Pregnancy Info HOME

The first few weeks are the most important. It gives the baby antibodies to protect it from getting sick. Those anitbodies in the colostrom can help protect as long as 6 months even if you stop nursing. As long as your diet does not include harmful substances such as drugs, prescription, otc or recreational and no alcohol then it is okay to b___stfeed. You should take your pre-nat vitamin while nursing to ensure the baby is getting proper nutrients. The baby will get what it needs. Your body will go without to take care of the baby. There is no magic number to the length of time a mother nurses. Some only nurse for a few weeks some for 4 years. Whatever works into your schedule. It is better to nurse for 3 months then not at all. You could nurse and formula feed together when you go back to work. Nurse when you are not at work and formula at the sitters if you are unable to pump. When I had my daughter, I was not sure if I would bottle or nurse. I did a lot a research and found that nursing has far more benefits than formula, however, I wasn't sure I could do it. I told myself I would try it in the hospital the nurses would be there to help and I could take it from there. I ended up nursing for 9 months. I would have nursed longer but was unable to pump while working, and my daughter slowly weaned herself off. It's worth a shot. Try it if it doesn't work don't put any pressure on yourself. I hope this helps.

Some b___st milk is better than none. Just remember the first few week are hard. It's second nature after a few weeks. I can only pump 2 x's at work so once that 12 oz. is gone my sitter gives him formula. It's worked well for me.

Wow! mc really gave all the right info! Also, b___stfeeding, especially during those first few months, will help your body rebound from pregnancy and birth. I nursed full-time while on leave for 12 weeks, then supplemented, first with pumped milk, then with formula while baby was at daycare. It worked great.

Katharine is right. My pregnancy pounds melted away. In a 5 weeks I was back in my old jeans. Another plus. Nursing causes your uterus to contract causing you to have a smaller tummy faster. It worked for me. I am now 2 sizes smaller than when I got pregnant.

Wow thanks for all the great info. I have been planning to go ahead and b___stfeed but I just wondered if it was all or nothing. Seems like benefits are good for both us to go ahead and do it for as long as possible. Hopefully it will be something I can do. Of all the poeple I have known that had babies only one has b___st fed. The others gave up after trying once or twice. But I will try. Should I register for things a__suming I will b___stfeed (like a pump etc..) or should I just wait until I figure it out?

Again, note that the first couple of weeks b___stfeeding are much more difficult; for me this was mainly because I produced much more milk than necessary. After about 3 or 4 months, your body adjusts to how much your baby wants and you stop overproducing. If you decide to buy a pump early, my opinion is to get a manual. My experience was that it worked pretty well, and was also cheaper and compact, and it can definitely give you a sense of what pumping it like. Also, it would be awful to have a $200 pump and never use it! (For me at least, if it wouldn't bother you--register for the pump!)

I have continued to b___stfeed and I went back to work after 8 weeks. My mom (who watches my son while I'm at work) gives him the expressed milk and then gives him formula if she doesn't have enough. It is so much more cost effective if you b___stfeed. I signed up on formula mailing list and received several cans of free samples. I havn't had to buy any yet (my son is almost four months old). I really couldn't amagine having to buy it. It's so expensive. Giving it a try is not going to hurt a thing. Good Luck!!!

I really appreciate all the great answers. I also wonder when do you start b___stfeeding? How long after birth I mean?

You should start nursing within the first hour after the birth. With me it was closer to 2 hours. My hospital's procedure is to take the baby asap and do the routeen weighing, measuring, blood tests ect. My dh, mother and mil got to hold her before I did. I had to wait until I was stiched up and baby exam was complete. Around 2 hours later I was able to nurse. The first month is the hardest. If you can make it that month you have it licked. The worst for me was lack of sleep, sore nipples, wondering if the baby is eating enough. Use the nurses in the hospital they really helped me with techniques on holding the baby, helping tjhe baby to latch on ect. My hospital also had a night cla__s on nursing. It was very helpful. I would purchase a lower end pump. They will work for what you need in the beginning and if you decide you will continue you can purchase a better one. Oh and try not to have any formula in the house at first. This way you will not be tempted to use it. If it doesn't work out your dh can always make a trip to the store. I hope this helps and good luck.