Really Want to Breastfeed, but ...

Hi All,

I'm 13 weeks officially on monday ( and quietly waiting for monday to come around so I can breathe a sigh of relief LOL), and I really want to breastfeed. My mother breastfed, and so did her mother and it seems very normal to me. My mother always says, well you just keep going when things are tough with BF and you get there eventually. I was really confident in my decision until latley when some of my friends told me I should take forumla to the hospital to give me easier "options" etc. I dont want easier LOL Does that sound silly? :doh:

My only real concern is a stupid decision at 16 to get a Nipple Peircing that didnt take and grew out, so I was worried about scar tissue in that Nipple, but hell these things have grown to an F cup (from an E) I'm going to put them to some use If I can! :pray:

I have my first appointment at the San on the 13th of May to book me into hospital for the birth and do the tour etc, so will be asking them all about the support they give for BF first timers, but I was wondering if anyone had the same experiences?

I know that I'm stubborn, and even if there are easier options I wont take it, becuase of the long term benefits to my baby. It's a reason I chose cloth nappies first go, and I seem to be getting the same looks and but my mother is like, oh yeah you were in double cloth no biggie you had clicky hips. :o Is it just my friends?

I was just getting so frustrated being told that its easier with FF etc, and them seeming to talk from experience, when they seem to be trying to validate their choice or encouage me to make the same one. Does this make sense? Or am I being overly sensitive.

Thank you for listening, I just needed to vent. Still going to breastfeed ! if at all possible :happydance:

The only person that can determine the easiest thing for you - is you. I had a very similar experience (minus the nipple ring - I was too chicken lol) only it was my family. None of my sibling nor DH's family had been breastfed, none of my friends at the time did. None of my mum's group did.

I took on the attitude, well I'll just give it a go. Don't get me wrong, with DD it was a struggle. A huge one. Even DH wanted me to give up, but by that stage I wanted to beat them, no matter what.

People with issues from their own pasts always try to validate themselves by getting others to agree with them and side with them. You have no issues, so you get to pick your own side.

I've had 3 babies and have never taken formula to the hospital with me... My boys ended up formula fed due to various issues with breastfeeding but I always started them out on the boob. DD is still breastfeeding even though we are having many issues with her but I am stubborn and I will make it work with her. From what I have learnt that breastfeeding can be hard work to establish but once it is established it is so much easier than formula feeding. By the time my boys were 12 months old I was so over washing bottles, sterilising bottles, filling bottles.

Do what you want. If you want to succeed at breastfeeding, get yourself informed, join the ABA, find out if there are lactation specialists at the hospital or find out where private lactation consultants are in your area. Start going to the local ABA group. Get as much as support around you as you possibly can. Go to breastfeeding classes run buy your hospital. Ignore what everyone else says. My DH is telling me to give up with my daughter because we have so many issues but I won't. I know I can win this bottle.

My experience also is if formula is there it is so easy to use it when it gets a little tough so if you want to breastfeed don't take formula to the hospital, don't have it in the house. It takes away the temptation.

Personallly I don't see how washing, sterilising and mixing a bottle is easier than breastfeeding :) Plus you have to pay for it
Anyway, you want to breastfeed, so plan for that. Are you a member of the aBA? I recommend joining and reading the book they send you out - it's a great resource full of useful info and advice. The ABA also does classes which are supposed to be really helpful in preparing you for things.
Don't take advice from people who don't breastfeed. And don't necessarily take advice from health professionals either, unless they're a lactation consultant or have some other specialist experience or training. Unfortunately there's a lot of misinformation around.
As for your nipples - I have no idea. The ABA or an LC might be able to advise you better about that.

I agree that people often seek to validate their own choices in this way. Your choices have nothing to do with them, however.

Thank you for the support and advise it is really appreciated. I feel alot better about it. I was starting to think maybe I had made the wrong decision.. I will sort out ABA today.

:hug: chick, whatever decision you make, it will be the right one, but seriously in the middle of the night when it's freezing cold...all I have to do is roll over and feed, none of this getting up to heat up a bottle - THAT is too hard.

Good on you for being prepared early. I definitely recommend joining the ABA and doing one of their breastfeeding education classes. Having the information beforehand makes a huge difference and the support is even more helpful.

Nipple rings in the past usually don't usually cause a problem. I have heard of 2 or 3 cases where there had been an issue but this is very rare so I wouldn't give it another thought. Large breasts can make things a bit more difficult at first but with all your knowledge from your ABA class and book you will be fine. Confidence that you can do makes it a lot easier.

I did a breastfeeding course when i was pregnant and found it really useful. i also joined the ABA and read the book they sent out heaps (so useful!)

In the course, someone asked about a nipple ring hole, and the instructor said that most people don't have a problem with them. One woman reported that she would get milk out that hole sometimes :lol: but still fed successfully.

Don't let other people scare you, breastfeeding can be great. Education can help you know there are options if things are more difficult, and know where to get help if you need it. Most issues can be fixed and are easier if you seek help early.