Another question related to bfing: Don't you just love how they make bfing look so easy on TV? I was watching an old episode of Friends recently where Rachel had just had her baby and was trying to bfeed her. And baby wouldn't latch on right. Then like after a couple of tries she just suddenly does it right. Uh yeah right like it's that easy LOL
Or is it just that easy for some? If so, I'm so jealous LOL
Both my kids have had terrible latches and I gave up on bfing very early. :roll:

I am sorry for your disappintment. I do think some nurse easier than others...I don't know why. Seems it should be something innate. I had no problems with any of the four I bf'd. But Iwould say your kids look no worse for the wear. :) Still it must be so frustrating! So sorry! :(

Renee, I think that TV makes everything look unrealistic. From having a rough time breastfeeding myself, I know that in real life, the kid's latch doesn't magically improve overnight. :roll:

Breastfeeding in a lot of cases is hard work. Now usually it improves once you get past the hard part though. That's the neat thing. It used to be that Hannah would scream before and after every feeding and take about 40 tries to latch on. Now she and I love nursing and things have really chilled. Thrush was really nasty.

I am sorry for your disappintment. I do think some nurse easier than others...I don't know why. Seems it should be something innate. I had no problems with any of the four I bf'd. But Iwould say your kids look no worse for the wear. :) Still it must be so frustrating! So sorry! :(

Oh that's so true! They are very healthy and happy. Sophie did have a cold at only 3 weeks old but she's fine now. Abby never had one cold or anything until she was over 2 when she got Tonsillitis. :shock:

You know I just don't think I was cut out to bfeed my kids. I have terrible self esteem/confidence and always have that mindset that I can't do something. I think it was probably best that things have turned out this way. I don't know...... I just don't think I could handle bfing.

I had a hard time bf my first so I know where you are coming from. It took weeks to get her to latch on correctly. Then we we did get into routine, she was one of those babies that nursed almost constantly. I never had a break. I loved bf for her and all the benefits that came along with it. But it was very stressful. By the time we finally got everything down pat and were confortable I ran out of milk when Gracie was only six months. :roll: I was so sad but happy at the same time because I wasn't so stressed out all the time.

With Jon I just made the decision beforehand. I didn't want everything to be stressful especially because I didn't know how Gracie would react with a new baby brother. I was torn really and after some time, prayers, and consideration I decided to use formula with him. Sometimes I wonder if I really missed out and regret it a bit but I think in the long run I made the right decision.

Nursing doesn't come 'naturally' to all moms and babies. It is a learning experience for both. Babies aren't necessarily born knowing how to latch on properly. Born with a sucking reflex, yes, but that doesn't mean they know the proper form for sucking at the breast.
Just as moms don't automatically know the proper position(s), or the best ones or the most comfortable ones or even to change them if something doesn't feel right.

My first was a breeze, he never gave me any problems. My second had a small mouth and wouldn't open wide. It was difficult for a bit. My third was more of the same, only worse! We really struggled. But this is what I wanted for us. I had been successful in the past, I *knew* I could do this again. Actually, for me, I have the mindset of 'there is no other option' That works for me. Same way I get through birth with no meds and at home. As far as I'm concerned, there is no other option.

Anyway, yeah, I have to agree, they make everything look easy on tv. Everything is easy and dreamy and perfect in tv land ;) I mean, look at the reality shows even...what a twisted, distorted "reality" LOL

But you shouldn't feel alone because you struggled. It's rare, the woman who honestly does not have ANY struggle whatsoever. I'm 'labeled' as one who breastfeeds naturally, who's never had a problem. But, as I just mentioned, I *have* had problems. I just didn't make a huge deal out of them. I didn't let them deter me. I never gave up. I realize though, that my 'issues' were minor. So many women have much bigger problems than I ever did. I just don't like or want people thinking everything is all 'easy breezy' for me and I just 'don't understand' because I've not 'been there' Because I *have* maybe not to the same extent..but I *have*

Sorry, kinda rambled off there. See, I've had *friends* have this attitude toward me..this attitude of 'you can't possibly understand because you've not been there, you've never been where I am right now, you've not had these problems' Simply because I didn't go on and on about my problems..I just dealt with them. Took them as part of the deal and went on with life. I had a different mindset. Whereas they had the 'victim mentality' thing going on more than anything else. Who am I to say their problems weren't that serious ? I'm not saying they weren't. But who are they to say mine weren't just as bad? ;)

Anywho, apologies again. :oops: :roll:

I had a hard time bf my first so I know where you are coming from. It took weeks to get her to latch on correctly. Then we we did get into routine, she was one of those babies that nursed almost constantly. I never had a break. I loved bf for her and all the benefits that came along with it. But it was very stressful. By the time we finally got everything down pat and were confortable I ran out of milk when Gracie was only six months. :roll: I was so sad but happy at the same time because I wasn't so stressed out all the time.

With Jon I just made the decision beforehand. I didn't want everything to be stressful especially because I didn't know how Gracie would react with a new baby brother. I was torn really and after some time, prayers, and consideration I decided to use formula with him. Sometimes I wonder if I really missed out and regret it a bit but I think in the long run I made the right decision.

That's another big reason why I didn't want to bf (nurse). It's so time consuming and I just don't think I could have handled that. I had PPD with Abby when she was four months old. And I know I would have been stressed out if Sophie wanted to feed every hour or something. Maybe it's selfish of me but I'd rather have a happy baby and happy mommy instead of a grumpy mommy and upset baby KWIM?
I don't think you should feel bad for your decision. It sounds like it was the right one for you too.

I send you hugs & want you to know that it is ok.

I am so thankful that I have been fortunate enough to nurse both of my children. I am on the same lines as Tara with "this is your option" eventually this will happen. It does take a lot of patience, but I have to say BF has been wonderful. As far as easier, I don't know how the whole bottle/formula feedings work (well I know) but I can say that BF is so great. You have the right temp & don't have to worry about keeping it cool, warming it up/??

I have had friends that have had a difficult time & I just think you need to really pray about it & give control to God, if you are to nurse it will happen.

I had NO problems with it at all. Madison just seemed to know how to do it herself. During one of the ultrasounds we saw her lips moving...it was so awesome...so honestly, I think that she was born to nurse. I was nervous having never done it before...but I never ONCE had a problem...I guess it probably seemed very "T.V.ish" in a sense because it was just that easy.

The only thing that was hard was how demanding it was...I wasn't quite expecting that...but it was nice reguardless.

I'm so sorry Renee. I know how hard it can be. My dd was a breeze she gave me no problem at all! My ds however, was the total opposite! I think you did the right thing. If it was to stressful bfing and it would be to much to handle and take away from being a better mommy to your girls. Then i think you did the right thing to not bf no matter what anybody else says.

I agree, that tv usually gives a distorted view of life.

Personally, I've had my ups and downs with bf, but it was something I was committed to and I'm glad that I did it.

And hey, at least they actually showed a bf scene on a popular tv show. That's progress! All the tv babies I see always have bottles.

Lastly, hugs to you! I fully support bf, but you are right, it's not for everyone. Plus, I know a lot of dads (and older sibs) who really love feeding their little babies(brother/sister), so they'd need expressed milk or formula for that.

Yeah it's good that I can get Paul to do night feedings in the weekend. I leave bottles in the fridge already made up for him. So he just has to heat them.