Hello! I would like to know... What your thoughts and experiences are with breastfeeding....

How long do you think it's best to do it? and why?

I know there are going to be different opinions but I just want to have an idea of all this from people who have already gone through it... don't worry about making me more confused... :D ... I will thank every single recommendation and opinion on this subject!

Thanks!!!

Your sister,

Paloma.

There are lots of times/advice from breastfeeders that I will leave to them to give out...the experts! My hat is off to them!
I wasn't able to breastfeed, didn't produce milk...and honestly, even if I could have produced milk, I loathed every minute so badly that I would have bottle fed anyway...just wanted to say that breastfeeding is SO particular to every family and child and new Mom! Many mom's sooo plan on doing it and then find they either can't or simply can't stand it...IF for some reason you find yourself in that boat, do not feel like you're failing if you switch to bottle! Bottle vs. Breast is different for everyone and both can be very rewarding for everyone and both can be very healthy for the baby! Mine never had allergies or were sick ever and they never had breastmilk! Most of that is brought on by genetics and environment! (*not saying there are some great perks with breastmilk ladies!*)

So, not trying to confuse you, simply let you know that if you *best laid plans* don't pan out...it is okay, don't beat yourself up, just swing to plan B with gusto and make it the most rewarding possible and realize you'll find support either way here on our board! Good luck!

It varies. With my first, I needed surgery at 5 months, so I stopped then. With my second, the biting got so bad and stuff at about 8 months, that I stopped. With this one, I thought I was done last week, but she didn't agree. So we're still going! LOL She's over 9 months old though, so it's fine.

My goal has always been that year. But after 6 months, I don't try overly hard. I don't enjoy nursing a whole lot but I feel like I should do it. It's cheaper and stuff like that. When they are over 9 months, more like 10 or so for my comfort zone, I switch to whole milk.

Like Breezy said, it's a personal thing.

Take it a day at a time and keep the big picture in mind... not that I listened to any of the ladies who told me that last week when I was struggling! LOL. But seriously, it's hard at times, but usually only for a short period. In the beginning can be really hard, D didn't latch on properly and I was really sore for a few days.

I know the World Health Organization says optimum time to nurse is 2 years. They usually are the ones in the know.

I feel like I am middle ground on this subject. I feel like breast is best but there might come a point that you need to formula feed and you shouldn't feel bad about that. ds came at 36 weeks with the tiniest mouth. He couldn't latch on for the first 3 months and my life was all about pumping. then from 3 months to bout 6 months he nursed like a champ. Then from 6-9 months it was a continual struggle to keep my milk supply up. I had great support from a free lactation specialist that my hospital provided even after babies are born. I don't think I would have kept going if I didn't have her support. At 9 1/2 months we decided it was best for the both of us to wean. I am SO glad I nursed as long as I did, but I don't feel bad fro weaning and now doing formula. I am much more relaxed and I can just enjoy watching my baby eat rather than being stressed out if my baby is getting enough. Every mom and baby is different just listen to yourself, your body and your baby

At first, I wasn't thrilled with nursing. I haven't really enjoyed it until just recently. Now that ds is getting older, I am starting to appreciate the nursing/bonding time we have cause it won't last forever. Originally, I was only planning to nurse until he is a year old. BUT, if my milk supply stays up, I would like to do it longer now. That is how much I am enjoying it now. I do, however, feed him formula if I have to feed him while dh is driving or something...but only on rare occassions and no more than one time in a 24 hour period. If you decide to give it a try...give it time...it took me almost 5 months to enjoy it and I am so glad I stuck with it. But, if you decide not to nurse... your baby can be just as healthy with formula! Good luck to you.

[clapping]

Thank you all...

I guess this is very unique for everyone... :)

I can't help it... I want to know everything :D

:)

God bless u!

Well, it seems like you've heard from alot of moms on the shorter nursing period end of the spectrum.

I am however, on the opposite end of the spectrum. We do baby led weaning instead of mother led weaning. Essentially, that means that I breastfeed my kids exclusively without any other supplementing until they start taking in solid food, and then I breastfeed them in addition to solid food meals for as long as they (and I ) want to continue.

With DS#1, that meant that he self weaned on his own at age 2 almost exactly. With DS#2, who I'm still nursing a few times a day, he's still going strong at almost 27 mos. old. After about a year or so, I do put conditions on when and where we nurse, since they can take in other foods and liquids really well by then, but I'm more of the opinion that God designed kids to need that type of comfort well into the toddler years, and that it's good to give them that comfort and nourishment as well. Why even the Bible talks about Samuel nursing until he went to live at the temple, and that was probably 5+ years or more, so it just seems right that its ok for me to nurse my babies when they're toddlers.

There are many scientific benefits to nursing past a year as well (which is the goal set out by the AAP...at least 12 mos and as long thereafter as both mother and child wish to continue), and studies have even shown that antibody content in human milk actually increases in the 2nd year.

So anyway, now you have an opinion from the other end of the spectrum:-D Breastfeeding is alot of work, in that you have to give of yourself, your own body, in order to nourish your child. It is SO rewarding though, and has so many physical and emotional benefits for Mother and child, that it really can't be beat....the longer the better!

I kept breastfeeding until I got tired of being bit. (except w/ DS......he quit first!!!) approx two- two in a half years:) unless they bite alot...then sooner[flagsurrender]

When I became pg with my first child, I knew that I would breastfeed him -imo there is nothing man can make that is better than what God has given me; I figured if I were blessed with milk then I'd better use it! (please note that this is not meant to offend anyone who couldn't nurse, I know that not everyone can). I read up on breastfeeding while pg and I knew it could be difficult, but I also knew I would work through it regardless - I can be kind of an all or nothing person; I knew if I did not commit myself to it 110% it would just be too easy to bail when the going got tough and I didn't want to let myself off the hook so easily.
After I went back to work, I had a really hard time keeping my supply up - tried diet changes, supplements, medication, but it was not enough on its own so ds would have formula after my pumped milk for the day had run out and some solids, too.
After he was a year old we stopped giving him formula and I also stopped pumping at work, but when I was home I let him nurse whenever he wanted. I had never really though too much about weaning bec I had just been so focused on making it through that first year, lol. I didn't see any reason to stop nursing, so I didn't - ds weaned himself at 2 yrs old.

Ds # 2 is still happily nursing at 12 mos and he eats solids like a champ as well :-D

Nursing with ds # 1 was pretty much a breeze except for a brief biting phase; nursing ds # 2 was reeeeeeeeeeeeally painful the first month or so. I didn't have thrush or mastitis or anything; we just had a hard time working out how to get him to latch right. He also tried to nibble me briefly when he got his first teeth at 4 mos, but we nipped that in the bud right quick. I feel like I have written a mini-novel already, but if you want to hear more about the challenges, let me know.
I would just like to add that like any other aspect of parenting, nursing is not always easy (although it can be really easy, too) - I love(d) nursing both my boys - the peaceful, quiet, joy of it - the comfort and nourishment they sought from me - there is nothing like it in the world and I would not trade it for anything.

(except w/ DH.......he quit first!!!)

hee-hee; I think you meant ds or dd and not dh! [rofllol] I like your new siggy, btw (and congrats!!!!!)

Oh my!!! Yes, I meant DS!! I didn't catch that!!:oops:

I'm of the longer bf camp
mine have all nursed until 14+ months...varies
but I keep inching toward my goal of 2 yr
just somewhere around 16 mo I've had 'enough' and want my body back and begin to get rather irritated with nursing
sometimes have been worse/more intense than others, hence the varied weaning ages ;)

my "advice" shoot for the big goal of 1 yr...baby doesn't need anything but momma's milk for that first year (Ruth has great links on that, hopefully she'll come post them soon)
And set smaller goals as well...2 months, then..ok, let's shoot for 6...and so on
Thats how I started. I didn't grow up around bf so I was kinda 'scared' of the whole idea...had no idea how all this was going to 'work out'. I just really wanted to do this as I believed it was best. So, I set mini goals as well as the major one and was very determined. My first ended up being quite the natural at nursing...and practiced lots....every 1.5 hr LOL

I didn't have any issues until #2 with his tiny mouth. But, I didn't let that BE an issue, we just kept on, he figured it out, we survived :)

Sorry, majorly interrupted train of thought LOL
I'll just close now :p

I nursed my first one until 18 months and had to wean due to a medical reason. My second son only until 6 months (my husband left, had to go back to work full-time and pumping just wasn't working). My last child I nursed until he was almost 3.

I think for me, the biggest shock was that while bf is the natural way to go-it isn't so easy or natural for all moms and/or babies. Most babies are better at than the mommies at first ;) but it takes work and is very painful and demanding at first. With all that said, being a longtime nurser and a short-time nurser; it was the best experiences with my children ever. Support is critical when bf. It does get easier and yes, it does become a natural thing.

I have always been of the mindset that moms should at least attempt to bf, if it doesn't work for them, praise God for the formula options out there. But the health benefits of nursing are off the charts-I have never understood women who wouldn't even consider it....

I had so many troubles with ds no.1 trying to latch. As some other ladies have said, it takes practice *wink*. When he was about 2 or 3 weeks old, we were both so distressed. So, I started pumping. I pumped and pumped and pumped, lol. He took my milk from a bottle for 3 days, then I put him back on the breast and hey, presto! No pain, latched beautifully, no probs! Unfortunately, it didn't last, and he started refusing the breast at 4 months. We tried and tried, but there wasn't enough there, and he was so distressed (not that I was very calm by then, either, lol).

With son no.2, he latched on in the delivery suite, and went at it like a pro for about 30 minutes within 1 hour of being born! We had no probs at all, it was just like I had hoped and prayed it would be second time round! I remember dh telling me how happy he was that I was able to nurse the way I wanted to second time round. It was such a blessing.

However, my dad passed away when ds was 8 days old. I nearly lost my milk with the shock/stress of it, but we persevered. Unfortunately, I got very run down (grieving, plus looking after a 2 yr old and a newborn and a grieving mother will do that). I got quite sick, plus a uti that went to the bladder. The antibiotics I had to take were not compatible with breastfeeding (I know some are, but I have multiple allergies and am really restricted with meds). That was when ds was 9 weeks old. During that time, we had to put him on formula. I pumped the whole time, pumping and dumping :???:. By the time I could safely breastfeed again, my supply had dropped (no surprises there with everyting else going on), and ds wasn't very interested in nursing.

I still feel sad at times. It had been working so well, esp. compared to the first time. Then, my wonderful, wonderful mother in law said something to me that helped me. She was telling me that I had to grieve, had to look after myself too. Then she said "Honey, at the moment, it doesn't matter how he gets fed, as long as you're coping and he's got a full belly."

And I realised she was right. And we went on. And he is now a healthy, robust 7 yr old who loves his food and loves his cuddles. No feeding or bonding problems here, lol [claploud]:mrgreen:

So, to make a very long, kinda boring story short - go for it! It's worth a shot! I loved it, and am so grateful that I got the chance to breastfeed for as long as I did!

My DD is almost 22 months old and we are going very strong (nursing 8+ times a day) with no end in sight. My goal is child led weaning, be that 3 years old, 4 years old, or whenever. As long as we are both enjoying it, there's no reason to stop! Toddlers need nutrition and comfort as much as babies do. Doctors normally tell moms to give whole cow's milk until 2 years old. That is because babies were meant to be nursing that long and longer! Mom's milk actually has a higher fat content than whole milk. Commonly, we see babies walking around with pacifiers and bottles even at 2 or 3 years old. Nursing fills that role for toddlers who nurse longer.

I don't plan to give her cow's milk--ever.

It's early in the morning and my brain isn't fully up and running yet, but here's a link for you:
http://www.kellymom.com

It gives a lot of great facts on long term breastfeeding and introducing solids like why it's best to wait, etc.

Okay here's some more info on the longer end of the spectrum:

www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html
www.llli.org/FAQ/advantagetoddler.html
http://library.adoption.com/breastfeeding/the-joys-and-benefits-of-breastfeeding-a-toddler/article/2285/1.html

Toddlers continue to receive immunities and superior nutrition from the milk as long as they nurse. I have definitely seen that my toddler's health has been benefited.

It continues to provide them comfort, security, and a pick me up during those frustrating times.

Really, though, the most basic reason is love. Yep, just love. I see how much she enjoys nursing and finds security in it and I can't tell her no. It's so sweet to see her sleepy little eyes close while she's nursing and peacefully drop off to sleep. If we've had a hard day, it's comforting to know that a breastmilk-induced naps is just hours away.

Breastfeeding helps her because even on the pickiest eating day where she won't hardly touch solid food, I know that she won't starve because she will still drink my milk.

When she's sick, it's a comfort to her and helps her get better.

I have a friend whose nursling is just over 3 and he is beginning to wean himself. She shared with me that she's so glad that she let him take the lead and expressed how natural the weaning feels when it's his choice. Because his needs have been fully met, he is full and ready to move on to the next thing.

Extended nursing benefits moms too. The longer you nurse, the lower your breast cancer risk drops. Many moms enjoy freedom from periods too while nursing. I did not have a period until my daughter was over 19 months old. It was nice to avoid the hassle!

Here's how to nurse longer if that's your goal:
1) Nurse as long and as often as the baby wants to, without following a strict schedule.
2) Avoid using pacifiers or bottles regularly--babies tend to get hooked on them
3) Nurse during the night and avoid the early race to get the baby sleeping all night. Night nursing benefits your hormones that keep your milk supply high--prolactin.
4) Sleep near baby at night in order to facilitate the night nursing.
5) Start solids no sooner than 6 months old at the earliest, and don't give too many too soon. Avoid replacing breastfeedings with solids when the baby is under 1 year old.


Good luck with your new baby! :)

WOW! Thanks for the stories and the links! I can't stop reading! :D

it's wonderful to see how God is always faithful :D ... No matter what circumstances we go through He takes care of us... either a bottle (when breastfeeding is impossible) or breast... He's in control! :D ... I can see some of you have gone through hard moments.... and have had to keep on going with God's strength... that is AWESOME! I can't imagine how everything would be without HIM in our lives!

You all give me so much hope and encouragement!

God bless u!

Paloma.

I had difficulty breastfeeding. I had success with my last baby. I had so wished I had success as I had with her but to all God's will and meaning I am thankful for the bond I had with each child either nursed or bottle fed.

I didn't read all the other replies, but for me support was key. And a great breastpump. I had horrible breast infections with my second son that caused me to stop. My first I was able to nurse till 6 months but fell under pressure from family and others that I felt completely awkward and strange and stopped. Bottle fed my last 2 sons. So wish I was stronger in my faith/myself as I am now to realize that didn't matter what others thought and said.

Anyway along the way I realized many things about myself and a about others--- it was a growing experience for myself as a mom. Yes in breatsfeeding I discovered a lot about myself and who I slowly became and it was a process for me. One that you and your baby, husband will come to when that time comes. Be strong, do what's best for you and your baby.

You'll do just fine with any choice you make! God bless