Sweetie, let me tell you my experience.

With my DS he was a hard labour/birth which resulted in being separated from him for 2 days and I didn't know any better to dig my heels in. Needless to say I had supply issues from the start, and the moment I had a cracked nipple my mother shouted for me to bottle feed - I didn't question the now obvious things like attachment etc......she had only fed my brother for 2 weeks and I was put straight onto bottles - so I didn't think to doubt her. Most of my friends whined that their babies didn't "sleep through" until formula was introduced so for me it felt the obvious choice.

I regretted it so much when he was about 4 months old but again didn't think to change things, so let it go.

I got pregnant with my DD and was desperate to give her what I didn't give my son. Actually, obsessive was a better way to put it. I advocated my natural birth, got it - never let her leave my sight and co-slept with her for the first month to make sure she had access to feeds whenever she wanted it!! My DH moved out of our room for that month and helped me immensley with our DS......he knew how much I wanted this.

At the end of the first week I had a bout of mastitis - not realising how important it is to check for lumps in the early days and make sure you rub them out so they don't turn nasty. Stayed in bed with DD a few days and was over it.

I hired an LC and made sure her latch was spot on and I can honestly say it was "uncomfortable" for the first 3 or so weeks and then after that a piece of cake.

Supply was nuts until about 7 weeks and then it settled down and I stopped getting engorged etc and by 3 months we were smooth sailing.

We had a setback at around 4 months when I STUPIDLY doubted my supply and started comping - nearly lost our relationship. But with the support of Barb Glare and an LC we got it sorted in around 3 weeks and we are now 9 MONTHS down the track and we are going so so strong that I think weaning will be self led and I don't care if she's 30 LOL

Honey, in all that I've learned there are 4 main things to remember:

1) NEVER doubt yourself, your baby or your supply. There's this weird little bond that goes between your boobs and your baby - and sadly, you don't have much control over it LOL

2) When everything seems too hard or there are too many bumps in the road - DON'T ACT ON IT until you've consulted the ABA or an LC......honestly, these people are worth their weight in gold

3) Enjoy whatever you offer your baby. If you go for 2 months and decide you've had enough - be proud of the 2 months you've given bub provided YOU are ready to wean. Most times it's permanent, so don't make the decision in haste. If you want to go longer, blow off the negativity you may get from people when you're seen feeding an "older" baby. Bugger the world, this is about you and your baby.

4) Don't ever feel guilty for what you have/haven't given your first or subsequent baby. I had terrible guilt for not fighting harder to BF my DS son - but I can't change it.

I hope that helps love, and we are all here if you ever need it xx