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admin
03-15-2011, 03:44 PM
Hello everyone,

Did you breastfeed your children? Why did you make this choice?
How long did you choose to do so?

:)

Emilys4Guppies
03-15-2011, 04:13 PM
I pumped for my first for 6 weeks and then bottlefed formula.
I nursed my 2nd until she weaned at 15 months.
I nursed my 3rd until he weaned at 2 years old.
I'm nursing my 4th now...he is 6 months old. He will wean when he's ready; I'm in no rush.

I breastfeed because I'm lazy and cheap. LOL. I bottlefed my first and know that it was lots of dishes, measuring and mixing. And cost me $100/month! I nurse because it's free and there's no dishes. ;)

giraffe
03-15-2011, 07:12 PM
Im with Emilys4guppies... i bf because it was cheaper I bf all of my children for 1yr+

amberley7890
03-16-2011, 07:03 AM
I only nursed for 2 1/2 months with my first b/c of thrush, ouch!
8 1/2 months with my second b/c that's what I thought most people did, lol!
15 months with my third b/c she self weaned- I was very sad about that actually, but happy that it wasn't any traumatic ordeal, as she LOVED nursing when she was smaller and I was afraid it would be really hard on her.

LisaQ
03-16-2011, 01:23 PM
I breast fed my daughter until she was 14 months and we loved it. It was quite a challenge at times- particularly as I went back to work full time when she was 4 months old, so spent a lot of time pumping in the stationary cupboard lol but it was worth it.

Does anyone else's children have a special name for it? My daughter called it 'mimmy'!

Emilys4Guppies
03-16-2011, 01:58 PM
We call it 'nunnies'.

bluesgirl17
03-16-2011, 09:02 PM
I didn't bf my first as my sister in law said umm my boobies were too small lol and I was too young to know better lol. My second I didn't cause he was a preemie and my third I did and I did the cloth diaper route for the cash saved and better knowledge lol.

sholi
10-12-2011, 07:41 PM
I breastfed my first until she was 18 months, and only weaned because I was pregnant with my 2nd, and was way too tired to nurse. Plus, my milk supply had significantly diminished.

With my second, I plan to breastfeed at least a year, but know it will be a struggle as I have to go back to work early :(

Crayola kiddies
05-14-2012, 08:35 AM
I bf my first only for a month .... I was young and Neither one of us knew what we were doing then the baby got reflux and hospital said to fill bottle with pablum and cross cut the nipple to help keep the food down so that was the end of bf for me and nobody suggested pumping (this was a long time ago and before the bf craze ) then I had a reduction before I had my next one so only feed colostrum for three days then went to bottle .... Third one nursed for 3 weeks .... Fourth one 8 weeks and 5 th child for 8 weeks but at that point he refused to be held while being feed so we went to a bottle. As cost effective as bf is I hated being tied down and I also found as soon as baby latched on another child got into something , needed something, or i needed to break up an altercation and it just wasn't convenient for me but I did some and that was good enough for me .....and I truly couldn't imagine having a child over 1 latched on to me anyway and the latest time magazine with the 3yr old standing on a chair nursing from mum is definately not my cup of tea and it would never happen with me. I do not co sleep, or wear my kids either .... Guess that means I'm not an AP'er.

playfelt
05-14-2012, 08:47 AM
I breastfed each of mine till they weaned to a cup which was between 10-12 months. I still breastfed at night for a few months after that and most days when they first woke up. I started out pumping for their cups but it was a lot of work and back in those days it was considered acceptable to switch to homo milk at a year so soon just used milk in a cup and breastfeeding at bedtime. My fourth one breastfed till nearly two mainly due to feeding issues and unable to suck properly from a bottle.

Sandbox Sally
05-14-2012, 11:55 AM
I breastfed all three of mine. First one only got 8 months, and I still feel badly about that. I didn't know any better. My second was 18 months and my last was 26 months. I breastfed because it's the perfect food for babies, and I wished the very best. It was never a question. Besides, it's free, always the perfect temperature, and I could do it without getting out of bed multiple times a night. :D

Just as an FYI, children don't self wean before 2 years of age. This is a "nursing strike", or they are just preoccupied as developmentally they are so active. If you still wish to continue a nursing relationship, stick with it and they'll come around.

jec
05-14-2012, 01:38 PM
I breastfed mine as well ~ I felt it was the best for our kids and I was able to { I could have fed a country with the amount of milk I produced!!}
I agree with Alphaghetti- it's perfect temp, free and I never had to get up to do bottles in the middle of the night!!
Both of mine were until 1 year and then I pumped when I went back to work for the second as she had some health issues that I felt it would help. Our first I only did for 7 months ( pumped and put in bottles to get her 'ready' for daycare is what I was told I should have done )as I was the only one in my group of Mom's breast feeding and didn't have the support and should have stuck to my guns about my choice.

Momof4
05-14-2012, 03:28 PM
I breastfed all of my children up to 9 months of age and it wasn't easy to keep going that long. Back in my day we only had 16 weeks of maternity leave before we had to hand our tiny 3-4 month old babies to strangers who called themselves babysitters. It is so much better today. A one year mat leave is amazing for the mothers and for the babies.

lilac
05-14-2012, 03:59 PM
Playfelt-is 1 year no longer the time to switch to homo? Thats what it was when my 1st and 2nd born.... things change fast!!

I bf #1 until about 9months when I got preg with #2 and my supply went way down. I bf #2 until about 10m and stopped b/c I was going back to school

#3 is 4 m now and I'm not sure how long I will go, hopefully at least until 9 or 10m, a year if I can.

I bf because its free!! Its good for baby and me! Its easier, dont have to worry if I have a bottle with me and after getting past the first few weeks, I enjoy it.

playfelt
05-14-2012, 06:04 PM
Depends where you live, what website or doctor you listen to. Most say at least a year and then to stay on it till age 2 before switching to 2%. Thanks to the pressure from the formula companies that come through with research money for doctors in exchange for pushing products it is hard to tell what is developmentally correct. Now in the US there is a push to only serve 1% to combat obesity.

Basically it comes down to you can probably do whatever you want and there will be some support somewhere.

I always based the switch on the child and how well they were eating. Poor eaters had milk at meals but formula morning and night for the extra nutrients.

I only serve 2% so if parents regardless of child's age want formula or homo they must supply it and I serve it as long as they supply it so the switch over is up to the parent and doctor.

Marie
05-14-2012, 08:58 PM
I breastfed my first till she was 12 months and only stopped because I was pregnant and my milk supply had greatly diminished, so she went straight to homo milk. I'm currently breastfeeding my second (he's 5.5 months) and don't plan to stop till he self weans. I chose to breastfeed because it's the best for baby and I have loved every minute of it! There's something so special about looking in your baby's eyes while they are nursing and they take a second to smile at you. :) Melts my heart everytime!

lilac
05-16-2012, 12:35 PM
Marie-isnt that the best? My 4m old has started doing that, he'll suddenly stop drinking look up at me and give me the biggest, bestest, milky smile and then go back to the task at hand! I love it!

Momof4
05-16-2012, 04:54 PM
Oh, I remember that too, the little smiles and happy gurgles. As I already mentioned I had to return to work when my babies were really small, but I found breastfeeding in the night was easy, grab the baby and have some bonding time while they nursed then back to sleep for both of us.

I have a client who just had a baby and told me she isn't bfing because it's just too much trouble. Huh? I really, really had to bite my tongue!

Sandbox Sally
05-16-2012, 04:59 PM
I have a client who just had a baby and told me she isn't bfing because it's just too much trouble. Huh? I really, really had to bite my tongue!

Well done. I may have drawn blood from biting my tongue that hard. I totally would have said something like, "omg really?? See, to me it's SO much easier. No bottles to make, no formula to run out of, no heating...in fact I just kept the baby right in bed with me, so I didn't even lose sleep with mine!" You never know, some things we say may appeal to those who would otherwise not know.

I would never purposely make someone feel badly for not breastfeeding because you never know a person's history, but (I know I may catch flack for saying so) when women flat out choose not to breastfeed, I DO judge. In my opinion, that's just selfish.

Momof4
05-16-2012, 05:06 PM
Alpha, you're just getting to know me, but yeah I have a big mouth and I did almost draw blood biting my tongue. But exactly what you said was what crossed my mind and made me shut up. Maybe there is a solid reason because I know this woman is a terrific mother and this is her second baby, but everyone knows that breastfeeding is the best.

I had one client who was a university student and her semester started when her baby was 4 months old so she pumped and brought frozen breastmilk for me to thaw and feed her baby. It was a super pain in my butt, but I did it because I believe it was the very best for the little one.

mom-in-alberta
05-16-2012, 06:56 PM
Hmmm. I TRY not to judge... I got pregnant at 19, and had just turned 20 when I had my first child. I was young(ish), inexperienced, scared and uninformed. He had difficulties nursing and it was excruciating for 6 straight weeks. I dreaded feeding him and cringed when he started to fuss and fidget. I was also incredibly bashful about nursing him in front of anyone. We went away to visit family and my husband found me in the spare bedroom with tears streaming down my face, the baby SCREAMING and unable to feed properly. It was a disaster. He looked at me and said "Why are you doing this?" Me: *sob* "Because it's better!" Him: "For who???" Me: *sob* "Both of us!" He took the baby (I clearly needed a break, LoL) and said he supported whatever I decided.
I switched my son to formula and bottles that night and we were all better for it. He was a different baby over night. I don't know if it was my personal stress, my breastmilk, perhaps I wasn't feeding him enough? But he went from cranky and crying to smiley and cheerful. I was able to relax and finally felt like I wasn't failing at this job.
Having said that, I nursed my second son for 3 months (he also had a terrible time. LaLeche and public health never could figure out why it hurt so much more than it should have), my first daughter for 11 months (muuuch better that time) and my second daughter for 5 months. Not excessively long, I know, but still.
I just wanted to share my story, because we don't always know what's going on with people. I didn't feel like I had a lot of places to turn for help without being judged, no matter what my choice. I think that's gotten better in the last 10 years.
It does irritate me when someone doesn't even give it a shot, or gives up because it's "inconvenient". I would much rather have a warm and ready boob than fuss with formula. Now that my littlest one is drinking formula, I always feel like I am either making, warming, running out of or picking up the bloody stuff!!
:p

Sandbox Sally
05-16-2012, 07:02 PM
Ahh but MIA, you did not choose to NOT breastfeed. I acknowledge that sometimes, despite what we know and what we want, breastfeeding does not work out for every mom. But c'mon, don't you think that every little baby deserves at least a chance to mess it up? :p

Crayola kiddies
05-16-2012, 07:41 PM
I have already posted on this thread and I did bf all my kids for various amounts of time and my experience was similar to MIA's I had my first one 21 yrs ago and I was 23 .... And it hurt like hell ... I have no idea why but everyone was the same ... One side hurt less then the other but neither one was overly comfortable and I too used to panic as soon as the baby started to wake and as they were latching on it gave new meaning to curling your toes ..... I wished I could have done it longer but sadly it is what it is. I do agree everybody should at least do the colostrum. I never minded the formula ... I always used the powder and made I've bottle at a time with previously boiled water and I never heated just gave room temp

mom-in-alberta
05-17-2012, 12:12 AM
Yup, fair enough, Alpha... I loathed it, and still gave it a good ole college try with each and every one. And as I have said, some worked out well, some not so much.
:D Thanks for not throwing rocks at me. LoL. (I know you wouldn't even if you didn't agree with me, though)

Dreamalittledream
09-19-2012, 06:05 AM
I wish! I partially breastfed for my 2 sons up until they were a year...I just could never produce enough milk not to supplement. I've often wondered if it's breast feeding related how my youngest (3 years old & my 7 year old did when he was younger), still puts his hand down my shirt when he's cuddling...or do all boys do that?

kidlove
09-19-2012, 09:56 AM
I breastfed as long as I could with my kids, only about 4 months each....my milk flow stopped. Was very bummed though, wanted to breastfeed to a year....so much better for the baby than formula.:)

kidlove
09-19-2012, 09:58 AM
I've had daycare Mom's say "ewwee! no way my baby is sucking on my boob, just sounds yucky!" I wish I had their t*ts....I would have loved to breastfeed longer! what a bond with your baby.:)

Nurse2
02-23-2013, 12:33 PM
I breastfed both my children until they were 1 year old. I decided this was best because of the health benefits, and there is so much bonding that happens. If I would have breast fed longer, but I had to go back to school :(

Artsand crafts
02-23-2013, 12:49 PM
My son is 20 months and still bf. He does it in the morning or afternoon when daycare kids are not at home and I am not that busy. He understands he needs to wait for bf. He likes cow's milk and soy milk and now can drink for a cup. I plan to stop until he does not want it anymore

cfred
02-23-2013, 01:21 PM
I may be crucified for this post, but.....

I breastfed all three of my kids for varying lengths of time, the longest being 6 mos. I gave it up early, because, frankly, it WAS becoming a pain in the ass. I wanted to go out without milk stains on my clothes or wet spots on my shirt that would come with hearing a baby cry or, for whatever reason, the sound of cicadas. I wanted to enjoy my previous diet along with a couple glasses of wine. I wanted to not always be 'on duty' or have to spend hours expressing milk in order to have a night off. I felt that I could continue being an exemplary parent without having a child attached to my breast.

I do see the value of breastfeeding, HOWEVER, it's comments like some I've seen in this thread that make women feel cornered, or that they aren't good parents or selfish because they choose not to breastfeed. That just isn't fair. My mother has been an astounding parent, but chose not to breastfeed any of us. I think we all got the colostrum at the beginning, but that's it. We're all healthy, happy and well adjusted. Choosing to breast feed is a very personal choice which, unfortunately, has been made everyone else's business. My sister had a baby boy 20 mos ago. She wanted to breastfeed but was having problems with it. I watched her for 6 mos trying to keep up with attempting to breastfeed while maintaining a pumping schedule. Her life was absolutely run by trying to provide food for her baby. She teared up one night after months of exhaustion and said that she couldn't give it up because everyone (EVERYONE) was forcing the idea that breastfeeding is the absolute best thing for the baby and to do otherwise was 'selfish'. She said she was afraid people would judge her and think her a bad mother because she wanted to stop. I told her to just never mind what others had said and that public opinion was just that - opinion. If someone doesn't want to breast feed, honestly, it's no one else's business. And opinions being thrown around make people who are genuinely having a problem feel just terrible or inferior. I know everyone's hearts are in the right place and we've all got children's interests on our agendas, but sometimes, though it's unintentional, it's just hurtful.

I'm sure I've offended some people, and I'm so sorry for that. But after watching what my sister went through, because of public opinion, just broke my heart. I felt it wrong to not say something on behalf of parents who choose a different path.

Nurse2
02-23-2013, 02:53 PM
I would say that the reason bottle feeding may be looked at as a bad thing, is because for the most part, any obstacle a woman faces during breastfeeding can be helped in one way or another. And yes, people do quit over selfish reasons (like inconveniences, don't like it etc.). There is no denying that.

Breastfeeding will always be the first choice by a lot of people. It's in our biology to produce milk and feed our babies, and it's nutrients cannot be matched by formula. So I do not blame people for encouraging and promoting it.

No one can force women to breast feed, or stop breast feeding. It is ENTIRELY up to the mother, and so it is in fact Her choice and she must Own her decision. Just like any important decision in life. It's safe to say that all women go through challenges with breastfeeding at least with the first child. I did that's for sure.

One thing I do agree with is...if the mother is becoming resentful or even abusive towards the child because of the stress of breastfeeding, she should definitely seek alternatives.