We spent this weekend clearing out our guest room to “make room for baby”. I find myself so much more ready this go around. I feel really good, and I love the newborn stage, so I’m good to go…except for this one thing that keeps haunting me.
(Deep Breath Everyone) BREASTFEEDING…I managed it for 10 days with my daughter (hated every minute of it), but up until about a week ago, I’d made the decision to definitely try again. But as the time gets closer, I’m torn.
So, I’m trying to make a pros and cons list…and feel free to interject your personal opinions as EVERYONE seems to be doing lately!
Pros:
Cheap
Healthier for baby (in several ways, I know)
Convenient (As long as we have baby and breast, we’re good!)
Cons:
Baby doesn’t sleep as long between feedings
Feel like I’m suffocating baby with my extremely large and very full udders
Inconvenient (Not comfy at all with pulling these things out in front of ANYONE)
Cry when I think about it
So you see the dilemma?
I really just don’t feel like it’s for me, but my reasons are so…unmotherly! I will say, though, that I honestly don’t feel like any of Emma’s craziness was caused by the formula she injested as an infant. I’m pretty sure it’s genetic…my husband’s side, of course! I guess it’s just hard to admit to myself that I’m not one of those people who feels a bond by breastfeeding. I guess if that’s the worst “mistake” I make as a mom, I’m doing good!
I feel great respect for those mothers who do decide to make the choice in favor of breastfeeding. It takes a lot of time and patience to do it successfully. Congrats to all of you! I, on the other hand, believe that I’m a better parent when I can sleep for over 2 hours at a time!
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February 10, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Kathy T.
I didn’t breastfeed my daughters, although I tried. My milk took too long to come in for H. Then when Melissa was born, she was already starving because she was 2 weeks past due and my placenta had shut down. We started her immediately on formula to get some nutrition in that poor little shriveled up infant.
February 13, 2007 at 7:08 pm
linda
I could write a book about this… I tried to leave a comment last week, and I think WordPress ate it.
Long story short, 9 1/2 months into it and I’m still nursing J.J. at night and in the early mornings (if he decides to wake up at 5:00, it’s the easiest way to convince him to go back to sleep for an hour or two). I struggled with trying to breastfeed at home and pump for when we were out when he was newborn, and spent a few months pumping when I came back to work so he had breast milk at day care, but finally gave in and decided on formula during the day and breastfeeding at night. It’s a whole new experience now that he has teeth… And it may all come to an end very soon because of that.
February 13, 2007 at 7:50 pm
lcreekmo
I will be the first to say, please do what is right for you.
I cried [sometimes in severe pain] every single time my daughter nursed for the first 8 weeks of her life. [I'm a real marketer for nursing, no?]
Magically, at week 8, she “got it” and it never hurt again. That was good b/c they were thinking of committing me.
And I really LOVED nursing….such a sweet time.
I did much like Linda….my daughter had only breastmilk for several months, but as soon as she started eating people food, I couldn’t even pump enough to send a bottle to school during the day. So she did formula day/nursing at night fr 7 months on.
She weaned herself, nursing only at bedtime from about 1 yr until 2 weeks before she turned two, when she stopped cold turkey.
I am a big believer that everyone CAN nurse…you wouldn’t believe it if I whipped out my 1999 calendar and showed you all the appointments I had at the lactation consultant in the first 2 months after she was born.
BUT, I’m an even bigger believer in saying, you have to do what makes you a better mom. So decide, and be happy with it!
February 14, 2007 at 2:33 am
Jamie
I nursed both my girls (the first for six months and my second daughter for about 10 months) but I also supplemented with formula, more so with my first daughter because she went to daycare at 3 months. It was much easier to nurse my second daughter just simply because I was able to work from home for her first 11 months.
I have to agree that you should do what’s best for you and your baby. Try it again this time but if it doesn’t work out don’t feel guilty! Every mother and every baby is different.