To Breastfeed or not? (The Breastfeeding Debate)

Member Name: HJAL

Product:	The Breastfeeding Debate
Date:	12/10/08 (38 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Bond with baby, healthier for baby, helps mum to loose weight

Disadvantages: Not everybody can breastfeed, hardwork when have other children to look after

When i fell pregnant with my eldest I decided that i would breast feed as there were not only the benefits for the baby but also it would help to loose baby weight and create a closer bond in my opinion. I read up about it and got advice from my sister in law (who's a midwife) and felt really prepared. Then when I had my son i didnt not get any breast milk through. Also my baby didnt suck he chewed. So i decided to express my milk (before i realised that i was not getting any) but when i tried all i got was blood. My sister in law tried to help but it was no good. My breasts never changed at all in shape or size and I had no milk. I was absolutely devastated but after talking to my midwife and sister in law they managed to comfort me and make me realise that it was not the be all and end all to breast feed and that my baby and I could still develop a strong bond and that my son would be fine to have formula milk. Me and my son are very close and he is a happy, healthy 3 year old. He's doesn't pick up every cold going as I thought he would - I was convinced the breast milk would protect him!

So, when i fell pregnant with my youngest i decided that i would give it a go but would not worry and stress about it if i was not able. As it turned out i tried to feed him myself for the first couple of days but realised that it was not for us and i put him onto formula. He had the first bit (colostrum) which apparantly is the best bit for them and he is also a healthy happy 6month old. I think if you can manage with the breast feeding then brilliant but don't beat yourself up about it if you cant do it, dont like it or simply dont even want to try it. Each to their own.

I also think that with my first baby, had i been able to feed myself then it might have been easier but with my second the thought of having to cope trying to breast feed and look after a 3 year old aswell was very daunting. Im sure I would have managed - thats what mums do isnt it, but it would have made life alot harder. Also with the bonding aspect i found that skin to skin was a brilliant alternative. Every spare minute I got with both children i had then up my top! I also shared a lot of baths with them and have such a strong bond with both of my children. I think if it feels right for you then yes do it but dont worry yourself about it if you dont want to.

Summary: Overall if you can and want to then yes, there are benefits but dont worry if you cant or dont want