Breast is not that natural (in the early days!!) (Breastfeeding in General)

Member Name: clairemichelled

Product:	Breastfeeding in General
Date:	05/01/09 (101 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Its healthy, cost and hassle free!

Disadvantages: Makes you feel bad if you can't do it

I've decided to write this review after being asked several times, by pregnant friends about feeding babies - think I get asked because I've been there got the t shirt, etc!!

My eldest is very fast approaching 16 yrs (scarey!!) I was going to breast feed him, and I did try really hard. But I didn't know what I was doing, and although its meant to be the most natural thing in the world, its NOT! Both Mum and baby have to learn how to do it, and I had no support from midwives, family, let alone a useful place like the internet to refer to and shout "help" at! I couldn't get my baby latched on properly, so he kept pulling away, making me so sore. My baby was miserable and fretful and I was not enjoying motherhood at all; we were two sad people. My husband was getting the brunt end of my frustration and persuaded me to give my boy a bottle. What a difference! He settled afterwards, and was so much happier. So very sadly and feeling like a failure, I never breast fed him again. I know I'm not a failure now, its much more important to have a happy baby and to enjoy being a mum!


With baby number 2, following on a couple of years later, my sweet husband begged me not to put him, let alone me, through the stress of trying to breast feed again! Deep down I would have liked to have tried, but I needed support to do that, and it wasn't there, so my daughter went straight onto a bottle.



In 2006, I had a massive surprise when I had 15 weeks notice about baby number 3!! (My youngest was now 9, and yes all three have the same Daddy!!!) Once I got over the shock I started to think about feeding my baby - this really would be my last chance to give breast feeding a go. I did talk it over with my husband, and he was more supportive this time (perhaps we had become wiser with age!!)



When my gorgeous girl arrived, by c-section, I was so elated. Things were different in the hospital than before. This time my baby was put straight onto the breast and skin to skin contact was encouraged - it helps milk production apparently. My baby didn't know what she was doing, but I had read up on feeding a lot and been on internet sites, talking to other mums. I felt this time I was armed with a wonderful thing called knowledge! I have to admit to begin with both her and I were clumsy at this feeding lark, but the midwies were great and because I stayed in longer, I had so much support from them. It did take a week to get both baby and me happy with feeding and another couple of weeks before I could say we were established.


When I say I had knowledge, I mean I knew what a good latch should look like, I knew that she may feed frequently at times and feeds can't be rushed. Forget about four hourly feeds and how much your baby is taking - as long as your baby is passing urine, is content in between feeds and is gaining weight, then things are going well. The rest we learnt together! I discovered that having more skin to skin contact with her, once home, increased my milk supply. To begin with I hated feeding in public, but soon learnt how to drape a shawl over my shoulder and be discreet; I also found which shops had the best feeding rooms. I mastered the art of expressing (do it first thing in the morning or after a long relaxing bath) so she could take a bottle sometimes, although once she reached 5 months, she refused to take one, and insisted on the real deal! I did follow advice and completley breast fed her until she was the recommended 6 months old before weaning her. We carried on our feeding journey until she was 16 months old when sadly it all came to an end; that I found very sad and was very tearful, expect that was hormones though!! I stupidly felt she didn't need me any more and that anyone could take my place!



We all know there are tremendous health benefits for your little one if you are able to breast feed - it does help prevent infections, it decreases the risk of food allergies, lowers the risk of eczema and contains the exact nutrients your baby requires for healthy growth and development. It is also beneficial to mum as it is good for regaining your pre-pregnancy shape, it is said to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and osteoporosis. It also saves you a fortune by not having to buy formula (£450+) It is hassle free too - no sterilising, making up bottles, waiting for milk to warm up, and no having to take bottles with you when you go out!


But there are other perks to breast feeding, that I personally discovered! Like having an excuse to get away from your in- laws to feed in private! Seriously though I did find it very relaxing - I can remember having a row with my now teenage son and feeling very het up. My baby needed a feed so I had to sit down, and as she fed I could feel a sense of calm and well being wash over me - best stress buster ever! I was, and still am, very proud of myself for managing to feed her- you feel very special knowing that you are soley responsible for nourishing this little one.



If you have read this because you are pregnant and wondering how to feed your baby, I would say if you think it might be for you, then give it a go - you can put a baby onto a bottle after attempting to breast feed, but you can't put a baby onto the breast after bottle feeding them for a few days first. Read plenty, give it a go for a while, but if you/baby are unhappy, DO NOT beat yourself up about giving your baby a bottle; your baby needs nourishment of some form and both you and her need to be happy. Good luck!

Thank you for taking the time to read my review!

Summary: Breast is great IF it makes you and baby happy