 hours day and night it does restrict what you can do and it does mean that you have to give things up.

[Jasper76]

I don't believe I've given up anything but I've certainly made some changes. Although mostly they are changes that come with being a mother rather than specifically breastfeeding.

[Mak]

I think the ideal and then the reality can be two vastly different things. Each individual has very different issues etc that it is impossible to make a blanket statement. I also think that whilst knowing the benefits of breastfeeding it is important to assess the overall impact on everyone.
I struggled the entire time I fed both my girls and whilst I am very proud of hanging in there for 12 months there were lots of less than calm and serene moments. In my experience BF (and all other things to do with NB's) was difficult and I was constantly exhausted and really rundown (I was also anaemic after a PPH) - I did not have any extended support and quite a lot of external pressure as well as trouble transitioning from a full time worker who was very competent and effective at a job that is very black and white compared to being bemused and confounded by a non sleeping, colicky, bubba who couldn't tell me what was wrong!
I hope you are ok and not feeling like you need to make rash decisions. Try and take care. xxx